Street legal decibel limits?

Bill Bayard · 08-26-04, 06:47 PM

Having just been to DMV and failed the noise test by a mile(106db@2500RPM), I was wondering what the legal db level is in other states. Delaware DMV quoted 95db over the phone, and 96.5db at the inspection lane. Is that number in line with other states?
I tested it with 12 stainless steel wool pads rammed into each muffler plus baffle inserts, and am now close to being legal. I'm going to head to DMV a couple of hours before they open, let the engine cool, then re-pack the mufflers,
so I can do the test with a cold engine(don't want to cook an exhaust valve). Here's hoping.....

Bill

flatchat(Chris) · 08-26-04, 08:14 PM

They're aiming for 90db in Aus. which may be acheivable with catalytic converters, "hot dogs", (resonators) mufflers and super traps for exhaust noise then eight throttle body,tappet,piston slap etc racket puts it over the top.
The race tracks require 95db at a 10 metre fly by.
The test detects more noise from a rear engined vehicle,so we have to emulate a Porsche.
Good luck
Chris

Trevor Booth · 08-26-04, 08:17 PM

Bill,
You can get a copy of the federal regulation from the government publishing office (I think located in the federal building in major cities) I cannnot remember the exact reg No but I think it is in US CFR 49. There are provisions for shielding the engine noise whilst doing a noise test. US regs are on a federal basis and should not differ from state to state. They also have "in service" or "in use" provisions and it is these that might vary.
Trevor

Bill Bayard · 08-26-04, 08:45 PM

Trevor,

You're pretty well informed about U.S. regs for an Aussie!

Thanks!

Bill

Trevor Booth · 08-27-04, 03:06 AM

Bill,
I have spent a bit of time in your backyard, done a bit of work there, have done lots of work for clients importing US vehicles to Oz and for importing Oz vehicles to US. Hence the need to know them well. I cant remember where the noise reg is as I do not refer to it. We dont accept it here in OZ. ( we have different noise according to the powers that be!!)
Trevor

Bill Bayard · 08-27-04, 06:06 AM

Trevor,

This probably won't surprise you, since you are somewhat familiar with the typical U.S. snafus, but my noise test is actually conducted inside a concrete building, about 250' long and open on both ends! The noise test is done smack in the middle of this echo chamber! These DMV Nazis just aren't playing fair!
I am hoping that the inspector in question(now aptly named Fat Bastard) will either be late for work, or take the day off, as the other inspectors had no intentions of doing a noise test! It's a discretionary test, boiling down to the inspector's mood at the time.
Please Lord, let Fat Bastard be in a better mood today!

Bill

Chris E · 08-27-04, 08:19 AM

Lets hope 'Fat Bastard' doesn't read this forum!!

flatchat(Chris) · 08-27-04, 08:34 AM

Just hope a trucker isn't doing a jacobs (exhaust compression) braking manouvre at that point or worse a biker on a harley doin a fly by.
Anyways good luck with "Fat Bastard" aye!
I'd hate to have to do this test again--I got ejected from a race track once 'cos the dang thing was too rowdy

Bill Bayard · 08-27-04, 10:21 AM

Update!

Today, Fat Bastard, while still being just as fat, wasn't

as much of a bastard. I passed the noise test! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

The number to beat was 96.5db., and my car tested at 95.5db.

Phew! 95.5db@2500RPM required 15 stainless pot scubber pads

in each muffler, and two 3-disc Car Chemistry inserts

(baffles)to accomplish. As soon as I cleared the DMV

parking lot, out came the stainless and the baffles! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Thank you God! I'm good to go for another two years![img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

JimmyMac · 08-27-04, 10:43 AM

Bill,
Firstly congratulations on your approval.
Secondly, dip the pot scrubbbers in hot chocolate and send them to your mate at the DMV.
Next time you see him he'll be skinny - a b*st*rd none the less.

JimmyMac · 08-27-04, 11:06 AM

I found half of a pot scrubber in a Chinese Take-Away.
It gave me a new meaning to the "Spring Rolls" and lost ten pounds in a week.

Bill Bayard · 08-27-04, 12:27 PM

James,

Thanks! What a relief!

I wouldn't give that Fat Bastard a lump of $#!t, let alone

my prized pot scrubbers!

I hope that you found your "spring roll pot scrubber" on the

way in, not on the way out! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

That would certainly give new meaning to the phrase

"Spring Cleaning"! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] Not my idea of a fun diet,

if there is such a thing!

Bill

JimmyMac · 08-27-04, 12:43 PM

Bill,
It happened some years ago and later the next day I discovered that I had ingested some of it in casualty X-ray. I would'nt do it to my worse enemy.
The wire wool was no problem but the bugs on it were.
It's funny though, I've never had an iron deficiency since!