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Thread: whats the legal dB level for exhaust in GA?

  1. #1
    Certified Gearhead shubert's Avatar
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    Default whats the legal dB level for exhaust in GA?

    No need to reintroducemyself , been here a while . just with a different ride now.

    anyway i have an ae86 gt-s coupe with blacktop 20v , ITB's , toda cams , obx header , and full megan racing exhaust.

    i got a ticket tonight from a cop that was in a parking lot 1/4 ahead of me...for improper exhaust. now the megan is 50 state smog legal , but im not sure about the dB level. i didnt have my silencer in , but can put it in to get tested , but my question is this: whats the legal dB level for car and or 4 wheeled vehicle exhaust in the state of GA? i know in gwinnett county for the scca competitions the dB has to be lower than 96dB because of the residental surroundings of gwinnett county fairgrounds, but ive been searching like crazy to find a dB level for the state of GA and havnt found a thing.

    my next problem , what the cop was actually hearing were the ITB's, considering like i stated he was about 1/4 mile ahead of me, then as i approached him , below the speed limit he greeted me with the blue lights. so is there a law against induction noise? i did find the GA law pertaining to this charge "40-8-71" but it states this......

    O.C.G.A. § 40-8-71


    GEORGIA CODE
    Copyright 2009 by The State of Georgia
    All rights reserved.
    *** Current through the 2009 Regular Session ***
    TITLE 40. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
    CHAPTER 8. EQUIPMENT AND INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
    ARTICLE 1. EQUIPMENT GENERALLY
    PART 4. HORNS, EXHAUST SYSTEMS, MIRRORS, WINDSHIELDS, TIRES, SAFETY BELTS, ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS
    O.C.G.A. § 40-8-71 (2009)
    § 40-8-71. Exhaust system; prevention of noise, smoke, and fumes

    (a) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with an exhaust system, in good working order and in constant operation, meeting the following specifications:

    (1) The exhaust system shall include the piping leading from the flange of the exhaust manifold to and including the muffler or mufflers and tail pipes;

    (2) The use of flexible pipe shall be prohibited except on diesel tractors or according to manufacturers' original specifications;

    (3) The exhaust emission point shall extend beyond the rear or outside of the passenger compartment. The trunk shall be considered as part of the passenger compartment;

    (4) The exhaust system and its elements shall be securely fastened, including the consideration of missing or broken hangers; and

    (5) There shall be no part of the exhaust system passing through the passenger compartment or any exposed stack so located that any individual entering or leaving the vehicle may be burned.

    (b) The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.

    (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any muffler which causes excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke or any muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device for use on a motor vehicle or for any person to use, to sell, or to offer for sale any motor vehicle equipped with any such muffler, muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

    HISTORY: Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 556, § 117; Ga. L. 1962, p. 653, § 1; Ga. L. 1971, p. 779, § 1; Code 1933, § 68E-402, enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 165, § 4; Code 1981, § 40-8-71, enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 165, § 10; Ga. L. 1994, p. 97, § 40.


    seeming as if i meet all these requirements deeming to be legal , my exhaust is full length , good working order , doesnt smoke , no broken or missing hangers , etc. and im surely not trying to sell it ....then how the hell can i be charged? the cop didnt take a dB reading . seeming as i am in north GA , jasper , pickens county , we have no emissions up here , and the car is an 85' so no cat is required.

    just wondering if anyone here has had this problem , and what kinda outcome did you have,actions , etc.

    thanks.

    btw , rednecks have louder pipes on their harleys , strait pipes on their 350's and 5.0's in this town.
    Quote Originally Posted by BTLFED View Post
    You are a load that should have been swallowed.


    86atlanta.proboards.com <-------Atlanta based ae86 and drift community!!

  2. #2
    Look Behind You !!! -EnVus-'s Avatar
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    Just fight it im sure it will be thrown out

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    Papasmurf #3!! Oz10's Avatar
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    That sounds like a BS ticket to me. Props for actually looking into it and not just paying it like most people do. If you are willing to go through the hassle of going to your court date you should be able to get it thrown out.

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    Certified Gearhead shubert's Avatar
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    right?

    i asked the cop if he wanted to see the 50 state legal certificate , and if he wants to measure the dB level , and he said "i dont care , that doesnt matter , its still improper and illegal"...

    you should have seen his face when he handed me the ticket for too fast for conditions , because i asked to see his radar , he refused , didnt mark it on the ticket , and then didnt record a speed deemed to be too fast....like i said i approached him below the speed limit , and never actually went above it anyway.

    funny thing is , he had me pulled over for at least 20 minutes so i know he was looking through his codes trying to find something...like exhibition of speed might have worked , or laying drag , but a 4:30 LSD in the rear doesnt let loose that easy unless you just killin' it. but i did take the 20v to about 7k before shifting....but like i said neither ticket is backed by breaking any laws or any proof from the officer...except his statement "thats not the stock exhaust for the vehicle".
    Quote Originally Posted by BTLFED View Post
    You are a load that should have been swallowed.


    86atlanta.proboards.com <-------Atlanta based ae86 and drift community!!

  5. #5
    Senior Member | IA Veteran Elbow's Avatar
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    Damn I've never had a noise ticket I didn't know anyone did.

  6. #6
    Toyota Enthusiast AE86Raptor's Avatar
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    I got a ticket for improper exhaust about two years ago. But I was running a gutted cat with a glasspack and was racing (didn't get a ticket for racing). Regardless if your county does emissions or not, it should still be fitted with a cat since they came from Toyota with one back in 1985. If you go and try to say it confirms you will lose because you're violating Federal law for emissions because you will have to prove it confirms going from the header to the back. A $75 excessive noise ticket is better than paying $10,000-$20,000 for violating Federal law. Now, my AE86 doesn't have a cat but will have "one" if my county ever gets emissions. That being said, just because your exhaust is modified or "not stock" doesn't mean it's illegal. I believe without any proof of "driving too fast for conditions," you may have that beat. Now you may try to check for what the exhaust levels for the Megan exhaust are with and with the silencer and possibly use that for your defense. BTW, after my ticket I switched to a custom APEXi catback I bought from a friend.
    400,000+ miles; it keeps going and going...

    1986 Corolla GT-S
    2000 Celica GT-S

  7. #7
    Certified Gearhead shubert's Avatar
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    cool , ill consider......know anyone with a bolt on cat for sale? i got till may. the guy i bought the car from has a test pipe fitted now.
    Quote Originally Posted by BTLFED View Post
    You are a load that should have been swallowed.


    86atlanta.proboards.com <-------Atlanta based ae86 and drift community!!

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