my visit to the state ref (report) - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

pruto · 05-25-2005, 11:41 AM

So a month ago i got pulled over for having a modified exhaust, noise violation. It was 3am at night in downtown LA, no traffic was around to cover my exhaust sound and i was going a bit faster than usual. I caught the attention of the cop pulling out of del taco (how typical) and got pulled over 3 doors down from my driveway =(.

Anywho, i was a lazy bastard and didn't get around to the fixit ticket till this week (due June 1st). I figured if i got a ticket for my exhaust i might as well drive around for a while like that without fear of another noise ticket.

I went to the vehicle testing location near the court house, they told me they don't handle those violations and gave me a number to make an appointment with a state ref. That number is 800-622-7733, fortunately i got an appointment on short notice and went in today.

I went to the one in Monterey Park, which is in the auto shop in East Los Angeles College. The test was free although the lady on the phone told me it would cost 30 bucks for the test and 10 dollars for the certificate.

On to the test. Here is the run down so you guys know what to expect.

1. registration, and the guy filled out a form recording all the body damage (haha, i told him not to worry about it, if it was in detail he would have had to use more than one page).
2. he popped the hood, checked the engine bay (not sure for what), got my odometer reading
3. The actual dB meter was a grey box placed ontop of a tri-pod 8 inches off the ground about a couple of feet from the exhaust at a 45 degree angle from the dirrection the tip was pointing. I didn't understand the 45 degrees part but he said thats the proceedure by the book.
4. One dude got in my car, struggled with the bucket seat and started up the car. Another guy was at the dB meter looking at the readings. This second guy wasn't too chill about it and told me to step away while they ran the test. They took two readings i believe, one at roughly 2k RPM and i couldn't see the readings. Idle was at 70dB and that kinda freaked me out. The reading that mattered was one at 4200 RPM, this has to be under 95dB.

I am running a Uras RS exhaust, which is pretty much a 80mm straight pipe from the cat onwards, no resonator. Stock KA engine bay, no intake or anything. I put my silencer back on for the test and it sounds very tame. Not too loud at all. When the guy was reving it up i thought i heard more noise coming from the engine than the exhaust.

the result, at 4200 RPM, my exhaust is EXACTLY 95dB. the test took less than 30 minutes. They gave me documentation for me to keep in case i get pulled over for it again.

I went back to the court house and asked if i had to pay the fine, i was told i just need to pay $10, which is probably just a processing fee. Not a bad deal at all.

anyway, for all of you guys and gals in cali with legal engines and an exhaust that you don't think is too loud, i HIGHLY recommend that you call up the ref and get your exhaust tested. If you pass, you get a compliance documentation, if you fail, at least you know where you stand. Hey, its free.

I learned that 95dB is not that loud, and any of ya'll in socal ever want to know what 95 dBs sounds like, hit me up and i'll rev my engine to 4200 =)

thats all folks.

drew935 · 05-25-2005, 11:55 AM

good deal pruto.

Glad that the Uras exhaust is at 95db with the silencer...

Anyway, good to know that it was only $10 and that now they cannot give you any citation for that again.

drift into a curb · 05-25-2005, 12:13 PM

I spoke to the ref testing station and was told you can ONLY get it checked and certified if you had a pending ticket. It might be different, but did you confirm that? This may only apply to the one up here in Santa Barbara, but I figured it's just procedure.

Var · 05-25-2005, 12:29 PM

I just got a state ref ticket too.. except i have an SR and i'm fucked. LOL.. hooray for Cali

*!Zar!* · 05-25-2005, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westboroughpimp

I just got a state ref ticket too.. except i have an SR and i'm fucked. LOL.. hooray for Cali

Sorry to hear that, hurry and toss a ka in there!

Var · 05-25-2005, 01:56 PM

nawww..i'll just let my lawyer make it disappear. and my other option is to register it as non-op. cause it's a track car anyways. What's funny is if i put a corvette engine in there like i'm planning to, then it WILL be street legal. Pffff...california.

kazuo · 05-25-2005, 02:11 PM

You can only get your exhaust sound level tested if you've been cited for it. You can't just make an appt.

It's stupid but thats how it goes.

pruto: I assume you have a KA?

drew935 · 05-25-2005, 02:19 PM

Damn that sucks Var. What sucks more are the mustangs, vettes, and camaro/ firebirds that have a modified exhaust and you don't even see them getting pulled over for that...

I like those cars but it is just unfair to our imports to be profiled by cops since we have an exhaust...

wootwoot · 05-25-2005, 02:54 PM

Take it to the man!

ghostuss · 05-25-2005, 03:05 PM

hey Pruto are you the one with the -3.5 degree camber on the rear? I was the white s14 parked next to you in DD24. hehe so it's you.

sLiDewAys · 05-25-2005, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westboroughpimp

I just got a state ref ticket too.. except i have an SR and i'm fucked. LOL.. hooray for Cali

just wait vhar, i got on 3 months ago and they sent me a forfiture notice 2 weeks ago saying i can pay 700.00 LOL and not see state ref

and i thought ca18 would be invincible LOL

Var · 05-25-2005, 04:01 PM

well i always have that option. I dont think i have to wait 3 months. But why pay 700 bucks to drive a car that's not my daily driver? I have other cars to get me around. 700 bucks is half the cost of a trailer which is what i SHOULD spend it on. The only reason i got this ticket is cause i didnt have a trailer that day for the racetrack and U-haul was out of stock..every uhaul in the area in fact. So i decided to just drive it there. I'm not really bitching about it.. I know the chances of getting caught are high especially since my car is nowhere close to stock looking

o well. shit happens

sLiDewAys · 05-25-2005, 05:23 PM

its all good man, shit happens to us all. funny how u mention puting a vette engine in our cars is lgal, because its true and full of BS.... how does that v8 burn cleaner than your sr..

anyhow hope to see u at the track soon, there or meet. i need some pointers on 3'rd gear manji

os should i be talking to luke

brandon

Var · 05-25-2005, 05:25 PM

well..the LS1 IS actually one of the cleanest burning and efficient engines out there right now. The SR is the exact opposite. Try to push 150hp/liter out of the LS1 and it wont run very clean either.

dasalnt · 05-25-2005, 06:04 PM

hey slideways and westboroughpimp, are you able to just pay 700 dollars if you get a ticket that sends you to the state ref if you dont want to go? What's the process? Can you just tell them i'll pay the fine so i dont have to visit the state ref? Thanks for any info!

pruto · 05-25-2005, 06:10 PM

i don't have 3.5 degrees of camber, its around 2.8 actually...

i didn't know you have to have a ticket to get an appointment, i thought i heard otherwise. Oh well.

and about the corvette engine. Yeah, it would be legal, but you still have to meet emission and sound standards. If you get a custom exhaust setup for the LS1 i doubt it'll be quiet. Then again the "legal" exhausts for american cars are god damn loud, don't know how they get away with those.

Var · 05-25-2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasalnt

hey slideways and westboroughpimp, are you able to just pay 700 dollars if you get a ticket that sends you to the state ref if you dont want to go? What's the process? Can you just tell them i'll pay the fine so i dont have to visit the state ref? Thanks for any info!

pretty much which proves that they are out for money, not the environment. Just call up the clerk at your local court and ask them. If you are lucky enough not to be connected with some dumb bitch, they should help you out in telling you all your options.

HyperTek · 05-26-2005, 08:45 AM

i wonder if this will be a good idea before i swap my motor?

*!Zar!* · 05-26-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperTek

i wonder if this will be a good idea before i swap my motor?

As long as your car doesn't look like a race car or sound like a race car then the cops won't think it's a race car. So when it comes time for my sr I'll be worried more about where I can smog it than a cop getting me.

SoCalS14 · 05-26-2005, 11:48 AM

whoa whoa...He popped your hood? WHY? The noise violation (27150a) is for the exhaust, and last time I checked, shouldn't matter whats under the hood. I asked the lady about the "legality of my car" and she said it needs to be:

Registered.
No warning lights on in dash.

Thats it.

So I have a ticket for noise, and I am going to be a motherf!cker if they want to pop my hood. That is NOT within the scope of the violation. Period.

SoCalS14 · 05-26-2005, 12:01 PM

UPDATE:

I called my local State Ref station (Chaffey College) for information. Despite what they tell you about not having a phone line, its bullshit. Anyhow, I spoke with a pretty cool fella, who was willing to be candid. What they inspect is dependent on the specific violation. If you received a noise-only violation (the one unrelated to emissions, vc27150a) then you could anything under the hood you want. He even told me that you can baffle the exhaust ANY WAY you want...Jokingly telling me that a guy stuffed rags in his exhaust that caught on fire! Anyhow, I plan on taking care of this ASAP, possibly baffling my exhaust somehow.

From the field, peace.

05-25-2005, 11:41 AM	#1
pruto Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles Age: 39 Posts: 982 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	my visit to the state ref (report) So a month ago i got pulled over for having a modified exhaust, noise violation. It was 3am at night in downtown LA, no traffic was around to cover my exhaust sound and i was going a bit faster than usual. I caught the attention of the cop pulling out of del taco (how typical) and got pulled over 3 doors down from my driveway =(. Anywho, i was a lazy bastard and didn't get around to the fixit ticket till this week (due June 1st). I figured if i got a ticket for my exhaust i might as well drive around for a while like that without fear of another noise ticket. I went to the vehicle testing location near the court house, they told me they don't handle those violations and gave me a number to make an appointment with a state ref. That number is 800-622-7733, fortunately i got an appointment on short notice and went in today. I went to the one in Monterey Park, which is in the auto shop in East Los Angeles College. The test was free although the lady on the phone told me it would cost 30 bucks for the test and 10 dollars for the certificate. On to the test. Here is the run down so you guys know what to expect. 1. registration, and the guy filled out a form recording all the body damage (haha, i told him not to worry about it, if it was in detail he would have had to use more than one page). 2. he popped the hood, checked the engine bay (not sure for what), got my odometer reading 3. The actual dB meter was a grey box placed ontop of a tri-pod 8 inches off the ground about a couple of feet from the exhaust at a 45 degree angle from the dirrection the tip was pointing. I didn't understand the 45 degrees part but he said thats the proceedure by the book. 4. One dude got in my car, struggled with the bucket seat and started up the car. Another guy was at the dB meter looking at the readings. This second guy wasn't too chill about it and told me to step away while they ran the test. They took two readings i believe, one at roughly 2k RPM and i couldn't see the readings. Idle was at 70dB and that kinda freaked me out. The reading that mattered was one at 4200 RPM, this has to be under 95dB. I am running a Uras RS exhaust, which is pretty much a 80mm straight pipe from the cat onwards, no resonator. Stock KA engine bay, no intake or anything. I put my silencer back on for the test and it sounds very tame. Not too loud at all. When the guy was reving it up i thought i heard more noise coming from the engine than the exhaust. the result, at 4200 RPM, my exhaust is EXACTLY 95dB. the test took less than 30 minutes. They gave me documentation for me to keep in case i get pulled over for it again. I went back to the court house and asked if i had to pay the fine, i was told i just need to pay $10, which is probably just a processing fee. Not a bad deal at all. anyway, for all of you guys and gals in cali with legal engines and an exhaust that you don't think is too loud, i HIGHLY recommend that you call up the ref and get your exhaust tested. If you pass, you get a compliance documentation, if you fail, at least you know where you stand. Hey, its free. I learned that 95dB is not that loud, and any of ya'll in socal ever want to know what 95 dBs sounds like, hit me up and i'll rev my engine to 4200 =) thats all folks. __________________ Paul Black and Red

05-25-2005, 11:55 AM	#2
drew935 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Silver Creek - San Jose Posts: 996 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	good deal pruto. Glad that the Uras exhaust is at 95db with the silencer... Anyway, good to know that it was only $10 and that now they cannot give you any citation for that again. __________________ I'm driving fast -drew

05-25-2005, 12:13 PM	#3
drift into a curb Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 2,870 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	I spoke to the ref testing station and was told you can ONLY get it checked and certified if you had a pending ticket. It might be different, but did you confirm that? This may only apply to the one up here in Santa Barbara, but I figured it's just procedure. __________________ Go big or go home!

05-25-2005, 12:29 PM	#4
Var Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norcal Age: 39 Posts: 5,032 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Var Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I just got a state ref ticket too.. except i have an SR and i'm fucked. LOL.. hooray for Cali __________________ Hi

05-25-2005, 01:56 PM	#6
Var Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norcal Age: 39 Posts: 5,032 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Var Feedback Score: 0 reviews	nawww..i'll just let my lawyer make it disappear. and my other option is to register it as non-op. cause it's a track car anyways. What's funny is if i put a corvette engine in there like i'm planning to, then it WILL be street legal. Pffff...california. __________________ Hi

05-25-2005, 02:11 PM	#7
kazuo Post Whore! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Posts: 2,762 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	You can only get your exhaust sound level tested if you've been cited for it. You can't just make an appt. It's stupid but thats how it goes. pruto: I assume you have a KA?

05-25-2005, 02:19 PM	#8
drew935 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Silver Creek - San Jose Posts: 996 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Damn that sucks Var. What sucks more are the mustangs, vettes, and camaro/ firebirds that have a modified exhaust and you don't even see them getting pulled over for that... I like those cars but it is just unfair to our imports to be profiled by cops since we have an exhaust... __________________ I'm driving fast -drew

05-25-2005, 02:54 PM	#9
wootwoot Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: sarasota florida biatch Age: 35 Posts: 3,850 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Take it to the man! __________________ I'm from Florida so I'm probably a bit more strange than you

05-25-2005, 03:05 PM	#10
ghostuss Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego/San Francisco Age: 35 Posts: 1,337 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hey Pruto are you the one with the -3.5 degree camber on the rear? I was the white s14 parked next to you in DD24. hehe so it's you. __________________ 96 all suspension s14 SOLD 90 s13 coupe - SOLD Currently rocking 2002 BMW M3 w/ custom suspension. ButtonWillow, CA entire circuit drift/grip event by shock drifting spot for sale. Take over my spot for $150 only.

05-25-2005, 04:01 PM	#12
Var Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norcal Age: 39 Posts: 5,032 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Var Feedback Score: 0 reviews	well i always have that option. I dont think i have to wait 3 months. But why pay 700 bucks to drive a car that's not my daily driver? I have other cars to get me around. 700 bucks is half the cost of a trailer which is what i SHOULD spend it on. The only reason i got this ticket is cause i didnt have a trailer that day for the racetrack and U-haul was out of stock..every uhaul in the area in fact. So i decided to just drive it there. I'm not really bitching about it.. I know the chances of getting caught are high especially since my car is nowhere close to stock looking o well. shit happens __________________ Hi

05-25-2005, 05:23 PM	#13
sLiDewAys Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Francisco, Ca Age: 36 Posts: 1,787 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	its all good man, shit happens to us all. funny how u mention puting a vette engine in our cars is lgal, because its true and full of BS.... how does that v8 burn cleaner than your sr.. anyhow hope to see u at the track soon, there or meet. i need some pointers on 3'rd gear manji os should i be talking to luke brandon

05-25-2005, 05:25 PM	#14
Var Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norcal Age: 39 Posts: 5,032 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Var Feedback Score: 0 reviews	well..the LS1 IS actually one of the cleanest burning and efficient engines out there right now. The SR is the exact opposite. Try to push 150hp/liter out of the LS1 and it wont run very clean either. __________________ Hi

05-25-2005, 06:04 PM	#15
dasalnt Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: socal Posts: 122 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hey slideways and westboroughpimp, are you able to just pay 700 dollars if you get a ticket that sends you to the state ref if you dont want to go? What's the process? Can you just tell them i'll pay the fine so i dont have to visit the state ref? Thanks for any info!

05-25-2005, 06:10 PM	#16
pruto Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles Age: 39 Posts: 982 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	i don't have 3.5 degrees of camber, its around 2.8 actually... i didn't know you have to have a ticket to get an appointment, i thought i heard otherwise. Oh well. and about the corvette engine. Yeah, it would be legal, but you still have to meet emission and sound standards. If you get a custom exhaust setup for the LS1 i doubt it'll be quiet. Then again the "legal" exhausts for american cars are god damn loud, don't know how they get away with those. __________________ Paul Black and Red

05-26-2005, 08:45 AM	#18
HyperTek Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 13,222 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	i wonder if this will be a good idea before i swap my motor? __________________ Keep it Classy

05-26-2005, 11:48 AM	#20
SoCalS14 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 324 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	whoa whoa...He popped your hood? WHY? The noise violation (27150a) is for the exhaust, and last time I checked, shouldn't matter whats under the hood. I asked the lady about the "legality of my car" and she said it needs to be: Registered. No warning lights on in dash. Thats it. So I have a ticket for noise, and I am going to be a motherf!cker if they want to pop my hood. That is NOT within the scope of the violation. Period. __________________ S14 Zenki...SOLD!! New Project: 240Z w/ SR

05-26-2005, 12:01 PM	#21
SoCalS14 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 324 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	UPDATE: I called my local State Ref station (Chaffey College) for information. Despite what they tell you about not having a phone line, its bullshit. Anyhow, I spoke with a pretty cool fella, who was willing to be candid. What they inspect is dependent on the specific violation. If you received a noise-only violation (the one unrelated to emissions, vc27150a) then you could anything under the hood you want. He even told me that you can baffle the exhaust ANY WAY you want...Jokingly telling me that a guy stuffed rags in his exhaust that caught on fire! Anyhow, I plan on taking care of this ASAP, possibly baffling my exhaust somehow. From the field, peace. __________________ S14 Zenki...SOLD!! New Project: 240Z w/ SR

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