Is it illegal

**ONMY6** · 05-13-2012, 04:31 PM

So yesterday I pulled my mufflers just for the heck of it and I actually like it. Besides the pipes rattling against god knows what under there. But, my dads like its illegal your not driving it. And Im like ok fine, I will get them on today (not happening) and my friend came over and I told him I cant drive it and hes like its not illegal, no cats are illegal, your fine. I know there are noise restrictions, but if i keep it under about 2500 rpms Im fairly quiet. So, my final question is it legal or illegal to run no mufflers...
PS there are no tips out the back. And I am eventually getting an axle back of some sort

**Biggy_bear** · 05-13-2012, 04:57 PM

I found this on a forum called LS1. It was posed in a discussion about this very issue back in 2008. Hope this helps.

N.J. Stat. @ 39:3-70 (2002)

@ 39:3-70. [Mufflers]

Every motor vehicle having a combustion motor shall at all times be equipped
with a [muffler] in good working order and in constant operation to prevent
[excessive or unusual noise and] annoying smoke, AND NO PERSON SHALL MODIFY THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IN A MANNER SO THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM EMITS IN EXCESS OF NINETY-FIVE DECIBELS AS MEASURED BY THE SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS (SAE) STANDARD J1169 (May 1998). IT SHALL NOT BE A VIOLATION OF THIS SUBSECTION UNLESS PROVEN BY PROPER AUTHORITIES THAT THE EXHAUST SYTEM MODIFICATION RESULTS IN NOISE AMPLIFICATION IN EXCESS OF NINETY-FIVE DECIBELS UNDER THE PRESCRIBED SAE TEST STANDARD.

A COURT MAY DISMISS ANY ACTION FOR WHICH A PERSON IS PROSECUTED FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE IN VIOLATION OF THIS SUBSECTION IF IT IS FOUND THAT THE DEFENDANT HAD REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATED IN VIOLATION OF THIS SUBSECTION.

[and] n No person shall use a [muffler] cut-out, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.

And the SAE test procedure for this is

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) with an established noise limit of 95-decibels (SAE J1169). Under the SAE standard, a sound meter is placed 20 inches from the exhaust outlet at a 45-degree angle and the engine is revved to three quarters of maximum rated horsepower. The highest decibel reading is then recorded...

**winslow16** · 05-13-2012, 06:00 PM

technically yes it is illegal like biggy bear said BUT if you really wanted to get into it swapping out factory mufflers with after market mufflers is illegal also. the law is your not aloud to modify your exhaust at all. but they sell muffler deletes. most of the time you wont be bothered though as long as you not bringing attention to yourself.

**ddougyy** · 05-13-2012, 06:01 PM

The short answer is yes, it is illegal.

**Matticus91** · 05-13-2012, 06:04 PM

It is but unless you're an asshole you have a pretty low chance of being bothered for it. My car is damn near straight piped (off-road X and borla stingers) and I have yet to be bothered for it. Even when being pulled over for other things lol

**winslow16** · 05-13-2012, 06:27 PM

yea when i had my 2000 gt i had and o/r x and mac cat backs and never once was bothered. i had a cop pull up to me in a parking lot and told me my car sounded good and drove away haha

**JerseyShovel** · 05-13-2012, 06:36 PM

Yes it's illegal. most won't bother you if your not being an ass. young kid f'ing around will sure to get a ticket, and constant harassment from you friendly neighborhood cops.

**jonny6** · 05-13-2012, 06:38 PM

And don't run it without some type of hung tail pipe - there is nothing else holding it up. I have deletes for over a month now and no one has bothered me "yet." Knock on wood.
The decibel test is what is going to give you a ticket, unless stock. I have a boat with a 455 W30, and is loud as hell. A State Tooper wanted to do a test on the boat, I said to him; do what you want, its stock. He walked away.

**ONMY6** · 05-13-2012, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by jonny6

And don't run it without some type of hung tail pipe - there is nothing else holding it up. I have deletes for over a month now and no one has bothered me "yet." Knock on wood.
The decibel test is what is going to give you a ticket, unless stock. I have a boat with a 455 W30, and is loud as hell. A State Tooper wanted to do a test on the boat, I said to him; do what you want, its stock. He walked away.

just a few times around the block was all. But cool gotcha, thanks guys for everything!

And if I get a ticket in my town for something stupid... They will have a free cop. lol. I know most of the cops personally (on good terms, but there are a few new ones).