Are Exhaust Dumps Street Legal?
 

Specifically in Maryland if anyone knows.

If they'll pass inspection, what would be the cons of exhaust dumps other than increased noise?

Thanks.

-John

well i think i heard that in some places its illegal to "have the exhuast exit before the rear axle".....not sure tho

about the pros and cons, some woudl say you gain a hp or two cause of just a little less restriction but i dont think so. depending on what kind of muffs you got you will hear a nasty drone with flowmasters......i personally like it tho :)

They will increase your HP but lower your TQ. It will help you on the top end a little, as to say maybe one MPH in the quarter. In Texas state inspection they don't want you to dump them, but if you do i think it has to have the turn downs on ensuring there will not be a build up of carbon minoxide in the back seat.

if the car is pretty much stock i never recommend dumps because it kills alot of torque. i think the tailpipes have to extend past the rear axle a buddy of mine had a unique perspective to this he just got some straight tube just long enough to pass the rear axle and had turndowns welded to it. it looks kinda funny but it works and it's legal.

In Washington, there are noise issues with something like this...

You can get a ticket if they think your exhaust is too loud (I forget the actual wording, but something like if they can hear your exhaust from 100 feet away or something like that....)

Thanks,
DoranW

so how much torque do you think im losing on my stock car (just an o/r h-pipe)??? i have flows and dumps. i love the sound but i dont think its worth the "off the line" power cause i have a nice and fat '95 gt vert. should i go back to the tailpipes??

i tell you what it is a noticeable difference in seat of the pants power i always recommened to everyone with a stock or lightly modified car to keep their tailpipes i had a vert w/ auto trans and i could tell a huge difference when i cut them off so i put them back on i only like dumps on cars that are pretty modded.

In Florida, statute says it is illegal to make ANY modification to the factory exhaust system that would result in an exhaust note louder in ANY way than the volume level of the OEM equipment.

turn downs
 

I'd stick with the tailpipes, definitely. I used to run with turn downs and 2-chamber Flows...and it was obnoxiously loud. After getting a ticket for not having cats (damn motorcycle cops!)...I decided to put the tailpipes back on to aid in keeping the law off my back. It's quiter, but actually sounds better now! And boy, what a difference! So much more torque! I don't know what I was thinking when I didn't put them back on after my motor upgrade. Young and dumb, and loved that loud rumble I guess. I've also heard that Flowmaster, along with some other aftermarket muffler companies, recommend at least 18 inches of exhaust pipe after their muffler to obtain maximum horsepower gains on '86-'93 5.0s. Something to think about...

if you want it really loud you could always go 1 chambers they make a stock car sound like a trailer queen well maybe not that good but it sounds pretty mean.