[twcom]

So... in my final preps for the May 6th 2021 SmartBall, I got my SmartBall 2021 License plate frame and placed it up against my New York Plate and ....oh my..... this plate frame is a 65 dollar ticket in NY. It blocks too much of the plate,,,, back in the box, only good for photo ops.
Mind You the Harlem Edition has never had any window tint as I just don't want to be bothered for any reason..... but speeding...... when I am enjoying a drive in my Smart, so for sure it will not be for a license plate frame.
Now my next task of the day was to remove my Smarts exhaust with broken flex pipe that has just been hanging in place for months with a coat hanger (Because a like the sound) and replace it with a short downpipe. As I began to untwist the coat hanger I thought about my 3 days I intend to cruise around the California Canyon roads. I stopped untwisting as I saw a vision of myself being pulled over by California Law Enforcement explaining my illegal modified exhaust.

I'll be having my flex pipe re-welded back in place and plan on spending one less day in California.

 

[SubRosa]

If that were the case, one couldn't drive any car in Cal if it weren't built for Cal standards...

SubRosa

 

[twcom]

You certainly cannot sell one buy one or register one that is not California standard....

 

[SubRosa]

Well, moving from out of state with your 49-state car is OK.

SR

 

[Laughing Crow]

Looks like you have done a lot of modifications to your car. I would love to see more photos, inside and out

 

[OliverB]

You certainly cannot sell one buy one or register one that is not California standard....

As well as some other states that have adopted CA standards!

 

[the big e]

That sucks.
I just got a new muffler for mine recently and I kinda miss the loudness from it not having a muffler.
Unfortunately with my luck it would be a ticket by the first cop who heard it so that’s not happening.
Sucks I won’t get to do the smart ball run.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

It is not illegal to have a custom exhaust in the state of California unless it's louder than 95 decibels or changes the vehicle in such a way that it fails smog. That is more or less in-line with many other states.

Fact vs. Fiction: California’s New Exhaust Noise Law | SEMA ACTION NETWORK

www.semasan.com

So if your custom exhaust doesn't get you a ticket in New York, it is unlikely to get you a ticket in California.

All U.S. spec fortwos are 50-state compliant, so the legalities of selling it shouldn't be a problem.

I'm keeping my custom exhaust on for the Smartball.

 

[1stiski]

TW, too bad on on plate issue, I’m sure you got your ticket while 50 non-insured vehicles, expired registration and possible revoked licenses passed by. Typical.

 

[twcom]

TW, too bad on on plate issue, I’m sure you got your ticket while 50 non-insured vehicles, expired registration and possible revoked licenses passed by. Typical.

Lol fortunately I did put it on so no ticket.. It triggered a memory of how mad I was when I got a ticket for having clear plastic covers over my plates.. a ny no no

 

[the big e]

Twcom I know what you mean about the clear plate covers.
They are illegal in tn too.

 

[jzchen]

The exhaust volume limit is 95 dB as far as I can tell as kindly noted. Can you even get 95 dB from the smart? The flex pipe is post cat(?) and the cat itself provides a little muffling. I'd guess you'd be fine with a straight pipe from the cat back, without having heard it in person. Someone is selling their straight pipe exhaust (cat back) for a Scion iQ a few cities over from me, only because of accident I believe.

There is a concern IF your tailpipe ends underneath the car. In California traffic the exhaust fumes may go up into the cabin and cause health issues, so it might be a good idea to either get the flex pipe fixed or run whatever pipe you had planned...

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

[the big e]

^ good point on the fumes.
Had to replace the muffler on my miata not long after I got it.
The old one was rusted out(huge hole) and it let the exhaust gas come into the car around the shifter(boot was gone due to age)
Well I got really bad sick due to that driving it one day with the top and windows up.
Not fun one bit.

 

[the big e]

Guys I have video from before I had my smart worked on without the muffler(broken flex pipe) and it’s definitely a lot louder then you think.
It sounds nice but it could get a cops attention especially if your into the throttle when going by.