I live in California and I would rather get a legal system put into my car. I am already going to tint a bit and other things but exhaust seems to be an issue where I live. I know we get more leeway as we aren’t ricers, but I’d like to keep it legal. So let’s start on a working list of legal exhaust. As people fill in the info I will update the list. If I’m missing any companies or products let me know, and if any info is wrong let me know.

Magnaflow:
Regular Cat-Back Exhaust – 50 state legal.
Magnapacks - Not 50 states legal.
Magnaflow axleback - 50 state legal.

Bassani
50 State Legal X-Pipe
Muffler - ? (I assume they are legal since the X pipes are).

Borla
Headers are 50-state
Cat-Back (I assume they are legal since the headers are).

JBA
?

 

I'm in the same boat Altoid. I would like to know more about any exhaust that we can use out here in Cali.

 

I think this should be a sticky or something and make a master list.

The Magnaflow axleback is also street legal. Then again its the same thing without pipes from the cats.

 

[quote=friedmaster,January 27, 2005, 11:45 AM]
I think this should be a sticky or something and make a master list.


After reading this, I checked on Virginia, from what I read, in this state, almost without exception, if its is not stock, it can be considered illegal. Could not find what the exceptions were. Apparently this month, a bill is being submitted to allow any exhaust if under 95 decimals.

 

Here are the exact laws pertaining to CA-

1. YOu can not remove the facotory converters at this time.

2. Exhaust must be under 95db using test procedure J1169


I can not speak for the other brands, however I can tell you that we do the db testing to make sure our catbacks are within the legal db limit.

The Magnapack however as noted is not within the legal limits.


You want to be careful when people claim exhaust is 50 state legal because when they are saying that 99/100 times they are reffering to emissions only...

not to sound.

Thanks
Brent
Magnaflow Performance

 

I could be wrong, but I think this is a federal law regarding removal of the converters.

 

Is it just a California law, or is it every state?

I did a Google search and am having a hard time finding anything with a clear answer.

 

In Calif. can we use headers? Will they fail visual or ? If you can use headers with the stock cat conv. would that be legal?

 

In California you can use headers only if they are C.A.R.B. certified. :notnice:

 

Ok someone get on it!!!

 

JBA cat4ward shortys, but no good info out of them yet.

 

I could be wrong, but I think this is a federal law regarding removal of the converters.
[/b][/quote]
I had thought the law was you can't remove them until $50k miles unless they are defective. Will try to find more info.

 

Found more details:

In August 1986, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new proposed guidelines for the construction, efficiency and installation of aftermarket converters. The EPA guidelines state that replacement converters may be installed only in the following situations:

1. The vehicle is missing a converter.

2. A state or local inspection program has determined that the existing converter needs replacement.

3. The vehicle is more than five years old or has more than 50,000 miles and a legitimate need for replacement has been established and documented.

 

[quote=holderca1,January 29, 2005, 9:37 AM]
Found more details:

1. "The vehicle is missing a converter."

That's easy enough!

 

I live in SoCal, and went with the 50-state legal Bassani X-pipe, and the Bassani Quiet Thunder cat-backs (also 50-state legal).

If going with Bassani, only the QTs are street legal (in most states). Believe me, they are not too loud - hardly notice them at idle or cruise, but they come to life when you whomp on the gas!

The Bassani Street Competition and Racing models are not.

Here's a link to their models: Bassani Mufflers

Of course, I retained the factory catalytics.