I just wrapped up my referree problem early January 05. I had an illegal header and wounded up still paying a fine since emission violations is non-correctable. It was $341 to give you an idea. When you go to the referree, he/she is going to check every ****ing thing on your car. They won't dismantle anything and if it is aftermarket without a CARB EO Number, you WILL fail the inspection. They even look in odd places where things can be hidden (controllers and what not) they won't dismantle the ECU, but they will verify it is the one for your car. After the CARB EO number is recognized he/she will look it up in a manual and make sure it is a part for your car and not a cross reference, it fits replacement. You can pay the fine and continue to roll for now, but that doesn't fix anything. Your clear until your next violation, but when you get busted the fine will increase dramatically about 2 1/2 times. And you can pay it again, and then so on and so forth...The referree will look at the ticket and see what the cop cited you for. He is not going to get caught up in the mix, he is just there to make sure your car is CARB legal. What I would do in your case? Fight it. Go to court on your court date, post the bail, set a trial and prove to the court (documentation) that your exhaust is legal and the cop had no reason to pull you over, thus establishing un-justified probable cause. If you lose you pay the fine, and get your car referree certified. Sorry bro, it sucks, law enforcement is reaching into our pockets. It is revenue for the state. I'm tired of the ****ing cops who think they the god damn terminator and can measure DB to the point with their own 2 ears. My father n law (who is a cop in Arcadia) says cops like those aint gt nothing better to do and are suffering from lack of pussy. Good luck!!!