Side Pipes in MA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 27
Likes: 3
From: Wistah MA
Side Pipes in MA
I know they changed the system here starting Jan 1 . Does this mean ALL side pipes not factory installed are now illegal ? Any exemption for antique ( over 25 years ) cars ? Any info would help , thanks .
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 27
Likes: 3
From: Wistah MA
I don't have anything in stone yet , waiting to talk to my friend who owns an inspection station . I HEARD factory installed side pipes ( 69 ) are OK , it's the ones that are aftermarket AND have had the cat removed that they might go after . Another thing would be if they still allow the antique exemption to cars over 25 years old . So , check around your end of our wonderful state and see if you come up with anything...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 333
From: Southampton MA
Thanks dabreeze! I will also ask around. There's no end to this kind of stuff here. I bought a wrecked 69 in pieces and didn't title it for a year as it was not even a whole car yet. The registry got me for sales tax on a
on a $30,000 car and a $600 penalty for failure to title immediately.
That's why I'm a little worried.......it never ends around here.
I'll let you know what I hear...Have a great day.
on a $30,000 car and a $600 penalty for failure to title immediately.
That's why I'm a little worried.......it never ends around here.
I'll let you know what I hear...Have a great day.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 27
Likes: 3
From: Wistah MA
Where did you move to ? MA didn't get really bad until Dukakis came through on his tank...
...you could still find something to have pride in...now , not at all . Shame considering this is the state that started it all 
. If someone would bang a couple of heads together on Beacon Hill , maybe we could get back to normal...
Sorry for the rant...
...you could still find something to have pride in...now , not at all . Shame considering this is the state that started it all . If someone would bang a couple of heads together on Beacon Hill , maybe we could get back to normal...Sorry for the rant...
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 27
As of October they're illegal on any car that didn't have them stock or were a dealer installation on the later cars. Aftermarket is supposedly no longer OK. Had a long talk with the mechanic who works on my Mustang and runs an inspection station and he explained that with the new cameras and all that things are being looked at more closely and in real time but nothing is for sure yet. Still being sorted out it seems.
I sure hope that they're allowed, I severely want side pipes in my car !
I sure hope that they're allowed, I severely want side pipes in my car !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 27
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 102
From: Toms River New Jersey
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 27
Massachusetts already paid out money for the system and the system managers, of course the system managers are the same ones who screwed up the previous enhanced emissions program so . . . classic Massachusetts cronyism. Classic Massachusetts ****-up. Classic Massachusetts overage and money paid out where it doesn't belong Most likely Massachusetts will just shoot itself in the foot as usual and the new enhanced inspections will fall away as they all have. This state is honestly like a really good Monty Python skit.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
So if you have a 1974 or earlier car, the side pipes, OE or not, shouldn't be an issue. One thing the above article states, which is VERY interesting, is the lack of replacement parts, especially emissions related parts, for older cars. If the Governments get REALLY picky, this could literally force MANY older cars off the road......Somehow or other, I seem to think that a situation like that, HAS to be discriminatory, and somehow illegal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
So how many cars can there be in MA that have side pipes!? That's all the politician's have to worry about? Geeze. Glad I live in MI.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
I live in mass and just got thru installing hooker side pipes on my 76. I knew about the changes before I did the install, but also called a buddy to make sure I would not have an issue getting a sticker. His response was don't worry about it, make sure you install heat shields. Mass rmv website clearly states all vehicles 15 years or older are exempt from emissions. Safety is a different story and should not be ignored by the vehicle owner anyway.
i honestly don't think cops would know the difference if my 76 was driving down the street compared to a 74. Respect the road and don't drive like a meat head, and cops will look the older way. Now exhaust sound is a different story, right now I have the max flow inserts but think I will change to something more conspicuous.
Also according to my friend these new systems were put in place to stop people from frauding the system. Tint is the most obvious, lights, suspension. I see a 79 and 80 in my neighborhood with side pipes cruising around enjoying life and no one bothers them. I say if your considering it check with your inspection station and also keep the exhaust note to a minimum which has always been the law.
i honestly don't think cops would know the difference if my 76 was driving down the street compared to a 74. Respect the road and don't drive like a meat head, and cops will look the older way. Now exhaust sound is a different story, right now I have the max flow inserts but think I will change to something more conspicuous.
Also according to my friend these new systems were put in place to stop people from frauding the system. Tint is the most obvious, lights, suspension. I see a 79 and 80 in my neighborhood with side pipes cruising around enjoying life and no one bothers them. I say if your considering it check with your inspection station and also keep the exhaust note to a minimum which has always been the law.
Last edited by Tommy6905; Dec 5, 2017 at 08:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 333
From: Southampton MA
Thanks for the info guys. I was born here and my wife's family on both sides have been here since 1636...we aren't moving. That's our choice. We have such a messed up state in a lot of ways but it is where it all started and there are many of us that will stay and put up a fight. The problem is that things get thrown at us from Boston and we have nothing to say about it. There are just enough Libs in every area to squash the Conservatives. Then they just pass legislation and we little or no notice of it. Check out our gun laws and the AG's ruling on Auto-Loading weapons.
I looking at us from outside, it looks bad. Just know that a lot of us here are Patriots and are doing our best. This is what one Party rule looks like....Don't let it happen to you.
I feel better now. Thanks for listening.
I looking at us from outside, it looks bad. Just know that a lot of us here are Patriots and are doing our best. This is what one Party rule looks like....Don't let it happen to you.
I feel better now. Thanks for listening.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 965
From: CENTCOM, Tampa, FL
USMC
Sorry to hear that. I grew up in Natick, MA and you couldn’t get me to live there for anything. I joined the Marine Corps in 1995 to escape!
Not sure where I’ll retire to, but I like my cars and gun rights, so no thanks to Taxachussetts!
I think my dad is the “other” conservative in MA, so you’re not alone - haha!
Not sure where I’ll retire to, but I like my cars and gun rights, so no thanks to Taxachussetts!
I think my dad is the “other” conservative in MA, so you’re not alone - haha!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Ironically I had to get my truck inspected today. So when the guy was doneI started asking about our vette, he clearly said most of the laws they are cracking down on were already in place. The vette will only have to pass safety inspections. Nothing at all to do with emissions and or whatever the car came with in respect to emissions. I can see a bunch of jeep owners will be pissed as the formula in which one can lift a car and or truck is restrictive.
At least the vette will pass and I won't have to make any changes. I was going to ask about side pipes and then another inspection walked in.
At least the vette will pass and I won't have to make any changes. I was going to ask about side pipes and then another inspection walked in.