Hey all, just asked a guy at our local muffler shop to cut off my muffler and put a piece of pipe in its place. He told me that that is illegal. Also said that I need to put my cat back on. Its a 93 model and I told him that it never had one and he told me that I had to put one on. I know that I dont have to because it never had one. But it is legal to take the muffler off isnt it? I live in Texas if that matters any. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks Mike

 

I believe that in Texas the turbo counts as a muffler, so you can cut out the muffler and still be legal "by the books"...

As for having to put a cat on it, that's just stupid. I mean, that's "hook the tachometer to your glowplugs" stupid...

However, I think that it's against FEDERAL law to modify your exhaust at all, isn't it? But it's not like the EPA's going to come and confiscate your truck- all you have to worry about are local state-ordained cops, and as long as you have a turbo then they can't get on you for having no muffler.

But cops can always give you a ticket for something if they want to... Even if it isn't illegal, they can always find something else that is... So, like anything, as long as you behave you'll be okay.

My dad once drove by a parked cop with his straightpiped 47' Knucklehead... Scared the cop so bad that he spilled coffee down his chest...

By the time the cop finished going over the chopper he had over $1000 dollars in fines handed out...

 

go do a different muffler shop, that guy has no idea what he's talking about...

you do not need a cat on a 93, and in TX a turbo is considered a muffler.

now, you may or may not be above local noise ordinances, but you're legal to run down any TX highway like that.

 

In most states the law reads to the effect of, you must have some type of sound dampening device between the engine and the exhaust exit. Since the turbo does deaden the sound dramatically sans muffler is legal in my state. Don't ask a cop, they only think they know what the law is. Find a cooler exhaust guy.

bomb on!

 

Hey guys, I appreciate the info. I was just kinda lost after he told me that it was illegal. I have always assumed that it was legal to do and yall put my fears to rest. As far as me haveing to put on a cat I figured he was misinformed or just trying to make some extra money. I am just going to have to go to another town and get it done as he is the only shop here that does exhaust. Oh yeah another thing he told me was that I will be creating a vacuum on my engine if I remove the muffler and that this could be harmful to my engine. Forgive me of my ignorance but I read about all I could find here at DTR and I have not read anything about anyone with concerns about this. What do yall think and advise on this? Again pardon my ignorance as I am by no means a diesel guru. I really love this site though, yall are great. Thanks Mike

 

It is against federal law to modify your truck period. Air intake,exhaust,fuel pin,etc. Anything regarding the engine is illegal. I would just go to a different muffler shop that guy is just trying to make money.

 

What about the Magnuson Moss act? Im pretty sure you can do some modifications. About the "creating a vacuum" part, get another exhaust guy.