Qld Exhaust Legislation

[adrian_celati]

Hi everyone, I'm just trying to find the legislation on exhaust systems in QLD on this forum and the net and can't find anything that's got any detail. I'm specifically asking because I want to remove the centre muffler on my xr6t. The guy at the local exhaust shop said it was illegal. Is it the number of mufflers in the exhaust system that's the issue, or the noise, or both? Has anyone stumbled across the legislation?

Cheers

[Ace]

its number of mufflers mate - lots of people do it but it doesnt pass adr laws is the trouble

[matt036]

As far as I am aware any modification to the exhaust system is illegal but I reckon its all up to the discretion of Mr plod. For example, there's some toss where I live with one of those cowboy utes and he has a straight through exhaust from extractors, no cat, no muffler of any kind and it is loud as fark. You can hear him coming for blocks its that bad. Then another mate had a standard BA but just had the rear muffler removed and cops booked him for undue noise but nothing to do with actually booking him about the exhaust. So really who knows like I have my center muffler cut out and have never had a worry.

[Buf-Phoon]

Not sure about the "nationality" of laws, but fines from the EPA can reach up to $10k for breaches.

[xr6greg]

Exhaust systems must comply with Queensland legislation which includes the following conditions:

• Exhaust headers (extractors) may be fitted to anymotor vehicle, provided:

they do not foul any part of the steering, suspension, brake or fuel systems all fittings for emission control equipment (E.G.R. valve, oxygen sensor, pipes and so on) are incorporated to ensure the vehicle maintains compliance with Australian Design Rules for vehicle emissions exhaust systems must continue to comply with relevant legislation or Australian Design Rules for vehicle noise.

• The exhaust outlet must extend at least 40mm beyond the furthermost outboard or rearmost joint of the floor pan that is not continuously welded or permanently sealed which could permit direct access of exhaust gases to the passenger compartment, but not beyond the perimeter of the vehicle when viewed in plan.

• The exhaust outlet, if to the side of the vehicle, must discharge to the right hand side of the vehicle and ownwards at an angle to the horizontal of not less than 15 degrees and not more than 45 degrees.

• The exhaust outlet, if to the rear of the vehicle, must discharge at not more than 10 degrees above or 45 degrees below the horizontal.

• All exhaust and muffler systems must be free of any leaks or mechanical faults and should be adequately supported.

[Buf-Phoon]

written by another beerocrat

[xr6greg]

written by another beerocrat

Actually a 10 second cut 'n paste from the Qld Government QT advisory site accessed by a process called Google...

[Craig.]

So no mention of decibel levels or anything like that Greg?

[xr6greg]

So no mention of decibel levels or anything like that Greg?

Simplistic answer is that it must be within the same decibel range of the factory specs + - a small percentage. In other words it must conform to its 'certified' noise level in accordance with ADR 83/00 (from memory).

In Qld the method of noise measurement should be found in the Vehicle Standards and Safety Regs and requires an authorised instrument (decibel meter) to be operated in accordance with the National Stationary Exhaust Test guidelines.

Around 96 decibels at the specified rev range is about the go.

[CBXRT]

In my experience, the Police generally aren't interested in noise db, amount of mufflers and other technical rubbish (many thousands of cars would be off the road if the rules were strictly applied). However, they do become very interested if you drive like an idiot, or your car is heavily modified, and then they will certainly look for reasons to pull you over/get your car off the road.

My T runs only small twin resonators in each pipe at the rear (centre and rear standard mufflers removed), sounds brilliant under load (IMO), very loud/raw above 3,000rpm but pretty quiet below that - its not ridiculous or offensive. I have done a few breath tests/roadside inspections recently with no dramas. With just centre removed you should be fine, its not that loud anyway but it does sound much better than standard (better than most aftermarket systems actually). Just go to another exhaust place mate.

ps; Definately do not remove the cat, then you are blatantly illegal and asking for trouble.