Question...Is a muffler delete legal? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

PnCRedJwl2SS · 12-13-2009, 07:04 PM

That's my question...yep--I asked it! Look, I'm a total newb (noob?) when it comes to modding cars, so I'm very interested, but I want it totally legal. Not interested in doing something that isn't--even if it's undetectable.

So, if I decide to go do the muffler delete--is it legal to have the car with no mufflers at all? I imagine this might be different from state to state. I live in San Antonio, TX. Any knowledgeable folks out there? Please chime in.

Thanks!

SSTony · 12-13-2009, 07:10 PM

it is illegal. i went with loudmouth II cause its as loud as you can get with a muffler.

lee · 12-13-2009, 07:11 PM

you could have problems getting an inspection depending how hard core the place is you take it to, but i dont really see a officer stopping you and saying hmm you dont have mufflers

coolman · 12-13-2009, 07:18 PM

In pa it's not illegal because that's after all the emmission crap. I checked with the guy that inspecs my cars. That what I would do if I were you.

OrangeChevyII · 12-13-2009, 07:21 PM

The muffler delete is leagal, you still have 1 or 2 pending if its a 1s3/l99.

lee · 12-13-2009, 07:22 PM

i called a couple places here in austin tx and asked and they acted like i was crazy for even asking , they were like umm yes you have to have a muffler

Mr_Draco · 12-13-2009, 07:43 PM

Muffler delete is legal but then again it's not legal.

Mufflers are not part of the emissions so it's legal to get rid of them, BUT it's illegal to get rid of them as without them the exhaust note won't stay within sound ordinances.

MoranoRacing · 12-13-2009, 08:37 PM

As long as your check engine light doesn't come on and it won't when you remove your mufflers you should be fine. BUT, I would suggest to go with an exhaust like the SLP Loudmouth 2 because it is still almost just as loud and awesome sounding, but it comes with mufflers.

m1tankr · 12-13-2009, 10:54 PM

There's a bunch of mis-information in these responses, so I'll give you the law enforcement answer. The muffler delete is usually illegal (it does not matter for emissions purposes). I say usually as each state has slightly different laws, and most cities have their own noise ordinances. You're Texas, so here's the Texas statute (right now with the cold up here I miss living there):
§ 547.604. MUFFLER REQUIRED. (a) A motor vehicle shall be equipped with a muffler in good working condition that continually operates to prevent excessive or unusual noise. (b) A person may not use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device on a motor vehicle.
This is similar to the MN statue (which is slightly more restrictive) & what it means in normal english is that it's illegal to remove the muffler (& no, the resonator is not a muffler) & it's illegal to modify the muffler to make it louder or have it rusted out so it's louder. You also can't replace it with one that is excessively loud or unusually noisy (sort of a catch all for any aftermarket mufflers). I think in 7 yrs I've tagged 1 person for it, he had a SLP LM with the no muffler option & worked hard to talk himself into a ticket. We just went to court on it & he lost (he tried to say the resonator was a muffler).
It's pretty rare you'd have to worry about this, but there are times. If you drive around late at night going to street races or bars, you're asking for problems. With Camaro's it's pretty obvious when the mufflers are gone & easy to hear. As a cop, you get used to what normal traffic sounds like, so when something is louder, you know.

Alfieboy · 12-13-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSTony

it is illegal. i went with loudmouth II cause its as loud as you can get with a muffler.

IT depends on which state you live in...

think before ya speak.

MadMav · 12-13-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

Muffler delete is legal but then again it's not legal.

Mufflers are not part of the emissions so it's legal to get rid of them, BUT it's illegal to get rid of them as without them the exhaust note won't stay within sound ordinances.

Ditto this answer.

Mav

zebra · 12-13-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee

... but i dont really see a officer stopping you and saying hmm you dont have mufflers

back in 05, i had an officer (county patrol outside McAlester, OK) do a U-turn on the highway (he passed me going the other direction) just to pull me over & tell me my truck was too loud.

here's the kicker... i was in my 91 explorer with a 4.0 V6, running a single chamber muffler dumped at the axle, and he said i was too loud (as a couple chevys running dualed-out 350s screamed past us)

lee · 12-14-2009, 09:33 AM

thats wild i had a cut out where the cats where supposed to be on a lt1 and never got pulled over, guess what you can get away with is different everywhere

Angrybird 12 · 12-14-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfieboy

IT depends on which state you live in...

think before ya speak.

not necessarily, could be the city or county also,, along with wherever you travel to.. just because you don't live there does not mean you are exempt from their local laws, such as noise or tint laws... If you are passing through you may just get a warning, but you still may get a ticket depending on your attitude...

12-13-2009, 07:04 PM	#1
PnCRedJwl2SS Howdy! Pete here... Drives: 2017 50th Anniv 2SS, A8, NPP, MRC Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Schertz, TX Posts: 1,379 View My Garage	Question...Is a muffler delete legal? That's my question...yep--I asked it! Look, I'm a total newb (noob?) when it comes to modding cars, so I'm very interested, but I want it totally legal. Not interested in doing something that isn't--even if it's undetectable. So, if I decide to go do the muffler delete--is it legal to have the car with no mufflers at all? I imagine this might be different from state to state. I live in San Antonio, TX. Any knowledgeable folks out there? Please chime in. Thanks! __________________ PnCRedJwl2SS 2017 50th Anniversary Edition, A8, NPP, MRC, w/Sunroof and Glow-tie! ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Ordered from GM Delivered to dealership and home 9-16-16 This car is a beast!

12-13-2009, 07:10 PM	#2
SSTony Drives: SS Camaro Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Piscataway NJ Posts: 1,782 View My Garage	it is illegal. i went with loudmouth II cause its as loud as you can get with a muffler. __________________

12-13-2009, 07:21 PM	#5
OrangeChevyII Drives: 2010 RS/SS2 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Forney Posts: 724	The muffler delete is leagal, you still have 1 or 2 pending if its a 1s3/l99. __________________ 2010 SS/RS SIM First to run 11's (11.83)on a stock long block. First to run 11's cam only First to run 11's all motor First to run 10's (10.96) and did it with a 100% bonestock long block and a power adder (nitrous) First to run 10's (10.55) on motor in 2010 Camaro First to break into the 5's (5.97) 1/8th mile First to cut a 1.5X sixty foot First to cut a 1.4x sixty foot First to car to cut a 1.3x 60ft

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12-13-2009, 07:11 PM	#3
lee Drives: 2010 2ss/rs Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 1,016	you could have problems getting an inspection depending how hard core the place is you take it to, but i dont really see a officer stopping you and saying hmm you dont have mufflers

12-13-2009, 07:18 PM	#4
coolman Guest Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: PA Posts: 4,812	In pa it's not illegal because that's after all the emmission crap. I checked with the guy that inspecs my cars. That what I would do if I were you.

12-13-2009, 07:22 PM	#6
lee Drives: 2010 2ss/rs Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 1,016	i called a couple places here in austin tx and asked and they acted like i was crazy for even asking , they were like umm yes you have to have a muffler

12-13-2009, 07:43 PM	#7
Mr_Draco Drives: 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 7,181	Muffler delete is legal but then again it's not legal. Mufflers are not part of the emissions so it's legal to get rid of them, BUT it's illegal to get rid of them as without them the exhaust note won't stay within sound ordinances.

12-13-2009, 08:37 PM	#8
MoranoRacing Account Suspended Drives: 2005 GTO, 1973 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Westchester Posts: 460	As long as your check engine light doesn't come on and it won't when you remove your mufflers you should be fine. BUT, I would suggest to go with an exhaust like the SLP Loudmouth 2 because it is still almost just as loud and awesome sounding, but it comes with mufflers.

12-13-2009, 10:54 PM	#9
m1tankr Drives: '69 Camaro RS LM-1 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 64	There's a bunch of mis-information in these responses, so I'll give you the law enforcement answer. The muffler delete is usually illegal (it does not matter for emissions purposes). I say usually as each state has slightly different laws, and most cities have their own noise ordinances. You're Texas, so here's the Texas statute (right now with the cold up here I miss living there): § 547.604. MUFFLER REQUIRED. (a) A motor vehicle shall be equipped with a muffler in good working condition that continually operates to prevent excessive or unusual noise. (b) A person may not use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device on a motor vehicle. This is similar to the MN statue (which is slightly more restrictive) & what it means in normal english is that it's illegal to remove the muffler (& no, the resonator is not a muffler) & it's illegal to modify the muffler to make it louder or have it rusted out so it's louder. You also can't replace it with one that is excessively loud or unusually noisy (sort of a catch all for any aftermarket mufflers). I think in 7 yrs I've tagged 1 person for it, he had a SLP LM with the no muffler option & worked hard to talk himself into a ticket. We just went to court on it & he lost (he tried to say the resonator was a muffler). It's pretty rare you'd have to worry about this, but there are times. If you drive around late at night going to street races or bars, you're asking for problems. With Camaro's it's pretty obvious when the mufflers are gone & easy to hear. As a cop, you get used to what normal traffic sounds like, so when something is louder, you know.

12-14-2009, 09:33 AM	#13
lee Drives: 2010 2ss/rs Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 1,016	thats wild i had a cut out where the cats where supposed to be on a lt1 and never got pulled over, guess what you can get away with is different everywhere