|
NHSilverado -> RE: stupid cops and magnaflow exhaust (4/8/2007 8:14:36 AM)
|
All depends on the laws of the state you live in as to what you can and can't do to your stock exhaust. If your state does not have any such law(s) on the books the cop has no legal standing to make you change it back. I doubt he would tell you that however unless there is a law covering the subject. Possible though there isn't. Call your state's DMV office and ask if there is such a law? Find out from the person what it is( ie; statute number )so you can go online to your state's web site and look it up and see just what it is.
If your state in fact does have such a law on the books about modifying the exhaust then you are SOL unfortunately. My state has something about it is illegal to modify the stock exhaust but it is not enforced unless it is extremely loud and obnoxious. Not all cops are A$$ holes. I run duals on all my trucks and never get hassled because I am sure to keep the noise level reasonable. Dumped straight pipes, cut outs, or glass packs and I would be.
If the law about exhaust in your state the cop was referring to has to do with decible limits( tons of states use this instead of making it illegal to modify the exhaust period ) and/or emissions then you have ways around removing it. Find out if your current exhaust meets the decible limit( usually 100-110 I have read as I recall ). If it does then you are set. If the law has to do with emissions manny of these systems are 50 states emissions certified. As long as you can pass the emissions testing at inspection( if your state requires it )the cop has no grounds there either. Again, it all comes down to what laws your state has enacted.
If you do have to put the truck back to stock then I would see the dealer who installed it about some $$$ back. If by any chance you bought this truck new and the exhaust was a dealer installed accessory included in the sale then I believe that gives you a loop hole to claim it is what came with the truck new. If it went on after you bought the truck, or you bought the truck used, you are in for a hard time.
You can try fighting this in court but if any laws are on the books prohibiting what you did you will lose. Same goes for window tinting. That is one every state pretty much has on the books. They set a max tint % and it is enforced vigorously as it is considered something that defends law enforcement personel.
Find out what your state's max allowable tint % is and have someone with a tint scan gauge test it to see. If you are within allowable limits ignore the cop. If you aren't you have no choice. Only recourse I see for you is, like with the dealer installed exhaust, is to go to the shop that put the tint on for some $$$ back. If they won't refund your money then take them to small claims court. Anything you bought and self installed however and it is your loss. They would have had to install it as well IMO to have any claim against them.
These places should not be installing things that are illegal. Unless they provide you with a disclaimer stating the stuff they did to your vehicle is for off road use only I would think they have liability in this selling & installing things that are not legal. If they passed you on inspection with these things on your ride you really have them.
|
|
|
|
