I am subscrived to a few SEMA newsletters, and I got this e-mail today. I don't know more about it other than what follows, but I thought I'd post it for your guys to consider.

==================================

A bill (H.B. 5543) to ban vehicles equipped with replacement exhaust systems that differ from the design specifications of the original muffler has been introduced in Michigan by Rep. Rick Jones (rickjones@house.mi.gov). H.B. 5543 would also prohibit the sale and use of exhaust systems that exceed an 80-decibel limit at a distance of 50 feet. The bill has been referred to the Michigan House Transportation Committee for consideration.

In some states, noise limits for modified exhaust systems are established by a SEMA model bill and applicable to an easy to administer test standard. The SEMA model provides for the testing of vehicle exhaust noise to a standard adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) with an established noise limit of 95-decibels (SAE J1169). Under the SAE standard, a sound meter is placed 20 inches from the exhaust outlet at a 45 degree angle and the engine is revved to three quarters of maximum rated horsepower. The highest decibel reading is then recorded.

To date, with the popular support of vehicle enthusiasts and related businesses, the model has been enacted in California, Washington State and Maine. This year, the SEMA model was introduced in Virginia.

We Urge You to Call or E-mail Rep. Jones and Members of the House Transportation Committee (List Below) Immediately to Oppose H.B. 5543

- H.B. 5543 ignores the fact that aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing emissions.

- H.B. 5543 fails to recognize that aftermarket exhaust systems offer increased performance, which can make a vehicle safer by improving its ability to merge, pass, travel uphill, etc.

- H.B. 5543 would make it impossible for hobbyists to replace factory exhaust systems with more durable, better performing options.

- The SAE J1169 test is performed in a controlled environment that limits the amount of ambient sound (e.g. from other cars) that might skew the results.

DON’T DELAY! Please contact members of the Michigan House Transportation Committee immediately by phone or e-mail to request their opposition to H.B. 5543. Please e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.

House Transportation Committee Members

Philip LaJoy, Committee Chair
Phone: 517-373-2575
E-mail Address: phillajoy@house.mi.gov

David Law, Committee Vice-Chair
Phone: 517-373-1799
E-mail Address: davidlaw@house.mi.gov

Robert Gosselin
Phone: 517-373-1783
E-mail Address: robertgosselin@house.mi.gov

Tom Meyer
Phone: 517-373-0476
E-mail Address: tommeyer@house.mi.gov

Tom Casperson
Phone: 517-373-0156
E-mail Address: tomcasperson@house.mi.gov

Neal Nitz
Phone: 517-373-1796
E-mail Address: nealnitz@house.mi.gov

Lorence Wenke
Phone: 517-373-1787
E-mail Address: lorencewenke@house.mi.gov

Tim Moore
Phone: 517-373-8962
E-mail Address: timmoore@house.mi.gov

Phil Pavlov
Phone: 517-373-1790
E-mail Address: phillippavlov@house.mi.gov

Tom Pearce
Phone: 517-373-0218
E-mail Address: tompearce@house.mi.gov

Glenn Anderson
Phone: 517-373-2576
E-mail Address: glennanderson@house.mi.gov

Pam Byrnes
Phone: 517-373-0828
E-mail Address: pambyrnes@house.mi.gov

Michael Murphy
Phone: 517-373-0826
E-mail Address: michaelcmurphy@house.mi.gov

Kathleen Law
Phone: 517-373-0855
E-mail Address: kathleenlaw@house.mi.gov

Morris Hood III
Phone: 517-373-3815
E-mail Address: morrishood3rd@house.mi.gov

John Gleason
Phone: 517-373-7557
E-mail Address: johngleason@house.mi.gov

Gabe Leland
Phone: 517-373-6990
E-mail Address: gabeleland@house.mi.gov

==================================

 

So everybody with old hot rods (ex. 69 camaro) would have to go back to what was on it from the factory? Would that include stock exhaust manifolds?? No headers?

Rob

 

People have too much ****ing time on their hands. There are so many bigger problems to worry about in michigan.

 

yeah just like not having catalytic convertors isnt legal, hasnt stopped me so far

 

That is total and complete horsepucky. Like mentioned, what are the early muscle car guys going to do? I seriously cant beleive that is even being considered. Good luck neighbors.

If they even bring that crap down here I'd be calling every 1/2 hour to my representatives.

-Dustin-

 

Wonder if they realize that effects Harley Davidson motorcycles....

 

Well, that's one way to generate additional sale tax in the state. If EVERYONE was forced to buy stock exhaust systems I highly doubt something like this could pass but I'll send a few emails just in case....

 

It'll never pass. PA has been trying to do the same for awhile, and it hasn't passed yet.

 

Someone else started this, and really needs to get some momentum behind it...

http://www.petitiononline.com/stop5543/petition.html

 

Thats so stupid i purchased my truck new from the dealersihp wit the exhaust it has.

and hte firebird. lol i spent alot of money getting it to be as loud as it is. i aint spending more to quite it down my neighbor wont understand that. idiots.

that bill cant pass. if it does im moving.

 

they are trying to pass this in the motor city? Yea... im almost going to throw away my 650 dollar investment because someone said so

Go solve some real problems already. Putting exhaust shops out of business and pissing people off does nothing. The tight wads whining about "loud" exhaust will just find something else to complain about.

 

And that, sir, is the single reason why this damned legislation exists in the first place. Idiots on Harleys with loud pipes and idiot shops like Rose City Motors that market them. Michigan citizens are fed up with their arrogance and we're going to be the casulties of this big fight.


http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(te3on...e=2006-HB-5543


http://www.legislature.mi.gov/docume...6-HIB-5543.pdf

Shoot, before I logged on tonight I was installing my Hooker long tube headers. Oh well, I guess I'll keep going for now. However I think I'll make sure to design in a functional catylitic converter. That ought to tame the noise a little, and only give up five or six HP. The car was pretty quiet anyway, with the Hooker Aerochamber. I like that muffler a lot, and ought to be within the spirit of the rules. It's written to exclude cutouts, dumps before the axle, and those annoying chrome slash-cut straight pipes that get sold as exhaust systems for the Harley crowd. God, I hate those things. Unfortunately that's the result when people dont excercise self control or consideration for others: Laws get enacted to prohibit their actions.

However, the suggestion of using SAE standards of testing sounds very sensible to me. I'll be making the call! ...Probably will take my car in to be tested this spring too, just to see how close I am to the limit.

I'm going to try to get ahold of Rick Jones, the sponsor and ask him just what his end-game is. Maybe an interview for broadcast on CZ28.com's Podcast is in order!

 

I added this to a few other sites so we should get good results.

 

This won't pass here. I just don't see a way that it can. This state holds one of the largest car shows in the world. I have to imagine that some of the people who will be voting on this have some sort of Hot Rod. Anyone in this state that makes a decent living owns some car with a V-8. Try to imagine Woodward full of cars that sound like a Taurus.

 

...