Are Axleback exhausts CARB legal?

[HAMBO]

Figured since they don't impact the cats they should be ok, but do they need a special EO # / approval?

Starting to think the most practical legal mod in California is to swap to all-electric

Thanks

[bajamoon]

No they aren't carb legal but what is? Who cares just save your stock stuff for smog time and enjoy till then. Every Camaro owner I know has intake and exhaust and way beyond that.

[Smkn600CTD]

Catbacks are legal!!!

After the cat, you do what you as long as it's not obnoxiously loud to your local cop.

[bajamoon]

uumm ok

[HAMBO]

Have called a couple of shops and manufacturers and here's what I believe the deal is:

Axlebacks are generally fine, as they don't move the cats, and as such they don't require a specific EO number.

Even some catbacks are acceptable, if they don't change the / placement of the existing cats. (Caveat, I'm not particularly tech savvy and don't really know what that means, but I take it to mean 'some catbacks are ok')

Again, not having gotten this directly from the ARB I wouldn't claim it's 100% accurate, but this is what I've gathered from a couple of sources. Trust it at your own discretion.

[bajamoon]

Catbacks don't move the cats since they are catback. Some exhausts may be ok because they're quiet like magnaflow. Now some flowmaster catbacks like the outlaw are loud as hell and you might not ever have a problem with cops but we all seem to run into one at some point. Do what you like and keep your stock stuff and if you get pullled over no big deal, just a fix it ticket

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[HAMBO]

Originally Posted by bajamoon

Catbacks don't move the cats since they are catback. Some exhausts may be ok because they're quiet like magnaflow. Now some flowmaster catbacks like the outlaw are loud as hell and you might not ever have a problem with cops but we all seem to run into one at some point. Do what you like and keep your stock stuff and if you get pullled over no big deal, just a fix it ticket

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Thanks for explaining (I probably should have assumed that based on the term 'catback' ). Yes, this all assumed noise wasn't too loud.

[DemonZL1]

Technically any modification to the exhaust is illegal. Axle bbacks are generally fine, though.

[HAMBO]

Originally Posted by Demon 1LE

Technically any modification to the exhaust is illegal. Axle bbacks are generally fine, though.

I'm not sure that's right.

This link is to an old CHP bulletin:
http://www.bobsmuffler.com/chp.htm

Says that not all modifications are illegal given pollution control laws. Bulletin is mostly about noise.

Also, from the CHP website:

"Many aftermarket exhaust systems and parts are illegal. Look for parts that meet California law. If it doesn't say it meets the law, it probably doesn't."
Exhaust systems which meet smog requirements but are still too loud: Exhaust equipment that states it is, "Legal in all 50 states," refers to smog, not noise."

Not the most 'pro-mods' wording, but by saying 'many' instead of 'all' are illegal it suggests that at least some exhaust modifications are illegal.

Anyways, appreciate all the input here. Think we may have beaten this topic to death. Perhaps time to agree the answer is a bit unclear / to each his own...

[bajamoon]

Yes some exhausts are legal just like some intakes but I don't know of a single one that really is legal. Other cars I've had had legal intakes and exhausts so that depends on the make and model but in california its not very common anymore

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[DemonZL1]

Modification of Exhaust Systems

27151. (a) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of the vehicle so that the vehicle is not in compliance with the provisions of Section 27150 or exceeds the noise limits established for the type of vehicle in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200). No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system so modified.

(b) For the purposes of exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or less, when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998, complies with this section. Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.


http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27151.htm

[Way Too Fast Motorsports]

Cat back is legal as far as CARB is concerned. CARB= California Air Resource Board. It does not impact emissions in anyway. Now the problem is noise. 95 db at 10 ft. i have been to the ref multiple times, i've had cars CARBed for swapped motors, and i've had exhausts approved by state ref for noise since i had been pulled over so many times.

That was mainly in my old Evos and stuff, I have noticed in my domestics i don't get bothered by police at all compared to the imports lol my 65 nova ss just had dumps rolling around got more thumbs up from cops than anything haha.

[Chevyg1rl]

Here's my $0.02. I don't have a stock exhaust on any of my cars and have never had any problems with smog or cops.

Go for it!

[tekteq]

I'm getting the SLP Loudmouth installed next week on my 2014, its fifty state emissions legal so I'm guessing thats carb legal ...then again, who cares?