Muffler delete effect on emissions testing

[TopazBlue6.2]

I was kicking around idea of doing a muffler delete on my truck after I heard my brothers 2009 6.2 with muffler delete. My question is how will this effect my emissions testing? I live in Texas and there are yearly emissions testing for registering your vehicle. Would the absence of a muffler cause me not to pass?

[bdbake01]

Not at all. The muffler is just a metal can. Doesn't affect the chemical content of the exhaust gases in the least.

[DaveH71]

Muffler has no effect what so ever on emissions.

[KARNUT]

I was kicking around idea of doing a muffler delete on my truck after I heard my brothers 2009 6.2 with muffler delete. My question is how will this effect my emissions testing? I live in Texas and there are yearly emissions testing for registering your vehicle. Would the absence of a muffler cause me not to pass?

I live in Texas too, the plug in under the dash no lights no worries.

[Isriam]

actually i was told that you would fail the vehicle inspection based on no muffler. i went to two muffler shops in the dallas area and heard the same thing. i asked both to perform the work and they said they would however i'd have to come back and have it put on again before inspection, not to throw it away.

[KARNUT]

actually i was told that you would fail the vehicle inspection based on no muffler. i went to two muffler shops in the dallas area and heard the same thing. i asked both to perform the work and they said they would however i'd have to come back and have it put on again before inspection, not to throw it away.

Im in the Conroe area, they don't even look they just plug in. I have an older truck with headers glass packs and 3 1/2 duals, no problem. Muffler delete sounds almost stock, I had it for a while. Cold start ups and full song was the only time you really hear it.

[Isriam]

i wanted to do it, but i dont want to have to sweat the inspection. although i have 6.2 so its pretty throaty already and afm disabled, i'm content i'd say.

[SteveBBB]

I talked to a guy at the gas station the other day that did the muffler delete, It sounded stock to me even when he revved it. He said it sounds great under power.

[thewhitestallion]

most inspectors do not physically get down on their hands and knees to make sure that you have a muffler or cats on your vehicle. However if they do and you don't have it then you will fail. that is a big IF though.

 

Also you can be issued a ticket for not having a muffler or cats on your vehicle by a police officer. most cities have noise ordinances that is left to the discretion of the officer.

 

I am in no way giving you legal advise as I am not an attorney all I am saying is if you are rolling around with no muffler just be wise about it.

[bdbake01]

I've lived in multiple cities with vehicle inspection. They've never once said anything about a muff delete other than a passing comment about how good it sounds. This is EMISSIONS testing, not a sound check. They could try to give you a hassle if they are having a bad day, but that's it.

 

As for local ordinances, it's common to have a sound ordinance, true. But these are based in volume, NOT equipment. You can have full race headers, cats and straight pipe if you want, so long as it isn't loud. Just like a cop can't give you a ticket for removing your ashtray, the muffler is yours to do with as you please UNTIL it gets too loud. Then, and only then could you possibly violate an ordinance.

 

Let's be clear. Muffler, NOT an emissions control device. Catalytic converter, you betcha. One you can touch, the other not so much.

[Isriam]

from txdps.state.tx.us

 

20.15 Exhaust System - Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with muffler in good working order and in constant operation.

Muffler defined: Muffler is a device consisting of a series of chambers or baffle plates or other mechanical design for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and/or turbine wheels for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from a diesel engine, both of which are effective in reducing noise.

NOTE: On vehicles manufactured or equipped with a muffler and a turbo, the muffler must be present and in good working order.

The exhaust system includes the manifolds, gaskets, exhaust lines, mufflers, resonators, tailpiping, and supporting hardware.

Motor vehicles cannot be equipped with a muffler which is perforated or which was perforated and has been repaired, either by a muffler repair jacket or by patching or in any other way. In those cases where a muffler is perforated at the time of an inspection or has been perforated and has been repaired previous to the inspection, the muffler must be replaced or the vehicle rejected.

Some pickups are equipped with a camper or hard shell cover and are sometimes used for the transportation of passengers. The tailpipe should discharge the exhaust at the rear or sides. This truck modification will be considered as a passenger compartment.

The entire structure of a passenger vehicle or a motor home-type vehicle is considered a passenger compartment. The cab only of all other truck-type vehicles is considered passenger or luggage compartment.

If the vehicle is equipped with lake pipes or similar devices, such pipes or devices must be securely plated and bolted or capped.

Dual exhaust systems may be modified to single exhaust systems and single exhaust systems to dual exhaust systems, provided the modification does not violate requirements concerning exhaust emission systems.

The catalytic converter will be considered as a part of the exhaust system on all vehicles prior to 1984 year model and will be inspected only visually (if present) for leakage. On 1984 and later model light truck and passenger vehicles, the catalytic converter will be checked for presence and leakage. Flexible tubing which meets the requirements listed below may be used anywhere in the exhaust system.

NOTE: Inspection of exhaust systems covers the discharge of exhaust fumes and is not concerned with the noise level.

1. Inspection Procedure. The exhaust system shall be examined visually while the engine is running to determine efficiency of the system.
2. Inspect for and reject if:
   1. Vehicle is not equipped with a muffler.
   2. Any joint is loose or leaking, including manifolds. Does not include minor leakage at exhaust control valve (manifold damper or heat riser valve).
   3. Manifold is cracked or broken causing leakage.
   4. Holes, leaking seams, or patches on the muffler, resonators, exhaust pipe, tailpipe, or catalytic converter.
   5. Exhaust system is not secured to the vehicle by mounting brackets designed for exhaust systems (wire is not acceptable).
   6. Any brackets are loose, broken, or missing.
   7. There is excessive vibration of exhaust line.
   8. Any part of the exhaust system passes through the passenger compartment.
   9. The tailpipe is broken, pinched, or eroded off to the extent to allow exhaust fumes to penetrate into the interior of the passenger compartment.
   10. The tailpipe fails to discharge exhaust from the rear or sides or top of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

NOTE: Holes in the exhaust system made by the manufacturer for drainage are not cause for rejection. The tailpipe must direct the exhaust fumes out from under the passenger compartment.

NOTE: On pickups not equipped with a camper or hard shell cover, holes or leaks in the tailpipe extending beyond the passenger compartment will not be cause for rejection.

[bdbake01]

Interesting how Texas is apparently a stickler for mufflers (imagine that?), but it clearly states that the inspection "...covers the discharge of exhaust fumes, and is not concerned with noise level"

[thewhitestallion]

I've lived in multiple cities with vehicle inspection. They've never once said anything about a muff delete other than a passing comment about how good it sounds. This is EMISSIONS testing, not a sound check. They could try to give you a hassle if they are having a bad day, but that's it.

 

As for local ordinances, it's common to have a sound ordinance, true. But these are based in volume, NOT equipment. You can have full race headers, cats and straight pipe if you want, so long as it isn't loud. Just like a cop can't give you a ticket for removing your ashtray, the muffler is yours to do with as you please UNTIL it gets too loud. Then, and only then could you possibly violate an ordinance.

 

Let's be clear. Muffler, NOT an emissions control device. Catalytic converter, you betcha. One you can touch, the other not so much.

 

while they do inspect your emissions it is also a vehicle check for safety equipment and other junk. in texas if the inspector is a stickler they can fail you for stupid stuff like a bad wiper, turn signal out, headlight out, bald tires, 1 lug nut missing etc etc. while the muffler is not part of the emissions it is required by state law to have one and is part of your vehicle inspection. also in texas im not 100% on this one but if you have an OBD II car they do not do a sniff test just plug into the OBD II port. but again you will only have a problem if they look under your vehicle for a muffler. if you are that concerned about it and don't want to worry about failing, there are companies out there that make a "fake" muffler. it's basically a piece of pipe with a muffler shell that surrounds it to make it look like a muffler. they also make catalytic converter fakes as well.

[Colossus]

Some states require a complete, intact, and working exhaust system, which includes a muffler. Other states will be fine so long as the emissions componanats are there and working. But if your exhaust pipe is not at a good location to where they can connect their testing equipment/put a hose over the exhaust pipe during the dyno testing (for the states that do dyno emissions testing) then it is an automatic failure or reject.