Exhaust fails NJ inspection for being "too loud"

**JoeShmoe** · 01-04-2009, 08:45 PM

Yep. That's right.

I bought my 98 Camaro "as is" from ebay motors. It came with a SpinTech muffler and I believe a FloMaster exhaust. I honestly never found out what brand on the exhaust.

Anyway, the car passed 2 years ago at the exact same facility (Randolph, NJ) with the exact same setup. This time, when the inspector rejected the exhaust, I mentioned it passed 2 years ago, and he said "Well, I wasn't here 2 years ago."

What pisses me off is that I don't think they actually use anything to measure the sound of the exhaust. It's just a matter of opinion. And if that's the case, what's stopping these guys from saying that anyone's exhaust is too loud. It's a shame that these idiots have so much authority.

So I guess my best option is to have the car inspected at a private facility?

**blue02Z** · 01-05-2009, 03:13 AM

go burn his shop down

**cammed goat** · 01-05-2009, 03:32 AM

Some shops are like that. I don't think NJ uses decibel meters but they B.S. their way out of a confrontation. Prob Prius owners who have nothing better to do than fail cars like ours. I have heard folks talk about when they get failed, they request the presence of a manager/higher up. Then the inspectors threaten with a call to the cops to weasel out of an explanation. I am glad my job has it's own inspection facility.

**SteveC** · 01-05-2009, 03:51 AM

Here in California, they will meter the exhaust, needs to be below 80db.

SteveC

**allbaugh_04** · 01-05-2009, 07:17 AM

stuff some cotton up the pipes...maybe...

**cold_surfer** · 01-05-2009, 12:19 PM

go to dollar store. buy some stainless steel scowering pads. stuff them up the tailpipe, 1 or 2 at a time. start it up, rev it and see if they stay. too much might overheat the car or block it too much...

you might wait until you are around the corner from the shop and do it...

worked for my harley. They will burn and blow out within 50 miles...

**JoeShmoe** · 01-05-2009, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by blue02Z

go burn his shop down

LOL - Thanks, but this was a big public facility. In fact, that may have been part of the problem. When the inspector revved the engine, the sound echoed off the walls, making it sound louder than usual.

**JoeShmoe** · 01-05-2009, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

Some shops are like that. I don't think NJ uses decibel meters but they B.S. their way out of a confrontation. Prob Prius owners who have nothing better to do than fail cars like ours. I have heard folks talk about when they get failed, they request the presence of a manager/higher up. Then the inspectors threaten with a call to the cops to weasel out of an explanation. I am glad my job has it's own inspection facility.

I was definitely thinking of going back there and asking for a manager. I still have the paperwork from last time (2 years ago, the same facility) indicating that the car had passed. The way I see it, a second opinion can't hurt. Maybe the manager/supervisor would see it my way?

**JoeShmoe** · 01-05-2009, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by SteveC

Here in California, they will meter the exhaust, needs to be below 80db.

SteveC

If this were the case, I could probably live with that, since it would be something factual that can't be disputed. But there was nothing on the print-out that said how many decibels. It just said "Loud exhaust system". I'm pretty sure he just played it by ear, which is BS if you ask me.

**Cayenne97** · 01-05-2009, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by JoeShmoe

I was definitely thinking of going back there and asking for a manager. I still have the paperwork from last time (2 years ago, the same facility) indicating that the car had passed. The way I see it, a second opinion can't hurt. Maybe the manager/supervisor would see it my way?

That's what you should of done. They can't fail your car by simply assuming it is too loud. Make them put a meter on it and verify that it is actually above the legal limit.

If it is infact above then something like this should fix the problem: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dynat...Q5fAccessories

**sunsetorangess** · 01-05-2009, 01:13 PM

I wouldnt go back to that facility, try going to another place and getting it inspected. Here in Nc one shop failed me bc i had tail light covers on, down the road at another shop they passed me. If they didnt charge you i would go elsewhere, now if they charged you to fail ya then i would go back.
J

**Midnight02** · 01-06-2009, 02:19 PM

I completely feel your pain with this one. I lived in New Jersey for several years and even had the pleasure of sitting in line at the Randolph station for hours!

The test in NJ has a stated range, but it doesn't sound like he actually metered the car -- hence, it was "too loud" based solely on his judgment. In these cases, it's probably best to just go to a private facility and have them inspect it. Unfortunately, now that the car has failed once, the "loud exhaust" is likely noted in the database for that VIN (meaning that it might be a little tougher now to get an inspector to "look the other way").

**JoeShmoe** · 01-06-2009, 04:21 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Really?! I always go to the Randolph station. Despite their rude behavior, I thought the line usually moves pretty quick. Maybe I got lucky.

Anyway, I think most people would agree that the car isn't that loud. It has a nice sound to it, but nothing excessive.

The inspector said I could come back to the front of the line when I return, and I think this means outside of the building. I figured that, combined with a second opinion, and the paperwork from 2 years ago, I might have a shot at passing.

**funlman** · 01-07-2009, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by JoeShmoe

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Really?! I always go to the Randolph station. Despite their rude behavior, I thought the line usually moves pretty quick. Maybe I got lucky.

Anyway, I think most people would agree that the car isn't that loud. It has a nice sound to it, but nothing excessive.

The inspector said I could come back to the front of the line when I return, and I think this means outside of the building. I figured that, combined with a second opinion, and the paperwork from 2 years ago, I might have a shot at passing.

I am not really sure where the Randolph NJ inspection station is probably up in North Jersey somewhere. If it isn't too long of a drive or hassle if they still are pricks and fail you you should give the Bridgeton, NJ Inspection Station a try. I took my 2000 Firehawk there without any problem and now I take my 1998 WS.6 there and they have never given me any problems. It is one of the Inspection stations that you should make an appopintment with, the waiting lines get long. Bridgeton should not give you any problems if Randolph fails you again.

Hope this helps & good luck
Eddie

**JoeShmoe** · 01-07-2009, 04:04 PM

Thanks, Eddie. Trying another station is a good idea. Only thing is, Bridgeton is over 125 miles away from me. I'm up in Morris County (Parsippany to be exact). But some of the guys at work were telling me stations like Newark, etc. were more lenient.

**cammed goat** · 01-07-2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by JoeShmoe

Thanks, Eddie. Trying another station is a good idea. Only thing is, Bridgeton is over 125 miles away from me. I'm up in Morris County (Parsippany to be exact). But some of the guys at work were telling me stations like Newark, etc. were more lenient.

Try Newark. Can't hurt. If all else fails, get an OEM replacement muff and throw it on to pass, then put on the Spintech when you get back home.

**swisscheese** · 01-08-2009, 02:41 AM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

..., get an OEM replacement muff and throw it on to pass, then put on the Spintech when you get back home.

Hey, over here we have to do this all the time. If the inspector sees some muffler that isnt stock you will fail...

**9t8z28** · 01-08-2009, 08:30 AM

Tell him that he is in the wrong profession

**DaddySS** · 01-12-2009, 06:06 PM

Why not go to one of the performance shops and ask them which private facility they use. To me it's well worth the $50 to get it done.

**JoeShmoe** · 01-12-2009, 07:25 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah, I think I might have to do that, or get the inserts like Cayenne97 suggested.

I went back to the same station in Randolph today. When I handed the guy my paperwork, he went and got the same inspector that failed me (his name was on the paper). Well, it failed again. And I asked how many decibels it had to be. The guy told me that they don't use a decibel meter, but it was "significantly louder than stock". He told me I could see the manager.

The manager was a nice guy, but he told me that it was up to the inspector's discretion. The manager listened to the exhaust and agreed that it was too loud. He suggested that I get some inserts to quiet things down so I wouldn't have to replace the exhaust.