Resonator delete in California

[vavavroom]

My son wants to remove the resonator from the MK1 GTI he has started working on, but I'm being a spoilsport. Can someone please confirm or deny that in California any exhaust system modification is illegal by default, even if the modification does not affect emissions? This is not about whether or not he'll get caught but only about legality.

 

[mx5miata]

If your local police issue tickets for noise pollution he's only giving himself a headache for no reason half the time cars perform worse when the stock exhaust is altered

 

[Chris142]

Yes its illegal. But the cops don't care. They allow junk with bald tires,broken glass,missing body panels etc plus every loud bro truck. Your sons car won't be a problem.

 

[tom slick]

If it’s behind the catalytic converters it can be modified as long as It isn’t too loud.

 

[benjy]

ALL factory exhaust can be improved on as they are TOOOO restrictive + as power goes up especially with turbocharging a bigger higher flowing system frees more power along with proper fueling. todays lawn mower engines are pretty quiet IMO but the government likes the "sewing machine" purrrr!!!!

 

[Revving2Redline]

I wouldn't resonator delete.. I would buy a sport resonator from Vibrant Performance.

 

[supton]

Can it be easily bolted back in?

I'd be worried about droning--I presume that is why they put in a resonator in the first place.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: vavavroom
My son wants to remove the resonator from the MK1 GTI he has started working on, but I'm being a spoilsport. Can someone please confirm or deny that in California any exhaust system modification is illegal by default, even if the modification does not affect emissions? This is not about whether or not he'll get caught but only about legality.


If exhaust modifications post catalytic converter is illegal, then the various muffler shops in CA would be out of business.

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
If exhaust modifications post catalytic converter is illegal, then the various muffler shops in CA would be out of business.

I think the owner or operator of the vehicle is the only one responsible in these cases.

 

[Malo83]

Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
Originally Posted By: vavavroom
My son wants to remove the resonator from the MK1 GTI he has started working on, but I'm being a spoilsport. Can someone please confirm or deny that in California any exhaust system modification is illegal by default, even if the modification does not affect emissions? This is not about whether or not he'll get caught but only about legality.


If exhaust modifications post catalytic converter is illegal, then the various muffler shops in CA would be out of business.

Mom and Pop muffler shop made me a dual exhaust for my 83 Silverado that could easily be taken off and the original single exhaust reinstalled for smog checks, truck ran great on the dual exhaust, sold the duals to another Chevy owner and went with a 3" single exhaust.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Only illegal if it is over the max DB level for your area. Smog is not a concern. After Cat mods are OK in CA. Can’t modify pre Cat without CARB approval.

 

[vavavroom]

I'll ask at a muffler shop and see what they say.