State inspection ?

[GRudy]

Any Pa. state inspection mechanics out there? If I remove my muffler and straight pipe it, will it pass inspection? I think I already know the answer but had to ask.

 

[Joe Mc]

Hey George - I'm due for inspection in April - I also just purchased Geno's muffler eliminator pipe. I don't "think" the lack of a muffler should be of the concern of the inspecting mechanic. Of course I'm not the inspection mechanic - I "think" he/she should be more concerned with the condition of the system Vs. is there a muffler on it. How many big rigs do you see w/o a muffler? But, there I go thinking again I was going to have the pipe installed during inspection if it was too much to do in the driveway, since I take it to a 'friendly' Meineke Muffler Shop for inspection.



Let me know what you find out and I'll do the same.

 

[Whitmore]

If I were concerned

Of course I would never do this but if it is a concern than you can take your muffler and put a straight pipe thru it ... ... ... ... ... ... Looks good to them and sounds and performes good to you... ... . all are happy. Life goes on. What they dont know wont hurt them

 

[Jetpilot]

George,



Your truck will pass just fine. I removed mine and have had no problems... .



Doug

 

[Hummin Cummins]

My Inspection mechanic removed mine for me... . (ran dual 3" no mufflers on my gasser blazer)



He's fussy about mechanicals, not goofy other rules (mufflers, window tint, off road lights, etc. )

 

[illflem]

You will have no problem passing the test but it is a federal law that you can't alter the stock exhaust system, the individual states have no say in the matter. If some inspector is bored or ticked off he could get you. This doesn't mean you can't install a straight though muffler, just that you must have a muffler if the truck came with one new.

 

[ddesau]

mufflers

Originally posted by illflem

You will have no problem passing the test but it is a federal law that you can't alter the stock exhaust system, the individual states have no say in the matter. If some inspector is bored or ticked off he could get you. This doesn't mean you can't install a straight though muffler, just that you must have a muffler if the truck came with one new.

The Federal law I believe applies onl;y to Catalytic convertors - I don't think it applies to Mufflers - mufflers are regulated by State Laws.

Since Diesels don't have CC's - no one would probably say a word-unless it was too loud or you live in a State that requires inspections. .

 

[illflem]

Removing your muffler

From the US EPA Noise Control Act of 1972, revised Feb, 1998. It's also in your Owners Manual:



"The removal or rendering inoperative by any person, other than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement, of any of any noise control device or element of design incorporated into any product in compliance with regulations under section 4905 of this title, prior to its sale or delivery to the ultimate purchaser or while it is in use, or (B) the use of a product after such device or element of design has been removed or rendered inoperative by any person is illegal.



Criminal penalties



(1) Any person who willfully or knowingly violates paragraph (1), (3), (5), or (6) of subsection (a) of section 4905 of this title shall be punished by a fine of not more than $25,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both. If the conviction is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under this subsection, punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than two years, or by both. "



If you want to read the entire law here it is http://www.netvista.net/~hpb/nca1972a.html



It is rare for inspectors to look, I wouldn't worry but you are still taking a chance in removing your muffler or cat. Most times all that will happen is a fix it ticket if you are caught.

You don't need an inspector, a regular cop could bust you if he has a mind to. Some folks have said here that a turbo qualifies as a noise control device and that you don't need a muffler, they are wrong.



'95-'98 have cats, removing/gutting them falls into another law with much worse fines.

 

[ddesau]

Re: Removing your muffler

Originally posted by illflem

From the US EPA Noise Control Act of 1972, revised Feb, 1998. It's also in your Owners Manual:



"The removal or rendering inoperative by any person, other than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement, of any of any noise control device or element of design incorporated into any product in compliance with regulations under section 4905 of this title, prior to its sale or delivery to the ultimate purchaser or while it is in use, or (B) the use of a product after such device or element of design has been removed or rendered inoperative by any person is illegal.



Criminal penalties



(1) Any person who willfully or knowingly violates paragraph (1), (3), (5), or (6) of subsection (a) of section 4905 of this title shall be punished by a fine of not more than $25,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both. If the conviction is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under this subsection, punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than two years, or by both. "



If you want to read the entire law here it is http://www.netvista.net/~hpb/nca1972a.html



It is rare for inspectors to look, I wouldn't worry but you are still taking a chance in removing your muffler or cat. Most times all that will happen is a fix it ticket if you are caught.

You don't need an inspector, a regular cop could bust you if he has a mind to. Some folks have said here that a turbo qualifies as a noise control device and that you don't need a muffler, they are wrong.



'95-'98 have cats, removing/gutting them falls into another law with much worse fines.

Ok - so check this part of the law out:



(3) that, while primary responsibility for control of noise rests with State and local governments, Federal action is essential to deal with major noise sources in commerce control of which require national uniformity of treatment.



The likelyhood that the EPA is going to wack you for not having a muffler is remote at the least- and I would say that EPA is more interested in Companies violating noise standards - not anyone's Dodge Ram PU. .



If the vehicle has had the muffler removed - and its not any nosier than normal than the local police would probably overlook you. . ( As a retired police officer I speak from experience)



The Feds can't even find Terrorists in this Country -what makes you think they even care about someone's Dodge Ram that has had the muffler removed ???









besides when I looked under my truck I saw another thing that looked enough like a muffler to fool anyone. You could remove the muffler and then replace it when it was sold.



In Oregon you can remove your catalytic convertor - and operate the vehicle - but when it comes time to resell it or trade it on -you must put it back in ( this of course only applies to that sections of the State that don't require emissions testing. .