Now, hold on there a minute, pardner - I don't mind the rest of that b.s., but with that last sentence there, you're startin' to come down mighty hard on my toes...............

 

Dang... Y'all and youre regs. If your vehicle is straight piped and you passed inspection DONT WORRY ABOUT IT. Unless you are a tree hugger... then you can go on and rant and rave. If you wanna straight pipe ure truck do it. I havent heard of one place in Texas that will not pass you for not havin a muffler on a diesel truck.

 

I've seen an old Mustang pass inspection with NO FRAME. It was being shipped to Green Bay, and it had to have a valid inspection to get a title.

 

Must be something missing because this part:

"any change from the original certified configuration of a vehicle or engine, or the manufacture or sale of a non-original equipment aftermarket part or system could be considered a violation of section 203(a)(3) of the Act. This would include modifications to the fuel delivery system."

This reads to me that any manufacturer that makes aftermarket exhausts, intakes, and fuel systems is in voilation of this law, and should be fined $25,000. Also anybody with these aftermarket parts on their automoblie should be fined $2,500. If this truely was the case, there would be no companies manufacturing said products. Which leads me to believe there is more to this law, or it's case law has said differently, or it is totally ignored by the goverment. Because we all know it just isn't happening.

Now the first part reads a little better:

"Section 203(a)(3)(A) of the Act prohibits any person from removing or rendering inoperative any device or element of design installed on or in any motor vehicle in compliance with regulations under Title II of the Act (i.e., regulations requiring certification that vehicles meet federal emissions standards)."

This part seems to read that it is legal to change your exhaust, intake or fuel system, ect..., as long as changing the part does not remove the part, or make it not work and as long as the vehicle still meets the federal emissions standards.

The two parts of the origional quote seem to contradict each other.

 

Said products , that alter stock intake/exhaust/fuel systems , are sold " for off road use only" That is how the companies survive, my exhaust said right on it, that it was intended for off road use only, this prevents the companies from being liable. If I get into doo doo because of the exhaust they sold me, it is no ones problem but my own.

FWIW: Jack and Lary do not allow discussion of removal of EPA required components on this website.

 

In Texas, a turbo is all you need...says Texas DOT...


http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp...ejectsubmit=Go

 

Refer to the link provided by Infidel, federal law says you gotta have the stock exhaust system.

 

Kinda makes ya want to put a humidifier and a dehumidifier in the same room and let 'em fight it out!

 

that was the law but i have been told by the shop that works on my big trucks that they changed it now. If their is evidence that their was a muffler of some type such as brackets or a shield then it would no longer pass inspection. the turbo did count as a muffler because both of my pick ups passed their DOT inspection as straight pipes but will not now

 

Well my buddies and I must have good shops in our area cause I just got my truck inspected on Mon and it passed. My dad got his inspected in Dallas last month and his passed as well with a straight pipe.

 

Thats a good one!

 

Yep, federal supersceedes state



Do what you want, ask your friends where to get your inspection, odds are way in your favor. No one but me knows what exhaust is on my truck...

And like Jamie's other post, Jack and Larry don't want us discussing it for liability on their end.

 

Im not giving advice in any way, shape, form about what you should or shouldn't do with your own exhaust.

But, Texas does not currently do any sort of emissions testing on Diesels. It is a "Safety" check only for like $14.00. Brakes, brake lights, headlights, horn etc....and you are done. It costs considerably more to have a non-diesel vehicle inspected and they do "sniff" test them in certain counties.

..

 

Come on now, we're talking about mufflers here. There are 1,000 posts about mufflers and no mufflers and exhaust systems on here a day. Mufflers have nothing to do with emissions.

Here's how the state of Texas defines a muffler:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp...ejectsubmit=Go

"Muffler defined: Muffler is a device consisting of a series of chambers or baffle plates or other mechanical design for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and/or turbine wheels for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from a diesel engine, both of which are effective in reducing noise."

Here's another quote pertaining to diesel emission systems:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp...ejectsubmit=Go

"NOTE: The inspection of the exhaust emission system shall not apply to motor vehicles altered and modified to use only a fuel other than gasoline."

And one more:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp.../item_insp.asp

"Diesel powered vehicles and motorcycles are exempt from emissions testing, but are still required to have the annual safety inspection"


Federal law may supersceed state law, but when you get your vehicle inspected in Texas, they will be using the state of Texas guidelines to inspect the vehicle. So in reality, federal law doesn't supersceed state law in this case.

 

My truck hasn't had a muffler for 8 years, and I have never had a problem with inspections. Legal? I don't know and don't really care. My truck has a current sticker, and that's what matters. Have been pulled over by Texas State Trooper, left the truck running and no issues(besides the speeding thing).