Are modified exhaust systems on cars these days louder than Cape Canaveral or is it just me?

[tenderfoot]

Last edited Wed Aug 3, 2022, 08:59 PM - Edit history (2)

Do they bug the living fuck out of you as well?

Aren't they illegal and what can you do to report them?

Your thoughts?

Notes: I didn't know it could be stolen catalytic converters causing this, as most of the cars that I have heard seem to be newer Dodge Chargers.

[relayerbob]

1. Annoying, yes. Illegal? Depends

The worst is when morons attach them to little engines, so they sound like loud farts

[Zeitghost]

5. I guess that makes me a moron

Thankfully my car is for me to enjoy and anyone who'd thinks otherwise can pound sand unless they'd like to make the payment.


But while we're on the subject, I'd love an explanation on why freeing up the exhaust flow on my 1.5 liter turbo is any more moronic than doing the same to a 5+ liter V8. Not sure I really see a difference but you seem to have a strong opinion and it sounds like you've contemplated it enough to make a distinction.

[Mike Niendorff]

8. In a similar vein :

I like running my chainsaw.

Hey, it's mine, and "it's for me to enjoy".

So if I decide to run it right outside your bedroom window at all hours of the night and day, hey, that's my right.

Sorry if you don't like it or it wakes up your kids or interferes with your life and livelihood.

Too bad, so sad.

Everyone but me can just "go pound sand".

Right?


MDN

[relayerbob]

10. It's an ego thing

I don’t get it.

[BlackSkimmer]

32. Pretty sure it's a compensation thing lol.

Never see women driving these silly cars that make so much noise.

[relayerbob]

46. Yes, they are compensating...

Last edited Thu Aug 4, 2022, 09:57 PM - Edit history (1)

For their little ….. engines. Hehehehe

[BlackSkimmer]

51. Indeed.

[Zeitghost]

12. You can enjoy your chainsaw while following applicable laws

Just like I enjoy my car while following applicable laws and I won't call you a moron for doing so...

I'm not sure you running it late at night on my property would end well for you legally. The Sheriff wouldn't look to fondly upon it, but you'll be glad to know it won't be for breaking noise ordinances. We don't have any here in the country.

[Mike Niendorff]

22. Never said anything about going on your property.

Lots of people have homes near public streets and public sidewalks. And believe me, my chainsaw is really really loud.

You can hear it for miles.

Just like the street racer jackasses that infest my neighborhood, with exhausts tuned so loud you can hear them halfway to the freeway.

And if you're a working man like me, we might not always be on the same schedule. Your "night" and my "night" probably aren't the same.

But don't worry, as long as I get to enjoy my chainsaw, nothing else matters. Not your job, not your wife, not your kids, none of it. Just me and my chainsaw, as loud as I can get it.

Because hey, being an asshole to your neighbors and their families is truly the American way, right?

God bless 'murika.


MDN

[relayerbob]

9. I have simply seen and heard too many of those tiny engines

Sorry to offend, but they sound ridiculous. That said, I don’t like large ones either, but at least they give the impression of power. The little ones don’t. At all. As I said, just a loud fart, if you are proud to sound like that, then go for it, but realize most people are laughing at you.

For the record, I drive electric, so to me anyone driving a five liter engine is, imo, anti-social and moronic, and deserve paying a lot more for gas. It’s nuts, in this day and age.

[Zeitghost]

14. You seem to come to a lot of personal opinions about people

based on cars they drive. I can't for the life of me come up with enough negative energy on a daily basis to do the same. I find it's a lot easier to get through life with a smile and a live and let live attitude. It's far less stressful. But I guess some people feed off of the negative attitudes and need to get judgmental to feel good about themselves.

Also, keep in mind that there are far less people laughing at me and far more not giving a shit than you estimate. Most people don't have the kind the energy or the desire to care as much as you do.


I'm guessing your opinions may be a cultural/generational thing. The most advanced race cars in the world use 1.6L turbos and they sound amazing.

[relayerbob]

23. You seem to think I care

I've put in about 2 minutes thought into this whole convo. I was simply responding to the OP, You, however, must think there's some truth to what I'm saying or you wouldn't be so defensive. Whatever.

[kcr]

55. If you drive around in a car modified to sound loud on purpose

You are a selfish person.

[Zeitghost]

57. Okay

And according to local and state regulations, my car is not "loud". Or at least now too loud.

[sir pball]

25. Your "impression of power" is pure conditioning.

What you drive now is irrelevant; all your life the big-power cars were low-revving big-displacement V8s making a Roar. Younger folx, or people who grew up watching motorcycle/Formula car racing, have been trained to think that a high-revving, smaller engine making a Scream is power.

Last years' Mercedes F1 car put out over 1000hp from a 1.5L V6, you'd think it sounded like nails on a chalkboard but to a lot of us it's the Shriek of Horsepower.

[MineralMan]

13. That's funny, actually...

I have one car with a 1.4 turbo engine. On the very rare occasion that I need maximum acceleration, it will do 0 to 60 In 8 seconds flat, and quietly, too. If I spent a pile for an after market exhaust, it might do that in 7.8 seconds, while making an annoying racket. Why would I want to do that?

Silliness. If I wanted a really fast car, I'd have bought one.

[Zeitghost]

15. I'm sure I don't understand your hobbies either

Or why people do things like smoke cigarettes. Disgusting, smelly, unhealthy habit, but to each their own.

[MineralMan]

26. None of my "hobbies" affects you or others in any way.

You like your loud exhaust. That's nice, but it does affect others every time you drive your car.

I live right on a very busy, 4-lane arterial street in a metro area. I am often out on my balcony deck during the day. Aside from large trucks, few vehicles that pass my house have loud after-market exhaust systems. Occasionally, though, someone drives past who does have one on their car or motorcycle. In almost every case, they are also exceeding the 45 mph speed limit on that street. Many also make a point of driving in a gear that keeps their car or bike in its power zone, so the noise is increased.

A rough estimate is that less than 2-3% of vehicles that pass by have such exhaust systems. The rest make more noise from their tires on the tarmac than from their exhaust systems. The noisy vehicles are very noticeable and annoying, in part because they are an extreme minority of the vehicles. Of course, that's part of the attraction for those drivers - attracting attention.

How much to I care? Not much. Our house is well soundproofed, so I only really notice the loud vehicles when I'm out on the deck. As I pointed out above, the increase in performance of those exhaust systems is small. The increase in noise, on the other hand, is large. So, the goal appears to be to be loud and be noticed. Maybe that's worth something to some people. To me, it seems silly and costly. I'm not impressed.

[malaise]

27. THIS

You like your loud exhaust. That's nice, but it does affect others every time you drive your car.

[BlackSkimmer]

33. Thank you.

There's an idiot that passes through my neighborhood in the early morning hours in one of these stupid cars. I'm a very early riser, so it matters nothing to me, but I do feel bad for my neighbors.

You and some others seem to have really hit a nerve with the only one defending these nuisance vehicles. I'm sure most people think, as I do, that it's over compensation for a lack elsewhere.

[MineralMan]

38. Both Chevrolet and Honda have cars with 1.5 liter turbocharged engines.

There's a Honda Civic, and the Chevy Equinox also has one that size. Both are smaller, lower budget cars. So, there's a good chance it's a Honda Civic, a car that's very popular with young car buyers. Here's a photo of one:

?fill=2:1&resize=1200

The Chevy Equinox is a more sedate car, a small SUV, so it's probably not what the poster was talking about.

Those little Civics are popular with so-called "Tuners" who add on aftermarket stuff to eke out more power from that smallish engine. They're sporty looking and affordable. Noisy cat-back exhaust systems for them are reasonably priced and are generally the first thing young owners add to their car to make it sound more powerful. Other modifications are also available for this popular Honda model, but getting much more power costs a lot more, so a lot of young folks just throw on one of the noisy exhaust systems and call it a day.

Honda Civics with that engine have been around since 2016 or maybe even earlier, so used ones are also available.

Most people outgrow the noisy car phase sometime in their 20s. However, some never do, and loud big-ass pickup trucks are another outlet for the would-be noise-makers. For those with big bucks to spend, Lamborghinis and other exotic cars are loud as the dickens from the very start, but few can afford those.

It's funny to me.

[BlackSkimmer]

39. Now I'm going to have to look and see.

It kind of looks like it might be that car. Bright red/orange with louver looking things on the hatch.

It's a young guy, I know that much.

[Zeitghost]

40. I follow all applicable laws and regulations

That should be the end of anyone else's concern.

[MineralMan]

41. I see. Is that why you said, "pound sand?"

LOL!

[Zeitghost]

44. Yes

If you can't handle a legal activity somebody is engaged in and prefer to name call (as the post I originally replied to did), you can pound sand.

[MineralMan]

45. I have long experience in sand pounding.

[Zeitghost]

42. I follow all applicable laws and regulations

That should be the end of anyone else's concern.


Growing up I took a left hand turn at the political fork in the road largely because I grew up in a small town where conservative busy bodies tried to inject themselves into everyone's lives. I'm saddened to see the left do their best to catch up and become just as bad.

[MineralMan]

43. I think you're repeating yourself.

[relayerbob]

47. As if blasting the sound of your engine doesn't "inject themselves" in others

I stick with my original observation, you are working hard to reinforce it, so I support the help.

[Zeitghost]

48. Every car makes noise

Mine falls within the allowable specifications allowed by the State of California. Perhaps you should address your grievances to them as it seems they disagree with you as well.

[relayerbob]

49. Not mine, it's electric

Beyond that, I find it odd that you have chosen to continue this, while many others have also stated how much they can't stand those vehicles. Guess I touched a nerve, eh?

[BuddhaGirl]

54. Exactly!

There is a huge uptick in these noisy piece of shit cars going up and down a main road near where I live...often they speed and I hear huge tire squeals, so I know they're endangering not only themselves, but others. I'm sick to death of the noise.

Sometimes I wish one of their tires would blow...mean, I know.

[radicalleft]

30. I liken it to when we were kids

Sticking a card in the spokes on the wheel of our bicycles and pretending we were motorcycles...cute, but annoying at the same time.

[SunSeeker]

2. My little beach town in Southern California is strictly enforcing noise laws against those idiots.

As you drive into our town, there are signs warning motorists that the noise ordinance will be enforced. It keeps the idiots from gunning their engines until they are out of town.

[msongs]

3. attention seekers stuck at 4yrs old nt

[BlackSkimmer]

34. This.

Exactly.

LOOK AT ME!!!

[gay texan]

4. Depends on what they are running

Flowmasters sound awesome and in some cases so do old school glass packs. Most stuff from the 60's and 70's sounded great

I got behind a maga diesel truck while I was on my street bike, and brother, that shit hurt my ears. Even with a helmet it was fucking loud.

Theres sounding cool, and then theres fucking downright annoying.

[sir pball]

24. That's more the engine itself than the exhaust.

A relaxed 455ci V8 is going to sound much different than a high-revving 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder. The exhausts themselves haven't changed that much, but (given the age demographics around here) the song they play has gone from classic rock to Justin Bieber.

Since you mentioned Flowmaster, here's a Civic with one…not exactly a rich, sonorous tone to me:

[Doc Sportello]

6. It's a thing

They are doing it on purpose (probably info on multiple websites) and I bet in most places it is illegal. They are daring police to do something and in my town they do nothing. As one poster said, it's a bunch of immature males (lots of dump voters I'm sure) who feel like big men because they make a lot of noise and annoy or scare people and animals.

[diane in sf]

7. Sounds like someone stole their catalytic converters. I absolutely hate the fartmobiles.

I want to hear birds, not crappy, insanely loud, mechanical noises. Take them to a drag strip somewhere. Don’t be running them around my neighborhood.

If I could, I’d have the city handing out tickets for the noise pollution and overly tinted windows. It would weed out about 80% of the troublemakers around here. We are a regional hot spot for sideshows, otherwise know as circle jerks.

[BlackSkimmer]

35. Fartmobiles!

I love that! Stealing it.

I so agree on the noise. I'm up early, so the idiot that runs through my neighborhood doesn't wake me, but morning is a lovely quiet time around here as the birds awaken and begin to sing. I have a lot of rabbits in my yard too, and they freeze when this idiot farts through.

[SYFROYH]

11. Towns and states need to enforce sound limits on engines.

Anything over 75-80 decibels out of a car or bike engine should be a ticket.

Its an objective measurement.

[ProfessorGAC]

20. 75-80 dB

We live about 100 yards off old Route 66. So, lots of folks cruising through, plenty on motorcycles.
If our cops enforced an 80 dB rule, half of the citations would be for those fairing stereos!
I can't tell you the number of afternoons where I hear a group of bikes cruising by, and I can hear what song is playing. From a hundred yards away!!!
The engine noise is lower volume than the stereo! Not that the bikes are quiet, but those sound systems...

[MissB]

16. I vote for stolen catalytic converter too

It’s a real issue around here! And they’re expensive to replace.

So I just assume loud car = stolen catalytic converter.

[Nictuku]

17. Stolen stolen catalytic converter

Waiting lists for replacement is 7+ months

Happening everywhere. What are people to do?

[tenderfoot]

18. Are newer model Dodge Chargers prone to getting the catalytic converter stolen?

Because Dodge Chargers are the cars I'm talking about. The other ones are a variety of sports cars, 'vets, porsches', hondas, etc...

[JanMichael]

21. That is definitely not the majority of loud assed cars here.

They're basically auto-tune exhaust systems on Hondas Toyotas and some other smaller cars usually hatchbacks but often times even sedans. The paint the tires the wheels are all part of an act as well as the noise. They're not poor people that lost their catalytic converters.

It's like glass packs times 50. I'm sure if in 1980 or 85 when I was an idiot I would have done the same thing and not just try to get some glass packs.

What are people to do? Maybe turn off the damn exhaust noise controller.

[Nictuku]

19. From what I'm hearing, all cars that have them

I think accessibility might be a factor. They literally cut it out.

[OnionPatch]

28. I'm living temporarily in the city

and I don't know how people can stand the constant screeching, whining noise pollution of these things, which the people here like to drive as loudly as possible in the very late evening, right when most people are trying to fall asleep. If this is legal, it's just wrong, I'm sorry. If I held a party with a band playing that loudly, you can bet the police would shut it down immediately. I can't understand why this is allowed to continue. I'm moving out to the country soon and can't wait to get a decent night's sleep.

[BlackSkimmer]

36. Noise pollution is a thing. nt

[tenderfoot]

37. Do you have a modified exhaust system, enjoy pissing off the neighbors and setting off car alarms?

Notice that I didn't cite Harley Davidson's - because they're not as loud and obnoxious.

[demmiblue]

31. It makes the dudebros feel manly.

[albacore]

50. My state... Washington.... has max db level on vehicles regs. They are ignored. Widely.

Assholes.... one and all.
"Fuck you... I can make as much noise as I want."

If I was a believer, I'd pray that those things would wind out ... and wind out... and blow the fuck up! (flames optional)

[Wingus Dingus]

52. I'm so sick of hearing "BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR" up and down my road I could scream.

I live on the edge of rural--suburb to one side, ranch land on the other. So many dumbfucks out here doing burnouts, drag racing, and just plain speeding, thinking it's a country road. My neighbor across the street is having a late midlife crisis (he's 60) and bought himself a jacked-up truck which he revs in the driveway for a while before taking off like a NASCAR racer, multiple times a day-- ensuring my shift-worker husband wakes up from his daytime sleep. I've never wanted to pull so many people out of their cars and trucks and beat them senseless. I can't wait to move. When I moved here it was for peace and quiet, BTW.

[orleans]

53. the drivers of those obnoxious fucking cars are ASSHOLES

my dog won't walk anymore because some fuckface might drive in the neighborhood and the sound scares her to death. she's been conditioned to be afraid of the outside--and this started happening in the spring.

inconsiderate assholes.

[MineralMan]

56. When I was in high school in the mid 1960s, I had a job

delivering milk six days a week before school. So, my Dad surprised me on my birthday with a used motorcycle he had fixed up. It had a noisy two-stroke engine. For the curious it was a 1959 Harley Davidson 165. Anyhow, I rode it to the dairy every morning at 4:30 AM to meet the milk delivery truck, which got me back to the dairy just in time to get to school before first period. It looked like this:



When my dad gave it to me, he said, "Look, this thing makes more noise than I'd like. So, when you leave in the morning to ride to the dairy, coast it down the hill to the stop sign before starting it. You don't want to annoy the neighbors."

So, that's what I did. As a secondary benefit, it made me think about my effect on the neighborhood and my responsibility not to create a racket at that time of the morning. Loud exhausts have an impact on those around you. Best to avoid any more disturbance than necessary, it seems to me.