New change to EPA Law (Vic)

[GTS215i]

I was pulled up Friday night in an area where I would normally avoid however due to circumstance out of my control I had to take the car down a particular street. As predicted I was asked to pull over and have the car inspected along with Channel 9 being on hand to capture the moment :cussing: .

Anyway I was informed by the traffic police and the EPA that as of next month the law will be changing on DB testing.

The current DB reading/test is at 3300 RPM as of next month the EPA will not only take the reading of 3300 RPM but will also continue the test when DECELERATING until the revs drop completely.

In my case I was already over but on decelerating it spiked another 3-4 DB (102DB). It didn’t make any difference to my outcome but for someone sitting roughly on 90DB @ 3300 RPM you will still need to be 90DB after decelerating which isn’t easy considering exhaust’s to let off a nice burble/crackle upon decelerating.

I think this may unfortunately catch a few out.

[RIDE:42]

How do they test cars without a tacho?

[flappist]

How do they test cars without a tacho?

I suspect their noise-o-throbotron will have an external tacho that works of impulse noise on your electrical system.

[Thunder]

The EPA's machine has a built in tacho, just in case.

In NSW (should be the same everywhere, if it is not, all States are coming under the same regulations anyway) the test starts at idle and makes its way up to 75% of redline and on backoff. This is 500mm away from the tailpipe at a 45 degree angle.

So if redline is 5500rpm the test is done at 4125rpm.

3300 sounds a bit low!!!

Cheers
Greg

[GTS215i]

The EPA's machine has a built in tacho, just in case.

In NSW (should be the same everywhere, if it is not, all States are coming under the same regulations anyway) the test starts at idle and makes its way up to 75% of redline and on backoff. This is 500mm away from the tailpipe at a 45 degree angle.

So if redline is 5500rpm the test is done at 4125rpm.

3300 sounds a bit low!!!

Cheers
Greg

3300 rpm is the current level its tested at in Victoria.

[Speedy Gonzales]

I was pulled up Friday night in an area where I would normally avoid however due to circumstance out of my control I had to take the car down a particular street. As predicted I was asked to pull over and have the car inspected along with Channel 9 being on hand to capture the moment :cussing: .

I think this may unfortunately catch a few out.

Ill be harsh here and say any late night outings in a Commodore/Falcon that does not look/sound pedestrian is pretty much begging for it.

Tough lesson to learn, follow your gut instinct next time or learn to sidestep better.

[vyssbeast]

yeh being 18 driving a VY2SS with a catback ... im very carefull of where i choose to take my car ... though you did say circumstances out of your control which i understand often things can happen and you gotta do what you gotta do but whenever possible i get a mate to drive around places i know i'll be stopped in a heartbeat ... eg. weekends at night around clubs and popular areas ... bit of a no no for me
but they can get me anywhere i guess just reducing the chances is all i can do ....

[LSavvy]

Couldn't help noticing you have a GTS press car and ch9 were there.

[huggies]

Ill be harsh here and say any late night outings in a Commodore/Falcon that does not look/sound pedestrian is pretty much begging for it

Wal
Bens GTS is his daily driver like most of the cars on this forum they go every where the driver goes it's not his fault if he has to come home a different way due to road works or a a street being closed.


Couldn't help noticing you have a GTS press car and ch9 were there.
Bens Car was the HSV Presscar when the VS GTS came out and was the car that was in all the magazine reveiws etc

[ProVK]

I like the 75% of redline bit, my old SLE with the 304ci Walky engine in it hat a twin table memcal in the delco, a flick of the switch and it had a real safe tune for std unleaded and a rev limit of 3500rpm. Would be funny watching the EPA guys try and rev it up with really low rev limit. With the delco i could have the second tune with a rev limit as low as i want.

[Pickles]

What I want to know is how all these Harley Davidson owners get away with the noise levels on their bikes-even when new/unmodified you almost need ear plugs when these things fire up!!- surely they could not pass any EPA noise test-how do they get away with it?!!
Cheers, Pickles.

[VX8255]

3300 rpm is the current level its tested at in Victoria.

I think you'll find in Victoria, that every certain car is done at a different rpm, currently. There is a book they go to tell them what rpm a particular car make/model will be tested at.

[darcy]

What I want to know is how all these Harley Davidson owners get away with the noise levels on their bikes-even when new/unmodified you almost need ear plugs when these things fire up!!- surely they could not pass any EPA noise test-how do they get away with it?!!
Cheers, Pickles.

Harleys roll out of the factory sounding like whippersnippers.
The factory sytem comes off in the bike shop.

A friend has just bout a new custom soft tail, and the dealer told him they would put the 'real' exhaust on after he runs it in.

[goofafidamedes]

I remember reading something about a Borla exhaust fitted to a Mustang in the states which had a lever or something in the cabin to adjust a plate in the exhaust system somewhere which heavily lowered the noise to a 'legal' level...

I wonder is such a design is going to become necessary to "sidestep" EPA exhaust noise laws here... May cost more, but may be worth it opposed to the hassle of having to get a car tested for legality. Is it even legal for such a design to be fitted?

Or maybe I'm whistling Dixie out of... :diddy:

[Dacious]

What I want to know is how all these Harley Davidson owners get away with the noise levels on their bikes-even when new/unmodified you almost need ear plugs when these things fire up!!- surely they could not pass any EPA noise test-how do they get away with it?!!
Cheers, Pickles.

Not so Pickles. If you ever hear a Harley with standard pipes (I've heard one, once) it sounds like a quiet, low choof-choof sound that is mostly intake. Stock Harleys won't pull the topping off a tapioca pudding due to the constriction. But I would say every one that's sold, including dressers (or the ones with all the panniers and screens like Electra Glides) gets at least Harley accessory Screaming Eagle 'off road' pipes fitted by the dealer.

New motorcycles have to conform to the same driveby limits cars do. They can make a tiny bit more noise from the engine/intake/exhaust, but that is counterbalanced by less noise on driveby from the two narrow tyres.

Most of the loud bikes you see/hear are much older and have to conform to the laws at the time - especially Harleys. As to why they don't get caught - I don't see many cops flagging down a bunch of Satans' Sinners or Black Uhlans for a RW! :errr: :errr: :errr:

[vh-holden]

I remember reading something about a Borla exhaust fitted to a Mustang in the states which had a lever or something in the cabin to adjust a plate in the exhaust system somewhere which heavily lowered the noise to a 'legal' level...

I wonder is such a design is going to become necessary to "sidestep" EPA exhaust noise laws here... May cost more, but may be worth it opposed to the hassle of having to get a car tested for legality. Is it even legal for such a design to be fitted?

Or maybe I'm whistling Dixie out of... :diddy:

there is an exhaust joint that advertise in street machine that have a exhuast volume controller module.

i think it is supercat?

[markone2]

there is an exhaust joint that advertise in street machine that have a exhuast volume controller module.

i think it is supercat?


PM * maverick *........he goes one step better :thumbsup:

[2 cylinders shy]

Jap cars do this, Apexi and drift make butterfly valves that go in the exhaust.

I prefer the idea of cutouts. http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56243

or http://www.hyperflow.com.au/techaes.htm

[OzJavelin]

So when I drive down Lygon street in my stock 340-SixPak Challenger T/A (hypothetically!) and am pulled up for EPA check .. do they expect this original product of the Sixties (1970 to be exact) to match these same outputs .. with it's side-exit exhausts and whatnot??
http://www.compros.com/Challenger.jpg
Rod.

[alffie]

The EPA/RTA can only enforce the ADR that is applicible to your car. So if you hace a VN you have to comply with ADR 37/00 which is 94db a VT is ADR 37/01 and so on

[Speedy Gonzales]

Josh my post is harsh because that is the way most people learn, by making a mistake, it teaches you to be smarter and to rely on and follow your gut instinct.

Irrespective of whether theres a road block or construction taking place, if you know that theres the police or EPA setup late at night on a particular piece of road, you make it a habit of avoiding that area like the plague, or if you gamble with bringing the toy out, you sidestep and go down a different street or park it and get it later, they are many scenarios to choose.

You dont waltz up to them and say hello, that is being stupid.

Use public transport, a taxi, something more pedestrian, friends / other peoples cars or a sleeper.

Thats the major problem with Victoria, overzealousness when it comes to true enthusiasts, the whole group gets tarnished with the same brush.

Im surprised they havent setup an EPA / roadworthy station at any V8 Supercar round or Calder Park or the Motor Show, easy Gov dollars.

[joffa]

JIm surprised they havent setup an EPA / roadworthy station at any V8 Supercar round or Calder Park or the Motor Show, easy Gov dollars.

Sshhh... Don't give them any more ideas!

[HRT 8]

Thats the major problem with Victoria, overzealousness when it comes to true enthusiasts, the whole group gets tarnished with the same brush.


Wal can you tell me what the true enthusiast looks like, or what he/she should be driving???

Unfortunately venturing into areas that are known for the hoon elelment means you will be targeted. Fact of life really.

Hang around Russell street in the city and the cops will suspect your a druggie.

[GTS215i]

Use public transport, a taxi, something more pedestrian, friends / other peoples cars or a sleeper.


If i had to decide on the above ways of getting around i would own a camry.

In the last 2 years i have averaged 4000ks as opposed to the first year of using it as a daily driver, that's why i only felt unlucky only taking the car out very rarely and ending up running into it. As it turns out ACA ran the story tonight but the footage was on drink drivers and the booze bus.

I have no beaf with being caught over the legal limit. I know the exhaust is over the limit and i choose to have it on and im prepared to cop the epa notice. I had a very good chat to the officer who was a really informative bloke, he was only doing his job and we both agreed that its the other dangerous unroadworthy hoons that cretate the issues which bring us down.

My thread was to inform members of the Deceleration change not to whinge and complain.

[HRT 8]

If i had to decide on the above ways of getting around i would own a camry.

In the last 2 years i have averaged 4000ks as opposed to the first year of using it as a daily driver, that's why i only felt unlucky only taking the car out very rarely and ending up running into it. As it turns out ACA ran the story tonight but the footage was on drink drivers and the booze bus.

I have no beaf with being caught over the legal limit. I know the exhaust is over the limit and i choose to have it on and im prepared to cop the epa notice. I had a very good chat to the officer who was a really informative bloke, he was only doing his job and we both agreed that its the other dangerous unroadworthy hoons that cretate the issues which bring us down.

My thread was to inform members of the Deceleration change not to whinge and complain.

And your intention was quite obvious to me.
Its just others who feel hard done by want to sook and complain.

[GTS215i]

And your intention was quite obvious to me.
Its just others who feel hard done by want to sook and complain.

Too true, Thats what the officer was telling me along with quite a few of my mates in the force, that there sick and tired of hearing the dribble and crap that some drivers persist with after being pulled up.