Got pulled over ; Got my hood popped

[OCspeed]

Sorry ahead of time for all the reading, but I need some advice as to what to do at the moment

Last week I was driving down to mission viejo in the speed to take my brother to my local aftermarket performance shop that was fixing his BMW. As I pull off the freeway (I-5) and head down a long (about 2 mile) straightaway toward the shop, I see a motorcycle cop hauling ass from far away coming in my direction. I personally didn't think he was coming for me due to myself driving slow the whole 22 mile trip and following the speed limit (and short shifting to not make too much noise in the area). As i'm already pulling into a parking space in front of the performance shop I was headed to, the motorcycle cop pulls up behind me and the lights go off

As the cop comes up to my window, the first thing he asks me is why do I think I got pulled over. My obvious response was I honestly don't know. The cop proceeds to tell me that my exhaust is "stupid loud" and that he heard me from the freeway and saw me pulling off (Mind you i've had my exhaust for 2 years now and I have never had a single problem).

So...this is where the fun begins. The cop sees my accessport plugged in reading the air/fuel and proceeds to interegate me with questions. It was obvious, at least to me, that the cop was well informed about performance modifications made to cars these days. He proceeds to ask if I have tampered with the ECU at all - I respond no. As he's about to walk away, he sees my meth control (DevilsOwn) next to the traction control button. The first thing he says : "Why do you have a turbo timer equipped to this vehicle?" I proceed to tell him its an injection system spraying water to cool the temp of the boost.

The officer takes a step back, and proceeds to tell me to pop my hood. Not wanting to retaliate or anything along those lines that I thought would get me in trouble, I listened. As I lift my hood up, it was like a christmas morning for the officer. I'm fully bolted (minus aftermarket turbo and intake manifold) so it was not a "stock looking" engine bay. The officer then went on a rant practically. EVERY SINGLE THING he proceeded to point out that was done to my car, and had me explain what it does to the engine, and why I did that certain modification (He pointed out my front mount, headers, BOV, downpipe....everything else)

To make a long story short, I got a pretty confusing ticket that has left me worried on what to do with the speed. I first got an infraction for my window tint, which to me doesn't make sense as I have only 20% all around AND drove the whole way there with my windows down. The second infraction was for my exhaust being too loud (I admit it's loud, but no where as loud as a CS or UR exhaust - I have an ARK). To me, if he didn't have a decibel meter equipped with him to read how loud my car actually was and to see if it was breaking the California legal limit of 98db, then why in the hell would he assume it's too loud. The third and final infraction reads "Air Pollution Control Device Req." The cop proceeds to tell me (this part threw me off) that my BOV not being tuned for my car and my FMIC is polluting the air.....? After I explained that the BOV only vents air/reroutes it and the FMIC basically just reroutes air to the front instead of on top of the engine bay, the cop shrugs me off and tells me to not drive my car or it'll be deemed a misdemenor (however you spell it) if he catches me again, and will have my car impounded immediately.

The cop lovely suggested that I take it to the state referee and get it checked out. I've heard they totally fuck you there, so thats not really an option I wanna look into. But i'm wondering if anything like this has happened to someone here, and how did you guys go about it? Sorry for the long text, and any info would be appreciated

[cam1391]

Sorry to hear this man. Nothing except maybe your exhaust is illegal, and even that may not be. First and foremost, get a quallified mechanic to put in writing that nothing done to the car has made any changes to emmissions. Then take it to court. 99% of the time youll end up pleading no contest and paying the fine. It blows donkey dick, but youll be cleared. If not, plead not guilty and get a court date. I highly suggest at tyat point you get a mechanic to come to this court date. This guys husband is clearly not giving him dick. Even he knows hes being a prick. he wont even show in court.

[Jester2552]

I would have never opened my hood. No way in hell

[chaser27]

Step 1: Move out of California
Step 2: Live happily ever after

[Yatta]

Originally Posted by Jester2552 I would have never opened my hood. No way in hell

No choice...


California Vehicle code allows CHP and other law enforcement to inspect your vehicle if they believe a violation of code exists.

2804. A member of the California Highway Patrol upon reasonable
belief that any vehicle is being operated in violation of any
provisions of this code or is in such unsafe condition as to endanger
any person, may require the driver of the vehicle to stop and submit
to an inspection of the vehicle, and its equipment, license plates,
and registration card.

2806. Any regularly employed and salaried police officer or deputy
sheriff, or any reserve police officer or reserve deputy sheriff
listed in Section 830.6 of the Penal Code, having reasonable cause to
believe that any vehicle or combination of vehicles is not equipped
as required by this code or is in any unsafe condition as to endanger
any person, may require the driver to stop and submit the vehicle or
combination of vehicles to an inspection and those tests as may be
appropriate to determine the safety to persons and compliance with
the code.


The loud exhaust opened the door to making this request valid and legal; if you car isn’t making unusual sounds (exhaust, blowoff) or smoke you might be able to invalidate the search later but the above code could have a bus driven through it, they might not be able to search the interior of your car without consent but it looks like consent for the engine is another story (and given as a condition of license/registration). As others have mentioned, I would avoid the referees for this if you can, I would have a mechanic note and/or document your mods, or stock out and have them document its ’stock’; I would get a copy of the noise statute and a DB meter and I would go run the car through emissions. Only thing worse than being a car nut in California is being a car nut who also loves guns...

Good luck

[hatchedspeed3]

As soon as he said, "why do you think I pulled you over?", I wouldve stopped right there. Police officers have to tell you why they are stopping you as soon as the pull you over. No db meter, no ticket. Call a lawyer, take it to court, fuck that cops couch.
Oh and btw, dont open your hood unless they have a warrant.

Edit: Didnt see above post. Fuck california, thats ridiculous

[CockWarner]

Originally Posted by hatchedspeed3 No db meter, no ticket.

This would make sense -- but if CA is like NC, then it doesn't matter.

Around here [Raleigh, NC] there are no defined db limits for an exhaust -- so it's up to the responding officer to determine if a car is unnecessarily loud. Not fun.

[Coats]

I would go along with cam1391 from my exp 99% of the time they either drop it or knock it down BUT if you do have tint and its illegal your gonna look stupid pleading not guilty or no contest. Thats just a shitty deal.

[Spec]

Well, if I lived somewhere like that, definitely would be in stealth mode.

Get as much carb legal documents that pertains to your mods. Get a lawyer and hang on! I don't live there so take my advice with a grain of salt, other than the stealth mode.

[Quigs]

Originally Posted by CrazyApe This would make sense -- but if CA is like NC, then it doesn't matter. Around here [Raleigh, NC] there are no defined db limits for an exhaust -- so it's up to the responding officer to determine if a car is unnecessarily loud. Not fun.

There are no dB limits in VA either, but the law is very simple: if it's is not stock or OE replacement, it's illegal. One of the reasons I keep my stock catback since most cops wouldn't be able to recognize an aftermarket downpipe. Also, I wouldn't have to open my hood like that silly shit out in Cali.

Sorry to hear about the unfortunate encounter OP. It sounds like the people who have responded have provided some decent advise so far, and I'd definitely take that shit to court. A police officer is not an expert in vehicle modification, therefore it is not up to him to say whether your BPV or FMIC is affecting emissions. All he can do is state whether the modification is illegal or not according to state code. Hopefully worst case scenario is that at least some of that stupid shit gets dropped and you only have to be responsible for the actual true violations (i.e. the window tint if you are in fact outside of the specified parameters for CA). Good luck man.

[SeanE]

Does California give the Harley and Sport bike riders or even the old school hot rodders the same hard time they always seem to give the import guys when it comes to exhaust and other mods?

[Spec]

Originally Posted by SeanE Does California give the Harley and Sport bike riders or even the old school hot rodders the same hard time they always seem to give the import guys when it comes to exhaust and other mods?

Doubt it, I actually got pulled over in Houston I my crx for allegedly the same reason. Cops were posted up with wireless radars behind some bushes just inside a school zone. Cop said the ol' you know why I pulled you over? Hit that pedal on the right. That's why. Lmao just then a stingray with loud exhaust comes rumbling through in a low gear. I lost my shit "getem getem call for back up." as the 20-30ish age group starts making up majority of the force, I don't think there will be as much discrimination.

[Easter Bunny]

Sorry but you live in California. You have to bend over and go to the ref. Everyone that doenst live in California needs to realize its a whole different ballgame out there with regards to vehicle modification.

[Z32_MS3]

Sorry to hear about this. I would see legal help because it sounds like you were only in the wrong for the exhaust MAYBE.

Glad I live in Florida where they don't give a shit about emissions or modifications.

[g00s3y]

So happy I live in FL (I think this may have been the first time I've ever said that) where no fucks are given.

[CWP_MS3]

Originally Posted by hatchedspeed3 Call a lawyer, take it to court, fuck that cops couch. Oh and btw, dont open your hood unless they have a warrant.

It would be cheaper and less of a hassle to just stock your car out, take it to inspection, and then reinstall all the parts.

[ASHMS3]

One more on a long list of reasons that I will never set foot in California unless for a flight layover.

[TiGraySpeed6]

@dale_gribble; Some Cali auto law conversation here. I know you've gone out of your way to maintain stock appearance, anything constructive you can add for this guy?

[Scare Dem]

I'm interested in the outcome of this. This can not be the 1st time this has happened in that State.

In FL the Police officers can issue a ticket for exhaust being too loud, but I have not heard of a Mazdaspeed getting ticketed.

Window tint on the other hand is easy money for them. I just pay the fine and move on.

[Yatta]

I grew up in Cali, it is where I learned that window tint, non OEM wheels and loud exhaust equal harassment and ‘random’ searches; I got good at ‘stock’ mods and learned to love ‘sleepers’ it is one of the reasons I own a MS3, reminds me a lot of my first car a 1984 Dodge Colt Turbo...(TD04, intercooler, 50 shot NOS anti-lag and gutted catalysts, it passed several physical inspections and emissions at the pipe) Now I live in El Paso county, in Colorado, no emissions... er, no emissions inspection.

[Shwaykid]

20% tint on the front is illegal in CA. you can't have darker than 75%, which is... the window... on the fronts. You can have whatever you want on the rest of the windows.

I got pulled over for that every once in awhile. But I'm white, polite and lived in OC, so = warning. Except when I was ACTUALLY MOVING OUT OF THE STATE! Damn San Bernardino cop gave me a 'fix it' ticket for my tint... it ain't a fix it ticket when you're moving out of the place... it's $220. Then three miles from the AZ border, I got a 75 in a 70 speeding ticket, at 10pm... Another $250 + online traffic school. CA got a huge middle finger from me as I left.

That's a bummer for you for sure, but sounds like stocking out and going to a ref is the best idea. It's not a long process. My buddy had to do it to register his dirtbike. Took like 20 minutes. Granted, probably a lot less in depth for a Honda 450.

[Mattyhawk1]

Originally Posted by SeanE Does California give the Harley and Sport bike riders or even the old school hot rodders the same hard time they always seem to give the import guys when it comes to exhaust and other mods?

Sport bikes don't get messed with much because they don't stop. Every Harley in Cali has an exhaust and most are above the 98 db limit. Again, dont see them pulled over, probably for the same reason as sport bikes. I believe they also are not under the same smog laws, much more lenient.

Hot rodders get their grief for noise infractions since all vehicles under 1973 are exempt. Making the classics more and more valuable out here.

I personally have done everything I can to stay stealth. I also have done almost nothing to mine with engine performance because the last thing I need is a cop pulling my wife over with my kids and having this happen to them like with the OP. I went so far as to buy a cat to gut instead of a test pipe. Gotta look stock. My CS TMIC will pass visual and my intake is carb exempt. All I have left is working with e85 to eek out what I can from the car. Kinda stinks, but what can you do? In Cali, if you mod an engine or smog control and get caught, you are going to have a bad time.

Good luck OP, hope you get this worked out. Might really consider the advise to stock out. Remember, now that this has happened, you are on the state naughty list if you end up at a ref and MAY deal with extra scrutiny with yearly smog tests. I would love to say just pay it and move on, but if memory serves me correctly, if you are required to go to a ref, you have to go to the ref or no registration.

[Fosy]

Iv been asked if my accessport was a radar detector lol

[dale_gribble]

OK OP. My opinion.

Put cs tmic with oem shroud and stock bpv on. Put on a carb approved intake. Hide your wmi controller and tubing. You'll get past a roadside visual.

If you have to get cleared by ref, it's going to be 100%, and I mean 100% stock out. Not even exhaust. Take to ref. Get it cleared by ref. Show judge/leo outcome as needed.

If your car is flagged for annual smog and test or ref only, your mod days on that vin are over without a ton of hassle.

Edit: please post pics of your car and engine bay. I want to see what we are talking about here.

[darth_speeder]

that sucks man. good luck. I would assume the same thing about the dB, if he doesn't have a decibel meter to check how loud the exhaust is, there is no reason to open the hood. Guess i'm wrong about that one.

this is why I keep my car stock looking, no flashy wheels, mild drop, no tint, hidden AP. I have a catless DP/RP and a UR exhaust, and I never even get a look my way by the cops. It sucks, cause it's my car and I should be able to do whatever the fuck I want to it.

[dale_gribble]

I am thinking op's car must be screaming for attention somehow.

[littleloogy]

I would handle it like this:
Go to court and pray to God the officer does not show up. You broke the law dude, step up and face the consequences.
Words of advice to everyone. Never open you hood, period.

I have lived here in Cali my whole life, I know better then to attract attention to myself. Cops here look for any "probable cause" to pull someone over. It's all about stats in their world.



Sent from my iPhone 6

[scubasteve711]

1) Follow Dale's advise

2) Consider a Lawyer

3) Reg car somewhere other than Cali...?

[Easter Bunny]

lawyer is just pissing into the wind in this case, OP has to stock and go to the ref.

[Mauro_Penguin]

So.....

Forgive my ignorance on the matter, but how the hell do guys like Lumberjack get away with such a heavily modded car? Is there a non daily driver type of registration for vehicles?

I ask because here in Florida we don't have shit. The Mrs and I have been throwing around the idea of moving to cali in a few years, but stories like this make me feel otherwise.

Only thing I've seen people get ticketed for are tints, ridiculously loud stance boy exhaust, and diesel trucks that try to do that "rolling coal" thing. There are cars down here in south FL that are practically falling apart and never get harassed.

Here's a pic of one I saw like 2 weeks ago at a light on my way to work, sad thing is there are much worse. End of rant.... back to my original question... How do you guys in Cali mod?

[[R]usty]

I've kept mine stock looking and relatively quite for this reason. I've been pulled over 5 times in my speed but never has a cop asked me about it or given it a second glance. California cops are total dicks you just have to give them a reason they'll take total advantage of you. I 100% agree with dale, don't give them anymore reasons to watch you. Stock out before going to a ref and maybe talk to a lawyer.

[darth_speeder]

it seems like the pull-me-over mod is anything cosmetic. rims, tint, any extreme drop, decals, gauges, shit like that. Performance mods don't really matter until the cop asks to pop the hood.

I've actually gotten lucky not to get pulled over for not having a front licence plate.

[SpencerC]

No advice, this just sucks.

I hate California laws.

[predapio]

Yet another reason why I hope my property in Nevada turns to "waterfront property" sometime soon.

[Shwaykid]

I kept my Speed completely stock until I moved to Texas.

Certain areas in CA don't require SMOG to register your vehicle. Those are mostly rural or unincorporated. I'd assume since SMOG isn't a requirement there, cops won't care as much. Which might be the case for Lumberjack since, iirc, he lives in Temecula. If you're in the right zip code, emissions don't matter.

[HawkeyeGeoff]

Shoot man. Feel sorry for the OP. There ARE advantages to living in the wasteland that is Detroit (no emissions or fucks given).

[08.5MS3]

Originally Posted by chaser27 Step 1: Move out of California Step 2: Live happily ever after

Nailed it. All other posts are moot at this point.

[Whiteboy]

Bottom line...you are fucked.

Stock out

Go to ref

Pay the fine

Never mod that car again

[Raider]

Originally Posted by CWP_MS3 It would be cheaper and less of a hassle to just stock your car out, take it to inspection, and then reinstall all the parts.

Originally Posted by Whiteboy Bottom line...you are fucked. Stock out Go to ref Pay the fine Never mod that car again

This is your only solution, really.

[blam1]

Op, I'm in garden grove so I can help you stock out some of your stuff. Not sure how you'll get a stock cbe if you had to cut off the stock one though.

I might have to remove my stickers and other awesomeness after reading this