Tam, I studied the exhaust rules a few months ago. If you read
27151b, passing the test ensures legality -- but failing the test does
not constitute a violation. 27200 explains how they can nail you for
a violation.
They measure the noise level at a distance of 50 feet from the
centerline of travel "under test procedures established by the
Department of the CHP" (but not described in the vehicle code). The
limit for cars produced after 1974 is 80dB. That's a lot stricter
than even San Diego's sound limit, however keep in mind that cars on
the freeway aren't generally being run at full throttle.
--
john@idsfa.net John Stimson
http://www.idsfa.net/~john/ HMC Physics '94
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