question for someone in GA law enforcement...

[maxima278]

I've had trouble searching for info on this...

can someone (especially a police officer) tell me if a 3 inch catback exhaust is actually illegal without a silencer in the end of it?

I just got a fix-it ticket for mine and it sounds like total bs. I was not speeding or doing anything illegal, he just saw that I had a sporty car and was looking for something to ticket me for. I don't even know how he saw it. I know he could not have heard it because it is only loud at high rpms.

My car came to a stop sign with him facing me, he let me go in front of him when he saw what I was driving, then he tailed me till he got close enough to see the rear of my car, then pulled me over.

It scares the hell out of me to think that the police has so much power that they can tell me how to mod my car. He looked for several other things but could not find anything (my window tint tested legal for example). I know it's probably a $50 ticket but I feel angry and violated to say the least. I'm wondering if I should fight this or just pay it.

[GoinTopless240]

Hey Maxima,Was the ticket because of the diameter? the lack of silencer? or noise ordinance? I would fight it. I would take some digital pictures of some Dodge or Ford pick-ups tailpipes...ya know take a picture showing the diameter of the pipe (try a diesel... or better yet a turbo diesel) and ask the judge if a factory tailpipe exceeding the diameter of 3 inches is illegal. If the judge agrees with you and dismisses the ticket, I would also mention the fact that you do feel violated by the mis-use of authority and feel like the officer was profiling you based on your car and not any illegal activity on your part. Hell, I always fight the tickets just in case the cop doesn't make it to court. Your case would be dismissed if you approach it the right way. Your ticket should have the violation number on it. If not you can call the police station and have them research it. That way you can look up the exact law and come to court better prepared. I hope everything works in your favor....keep us posted.

[maxima278]

It was for lack of silencer. The town where I got the ticket is known for petty things like this, plus they take in more money from speeders than property taxes. Not likely to win over the town's judge.

Thanks for the input.

[Florida240sx]

Was it DB tested?

[maxima278]

no, he just said it was a hollow can and not a muffler. But I don't understand that because it is a chamber with ridges all around it, not just smooth walls, it does muffle sound!

[GoinTopless240]

I would take a picture of the muffler looking in and explain to the judge that it is a muffler. State laws don't require mufflers have silencers in them. I would ask the officer if he knows what kind of mufflers are offered with silencers. If he did on do a db test on it, he has no way of proving whether of not it is an illegal muffler. The wave like ridges inside are to disrupt airflow and baffle sound. I would fight it.. sounds like the cop was being a pain and looking for money... I would make them prove the muffler a) requires a muffler and b) even comes with a silencer... leave the burden of proof on them.. they have to be able to prove it in court.. if you take a picture of it looking inside and show the baffles then they have to prove their case... an empty can sounds a bit vague and if you have something in the can... I guess his case is shot.. something inside means = not empty.. and no db test means he can't prove it's not sound reducing as is..Food for thought..

[Pearl Blue S14]

I had the same thing happen to me in pendergrass GA. Cop was sitting on side of road at redlight, and when I left the light he immediatly flew out an pulled me over. I have a 3.5 in. tip muffler coming from 4-2-1 headers, resonator, straight thru to muffler. Silencer wasnt in. My ticket was $165. When you take off from a stop the exaust is actually a lil deeper then when its revved way up. (between 2000 and 4000 rpms its looouuuud)

[gnvarnadore]

another thing you can do is check out SEMA because they have something that i believe is called the SEMA action network or something like that and they try to change state laws to be more tuner friendly and they try to provide you with all the info you need to fight the ticket in court. Also if you can get a statement from the company that made the muffler stateing that it is 50 state legal and that the db's are not louder than what the law states then it will make your fight easier. just remember cops are always out to bust our balls because we are tuners and more than likey our cars can outrun them.

[gnvarnadore]

ohh yeah and here the web addy for SEMA action networkhttp://www.semasan.com/main/ma...ePage

[RICERMAN]

Go to court and tell the judge that the police officier doent know the law and you ant payin squat.The judge will throw your case out,,,,

[RICERMAN]

Hey the judge dont have to know all the regulations about cars. All he has to do is ask the cop if you were making too much noise and thats it. You dont win........The judge can be almost asleep during your case and it still dont make any differance, you see the cop and the judge are both on the same team. the winning team LOL

[maxima278]

That's pretty much the reason why I just paid the ticket instead of wasting my time trying to fight it. Just figured I couldn't win so what's the point. I just don't drive through that town any more, ever. At least not in my S14. Last time I rode through there with someone else, the same guy had a deifferent car pulled over coming and going. I've spoken to cops in other towns and even they say he's a nazi.

Just remember if you come down to georgia, NO ONE is safe in Pendergrass.

[RBpoweredSileighty]

that sucks, ill be sure to never cross into that city

[rustyduck770]

they have also been seen initiating the pursuit, and arresting people 5 miles OUTSIDE their jurisdiction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHAKEDOWNS are a way of life around PENDERGRASS..

AVOID THE U.S. 129 CORRIDOR from the Hall county line (to the north) to at least GA route 11 to the south!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[maxima278]

sucks big monkey nuts that their 'jurisdiction' is right down the street from me.

[Cameron]

the cop was just boosting hisself up... damn rookies.... and wasnt implied to write you a ticket
Modified by ZenkiCam at 5:01 PM 6/19/2007

[gukdoebabdoe]

yeah man i live in GA too. i gotta tell you its a tuner car hating state. gets more strict every year.