Javelin side exit exhaust tunnel

phast1 wrote: I'm in California, and to my knowledge the exhaust exit location isn't explicitly said to have to be behind the driver, though there are new ish laws that are a lot more strict on noise levels from the exhaust.  However, when I was looking up the rules for NASA American Iron series racing, they did say specifically that the exhaust had to exit entirely behind the driver, so I think it would only be an issue if I were to race it, which I don't think I will.

In 1984, California law stated  side exhaust cannot exit in front of the rear side glass. A vehicle would not pass the CHP Referee Station inspection if the side exhaust exited in front of the rear side glass.  Have not checked to see if the Calif ruling on side exhaust has changed. I doubt it. 

Here's a kit car Kellison/ Astra Gt car I owned in the 70's. If I showed attitude driving it today, I'd be getting a fix-it ticket in Calif. 

I am confused by exit issues. If the car was sold before 84, the car is exempt. I had two issues, one seat belts, and the other smog. All i had to do was install a closed circuit emissions air cleaner, which was below the limit of repairs set by law. Once checked any other issues were called exempt, once proven attempts were done.

I had custom exhaust on my 73 Javelin, which placed the exhaust tips right under the back of my front seats. Which was common with the central California street seen with college aged drivers.


Never had any issues with policd while driving all the way up til sold in the mid 90s, other than an occasional speeding ticket.

You could do a Challenger T/A type exit, where the pipe is angled back and protrudes out about 2". This way it can give an optical illusion of the exahaust is far enough back.

I tried to find the exact regulation wording on this but got lost in the government rabbit hole. Can someone reference this regulation?

You don't state in your profile where in Calif you live. On a Fri or Sat night you don't want to be driving with a visible vehicle code violation because it is a reason to pull you over. Law enforcement for the past few years has been cracking down on sideshows and illegal drifting between Oakland and Union City.