illegal?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 337
Likes: 79
From: Smith Mountain Lake VA
I wanted to put a aftermarket exhaust on my C5, then i researched if it would be legal in Virginia, the regulations code states any aftermarket exhaust is illegal, if it's louder then stock its illegal, that really sucks i hate VA. What could i do to make my exhaust sound better that would be legal?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If you are worrying about getting tickets simply for loud exhaust because of a heavy foot, then it doesn't make a lot of sense to buy an expensive aftermarket exhaust if you wind up having to pay fines or having your insurance premium skyrocket or even getting the policy cancelled.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
Directly from the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code. As I said, I'm guessing that most states have similar statutes. Speaking from experience, the average police officer wouldn't know the difference between a stock and modified system unless it's very, very loud. As someone else also mentioned, you might run into a problem in a state that has a specific decibel level and the officer has a device to measure that level. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much. 
(625 ILCS 5/12-602) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-602)
Sec. 12-602. Mufflers, prevention of noise.
Every motor vehicle driven or operated upon the highways of this State shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler or exhaust system in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. No such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and such original muffler shall comply with all the requirements of this Section.
(625 ILCS 5/12-602) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-602)
Sec. 12-602. Mufflers, prevention of noise.
Every motor vehicle driven or operated upon the highways of this State shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler or exhaust system in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. No such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and such original muffler shall comply with all the requirements of this Section.
Last edited by DevilDog II; Dec 19, 2015 at 06:57 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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I suggest a Corsa Indy Exhaust with X-pipe. It will be more aggressive than stock, but not necessarily louder. It has more of a contained rumble and the the X-pipe also mutes the idle popping.
If you install Borlas or other straight pipe systems, you will draw more attention. Corsa's will give you the performance and sound you want, but not the negative attention. Plus, they were covered under the original factory warranty when I originally installed them so they are GM approved.
If you install Borlas or other straight pipe systems, you will draw more attention. Corsa's will give you the performance and sound you want, but not the negative attention. Plus, they were covered under the original factory warranty when I originally installed them so they are GM approved.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 927
Likes: 6
From: King George VA
I live near Fredericksburg VA and I've got LG Pro LT's, catted X, and Billy Boat Bullets...Also heads/cam yadda yadda yadda complete with a heavy foot. I've been pulled over once in the vette (before the cam/heads) and wasn't even asked about the exhaust. Around here as long as you have cats on the car, the inspection station doesnt care about noise... even when you rattle the pictures off the walls of their shop. 
Usually, a passing LEO doesn't even look twice at my car.
Usually, a passing LEO doesn't even look twice at my car.
Last edited by LiteraCola; Dec 19, 2015 at 04:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 796
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
Almost 40 years ago I was stopped in Manassas VA driving a 67 Pontiac Lemans that I dropped a Chevy 327 in. Yes it was loud. I got a warning. A few weeks later I traded it for a 70 Cuda because the cops there were agressive
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
the cops can't ticket you and have it hold up in court unless they have a sound pressure level meter that measures decibels. Police departments are getting more sophisticated and some do have that equipment.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
They can give you a fix it ticket for no muffler. Been there.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 505
Likes: 2
From: VA
I wanted to put a aftermarket exhaust on my C5, then i researched if it would be legal in Virginia, the regulations code states any aftermarket exhaust is illegal, if it's louder then stock its illegal, that really sucks i hate VA. What could i do to make my exhaust sound better that would be legal?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
Every state has a Speed Limit on the books.....do you always keep the limit or drive slightly under it ? See what I'm gettin at ?
Don't draw attention to yourself or give a LEO a reason to pull you over and everything will be cool
Don't draw attention to yourself or give a LEO a reason to pull you over and everything will be cool
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
Even though I have had plenty of loud cars, and like the sounds sometimes, I can't help but wonder what's the point? It's just noise. I am really loving the subtle sounds my stock exhaust makes hard on the throttle anytime I want without being heard a 1/2 mile away, compared to the annoying straight exhaust I had before. I would rather get on the throttle anytime, than baby it because I didn't want to make too much annoying to other people noise.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 232
From: Round Rock Texas
Texas will only fail inspection if there is no muffler. This is way it took me a while to convince the welder that I only wanted a bypass and muffler would still be there.
You might check your inspection cert and see if they allow it. As they might make you take it off to pass
You might check your inspection cert and see if they allow it. As they might make you take it off to pass
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
I would put electric cutouts on if you re worried about it. Loud when you want them (which....is when you are not going to get ticked) and "normal" for when you re just going for coffee. Simple
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 5
Most shops will fail your visual emissions with cut-outs. I had to find a less vigilant mom and pop shop to pass mine in VA.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
Like others have said, as long as cats still on and you pick a 49/50 state legal exhaust should not be a problem. Some do say 49 state excluding CA but unless there is a specific db for you state you should be o.k..
Some new cars stock as somewhat loud - believe it or not the Fiat 500 Abarth is pretty loud stock, just drove one over the summer could not believe it was stock.
Some new cars stock as somewhat loud - believe it or not the Fiat 500 Abarth is pretty loud stock, just drove one over the summer could not believe it was stock.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
One thing that is always something to consider is, the sounds a car makes on the inside, is totally different, than what it sounds like on the outside. Following your car in another, or driving through a long tunnel. It would be nice to know how other people hear it too.