just curious since i have driven cars with no muffler and the CAT actually muffled quite a bit on its own.

I couldn't tell you, but I can guess that noise issued would be the problem.

Brad

With California laws im sure there is a stiff penalty for not having mufflers.

While it is not part of the emissions system, (therefore aftermarket ones are acceptable), Almost everywhere there is a law that states your car must have mufflers of some kind.

Mufflers are only for noise, they do nothing for the environment except make it quieter.
They apply back pressure but that shouldn't affect smog.
What the law says though I couldn't tell ya.

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 05-12-2009).]

I wouldnt think Ca will allow it. I only had cats on both my Corvettes and Magnum and they were not loud enough to even get stopped and questioned about it. For Ca being the so called car capital of the country, they sure are not very car friendly there. If I remember, didnt they try to pass a law to crush any car over 25 years old a few years back?

Damn shame that no one responding has a clue. Mufflers are not part of the emission system, and lack of mufflers will not fail you for smog testing. In fact, my old L67 Fiero had no muffler when it originally passed through the referee inspection. Also, the Dodge SRT4 was sold in California, just like everywhere else, without a muffler.

There are noise laws, just like in most places, that you can get yourself in trouble for running open headers on the street. That has nothing to do with California, and is hardly a situation unique to California.

If you don't know, and can't be bothered to Google, try not to say ignorant things.

It would be a good idea to check your local noise ordinances. They usually involve a "noise curfew" (for example, no loud noise between 10 PM and 7 AM), and will sometimes even specify a decibel level. Depending on how loud the engine is, you may end up not being able to drive it at certain times. No kidding!

I know in Missouri you have to have a muffler (of some sort), and anything under a 9" glasspack is illegal, as are cherry bombs. No idea why, but when I moved here I had to change a few things to be legal.

quote Originally posted by WhiteDevil88: Damn shame that no one responding has a clue. Mufflers are not part of the emission system, and lack of mufflers will not fail you for smog testing. In fact, my old L67 Fiero had no muffler when it originally passed through the referee inspection. Also, the Dodge SRT4 was sold in California, just like everywhere else, without a muffler. There are noise laws, just like in most places, that you can get yourself in trouble for running open headers on the street. That has nothing to do with California, and is hardly a situation unique to California. If you don't know, and can't be bothered to Google, try not to say ignorant things.

I can vouch, my SRT-4 came from the factory with no muffler - I eventually went big turbo and a pipe straight out the side, loud, but still OK, never got any flack. If a vehicle came with mufflers and you removed them, it might be a different story.

Mufflers are not required for CA smog. You can get a ticket for a loud exhaust but that is not smog related. CARB considered everything from the first emission control device (usually the air meter on modern cars) to the cat a smog control device. I don't agree with their definition but it clearly excludes the muffler and air filter on most cars.

If you want an official answer, call your local Bureau of Automotive Repair.

quote Originally posted by Doug85GT: Mufflers are not required for CA smog. You can get a ticket for a loud exhaust but that is not smog related. CARB considered everything from the first emission control device (usually the air meter on modern cars) to the cat a smog control device. I don't agree with their definition but it clearly excludes the muffler and air filter on most cars. If you want an official answer, call your local Bureau of Automotive Repair.

from the brochure I picked up from the DMV yesterday, "In California, a law enforcement official is no longer required to utilize testing equipment to determine if an exhaust system is too loud, a citation can be issued if the officer feels that the exhaust is too loud and you may be required to participate in an inspection at a certified smog center" - lame.

quote Originally posted by FieroSTETZ: from the brochure I picked up from the DMV yesterday, "In California, a law enforcement official is no longer required to utilize testing equipment to determine if an exhaust system is too loud, a citation can be issued if the officer feels that the exhaust is too loud and you may be required to participate in an inspection at a certified smog center" - lame.

Wow, that's new to me. I guess that's why I'm suddenly hearing all of those lawn mowers screaming down the street. That said, hehe; my N* has very small mufflers on the tips and the Smog rep didn't knock me points on it and neither did the CA HWY patrol during the inspection.

quote Originally posted by WhiteDevil88: Damn shame that no one responding has a clue. .

I was just about to say ask someone who lives in California, or a Smog referee. I haven't lived there in over 8 years, so like whitedevil says "I'm clueless. "