Letter From Epa In The Mail

[GTR032]

Hey,

Today I opened up an envelope addressed to me from the EPA (Environment Protection Authority). Inside there was a 'DEFECTIVE VEHICLE NOTICE' ..What tha?!?! In the Defect report section there's a tick in the 'Rectify exhaust noise level' box. The limit for your vehicle is 90 dB(A) at 5100 engine rpm. Goes on to say that it must be complied by the 22/8/05 and after this date it is illegal to use the car etc. The notice was written out last tuesday the 2nd of August. I know for a fact that I did not drive the car on monday the 1st and the tuesday. Anyone have any ideas as to how you get an EPA notice without being pulled over? Would driving past a copper who takes down my rego make sense as to how I could of gotten it? Maybe it was a neighbour who dobbed me in, that possible? I know my car isn't particularly loud for a GTR but im guessing it's over 90 dB especially at 5100rpm.

If i do have to 'quieten down' my exhaust, anyone have any suggestions as to how without restricting the car too much??

I've had defects before in my last car, but this is my first ever run in with the EPA, not too impressed..grrrr

Jono

[raz0r$harP.UK]

Yeah you can be dobbed in by someone, or an EPA Officer / Police may see you, note your rego and pass it onto the EPA. Used to happen to my Dad's 1974 Mini over 10 years ago (smoky exhaust), got several fines until eventually they pulled the car in for an inspection and said if it wasn't fixed they'd deregister the car.

Here is the procedure the EPA uses to test vehicle noice.

Based on what you said, the EPA has determined the GTR to make "engine speed at maximum power" (ESMP) at 6800rpm. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) holds the ESMP values for cars and bikes.

//Edit: Yeah I just downloaded a copy of that DEC manual and it states for an R32 GTR ('91 onwards), max power 6800rpm, test speed 5100rpm. Doesn't state the imported cars, but it states for cars not listed, the default test speed for a 6 cylinder would be 3200rpm. So if you have a pre-'91 GTR, I'd be pointing that out and asking them to test at the lower speed.

Vijay

[DLuded]

cant u just swap the exhaust over for a stock one when it gets tested. after that change it over again

but you dont want to get on the wrong side of the EPA. the fines they can hand out are in the thousands of dollars i believe

[datsqik]

On my car the cat has flanges and there is also another fange near the back.I just fit a plate with 3 10mm holes at the flange at the back of the cat with a gasket either side and then fit another plate at the rear muffler flange with 2 10mm holes in it again with a gasket either side.This should make it quiet enogh to pass but i wouldnt go thrashing it to much with the restrictors in as you'll probably blow turbo gaskets.

[Tracka]

any police officer that sees your car and thinks its to loud just has to fill out a EPA form and memo it over to the EPA. they then send you a letter and require you to come in for an inspection. saves police time buy not having to pull you over especially if the car was full of people at the time. (i.e. 1 officer, 4 passengers)

[Flaps]

A mate of mine just got a letter from EPA as well last night because his exhaust was too loud. They must be doing the rounds again.

Edit - My mates defect notice was the same date as yours Jono, but he drives a S6 Rx7

[wrxkilla]

thats absolutely rotten how you was caught!

answer to your problem is an Apexi Exhaust Control Valve

http://www.nengun.com/catalogue/product/239

i have one in my r32 gtr.

and it goes from about 120db to 60db lol

mick

[Abo Bob]

Try going to Soundmaster Muffler Systems at 75 Parramatta Road, Five Dock (Maurice Fletcher - Ph: 9798 8811 )

they can clear noise defects.

tell them Adam from Skylines Australia sent you.

[GTR032]

Thanks for the input fellas..I've subsequently had a dB check at the local exhaust shop. Measured 95dB at about 5000rpm. So about 5 too much. The Exhaust control valve does sound appealing but I think i'll get a temporary way of quieting down the exhaust till I get one. Either flange plates or fit on a little pea shooter muffler or something. Just for reference I have HKS Front pipes, and a TRUST PE II exhaust system, and GTSS turbo's with MINES dump pipes, not that they would make a huge difference in the dB output although the note of the exhaust did certainly change when they went on.

Only place where I think I would of been spotted by a cop, if that was how I got done, would be the city on saturday night. I did go for a quick drive around town with my little step brother. Trying to find out when & where seems to be an uphill battle though..

Cheers

[Beer Baron]

unfortunately driving through the city in the GTR on friday or saturday night you are bound to get done for something. i chose not to take the GTR there. if i have to go into the city i drive the soarer. or get a lift so i can get pissed.

[Flaps]

The only places where my mate has been in the last month was city and brighton, so id say it was from the city.

[sproosy]

Im so glad i dont work in the city anymore! :lol:

But i do have to go through brighton to get to work. DOH!

[siksII]

city and brighton are nearly as bad as each other, drive through either on friday or saturday night and there is a large risk of getting screwed for something. i avoid taking the skyline out those nights altogether, and have not had a defect yet.

[Blitz]

To the best of my knowledge, if you receive a defect notice for excessive DB it can only been cleared at the EPA at lidcombe - I had to go through this years ago with my 105db 200sx and it was a royal pain.

[kostjazz]

To the best of my knowledge, if you receive a defect notice for excessive DB it can only been cleared at the EPA at lidcombe - I had to go through this years ago with my 105db 200sx and it was a royal pain.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not really, I received something similar couple of months ago. Went to Bankstown exhaust, as I knew they were really cheap( and dodgy). Anyway they did the paper work and 2 weeks later I received another latter that said that I needed to attach calibration sertificate, which they didn't have anyway. So I went to Hi-Tech, payed $50 for it, and it was all done. So in the end of the story all you need is ehaust place that has calibration setificate for their noice meter.

[Blitz]

Not really, I received something similar couple of months ago. Went to Bankstown exhaust, as I knew they were really cheap( and dodgy). Anyway they did the paper work and 2 weeks later I received another latter that said that I needed to attach calibration sertificate, which they didn't have anyway. So I went to Hi-Tech, payed $50 for it, and it was all done. So in the end of the story all you need is ehaust place that has calibration setificate for their noice meter.

Wrong.

It depends what the issuing officer writes on your defect. Minor defects can be cleared at most garages/local workshops that are qualified to issue pink slips etc, however they can stipulate that the defect has to be cleared at the RTA/EPA - its luck of the draw and varies situation to situation

[Moanie]

cant u just swap the exhaust over for a stock one when it gets tested. after that change it over again

but you dont want to get on the wrong side of the EPA. the fines they can hand out are in the thousands of dollars i believe

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i would not recommend putting in a quick fix then removing it! I did that the first time i got defected.. the second time they took me to court!!! so yeah.. if you're going to fix your problem, do it right the first time, jono!

Adam - I went to sound master as well!! scotts awesome!!!! he definitely helped me out both times!

and what nick said.. it really is the luck of the draw!!! I got the same epa guy both times!! needless to say he was not very happy with me!

[Jax]

I'm wasting my time talking sense about this, because just about everyone are wimps and won't have a go "you can't beat them, etc" You're right, you can't if you won't try. The law [any law] is not based on opinion, or the direction of the wind, etc., etc.

I looked up the EPA legislation on the net, and of course, it's the same. No guesswork. Things have got to be done according to the law. Just as you are supposed to comply, so have the ppl in the ETA, or the police, or whatever. This does'nt mean they won't try it on, BUT only you can let them get away with it.Stop out of the City on Sat night, etc. What a bloody weak response.

For your info [not that anyone will have the bottle to use it] Before an 'Authorised Officer' can issue a notice, which requires rectification, the noise level has to be tested by a quite rigorous proceedure, by a qualified person. Then, and only then can a notice be PROPERLY issued. The legislation says that in a much longer fashion, of course. SO, you can't just get one LEGALLY out of the blue, because you drive a Skyline. So there, I've wasted my time telling you, You can all lie back down again now, ready to get walked on again.

[Moanie]

In other words they have to test the car at a level above 90db before they can issue the defect?! otherwise they cannot?!

[Jax]

That's true, and if you think about it, why would it be any different? We don't live in a Police State. YET. But, if we don't insist on the rights we have; given time, we will lose them. After that happens, usually the only way to get them back again, is to spill blood.