California SR20DET

[N1smoDrift]

My question is has anyone in california with an SR had their hood popped by a cop? and if so what happend? i want to drop an SR in my S14 but i dont want my car to be impounded over an engine, last time i was pulled over for my tail lights they had me pop my hood (im guessing because of the invader style cf hood) but they said nothing about my exhaust o ride height. Please respond if you have helpfull information. Thanks!

[ashibah83]

yes many here have been busted and i think at least you will get a ticket if the cop is nice

[UndftdSole]

Actually anything that looks "chrome" in ur engine bay can get u a ref ticket. even ur exhaust but that depends on the cops. i got a ref ticket for my front strut bar.

[N1smoDrift]

yes many here have been busted and i think at least you will get a ticket if the cop is nice

Like a fix-it ticket?

[N1smoDrift]

Actually anything that looks "chrome" in ur engine bay can get u a ref ticket. even ur exhaust but that depends on the cops. i got a ref ticket for my front strut bar.

LOL wow for a srtut bar? i remember wen they popped my hood he pointed at my strut bar and asked me "so whats that for?" i feel bad for u that u got a ticket luckily they let me go and told me to clean my tail lights. ive never heard of the chrome ticket thing though, i feel bad for u in what ever city u live in.

[CMG]

You can not get a ref ticket for just a front strut bar. You get a ref ticket because of CARB violations, which means that anything that they feel is emissions related has to be stock, which includes intake and exhaust. You can refuse to open your hood, but that might make them just write you a ref ticket anyways. A sure way to have this happen is if you have a loud exhaust, which can be a noise violation and reason to send you to the ref.

[tctomasc]

Heres the deal in cali. I have heard and confirmed this with law enforcement within the last year, that they have no legal right to pop a hood. CHP however is allowed to pop your hood. I doubt local law enforcement will care in most areas and will however pop your hood if they have suspicion. Patriot act is a load of bull, claim terorist threats dictated by dangerous driving and they can search your entire car I'm sure.

I'm still about to drop an sr in my car. I just plan on making it clean enough to pass for stock.

[tctomasc]

You can not get a ref ticket for just a front strut bar. You get a ref ticket because of CARB violations, which means that anything that they feel is emissions related has to be stock, which includes intake and exhaust. You can refuse to open your hood, but that might make them just write you a ref ticket anyways. A sure way to have this happen is if you have a loud exhaust, which can be a noise violation and reason to send you to the ref.

IDK bout ref for exhaust. In my civic days I got pulled over a bunch for stupid *** ****. One time I got pulled over cause my dumbass friend threw a firecracker out the window in dowtown SF. Needless to say the cops around the corner were renlentless on pinning me with something after denying any involvement. The officer told me straight up, since i cant search ur vehicle, and none of you will admit involvement, that he was going to give me a fix it ticket for my illegal exhaust. I had a magnaflow at the time, and it was just big a chrome i guess so he wrote me up for it. I tried to get the ticket signed off on, and 3 stations told me they couldnt because they did not have a decible meter. I finally went to a nearby extremely rich area where i asked their police force. He informed me that htere are 2 exhaust laws. One says the 90 or w.e decibles, and the other says no modified exhaust period. I had been written up for that one, and i had no choice but to put the stock back on to get it signed off on.

So basically even if its not loud, if it aint stock, you can get a ticket for it.

[CMG]

If your car is old enough you're technically allowed to replace cats and exhaust, but it's up to the cops discretion what's allowable. Just don't be a d!ck to the cop and cross your fingers.

[UndftdSole]

If your car is old enough you're technically allowed to replace cats and exhaust, but it's up to the cops discretion what's allowable. Just don't be a d!ck to the cop and cross your fingers.

correct. just watch out for CHP

[N1smoDrift]

You can not get a ref ticket for just a front strut bar. You get a ref ticket because of CARB violations, which means that anything that they feel is emissions related has to be stock, which includes intake and exhaust. You can refuse to open your hood, but that might make them just write you a ref ticket anyways. A sure way to have this happen is if you have a loud exhaust, which can be a noise violation and reason to send you to the ref.

yeah i know what carb is and thats the first thing cops look for. i wouldnt refuse to pop my hood i know this guy who has a civic and he refused to pop his hood so they had his car towed and impounded. some cops are d!ck if your d!ck to them. my exhaust is quiet i have a magnaflow and they said nothing about it.

Heres the deal in cali. I have heard and confirmed this with law enforcement within the last year, that they have no legal right to pop a hood. CHP however is allowed to pop your hood. I doubt local law enforcement will care in most areas and will however pop your hood if they have suspicion. Patriot act is a load of bull, claim terorist threats dictated by dangerous driving and they can search your entire car I'm sure.

I'm still about to drop an sr in my car. I just plan on making it clean enough to pass for stock.

haha yeah cops dont rly give a ish and if you dont do what they ask they just give you more bull, and i dont think cops are gona think a turbo is stock on a 240sx lol and some know their stuff.

IDK bout ref for exhaust. In my civic days I got pulled over a bunch for stupid *** ****. One time I got pulled over cause my dumbass friend threw a firecracker out the window in dowtown SF. Needless to say the cops around the corner were renlentless on pinning me with something after denying any involvement. The officer told me straight up, since i cant search ur vehicle, and none of you will admit involvement, that he was going to give me a fix it ticket for my illegal exhaust. I had a magnaflow at the time, and it was just big a chrome i guess so he wrote me up for it. I tried to get the ticket signed off on, and 3 stations told me they couldnt because they did not have a decible meter. I finally went to a nearby extremely rich area where i asked their police force. He informed me that htere are 2 exhaust laws. One says the 90 or w.e decibles, and the other says no modified exhaust period. I had been written up for that one, and i had no choice but to put the stock back on to get it signed off on.

So basically even if its not loud, if it aint stock, you can get a ticket for it.

where im from ppl get ref. tickets for exhaust a lot. its easy money for the state, and cops.

If your car is old enough you're technically allowed to replace cats and exhaust, but it's up to the cops discretion what's allowable. Just don't be a d!ck to the cop and cross your fingers.

haha yeah thats basically how it goes.

thanks for the comments but i was really just asking anyones personal experiences on being pulled over with an SR in their car, if they popped your hood, and what happend? thanks.

[S13Teddy]

I daily drive an open downpipe SR on Cali streets. Yes, open down pipe. As in, NO EXHAUST.

I've been popped twice. First time, I got a ticket for not having an exhaust. Second time, I got a ticket for stickers on my windshield...

[tctomasc]

ya, i know the stockton area being from CA. Basically what they should do if they find your car with an SR under the hood is impound it indefinitely. Basically if they do what they're suppose to, you should never be able to drive the car again, because it is in fact deemed undriveable with that engine in it on the streets of any state in the U.S. Wether or not a cop will actually do this to you is completely up for grabs. Most cops hate tuners But a lot of people in the bay area run Sr's and all kinds of other ****. Just check out craigslist.

[N1smoDrift]

I daily drive an open downpipe SR on Cali streets. Yes, open down pipe. As in, NO EXHAUST.

I've been popped twice. First time, I got a ticket for not having an exhaust. Second time, I got a ticket for stickers on my windshield...

LOL wut the fux? your a G! the cops never mentioned the motor at all?

[N1smoDrift]

ya, i know the stockton area being from CA. Basically what they should do if they find your car with an SR under the hood is impound it indefinitely. Basically if they do what they're suppose to, you should never be able to drive the car again, because it is in fact deemed undriveable with that engine in it on the streets of any state in the U.S. Wether or not a cop will actually do this to you is completely up for grabs. Most cops hate tuners But a lot of people in the bay area run Sr's and all kinds of other ****. Just check out craigslist.

haha yeah i see a lot of sr s13's for sale on CL, i bought my car from daily city.

[ddgsxr504]

I'm soo glad that my car is registered out of state. Also no matter what exhaust you have, aftermarket or not, if it passed emissions and is below the state (pretty much federal) mandated 95 decibels they can't do sh*t to you legally. Sure they can write you a ticket but you can take it to court and get it thrown out if you can provide written proof of vehicle code compliance.

[Papi Chulo]

Smog exempt.... just trollin by.

[ddgsxr504]

Smog exempt.... just trollin by.

Thanks? You're not really trolling by posting that you are just browsing, but thanks for the heads up?

[sloweighty]

i have heard of people just custom a egr valve onto the intake manifold on a sr and tuning the engine down to get it to pass smog but i have never seen it done. And yes i have heard a lot people do it but i have never seen it before.....has anyone here seen it done......(i dont think so)

[LocAL_anarchy]

Not trying to threadjack, but I have been wondering for a while now about a few things concerning California and it's laws. Since the OP brought up the subject, figured now would be a good time to ask.

1) Do high-end tuned cars such as Hennessey Vipers and Lingenfelter Vettes get pulled over, inspected and searched, and ticketed as much, if at all? Even though they are 6 figures, by the strict letter of the law, I would think they may not pass emissions, sound decible level, appearance, etc.

2) What about motorcycles? Summertime around here, I see hundreds of Harleys with aftermarket exhausts that easily exceed 100dB. Are they targets out there along with cars with loud exhausts?

3) If you simply drive into California in a vehicle that is registered and inspected from another state, say to visit family or on vacation, and it has a swapped engine, or aftermarket parts, can you be stopped and ticketed?

[Papi Chulo]

Thanks? You're not really trolling by posting that you are just browsing, but thanks for the heads up?

not trollin, but trolling/strolling/passing/wandering.

[tctomasc]

naw, but what i have seen and i believe to be a lot easier is just giving the smog attendant an extra 200 on the side of the 80 or so bucks for the smog for him to throw his 90's caddy on the machine instead of your sr that most likely wont make numbers (if its modded anyways).

[N1smoDrift]

Smog exempt.... just trollin by.

smog exempt in which condition? 76 and older or registered in a county that doesnt require smog check?

i have heard of people just custom a egr valve onto the intake manifold on a sr and tuning the engine down to get it to pass smog but i have never seen it done. And yes i have heard a lot people do it but i have never seen it before.....has anyone here seen it done......(i dont think so)

passing smog wouldnt be an issue. im just wondering about getting pulled over and getting my hood popped.

Not trying to threadjack, but I have been wondering for a while now about a few things concerning California and it's laws. Since the OP brought up the subject, figured now would be a good time to ask.

1) Do high-end tuned cars such as Hennessey Vipers and Lingenfelter Vettes get pulled over, inspected and searched, and ticketed as much, if at all? Even though they are 6 figures, by the strict letter of the law, I would think they may not pass emissions, sound decible level, appearance, etc.

2) What about motorcycles? Summertime around here, I see hundreds of Harleys with aftermarket exhausts that easily exceed 100dB. Are they targets out there along with cars with loud exhausts?

3) If you simply drive into California in a vehicle that is registered and inspected from another state, say to visit family or on vacation, and it has a swapped engine, or aftermarket parts, can you be stopped and ticketed?

1- cops probably wont care unless thier speeding. its all stock they cant say anything.

2- motorcycles i think its an issue with safety on the noise if your being heard from far its safer to make cars aware.

3- probably.

ONCE AGAIN IM ASKING FOR PEOPLES PERSONAL EXPERIENCES ON GETTING PULLED OVER AND IF THEY GOT THIER HOODS POPPED. NOT HOW TO PASS SMOG(THATS THE EASIEST PART). THANKS.

[tctomasc]

easy way to distract cops as well, because supposedly in CA they are "Trained" to spot SR's and mostly they know the honda engines better, is to remove the coil pack cover. It says intercooler turbo on it, and if a cop reads turbo anywhere in your engine bay hes most likely gonna stop for a bit. with stock mani or at least a bottom mount turbo your in the clear, as it just looks like a header iwth a heat shield over it. If you have side mount its even better, but a fmic with bright ic piping all over the engine bay prolly isnt gonna get you very far. most cops will pop your hood just to see how nervous you get and gauge how bad the istuation is by that. Cops love asking questions, and if you have a good enough answer for htem they'll leave you alone. If they ask what a part is, its most likely cause its shiny and they have no idea, so just be ready for anything.

Bottom line, SWAP the thing already. Its worth it. Just dont be an idiot and go getting pulled over everywhere.

[sil8tdrftr]

just paint everything chrome... black and hide your blow off valve under the fender or anywhere "hidden" and dont put the coil pack cover on... the one that says "turbo" on it... also keep it kinda dirty so it looks like not a lot of time was spent under the hood "doing ILLEGAL mods" then you should be fine

[adrianfromthecastle]

I got my hood popped by CHP last year. The guy didn't even know what to look for, so he let me go.

[Goldeneagle]

3) If you simply drive into California in a vehicle that is registered and inspected from another state, say to visit family or on vacation, and it has a swapped engine, or aftermarket parts, can you be stopped and ticketed?

You can still get pulled over if you give them a reason to. However, the aftermarket parts and engine are out of the jurisdiction of CHP and CARB.

[N1smoDrift]

easy way to distract cops as well, because supposedly in CA they are "Trained" to spot SR's and mostly they know the honda engines better, is to remove the coil pack cover. It says intercooler turbo on it, and if a cop reads turbo anywhere in your engine bay hes most likely gonna stop for a bit. with stock mani or at least a bottom mount turbo your in the clear, as it just looks like a header iwth a heat shield over it. If you have side mount its even better, but a fmic with bright ic piping all over the engine bay prolly isnt gonna get you very far. most cops will pop your hood just to see how nervous you get and gauge how bad the istuation is by that. Cops love asking questions, and if you have a good enough answer for htem they'll leave you alone. If they ask what a part is, its most likely cause its shiny and they have no idea, so just be ready for anything.

Bottom line, SWAP the thing already. Its worth it. Just dont be an idiot and go getting pulled over everywhere.

LOL thanks for the advice! haha i dont drive like an idiot, but cops are always out to get someone... maybe i should get a more stock looking exhaust for less attention.

just paint everything chrome... black and hide your blow off valve under the fender or anywhere "hidden" and dont put the coil pack cover on... the one that says "turbo" on it... also keep it kinda dirty so it looks like not a lot of time was spent under the hood "doing ILLEGAL mods" then you should be fine

thanks for the helpfull advice, how do u hide a bov under a fender though?

I got my hood popped by CHP last year. The guy didn't even know what to look for, so he let me go.

Hahaha thats hilarious, some know thier ish and some dont.

[FAST-DATSUN]

invest a few dollars and go to DMV and order a copy of the Vehicle CODE as most of this thread is incorrect info....

[breadbox]

The funny thing is cops usually don't know the law better than car enthusiasts. Innocent until proven guilt doesn't represent the way law works here in the real world. "Guilty until seemingly innocent" should be written on courts everywhere.

Also kids let cops get away with way to much. Cops do illegal stuff constantly and then only until you get to court will someone tell a cop he is wrong.

My friend had QTEC wide open and the tiniest stock exhaust he could find (like teddy an open downpipe) and other than the fact exhaust poured out from under the passenger side when it got cold, it looked stock.