Jeez its been a while since ive posted on the Forums.

Im looking for some advice on my exhaust, i got an EPA notice in the mail for Exhaust Noise for my car, some cop decided to report me while i was going through the city on my birthday.

The exhaust i have is a 2.5" cat back with 1 resonator and 1 magnaflow muffler, looking at some suggestions on what would be best to do, or if you have had similar issues with the EPA and what you did.

I have a mate who has got the stock magna exhaust which i can use to pass the EPA test but im not too sure of what to do.

I tried testing the sound with a DB meter it seemed to spike about 100db or so though this is in a car port but im gonna try it again in an open area.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

Tom

Swap the systems over, pass EPA, put system back on. Its a PITA but the best thing to do.
or conversely, go to the wreckers and buy a whole cat back system, and keep it for yourself :D

if it's too loud, get another resonator (hotdog) fitted.

should be 93dB or less at 3200 RPM (off the top of my head, but I'm sure about the dB, not so much the RPM).

I think the point of measurement is 45cm from the rear of the car.

was the EPA notice a fine?

I thought they had to pull you over to issue a notice?

cheers,
.wook

Surely a magnaflow muffler with a reso cannot be too loud?! :O

should be 93dB or less at 3200 RPM (off the top of my head, but I'm sure about the dB, not so much the RPM).

It's something like 2/3rds of the 'peak' RPM of the motor. For a Magna, I think it'd be closer to 4000rpm.


Surely a magnaflow muffler with a reso cannot be too loud?! :O

Chisholm had a Magnaflow with two or three resonators and had to change it because his neighbours complained, IIRC.

im pretty sure its at ~3000rpm @ 4000rpm my exhaust is quieter lol

if your exhaust is too loud your better off just fixing it up... there is no need to have it ridiculously loud....

It was just a notice saying the cop suspected it was either too loud of defective and its just a notice saying u have to test the db and send them the slip with the reading. Apparently all they need to do nowadays is just suspect u have it too loud and off u go to testing pretty crap imho

I had a read of the EPA site apparently they test it at 4125rpm the exhaust shop guy said its meant to be done about 50cm from the exhaust and needs to be open area and u cant stand behind the car at the time either.

Has anyone run into any issues with putting another exhaust on the car passing the EPA test and then putting the aftermarket exhaust back on. The exhaust place reckoned if they report u again u get a fine is this true

Its a wild thought, but you could just fix your exhaust and not have it so loud if you dont pass the test....

Its crazy I know, who would have thought there could be a logical solution to your problem!

It was just a notice saying the cop suspected it was either too loud of defective and its just a notice saying u have to test the db and send them the slip with the reading. Apparently all they need to do nowadays is just suspect u have it too loud and off u go to testing pretty crap imho

I had a read of the EPA site apparently they test it at 4125rpm the exhaust shop guy said its meant to be done about 50cm from the exhaust and needs to be open area and u cant stand behind the car at the time either.

Has anyone run into any issues with putting another exhaust on the car passing the EPA test and then putting the aftermarket exhaust back on. The exhaust place reckoned if they report u again u get a fine is this true

maybe its just suspected, being in the city, maybe echoed etc...

do you think its too loud??? if not i would go get it tested... may aswell find out.

I thought it was 90db limit, pretty sure they have to measure it 450mm from the tip on a 45degree angle

no need for smart **** comments "Ers" im trying to work out what to do as i dont wanna remove a $300 stainless steel muffler and put a pis muffler on i still want it to sound good

Plus i dont even know how much over it is if at all so i dont wanna waste $200 bucks fixing something that doesnt need fixing

Well it was quieter then what Choonga had when he had the middle muffler put on the back rather then a normal muffler.

I mean there are cars so much louder then mine its not funny and yes city does echo it a bit and it was a 43 deg day as well which makes my exhaust sound a bit louder too.

It was just a notice saying the cop suspected it was either too loud of defective and its just a notice saying u have to test the db and send them the slip with the reading. Apparently all they need to do nowadays is just suspect u have it too loud and off u go to testing pretty crap imho

I had a read of the EPA site apparently they test it at 4125rpm the exhaust shop guy said its meant to be done about 50cm from the exhaust and needs to be open area and u cant stand behind the car at the time either.

Has anyone run into any issues with putting another exhaust on the car passing the EPA test and then putting the aftermarket exhaust back on. The exhaust place reckoned if they report u again u get a fine is this true


I'm confused, so you have to do the test yourself, and then send the the slip?

Why don't you go test a random car lol

Nah u gotta take it into a registered tester he checks it over draws a pic of the exhaust and they give u the slip with ur car details etc and u send it to the EPA with it being less then 90db.

Has anyone here gotten the Varex mufflers which has the valve on them to make the exhaust louder or quieter at a push of a button, and the legalities as i have heard those are not legal.

I thought it was 90db limit, pretty sure they have to measure it 450mm from the tip on a 45degree angle

correct. any reputable exhaust shop should have a DB meter and will be able to test your car and give you a printout. If you know anyone that work in an exhaust shop (or even if you don't) you should be able to sway them with a carton of australia's best to fudge the results.

I used to test the exhaust systems of cars that were defected at my old workplace and most of the time we used to be able to just weld on a flange and bolt on a quiet muffler. Then we would test the system, do the printout and send the customer on their way with the original muffler with them ready to be bolted on as soon as they got home.

Thats one thing that was recommended by one exhaust place that i called to put a flange onto a std muffler and onto my magnaflow one passing the test and then putting the aftermarket muffler back on.

Are there any legal issues with this like getting another EPA notice ?

Nah u gotta take it into a registered tester he checks it over draws a pic of the exhaust and they give u the slip with ur car details etc and u send it to the EPA with it being less then 90db.

Has anyone here gotten the Varex mufflers which has the valve on them to make the exhaust louder or quieter at a push of a button, and the legalities as i have heard those are not legal.

I have heard a few people have them and most of them love them.

Thats one thing that was recommended by one exhaust place that i called to put a flange onto a std muffler and onto my magnaflow one passing the test and then putting the aftermarket muffler back on.

Are there any legal issues with this like getting another EPA notice ?

none at all, as long as you don't get done by a road side EPA setup with your loud muffler on you will be ok. I you get a defect you just put the quiet muffler back on and take it to the police station the next day.

if you dont want to get another muffler (even stock) jsust get a shop to make a 4-6mm thick steel plate with lits of holes drilled into it and just whack it between the last flange join on your current set up.

3.5inch turbo back straigh pipe on a sr20 turbo 180, dropped 8dB.

I woudlnt suggest you leave it in there long term, just use it to granny it to the exhaust shop, get the test done which isnt under load then granny it home and take it out.

cheapest option.

Lionel

I don't know the legality of this silencer but it does lower the sound.
http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/52000063/Images/2/Super_Silencer.jpg

Ive read on the EPA stuff that u cant have any device that temporarily quietens the exhaust.

I cant use a silencer as i have an oval muffler with twin 2.5" dump pipes so it looks as stock as a standard exhaust.

What people dont know is Magna rely heavily on the rear muffler to keep them quiet. With my 3" system we have the biggest muffler we could fit in the tunnel after the cat and two of the biggest mufflers that would fit under the rear behind bar and im still pulling on 96-96 dbs.. My engineers cert says 89dbs..:)


Best Option is stock exhaust then a month later go back. really need to get the EPA off ya case. Not good..:)

Unless you know someone that will clear it like it is..:)

ive herd of ppl stuffing steel wool in the muffler, to pass their test

Nah u gotta take it into a registered tester he checks it over draws a pic of the exhaust and they give u the slip with ur car details etc and u send it to the EPA with it being less then 90db.

Has anyone here gotten the Varex mufflers which has the valve on them to make the exhaust louder or quieter at a push of a button, and the legalities as i have heard those are not legal.

ive got one. love it. if i get a defect notice and have to have it tested ill just close the valve. and when ever i see a cop on the roads i just close it up. its closed before they figure out where the noise came from

ive herd of ppl stuffing steel wool in the muffler, to pass their test

Its even funnier when this blows out the exhaust during the EPA test lol

if you dont want to get another muffler (even stock) jsust get a shop to make a 4-6mm thick steel plate with lits of holes drilled into it and just whack it between the last flange join on your current set up.

Not sure about VIC, but in NSW they make you weld any flange or steel plate, just so you cant quickly swap it.

Not sure about VIC, but in NSW they make you weld any flange or steel plate, just so you cant quickly swap it.
Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of a flange? If that were the case surely if a car company was EPA compliant all flanges would be welded from factory :confused:

Lucifer think I explained this badly lol

In NSW they can make you weld any bit of metal (such as a plate with holes in it, or a metal plate with one small diameter whole between a flange) if they suspect you have put it there to pass the dB test.

So its not welding every flange, just a flange with a plate sandwiched in the middle.

I think switching to a stock system to get the test done from a previous suggestion might be unwise as it is going to be obvious as to what you have probably done... just rock up to an exhaust specialist and ask them... it might just be a hotdog or 2 and the problem is fixed... to sacrifice 10-20db it not going to hurt too much.

The exhaust shop might just give you advice for free, in hope for further business

Not sure about VIC, but in NSW they make you weld any flange or steel plate, just so you cant quickly swap it.


What are you smoking..?? Since when does any in NSW have to weld all the flanges up.. Mine arent and never will be. The point of a flange is to be able to sway parts to replace when needed too..:nuts:

What are you smoking..?? Since when does any in NSW have to feld all the flanges up.. Mine arent and never will be. The point of a flange is to be able to sway parts to replace when needed too..:nuts:


Look like two posts down from that post - I corrected myself as I didnt explain it properly ;)

Look like two posts down from that post - I corrected myself as I didnt explain it properly ;)



Well nobody looks at the exhaust when u do the test. EPA defect means its has to go to a Authorised testing Exhaust shop and be tested and cleared. There is only about 6 shops in Sydney that can clear EPA defects. You dont want one that has to be cleared by the EPA as then they will start going over the exhast with a fine tooth cone..:)

Hey ERS i know what you meant straight off the bat, but luckily for me the sandwhiched steel plate path isnt monitored in QLD.

Lionel

Well nobody looks at the exhaust when u do the test. EPA defect means its has to go to a Authorised testing Exhaust shop and be tested and cleared. There is only about 6 shops in Sydney that can clear EPA defects. You dont want one that has to be cleared by the EPA as then they will start going over the exhast with a fine tooth cone..:)

Sorry mate I come from a rotary background, and just knew a few of those boys that tried these tricks (small diameter in a plate between a flange, or drilled plate between a flange) had the EPA go over them with a fine tooth comb, and made them weld their 'flange' when they suspected it was tampered with lol

Hey ERS i know what you meant straight off the bat, but luckily for me the sandwhiched steel plate path isnt monitored in QLD.

Lionel


If you are lucky enough to get a personal invitation to go over the pits they will take apart any flanges that they suspect may have a silencing device installed and then re-check the car after it is removed.

oh i have no doubts about that. Hopefully it will never come to that hahaha

Ill be getting a varex for my new pipes, which while i know isnt a legal option, it may just mean the difference between getting noticed to start with or not.

Ive driven for years on an exhaust system that would have my **** kicked. I had a dB reading of 108dB on decel from a tested 5500rpm. I found out my car is supposed to be tested at 4700rpm but thats not going to save 20dB haha

Lionel

I haven't ready many of the posts, but you could buy a varex muffler and control the noise from silent to loud :D

actually the varex muffler are totally legal. It's like having a loud sounds system in your car, if you play it loud while driving on the road you will get booked, but if you have it in silent mode they have no ground to book you on.

Really? It said for Race and off road use only on the disclaimer. I'm not arguing though and i doubt any cop is bright enough to notice.

do you know that the majority of aftermarket ECU's all come with the very same disclaimer?

actually the varex muffler are totally legal. It's like having a loud sounds system in your car, if you play it loud while driving on the road you will get booked, but if you have it in silent mode they have no ground to book you on.

Considering ferraris have had the same systems from the factory for quite a while this must be due to the manufacturers not submitting them for testing or similar??

do you know that the majority of aftermarket ECU's all come with the very same disclaimer?

Unless they come in closed loop function only.

The reason its stated its for off road and race use only is if its an open loop ECU.

Considering ferraris have had the same systems from the factory for quite a while this must be due to the manufacturers not submitting them for testing or similar??

governments make to much money from luxury car tax, stamp duty, rego costs and their own little cut on the insurance prices to care about an exhaust system on top end cars. Next time you hear a ferrari/lamboghini/porsche have a good look at the exhaust and then ask to hear it.

Does anyone have an idea how much the Varex Mufflers cost if u have purchased one or have seen the prices.

My dad reckons its my fault for fitting the loud exhaust and figures i need to fix it for good which makes sense but id rather not have to change the muffler but if i do the Stainless steel Maganflow i have might have to go up for sale which would be a great disappointment to me.

actually the varex muffler are totally legal. It's like having a loud sounds system in your car, if you play it loud while driving on the road you will get booked, but if you have it in silent mode they have no ground to book you on.

they are not legal. The legislation regarding exhaust noise emmisions states that no part can be variable. There must be no moving parts

Maybe i need to reiterate. Varex mufflers are legal to have on your car, like any other, but they are not legal if when completely open and free flowing, are louder then 89dB.

Regardless of the fact that by definition they do not meet legislation, the varex mufflers best selling point is that it may help you not get noticed to start with, not they they are the difference between legal and illegal.

ive herd of ppl stuffing steel wool in the muffler, to pass their test

I've actually done this with a V8, and no it didn't come flying out the pipe. The interesting part was that while we got the exhaust almost silent and much quieter than it was from the factory, with a huge cam that had steep ramp angles the mechanical noise coming out of the engine was almost exceeding the noise limit. We only just scraped past the test.

A bit of trivia for those interested, when using the 'A weighted' scale (dBA, which is a logarithmic representation of sound pressure in pascals and is weighted to match the non-linear response of the human ear) every 3 dB increase means a doubling of the noise level. For example, 89 dBA is three times louder than 80 dBA.

If you need to reduce the noise level by 10 decibels, that's a 330% reduction and you've got a big job ahead of you.

Considering ferraris have had the same systems from the factory for quite a while this must be due to the manufacturers not submitting them for testing or similar??Not the same though. Those are based on revs and are automatically controlled, Varexs are just down to whatever the person with the remote has set it to.

Have you even had it tested yet?

Get it tested before you change anything, you never know it may pass.

And if it doesn't atleast you will then know how far over it is and then decide what you need to make it quieter.

Have you even had it tested yet?

Get it tested before you change anything, you never know it may pass.

And if it doesn't atleast you will then know how far over it is and then decide what you need to make it quieter.
Exactly!
No point changing gear around when you may not even need to. Do the reading and then determine how much quieter you need to make it.

Personally from what you've described, it shouldn't be too loud.

yer I'd definately get it checked out first. the cop may have been having a bad day and felt like picking on someone, or maybe he heard another car and assumed it was you, or he had bad judgement... there are hundreds of factors really. i'd definately reccomend getting it dB checked first, and making your decisions from there.

thats my 2c,
-Matt.

Have you even had it tested yet?

Get it tested before you change anything, you never know it may pass.

And if it doesn't atleast you will then know how far over it is and then decide what you need to make it quieter.


WOW four pages until someone come in with the only sure way.

GET IT TESTED. At least that is a starting point.:nuts: :nuts:
and you do know that Dad is right (We always are):bowrofl:

I dunno that steel wool sounds pretty tempting haha.. I'd find out how they test it so you don't have to go to the pits all day just to find out if it's legal or not then have to go back again after it's 'fixed.' I got a yellow once for a neon at the front. I had to wait at the pits for over six hours in a line of commodores and skylines just for them to check it and send me on my way.

WOW four pages until someone come in with the only sure way.

GET IT TESTED. At least that is a starting point.:nuts: :nuts:
and you do know that Dad is right (We always are):bowrofl:
uhhh, post 3, 3 minutes after OP...


if it's too loud, get another resonator (hotdog) fitted.

should be 93dB or less at 3200 RPM (off the top of my head, but I'm sure about the dB, not so much the RPM).

I think the point of measurement is 45cm from the rear of the car.
I guess I was assuming that the OP would get a test to find out whether or not his exhaust was too loud and then take appropriate action. :nuts:

I guess I was assuming that the OP would get a test to find out whether or not his exhaust was too loud and then take appropriate action. :nuts:

Never assume. People will let you down everytime.