recently i got my hands on a Decibalmeter i started to think oooh have to test this out so today after my experience last nite i decided to put it behind my car and first get a reading at idle and high rpm

test subject:
86 fiero 2.8 V6 with an 88 block
flowmaster 40 muffler
dual 3" monza/pacesetter twin tips on each side
CRX intake

idle is just about 900rpm
98.3-99.8db
not to much of a variance but could be from the vacuum leak just bout all fiero's have.....

revved up to 5000rpm
119.8db was the max

I do not have a stock fiero to test decibals with if i did i could test it.....this leads me to wander about california state law says

News - 9/20/02
Vehicle Inspection Bill By Johannessen Signed Into Law

For Immediate Release

Senate Bill 1420, by Senator Maurice Johannessen (R-Redding), which deals with auto exhaust noise levels, has been signed by the Governor and will become law on January 1, 2003.

SB 1420 will allow licensed smog check stations to provide for the testing of exhaust system noise levels for vehicles that have been issued a citation for noise violation. The law will require these stations to issue certificates of compliance for vehicles when tests of their exhaust systems demonstrate that the systems emit no more than 95 db of sound.

Johannessen commented, “Currently, if someone receives a citation for a vehicle noise violation, there is no opportunity to challenge it and they are required to pay the fine. This law will provide a vehicle owner cited for such a violation the opportunity to have their vehicle tested to determine if, in fact, it is in violation. This law covers all vehicle owners, not just specialty car owners.”

Last year, Johannessen introduced SB 1081 that established an inspection process for after parts muffler systems installed on vehicles to ensure that they comply with current noise standards. Prior to SB 1081, if someone was pulled over and cited for a noisy muffler, it was the driver’s word against the officer’s.

the reason this came about is last nite i was just going to the nugget thats right down the street from me i got pulled over. I was polite and asked the officer what was wrong, and how i could change my driving habits if i did do something wrong. He must of been having a bad day or something and told me "We are trying to crack down on you ricer punks, I'm personally sick and tired of the loud exhaust pipes you kids have...." (keep in mine im 24 im not that young anymore) So still trying to be polite i said to the officer " my car is registered in idaho as far as i know i have to abide by idaho rules and regulations (hoping he would just say thats not right blah blah blah let me go, claim ignorance) as he checked my insurance and proof of insurance all that hoopla he came back and told me "im pondering on giving you a ticket for noise pollution but you been very nice to me but i want you to fix that" the overwhelming urge to display certain hand gestures was coming over me..... So still trying to be nice i was like yes officer i will next time i get paid. ~snicker not likely~ and let me go......

i just cant belive this because he had no sort of test equipment to really tell if it was to loud im just wandering according to the law it says its my word against the officers word, any law people out there can tell me i know i wont win that battle, but our justice system is based on proof right? what proof would he have except " oh i think its to loud" atleast with speeding tickets or running redlights and other illegal stuff they have cameras to catch that right?

this also concerns me because what about all the old cars that came from the factory like that big muscle cars and such? all these cars are illegal now also?

It also says “Currently, if someone receives a citation for a vehicle noise violation, there is no opportunity to challenge it and they are required to pay the fine" no chance to challenge it, this is a gooooood govermental system to me.....

DAMN DEMOCRATS!!!!
to me this to me is load of poopoo who's with me!??? I'm calling Bull$hit here!

references
http://republican.sen.ca.gov/news/4/pressrelease2007.asp

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My car is for sale if anyone is interested pm me

[This message has been edited by ca_xtreme (edited 05-02-2004).]

You also forget Harley Davidsons with their unique sound, they can be quite loud. I wonder how many of them get ticketed. On a motorcycle, the more noticeable you can make it, the more likely other motorist will be able to notice you, thus making it safer to ride the bike. Louder is better.

I'm putting one of these on my GT. They are designed for race tracks where the exhaust has to be below 95db. The question is, will a 2.5" CATless exhaust really be under 95db?

Arn

hi talked to friend..law officer........he says if the law in your area states about decibal levels, depending on where you are they may.....................

issue ticket, depending on mood of officewr(he"s being truthful), goto court pay ticket.no negotiating
same as above, but you have to prove removed or negotiate or talk to judge at traffic court
goto station or squad car and test with hand held meter, and if you are wrong remove or replace

they are getting really seriuos about "ricer" loud exhuast, and setting up ordinanceses all over

ps i am equal oppurtunity driver, american or rice, its ok..........

Yea, they're doing that up here too.. but they are picking on people with "enlarged exhaust tips"

Couple of people I know with STI's have been pulled over, because they have 3" exhaust stock. They've had to proove that the exhaust is unmodified in court (or to the crown prosecutor).

I have yet to be pulled over for exhaust, and my car is pretty darn loud.. (no cat, busted muffler)

James Z

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i guess im just frustrated cause i felt like im getting picked on its not like i have a 6" exhaust tip or anything....but by what i read every thing from harley's, just about any car made before the 80's..... semi trucks/moving trucks are in violation...hummmmm this is just the work of the democrats in my oppion the vehicle laws are just outrageous in cali....look at all the people trying to do v8 swaps in their fiero or even 3800swaps

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My car is for sale if anyone is interested pm me

quote Originally posted by Arns85GT: I'm putting one of these on my GT. They are designed for race tracks where the exhaust has to be below 95db. The question is, will a 2.5" CATless exhaust really be under 95db? Arn

Uhhh.... ist that just another fart can honda muffler?? I would reconsider, its more than just the annoying "pissed off weed wacker" noise, anytime I see one of those I just know its some sstupid ricer that thinks its cool to sound like a moped. Some friends and I saw a pair of those on a firebird, and we just cracked up.

Man I wish everyone of you could move to Oregon! I have the loudest cars in probably a 50 mile area, and it's LEGAL!!!! there is no noise ordinance in oregon. My Fiero is straightpiped to a monza tip, my Z24 is straight except for a flowmaster 80 sereis and quad 4 inch tips, and my 68 Chevy pickup is straightpiped 2.5 inch on each side to 4 inch tips. We actually hold contests over the loudest car. and I've won numerous times but have never received a ticket for it in 4 years of driving.

quote Originally posted by 86GT3.4DOHC: Uhhh.... ist that just another fart can honda muffler??

No, it's actually not much of a muffler at all. These are specifically made for race cars. They don't offer much restriction and they don't quiet the exhaust down much. They're what you use when you need to knock off 2-3 db to be legal. Rice boys don't like them because they're not shiny and because they don't have a 2" inlet and a 4" tip.

Ca_extreme, in order to determine anything useful about your sound limits you need to get ahold of the testing procedure that the smog stations will use and duplicate this exactly.

The reading on the db meter will be affected by many different things. Sound intensity drops with the square of the distance. It will drop considerably if you're off to the side 45 degrees instead of aiming straight at the exhaust. If you're on pavement the reading will be a lot higher than if you're on dirt. If there's a wall behind the car the reading will be a lot higher than if there's not. Once you find the exact procedure you'll probably find that your car is legal.

Arns85GT, the same applies to you. Yes, racers use those mufflers, but most tracks have a db limit that's specific to the track. Some tracks measure 50' from the track. Some tracks measure at the property line. In these cases, racers can often meet the limit (legally) just by putting an elbow on the exhaust and pointing it away from the sound measuring station.

So again it's hard to give an answer as to whether this muffler with no cat will get you under 95db. 95db 10feet behind the car at WOT? Probably not. 95db 50 feet from the car and off to the side as you're driving by? Probably.

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Doug Chase
Chase Race
Custom roll cage and exhaust fabrication

When I have the car running, I'll try to record the sound for a postable sound byte.

I suspect it is quieter than a glass pack and probably along the line of a Flowmaster 40

There are 4 baffles, which is technically more than the Flowmaster.

I guess I won't know for sure until I fire it up

Arn