Originally posted by Nightshade
Either way all you have to say is that it is a "replacement exhaust" not an aftermarket or custom.
Most states (nearly all) have a db limit set...what officer is going to know what each and every vehicles factory exhaust sounds like and whether it is different than that factory volume?
In order to be a law there has to be a consistency and the db limit is what makes this one consistent. Check your local law books regarding this or DMV should be able to let you know the legal limits.
Actually most states do not have a DB limit....Most state codes says....
Just a couple of Samples....
Virginia
No person shall drive and no owner of a motor vehicle shall permit or allow the operation of any vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped with an exhaust system of a type installed as standard factory equipment, or comparable to that designed for use on the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment, in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise. An exhaust system shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make.
The term "exhaust system," as used in this section, means all the parts of a motor vehicle through which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block.
Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise.
Cali
(b) For the purposes of exhaust systems installed on motor
vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less
than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or
less, when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers
Standard J1169 May 1998, complies with this section. Motor vehicle
exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to,
nonoriginal exhaust equipment.