cats and test pipes
 

are test pipes / straight pipes illegal

somebody told me as long as you pass inspection (as in emissions) you are fine

If you have loud pipes in NJ you can get a summons no matter what kind they are.

can i ask what the actual exhaust laws are regarding emissions and volume? what are the limits and how can a cop determine if you should be given a ticket when they pull you over? what are the penalties?
i guess you'd know NJ, do you know PA as well? doesnt hurt to try, haha...

IN PA:
§ 157.11. Vehicular noise limits.
(a) Prohibition. No person shall operate either a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles of a type subject to registration at any time or under any condition of grade, load, acceleration or deceleration in such a manner as to exceed the following noise limit for the category of motor vehicle within the speed limits specified in Table 1.


TABLE 1
Maximum Permissible Sound Level Readings (decibel (A))
Highway operations test



soft site hard site
35 mph
or less Above
35 mph 35 mph
or less Above
35 mph
(1) Any motor vehicle with a manufacturers gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 pounds or more and any combination of vehicles towed by such motor vehicle. 86 90 88 92
(2) Any motorcycle other than a motor-driven cycle. 82 86 84 88
3) Any other motor vehicle and any combination of vehicles towed by such motor vehicles. 76 82 78 84




(b) Measurement distance. The noise limits established by this section shall be based on a distance of 50 feet from the center lane of travel within the speed limit specified in this section. Measurements at distances closer than 50 feet from the center of the lane of travel may be made. In such a case, the measuring device shall be so calibrated as to provide for measurements equivalent to the noise limit established by this section measured at 50 feet.

(c) Trucks. A truck, truck tractor, or bus that is not equipped with an identification plate or marking bearing the name and gross vehicle weight rating of the manufacturer shall be considered as having a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 pounds or more if the unladen weight is more than 5,000 pounds.

(d) Exemptions. This section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) The sound generated by a warning device, such as a horn or siren, installed in a motor vehicle, unless such device is intentionally sounded in order to preclude an otherwise valid noise emission measurement.

(2) An emergency vehicle, such as a fire department vehicle, police vehicle, ambulance, blood-delivery vehicle, armed forces emergency vehicle, one private vehicle of fire or police chief or assistant chief or ambulance corps commander or assistant commander or of a river rescue commander, or other vehicles designated by the State Police as emergency vehicles, when responding to an emergency call.

(3) A snow plow in operation.

(4) The sound generated by special mobile equipment which is normally operated only when the motor vehicle on which it is installed is stopped or is operating at a speed of 5 miles per hour or less, unless such device is intentionally operated at speeds greater than 5 miles per hour in order to preclude an otherwise valid noise measurement.

NJ says:
New Jersey Statutes Annotated Currentness
Title 39. Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations
Subtitle 1. Motor Vehicle and Traffic Laws
Chapter 3. Motor Vehicles
Article 3. Equipment
39:3-70. Mufflers



Every motor vehicle having a combustion motor shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.

i'm trying to follow the PA numbers but i dont see them. is there a table that didnt copy over properly?

and am i reading properly that in NJ its incredibly vague?

and these are the noise issues. what about removing emissions devices? is there any way for a patrol car to test that or cite you for it?

In NJ the State Police have an inspection team that can spot check you or be called to the scene when the Trooper needs to have you inspected to see if you have removed emissions.

The law is vague and there are local laws too that can be just as vague.

whats the penalty or what happens if you have any emmisions removed
such as a cat or something

You would get a summons for altering your vehicle and the fine is set by the court.