Is there any real clear cut noise law as far as exhaust goes? I met a state cop that runs his own business doing restos on oldschool Pontiacs and he said some cops will bust you, whereas others won't. Then I heard from someone else that a cop can't touch you if your car has a full exhaust system on it aka cats and mufflers. Only reason I'm asking is because I plan on running long tube headers and 3" pipe all the way back with Flowmaster Super 44s, wondering if cops will bust my balls. Aside from the noise I really don't plan on attracting too much attention to myself such as driving like an ******* or hauling ***, just wondering if a cop will bust a loud car driving normally.

Long tube headers = modifying the pre-cat system, which is FEDERALLY illegal, regardless of any state inspections.

Yes, there are legal shortie headers, but there is NO legal way around the cats. And they have to WHERE THEY ARE STOCK. You can't move them, legally.

In other words....There is NO WAY to legally run long tubes.

Well..darn.

Far as the noise issue, depends on the cop I think. I've driven by some that just look at me and do nothing. One stopped mid turn and watched me for a few seconds, then went on his way in the opposite direction. My car is nowhere near being quiet with dual 3 inch and bullets. A friend of mine can hear me coming about 3/4 of a mile away if he's outside, that's with the sound going through pine trees, houses and not level ground. So far though, no problems and it's been like that for a few years.

are turbos considered a pre-cat system mod as well?

I'm not sure where you live, but here in California, your car can't exceed 95 db.

that's not too bad, over here it's 77dB but of course i've yet got to meet somebody who was pulled over and had his exhaust noise measured

Just my opinion, but if you have to ask about noise laws you are too loud.

A Squire Turbo System wouldn't be! But with a turbo, it "technically" IS a muffler, so ne need for a "muffler" on a turbo equipped car!
"Muffler defined: Muffler is a device consisting of a series of chambers or baffle plates or other mechanical design for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and/or turbine wheels for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from a diesel engine, both of which are effective in reducing noise."

As for db levels for you guys. Your lucky! You have an actual, measurable level/cut-off point that can argued. I've failed inspection (on another car), because my exhaust was "too loud". But that inspection was done INDOORS (can you say ECHO?). They shouldn't have given me my keys, until they moved the car outside. I definately made some noise, as well as tire smoke & left them 2 LOOOOONG reminders on their concrete floor, on my way out of the building! I went right down the road right away & passed inspection, no problem.

Yeah it's definitely going to exceed the Connecticut standards of like 77-81 db, I forgot exactly, but I'm just wondering if a cop will bust me for it. I see plenty of old muscle cars around with their huge exhausts and glass packs.

[quote=QuiK;4278741]Yeah it's definitely going to exceed the Connecticut standards of like 77-81 db, I forgot exactly, but I'm just wondering if a cop will bust me for it. I see plenty of old muscle cars around with their huge exhausts and glass packs.[/QUOTE

Another opinion, if you don't do something Dumb & Stupid to attract attention . You may just fly under the radar screen like the old muscle cars. But start doing burnouts and reving the car just for the effect on people, you are going to be busted.

sure, that's exactly how it works right on the money.

[quote=DJP87Z28;4278795]Yeah, I said that at the top.

I have a very loud exhaust and the only time I have ever been busted is leaving a cruise night and doing a hole shot. I was getting a ticket for the hole shot but the cop was cool and wrote one up for modified exhaust. The only thing I do when I see a cop if I can is try and idle by him and that usally works, knock on wood. I have actually had cops pull up right next to me and never say anything. I guess it all depends on where you live.

most states dont have a noise ordinance, its usually a local thing. There are notorious cruise areas where i used to live in MD where the cops would show up w/ a decibel meter and chase people off, but they never wrote tickets for it that i saw.

Some townships have noise laws which amount to "does the officer think its too loud."

Other townships actually have a standard measurement in Decibels @ a specified distance.

The former, is harder to beat as its within the officer judgement, which if you caught one on a bad night, or did something to piss one off is too bad for you, cause you'd be getting a ticket.

The 2nd, is easier as the Officer must then prove that the sound meter was accurately calibrated, and that the officer was the specified distance from the car. This is much less personal and doesn't allow leeway for an officer to simply ticket you if you've pissed them off.

Really, it depends on the cop that pulls you over..

If it's a young guy trying to get a name for himself.. Expect a ticket.. But most of the older guys won't bother you.. They probably have better things to do than give you a warning to put on a "Stock" muffler.

My Insurance company wanted me to remove my 'Custom' exhaust for one that is stock....

I have a 2 1/2" SINGLE pipe, to a Magnaflow cat, to a Flowmaster 80, and out 2 1/2"... I wanted to jump through the phone and hurt the guy on the other side.