Pulled Over for "Altered Exhaust"

[BryDog]

So I was leaving my house last night for Home Depot, got to the end of my road (in a quiet metrowest suburb) and saw a cop, parked across the street.

When you are driving a sick E36 M3, you make sure you stop at the stop sign, which I did. I signaled right, and went about my way.

He turns on the lights and pulls me over.

"Failure to stop"
"Altered Exhaust"

First of all, I felt all Rodney King-ish because I DID stop at the stop sign. This was clearly him wanting to pull me over out of boredom.

Then he proceeds to tell me that an altered exhaust from stock is too loud and illegal.

He gave me a warning.

I have a Stromung Exhaust - one of the quietest aftermarket sport exhausts you can get.

Crazy !!

BryDog

[///M3Augy]

:laugh Such BS, at least you didn't get a ticket. I got pulled over last week for going through a yellow light at like 12 at night. I got no ticket, but then I got followed for 3+ miles after.

[tb0ne]

:noel

Santa drives a sick E36 too

[BryDog]

I have 3 cars, an M3, Subaru, and a Scooter (that I use for really short trips around town)

Scooter - Cops smile and wave, probably thinking how cute my bike is (f-off pigs!)
Subaru - no reaction, just another vehicle
M3 - Here are just SOME of the tickets/warnings I've received:

1) No left turn, into my road, which everyone does
2) Care in Turning - judge threw it out (I basically slowed down entering into a shopping center because the pavement had a big lip and was going easy)
3) Sticker
4) No front plate
5) Speeding (no radar, cop just "heard me" while on foot, ran into his car, chased, and gave me a warning)
6) Altered exhaust - NEW LAST NIGHT

Rediculous ..

[savage217]

Shit I guess it's a good thing I didnt put on the supersprint rep headers. How could he tell the exhaust was altered? Did he look at the tips and saw that they read stromung or just because of the sound? I would have played it off that it was stock.:evil2

[BryDog]

I told him it was an aftermarket, but was the same sound level as stock.

Here's the law by the way:

No person shall operate a motor
vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped with an exhaust system which
has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise
emitted by the exhaust.


G.L.c. 90, § 16 . Offensive or illegal operation of motor vehicles.

Section 16. No person shall operate a motor vehicle, nor shall any
owner of such vehicle permit it to be operated, in or over any way,
public or private, whether laid out under authority of law or otherwise,
which motor vehicles are prohibited from using, provided notice of such
prohibition is conspicuously posted at the entrance to such way. No person
shall operate a motor vehicle, nor shall any owner of such vehicle permit
it to be operated upon any way, except fire department and fire patrol
apparatus, unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a muffler to prevent
excessive or unnecessary noise, which muffler is in good working order
and in constant operation, and complies with such minimum standards for
construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe. No person
shall use a muffler cut-out or by-pass. No person shall operate a motor
vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped (1) with a muffler
from which the baffle plates, screens or other original internal parts
have been removed and not replaced; or (2) with an exhaust system which
has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise
emitted by the exhaust. No person operating a motor vehicle shall sound a
bell, horn or other device, nor in any manner operate such motor vehicle
so as to make a harsh, objectionable or unreasonable noise, nor permit to
escape from such vehicle smoke or pollutants in such amounts or at such
levels as may violate motor vehicle air pollution control regulations
adopted under the provisions of chapter one hundred and eleven. No siren
shall be mounted upon any motor vehicle except fire apparatus,
ambulances, vehicles used in official line of duty by any member of the
police or fire fighting forces of the commonwealth or any agency or
political subdivision thereof, and vehicles owned by call fire fighters or
by persons with police powers and operated in official line of duty,
unless authorized by the registrar. No person shall use on or in
connection with any motor vehicle a spot light, so called, the rays from
which shine more than two feet above the road at a distance of thirty
feet from the vehicle, except that such a spot light may be used for the
purpose of reading signs, and as an auxiliary light in cases of necessity
when the other lights required by law fail to operate.

[m3fuz]

I have a Stromung as well and have never had an issue. Where in Boston are you? I was in Melrose, but live in Charlestown now.

[lotusTT]

Did you happen to be turning off Route 9 in Framingham last night on to the road that goes towards the Framingham country club?

A white M3 turned in front me that looks pretty close to yours. I was in a gray M Coupe going east on 9.

[BryDog]

Did you happen to be turning off Route 9 in Framingham last night on to the road that goes towards the Framingham country club?

A white M3 turned in front me that looks pretty close to yours. I was in a gray M Coupe going east on 9.


Might have been me .. I was in Framingham around 9pm and returned around 10pm.

Incident happened at 8:40, on the Framingham line - Edgell Rd.

[savage217]

Fuck im screwed. Ill just tell them it's stock.

[phathom]

If they ask to see it, like the tip or something, if it's logod you could always take a mild grinding wheel to it to grind the letters off smooth and polish it up so it looks stock but polished

[Lucid3ntr0py]

MA Laws blow.

[Bigo1087]

Fuck im screwed. Ill just tell them it's stock.


U think ur screwed...Ive got a UUC

My Best Freind always raves about how cops will be all over me...I havent had a problem yet. "knock on wood"

[halmotors]

My thoughts on the 'your exhaust is too loud, here's a ticket' issue is basically yes...how are they qualified to quantify your exhaust as 'too loud' out on the street? Do they have a specific decibel level that needs to be breached to make it 'too loud'? How could they even possibly be able to accurately measure that on a loud street?

It just sounds like a bunch of malarky, if you ask me. I would think that even if you'd gotten a ticket, you could successfully fight it in court.

[///M3Augy]

Do they have a specific decibel level that needs to be breached to make it 'too loud'?

Yup.

[hhw711]

Such a stupid law. The loud bikes are soooooooo much louder than an aftermarket car exhaust!

[e36mike]

Such a stupid law. The loud bikes are soooooooo much louder than an aftermarket car exhaust!

+1

Also older muscle cars with straight pipes never get pulled over.

I have a Eisenmann race on my car and havent had any issues yet. (knock on wood) I was pulled over about a month ago for a head light out. Was giving a warning for that and he didnt even mention the exhuast. When I was leaving I took off as slow as possible though haha

[m3saloon]

I hafto fail cars for altered exhausts. how well do you think this convo goes over.
"i'm sorry sir, but i had to fail your GT500 because of your beautiful borla exhaust."
its complete bullshit. i hate mass sooo much, they also have altered right hight crazyness like this.
Its because of the kids with civics that put a fart can on it and drive around WOT at 1am.

Its some lady high up that is bitching about all the car laws in mass.
we are the ONLY state in the country with a "lift law" for trucks.
i could go on for hours about this f-in state.
I hate you mass with every fiber of my being.

[greenleaf]

I hafto fail cars for altered exhausts. how well do you think this convo goes over.
"i'm sorry sir, but i had to fail your GT500 because of your beautiful borla exhaust."
its complete bullshit. i hate mass sooo much, they also have altered right hight crazyness like this.
Its because of the kids with civics that put a fart can on it and drive around WOT at 1am.

Its some lady high up that is bitching about all the car laws in mass.
we are the ONLY state in the country with a "lift law" for trucks.
i could go on for hours about this f-in state.
I hate you mass with every fiber of my being.

does the altered exhausts law apply for Harleys? :rofl2

[m3saloon]

does the altered exhausts law apply for Harleys? :rofl2
Idk. i dont think so. i dont do bikes so i dont know much on the laws for them.

[BryDog]

The law says .. it is illegal to ...

"modify in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust"

So the noise level isn't the problem. It's the difference between what your car sounds like modified as compared to stock, that is technically, illegal.

Let me explain how rediculous this actually is.

Car A - Stock exhaust 80db at WOT
Car B - Aftermarket exhaust 80db at WOT, but stock is 75db at WOT

Both output 80db at WOT but, Car A is legal while Car B is illegal, according to the law.

How insane is that ????

BryDog

[savage217]

Bikes dont have exhaust laws because the loud exhaust is considered a safety device as it alerts cars of where they are:rolleyes

[AntiHero]

Bikes dont have exhaust laws because the loud exhaust is considered a safety device as it alerts cars of where they are:rolleyes

Not anymore there cracking down on those too. I have a bike also and seriously no matter how loud an exhaust is, people (old people and women mostly) will still not notice you! Exhaust laws in general are so damn ridiculous tho, cant they be doing something WAYYYY more productive then chasing motor vehicles around all day...

[edirtyfour]

Am I the only one that picked up on this part?

...No person operating a motor vehicle shall sound a
bell, horn or other device, nor in any manner operate such motor vehicle
so as to make a harsh, objectionable or unreasonable noise...

Is it seriously illegal to use your horn? I am like a week away from ordering a two-tone 139dB airhorn for the motorcycle... that will really wake the retarded cage drivers up :D

[adstock]

Did you happen to be turning off Route 9 in Framingham last night on to the road that goes towards the Framingham country club?

A white M3 turned in front me that looks pretty close to yours. I was in a gray M Coupe going east on 9.

Nope, that was me, you were in the front in the the passing lane. I was going to turn my head and do something to show that I noticed you but there are so many f-tards in the dirty ham that if your eye off the road for an instant, the next thing you know, theyre at a complete stop. Since were talking exhaust, my setup is AA race headers, AA track pipe, AA GenIII

I love these sightings, the other day in the hail storm, some of my friends saw me go sideways through an intersection and I didnt know they were there until a couple days later when they were like, "that was the coolest thing ever!"

[dje34M5]

I've been pulled over multiple times over the years in many different cars for the same "offense". Never actually received a ticket for it though. I had one statey tell me that he could hear my Corrado "from three miles down the road". I wish.
I still don't get why it's ok for Harleys to have exhausts that will actually damage peoples hearing, but a slightly altered automotive exhaust is a no-no. This is reason #578 that Mass is one of three states losing population.

[BrenM3]

i love getting pulled over for exhaust

never once on my bike though and ps bikes get inspections too that means no exhaust, too bad they slip on and off in 5 minutes tops.

BRAPPPP

[polishracing95]

i got shit for just having a the stock exhaust...

[bjl4776]

I lived in Mass for a little less than 2 years for school. Needless to say I will never drive my M3 in Mass ever again.

Situation 1)
My car was purchased in Massachusettes and registered in CT. I never pulled off the Mass inspection sticker. Got pulled over and the cop told me to get out of the car. I asked why. He said that I was getting a ticket for an expired inspection and he was going to tow my car. I asked him if he ran my liscense plate and he said yes. Asked him if he noticed that the plate was CT, he said yes. Than started giving my shit why I didnt have a CT inspection sticker. At this point in time CT didnt have windsheild stickers. He had to call CT and find out that I didnt need one. Was trying to catch a ferry to Nantucket that I missed cause I was pulled over for an hour.

Situation 2)
Driving back from CT to boston on 84 before the Pike. Was like 1030 in the mornin and I was tired from a long night. Was cruising at 70 in a 65 with extremely light traffic in the left lane. Now normally it is a Pet Peave of mine when people travel in the left lane but I was out of it and there as literally nobody in visible sight infront or behind me. Cop pulled me over and gave me a 250 ticket for traveling in the left lane. I proceded to be an ass cause the ticket was already written and was trying to figure out why this rule is only enforced when the cops were bored and not when its needed for the asshole doing 55 in a 65 in the left lane with a line of 20 cars behind him, no response.

I also got pulled over in RI for "modified exhaust" rule similar to the MA one and a burn out taillight. Well you should read the law carefully because I got them both thrown out becuase the cop used the wrong ordinance on the ticket. The ordiance said that only one taillight had to be on the back of the vehicle. There is also another law that says if it is equppied it must work, but he didnt use that one. And the muffler law he gave me a ticket for he had to give me a written warning and give me 2 weeks to fix it. Needless to say I just got the ticket and had it thrown out because of it.

Sorry for the long post but it pisses me off when my tax money goes to cops wasting there time with stupid trivial stuff when I can drive down the street and see several drug deals goin down as well as other actual crimes that hurt society more than me traveling in the left lane.

[greenleaf]

I lived in Mass for a little less than 2 years for school. Needless to say I will never drive my M3 in Mass ever again.

Situation 1)
My car was purchased in Massachusettes and registered in CT. I never pulled off the Mass inspection sticker. Got pulled over and the cop told me to get out of the car. I asked why. He said that I was getting a ticket for an expired inspection and he was going to tow my car. I asked him if he ran my liscense plate and he said yes. Asked him if he noticed that the plate was CT, he said yes. Than started giving my shit why I didnt have a CT inspection sticker. At this point in time CT didnt have windsheild stickers. He had to call CT and find out that I didnt need one. Was trying to catch a ferry to Nantucket that I missed cause I was pulled over for an hour.

Situation 2)
Driving back from CT to boston on 84 before the Pike. Was like 1030 in the mornin and I was tired from a long night. Was cruising at 70 in a 65 with extremely light traffic in the left lane. Now normally it is a Pet Peave of mine when people travel in the left lane but I was out of it and there as literally nobody in visible sight infront or behind me. Cop pulled me over and gave me a 250 ticket for traveling in the left lane. I proceded to be an ass cause the ticket was already written and was trying to figure out why this rule is only enforced when the cops were bored and not when its needed for the asshole doing 55 in a 65 in the left lane with a line of 20 cars behind him, no response.

I also got pulled over in RI for "modified exhaust" rule similar to the MA one and a burn out taillight. Well you should read the law carefully because I got them both thrown out becuase the cop used the wrong ordinance on the ticket. The ordiance said that only one taillight had to be on the back of the vehicle. There is also another law that says if it is equppied it must work, but he didnt use that one. And the muffler law he gave me a ticket for he had to give me a written warning and give me 2 weeks to fix it. Needless to say I just got the ticket and had it thrown out because of it.

Sorry for the long post but it pisses me off when my tax money goes to cops wasting there time with stupid trivial stuff when I can drive down the street and see several drug deals goin down as well as other actual crimes that hurt society more than me traveling in the left lane.

it's similar to fast food employees. if the cop was smart, they wouldn't be a cop. or at least one that you'd come across on the road.

[phathom]

it's similar to fast food employees. if the cop was smart, they wouldn't be a cop. or at least one that you'd come across on the road.
Exactly, all the smart cops are on TV shows like CSI, they're too busy identifying semen on everything to pull you over.

[BryDog]

>> it pisses me off when my tax money goes to cops wasting there time with stupid trivial stuff

So true! In my residential upper class town of 8,000 residences (west of boston), we have 40+ cops. They crawl the streets looking for what ??? Their aint no crime here.

[MrRizzmeister]

if your from my area, dont ever drive through bridgewater!! i got pulled over 6 times in 3 weeks in my s2000. my exhaust isnt even loud but those policemen have nothing better to do.

[E30SPDFRK]

Just got a ticket yesterday for my exhaust. I've never had a problem before in RI, even driving around with open downpipes.

[greenleaf]

Just got a ticket yesterday for my exhaust. I've never had a problem before in RI, even driving around with open downpipes.

where'd that happen? in an area where cops have had problems with E30s? :shifty

[E30SPDFRK]

Westerly

The cop even said "you may get away with things like that in other parts of Rhode Island, but not in Westerly" lol


He gave Mike a ticket too.

[greenleaf]

Westerly

The cop even said "you may get away with things like that in other parts of Rhode Island, but not in Westerly" lol


He gave Mike a ticket too.

wow, that sucks. I tend to stay away from towns like those for a reason...

[BryDog]

I'm the OP and I just got pulled over AGAIN tonight. Again, one mile from my house.

I was "taking a corner too fast" said the cop. He gave me a warning. They actually had two cops show up. I was surprised, but the one guy was asking me all sorts of questions about my car - I guess cops can speed, pull people over, just to check out cars. Can't say I wouldn't do that if I was in blue.

He was actually cool. Or well, as cool as cops can be.

[adenosinebambam]

I sold my UUC TSE3,after I got stopped a few times, one of which was "for accelerating too quicky" I put on a stock 330 exhaust which is a lil louder, but I get no crap for it. And as for it being illegal to sound your horn, my buddy got pulled over because he honked his horn, like a 1 sec tap, because the woman in front of him was sitting at a green light texing or whatever. The cop said he was going to write him for road rage. Nonsense! It is only about 5% of cops that are a PITA. Most of the ones I know have nice cars and run aftermarket exhausts and no front plates, etc. It sucks a few bad ones give the rest a bad rap.

[BryDog]

It seems that cops can write tickets for whatever they want these days.

[halmotors]

I have a Magnaflow on my car, and I've gone zipping around with that howling out my aft end and received nary a look from the cops I've been around. I guess I'm just lucky.

[skratch]

I had a awesome time with a cop not to long ago.

Pulled over for
illegal hids
to low
and exh

He was like do you know why I just pulled you over.I was like no idia,I saw you from the get go and babied it by you.Stupid cops on there power trips.I shited on this cop,I told him my car just passed inspection and my exh is carb legal,he had no idea what that means.ran my plate and gave me a verbal warning.

[greenE36]

i got shit for just having a the stock exhaust...
I do too Dave, from cops and the guy next door.

[M-technik-3]

"Failure to stop"
"Altered Exhaust"

First of all, I felt all Rodney King-ish because I DID stop at the stop sign. This was clearly him wanting to pull me over out of boredom.

Then he proceeds to tell me that an altered exhaust from stock is too loud and illegal.

He gave me a warning.

I have a Stromung Exhaust - one of the quietest aftermarket sport exhausts you can get.

Crazy !!

BryDog

OMG stoy of my life. Lack of dosimeter and calibrated ear gets this tossed out of court... See a few months ago.

[adstock]

It seems that cops can write tickets for whatever they want these days.

Ya, if they want to screw you over, they'll find a way. It seems like they set up all the laws like that, vague enough so a cop can bend it a little to screw you if he wants.

[edirtyfour]

Ya, if they want to screw you over, they'll find a way. It seems like they set up all the laws like that, vague enough so a cop can bend it a little to screw you if he wants.

Welcome to MA. Chapter 90 isn't the only "vaguely" worded section in the M.G.L.'s.

And when you get past the actual law to the court system it's an even bigger sham. All of these laws and yet they are so selectively enforced, especially in regards to race and social status.

[pioneer416]

Bikes dont have exhaust laws because the loud exhaust is considered a safety device as it alerts cars of where they are:rolleyes

Not true, there is laws for bikes. This is what you do when you get pulled over for an exhaust. My buddy and i do it all the time, when the cop pulls you over you make up some elaborate story about how your car is old, and the winter rotted out your exhaust, and because its low you went over a speed bump and it hit and broke your exhaust, and now your just waiting for some backordered "new gasket/flange" to come in from the dealer so they can fix your exhaust. apologize for its loudness. by the time you get half way through this rediculous story they're lost and think that there is no way someone would just make all that shit up. its pretty funny and works alot.

[phathom]

Not true, there is laws for bikes. This is what you do when you get pulled over for an exhaust. My buddy and i do it all the time, when the cop pulls you over you make up some elaborate story about how your car is old, and the winter rotted out your exhaust, and because its low you went over a speed bump and it hit and broke your exhaust, and now your just waiting for some backordered "new gasket/flange" to come in from the dealer so they can fix your exhaust. apologize for its loudness. by the time you get half way through this rediculous story they're lost and think that there is no way someone would just make all that shit up. its pretty funny and works alot.
I like it, I'll keep that in mind

[BryDog]

Is it true that if your car is actually "old" you don't have to worry about the exhaust loudness? Is every 60's &70's muscle car out there illegal ?

[jjr4884]

i got pulled over a couple years ago with my uuc

i told the officer

"with all due respect officer, this is an aftermarket exhaust and it complies with all sound ordinance and emissions in all 50 states in this country, it is 100% legal"

so he said that all aftermarket exhausts are illegal and i'll have to take it off

"officer, there is no such law for that. Do you think that Oldsmobile still makes OEM exhausts for their cars from the 80s? No, they use aftermarket universal exhausts which are not OEM.....aftermarket exhausts are legal "

so he let me go on a warning


these cops don't even know the fvcking law, whether exhausts are illegal or not, you can still tell them to fvck off

[halmotors]

you can still tell them to fvck off
Cause THAT will make getting pulled over 10x better. They may not be up to date on some of the laws, but that doesn't mean you should act like a turd to them.

They have just as much to learn as you do.

[m3saloon]

There is a law in mass, not aginst "aftermarket exhausts" but aginst the sound level.
i'm too lazy to look for it exactly, but it states
any exhaust that is altered in any way to increase the sound level of it is aginst the law.
and yes, sadly it does NOT define a specific date range. so that 1967 camaro with flowmasters that shakes your windows when it drives by wont (by law) ever be able to get a sticker.
does that mean a cop will pull him over for it? prob not.. There too busy pulling over the Mustangs, BMW's, hondas. BECAUSE its waht the "younger" ppl drive, this makes it a easier ticket.




we need a I HATE MASS thread. i would so be suscribed to it.

[BryDog]

Here's the law - enjoy !

No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped with an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust.


G.L.c. 90, § 16 . Offensive or illegal operation of motor vehicles.

Section 16. No person shall operate a motor vehicle, nor shall any
owner of such vehicle permit it to be operated, in or over any way,
public or private, whether laid out under authority of law or otherwise,
which motor vehicles are prohibited from using, provided notice of such
prohibition is conspicuously posted at the entrance to such way. No person
shall operate a motor vehicle, nor shall any owner of such vehicle permit
it to be operated upon any way, except fire department and fire patrol
apparatus, unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a muffler to prevent
excessive or unnecessary noise, which muffler is in good working order
and in constant operation, and complies with such minimum standards for
construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe. No person
shall use a muffler cut-out or by-pass. No person shall operate a motor
vehicle on any way which motor vehicle is equipped (1) with a muffler
from which the baffle plates, screens or other original internal parts
have been removed and not replaced; or (2) with an exhaust system which
has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise
emitted by the exhaust. No person operating a motor vehicle shall sound a
bell, horn or other device, nor in any manner operate such motor vehicle
so as to make a harsh, objectionable or unreasonable noise, nor permit to
escape from such vehicle smoke or pollutants in such amounts or at such
levels as may violate motor vehicle air pollution control regulations
adopted under the provisions of chapter one hundred and eleven. No siren
shall be mounted upon any motor vehicle except fire apparatus,
ambulances, vehicles used in official line of duty by any member of the
police or fire fighting forces of the commonwealth or any agency or
political subdivision thereof, and vehicles owned by call fire fighters or
by persons with police powers and operated in official line of duty,
unless authorized by the registrar. No person shall use on or in
connection with any motor vehicle a spot light, so called, the rays from
which shine more than two feet above the road at a distance of thirty
feet from the vehicle, except that such a spot light may be used for the
purpose of reading signs, and as an auxiliary light in cases of necessity
when the other lights required by law fail to operate.

[phathom]

i got pulled over a couple years ago with my uuc

i told the officer

"with all due respect officer, this is an aftermarket exhaust and it complies with all sound ordinance and emissions in all 50 states in this country, it is 100% legal"

so he said that all aftermarket exhausts are illegal and i'll have to take it off

"officer, there is no such law for that. Do you think that Oldsmobile still makes OEM exhausts for their cars from the 80s? No, they use aftermarket universal exhausts which are not OEM.....aftermarket exhausts are legal "

so he let me go on a warning


these cops don't even know the fvcking law, whether exhausts are illegal or not, you can still tell them to fvck off

Nice argument, especially since Oldsmobile has been out of business for years.

[BryDog]

PASSED INSPECTION TODAY !!!!

Despite having -

1) No air bag
2) Worn tires
3) Altered exhaust
4) No ASC/DSC

WAHOO !!!!!! Now I can drive my car to the track on Monday without worrying about cops pulling me over about my registration. (Yes, I'm sure they will find something else to pull me over for however)

- BryDog

[AntiHero]

Nice! Not sure where your going to the track but if its nhis make sure you go SPEED LIMIT threw nh! Ive been pulled over going to a trackday up there before. Not only that but a few weeks ago I went to go pick up a s52 motor and they were perched with radar all over the place!


PASSED INSPECTION TODAY !!!!

Despite having -

1) No air bag
2) Worn tires
3) Altered exhaust
4) No ASC/DSC

WAHOO !!!!!! Now I can drive my car to the track on Monday without worrying about cops pulling me over about my registration. (Yes, I'm sure they will find something else to pull me over for however)

- BryDog