im having a truck inspected by my local dmv and am wondering if the turbocharger is considered a muffling device. anybody have any first hand experience. here is the ca vehicle code

"Muffler"

425. "A "muffler" is a device consisting of a series of chambers or baffle plates, or other mechanical design, for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and effective in reducing noise."

link
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc425.htm
please check it out tell me what you think.

 

I interpret that to mean that a turbo would fit that diffinition. But It really depends how your inspector (or any law inforcement officer for that matter) interprets the law. Please let us know how it goes. I am very intrested in knowing.

 

Why is it being inspected?

 

The wording of CA law basically says that any modification to the exhaust system to increase noise level is illegal. Essentially, removal of a muffler or resonator (or Cat) would meet that criteria.

Dan

 

Yeah, why is it being inspected? Mine was inspected because I changed my registration from Nevada to CA. All they did was look at the numbers on the engine and the VIN number.

Here in CA it seems like mufflers are never considered. Every Harley has aftermarket mufflers or open pipes and even the cops have loud pipes on their Harleys. I hear open pipe Cummins running around almost every day. And obnoxious loud ricers pass me on the right while chasing each other time after time.

Everyone knows the difference between a turbo and a muffler, so are you going to take the argument to court and hope to fit the turbo into the muffler's legal description, and somehow beat the system? That's a much bigger battle than I think you are willing to take on.

I don't see them looking for a muffler or doing a noise level test. When I had mine inspected for a registration change the people at the DMV were so lame that they were asking me where the numbers were! And that's all they seemed to care about. I just, semi rudely, asked them if they were asking me to tell them how to do their jobs, and rolled my eyes in discust. They went back to work like busy little bees. Step ladders got them high enough to look into the engine room. Other people were waiting impatiently while the clipboards and pens went into action. Pretty soon they had decided that I had not stolen the Dodge or tampered with the numbers and I was on my way.

One final note. My truck was not available in CA when I bought it, but I was able to license it here in CA after I bought it. Just take it in and don't worry about it.

The DMV can be a very frustrating place. A lot of energy and tension can build up. But I found that practicing burnouts there can relieve a lot of that tension. So it's one of my favorite places to take my Harley on the weekend to lay some fine patches and relieve a little tension. Practice my riding skills. After all, smoking that rear tire and leaving beautiful black marks, while keeping the front end down, can be a real art. I'm sure they appreciate it.


John

 

I have had 2 home builds inspected in ca and they never even looked under the trucks. one time the guy in front of me had one of those kit COBRAS with stupid loud side pipes and he still passed

 

It's probably just a VIN inspection to make sure it's not stolen. BTW you have the best username I've seen yet.

Nick

 

yes its because i bought the truck in arizona and registering it in good old cali. they have to inspect it for stolen parts. see here is why im asking, i bought the truck with a straight pipe from a really old man 85256 origional miles and i dont want to buy a muffler for a one time use. so it is how i bought the truck, so i thought i should be fine, considering if they were going to make a issue about it i would say that the turbo is the muffler. thanks dieselnick its also my license plate "glblwmr"

 

gotta love it!

 

In California as it should be any where else a turbocharger is not defined as a muffler nor does it perform the function of a muffler. I grant you that a turbocharged engine is slightly quieter than a naturally aspirated engine. If the inspector looks under the truck and sees no muffler you will fail.

If you are ever stopped by the CHP or a local cop you can be cited for not having a muffler. The HD Police bikes in my area are surprisingly quiet. The private owners on the otherhand can be quite loud.

You will find that you will not be hassled by PD unless you have first been stopped for another reason or you are so loud that you got their attention or someone has complained. At that point you will be cited and the court will not accept the turbo gobble-de-gook.

Also, if you visit forested areas and get caught without a muffler you can be in for a problem. We have a fire season here and part of what a muffler does is block the ejection of sparks from an engine.

If your vehicle is not deemed exempt from smog inspection, every other year, you will fail without a muffler. You can fail if your gas cap does not pass the test. The last time I tested I had two new caps. The pump was bad in the forward tank so it was empty. That cap did not pass. I was designated a gross polluter and failed. I had to buy another new cap.

You will also find that California can be a difficult state and will not care that the vehicle did not have a muffler in another state. If they catch it you will be ordered to install the correct muffler before you can pass.

We debated this a few months ago on this forum.

 

that's not necessarily true- in many areas, if you are towing a large trailer you can get pulled over on a safety inspection and they will check your emmissions/exhaust system for compliance.

 

we are smog inspection exempt and the being pulled over for having a large trailer, i have had a straight pipe for years and tow 210 john deeres all the time and have never had any inspection so iim goin in with a straight pipe, and i report back when i pass.

 

Can a Diesel send sparks out of the exhaust? With a turbo?

Nick

 

If it'll shoot flame, I'd imaging that sparks can get out too.

 

Whether an individual engine is releasing sparks would not be the issue. A lot of officers are not 'car guys' and would not know a turbo if it bit them. But they have been taught to recognize the lack of a muffler. The operator would be cited because of the potential for release due to the illegal modification of the exhaust system.