Exhaust silencer question. Weld in or bolt in?

[RobertC]

Went to get a WOF yesterday and failed as the WOF inspector tells me that my exhaust silencer needs to be welded in. Having read the lvvta and and virm code I didn't think I was specific enough to say the it requires to be permanent.

After printing the pages which contain the quoted info below and heading back today for further discussion with the manager he was still adamant that the silencer needs welding in. (Currently its bolted in and requires tools to remove)

They have no qualms with the noise level of the exhaust with the silencer in.

The virm says this on the subject:

The exhaust system is so constructed or modified that its
operation or effectiveness can be readily interfered with,
eg the driver is able to interfere with the exhaust system
by operating a manual switch, or the exhaust is fitted with
a flame thrower kit.

The lvvta code say this:

(a) the exhaust system, or components within the exhaust system, cannot be removed, altered, or interfered with, without the use of hand tools; or
(b) the performance or operation of the exhaust system cannot be altered from inside the vehicle, or whilst the vehicle is in motion, in such a way that the decibel levels specified in 2.9 are exceeded

The only way he said he will pass it is if I either get an exhaust cert @ $200+gst. Or weld it in.


Called the certifier and he said he was happy to certify it with a bolt in silencer. As it meets the lvvta requirements. Just seems like a waste of $200 to me.


The reason for not wanting to weld it in is I want to be able to remove it for when I go to the track.


What are your guys opinions?


Should I just try get a wof somewhere else? Whats the deal with the failed WOF being in the system?

[metal_sean_head]

What about rivet it in?

Still fairly permanent though.

I had a nut and bolt holding mine in on my AE92. Never had any issues for WOF's. Even at VTNZ.

[1I1]

Could always ask the certifier nicely to write a note stating it can be bolt in?

[RobertC]

Could always ask the certifier nicely to write a note stating it can be bolt in?

The wof inspector said he would accept a letter from a certifier saying that a bolt is adequate.

But after asking different certifiers to write me something, none of them said they would.

What about rivet it in?

Still fairly permanent though.

I had a nut and bolt holding mine in on my AE92. Never had any issues for WOF's. Even at VTNZ.

I'll call them first thing in the morning and ask re: riveting it. Or i was thinking tack it in lightly then grind of the tacks when it gets the WOF. And take it as lesson learnt and never return to VTNZ.

[MR2SIK]

I failed a couple of years ago with a welded in silencer. Apparantly it was still too easy to remove

[RobertC]

I failed a couple of years ago with a welded in silencer. Apparantly it was still too easy to remove

Haha that sounds about right. I said to him if I wanted to be a dick and piss the neighbors off I could just as easily reach under the car undo 2 bolts and drive around without a muffler on....He didn't have much to say in reply to this.

[MR2SIK]

Lol yeah, ended up buying a standard muffler and fitting a 2 bolt flange so I can swap it for the rps one when needed

[MAC_HATER]

i passed WOF's fine with a bolt in silencer

trouble is pricks tend to pinch them and when they dont get pinched - they wiggle loose and fall out >_<

[MR2SIK]

mine sometimes got stuck in the tip, had to double tap the accelerator or hit launch limiter to remove it

[Lloyd]

Tack it in or get a street muffler thats actually suitably quiet and weld a flange on so you can swap mufflers for the track.

[touge_ae101]

just cable tie it in?? cause even WITH handtools, you can only remove it by cutting it off.

VTNZ are a pack of raging homosexuals doing the river dance whilst spitting on dead kittens - there is nothing anyone could like about them.

[siren676]

Bead of silicone that looks like a weld and paint that silver/grey?

[d1 mule]

VTNZ are a pack of raging homosexuals doing the river dance whilst spitting on dead kittens - there is nothing anyone could like about them.

quoted for truth

[RobertC]

VTNZ are a pack of raging homosexuals doing the river dance whilst spitting on dead kittens - there is nothing anyone could like about them.

quoted for truth

That sir is the answer to my problem.

Ive been told of a place only 7km from where. That does $15 warrants. I shall try my luck there tomorrow morning.

[tsoob]

go elsewhere for a wof,.. what the $&#$% are you doing there in the first place

[Lloyd]

Do you guys not realise that the fact you're trying to get around this is the entire reason you need to cert exhausts in the first place?


And places doing $15 warrants are the worst place to go, mainly for the other road users anywhere near your car that hasn't even been checked. Because for $15 it wont have been

[RobertC]

Do you guys not realise that the fact you're trying to get around this is the entire reason you need to cert exhausts in the first place?


And places doing $15 warrants are the worst place to go, mainly for the other road users anywhere near your car that hasn't even been checked. Because for $15 it wont have been

Exhaust cert for noise regulations I can totally agree with. The only reason I'm having a problem is the WOF standards are not clear enough.

If the WOF code simply said that baffles must be welded in it would be easy and transparent. But the way it is written leaves far too much room for interpretation / the wof inspectors pov.

As its not audibly louder than stock with the baffle I don't need a cert.

I don't drive around with the baffle out on the road as its noisy and illegal.. But come track days I enjoy being able to easily remove the baffle so I can enjoy the engine note.

And as a safety hurdle a wof isn't exactly setting the bar very high. Regardless of where it is done.

[mytmk3]

Do you guys not realise that the fact you're trying to get around this is the entire reason you need to cert exhausts in the first place?

exhaust certs a tricky one when I certed my car for other mods check with his db reader and I was at 91.2db (this is with external gate over 500hp 3.5 exhaust no cat or silencers and only one other muffler)

so he said I dont need to cert my exhaust because it was under 92db I asked if maybe I should anyway while I was there wanting a fully legal car

his response was no point its legal and even if you have it certed cops could still get there knickers in a twist and you would have to get it recheked and pay anyway so may as well wait untill they try and ping you then ill "officaly" test it no point spending money twice

and also this realy is just a case of the tester being stubborn the silencer meets the rules unless he can show you and updated handbook stating it has to be welded (not the first time ive heard of people failing because of this though)

[wde_bdy]

Exhaust cert for noise regulations I can totally agree with. The only reason I'm having a problem is the WOF standards are not clear enough.

If the WOF code simply said that baffles must be welded in it would be easy and transparent. But the way it is written leaves far too much room for interpretation / the wof inspectors pov.

The WoF standard are written for proper mufflers, not some cheap piece of shit that needs a silencer (and to strangle the car) in order to actually make it quiet. If you can't pass a WoF without the baffle in get a decent muffler.

Callum

[tsoob]

And places doing $15 warrants are the worst place to go, mainly for the other road users anywhere near your car that hasn't even been checked. Because for $15 it wont have been

I don't know of anywhere that would do a wof for $15.


AND i disagree, a reputable mechanic with a wof ticket is more likely to check the SAFETY of your vehicle far better than some old washed up ex mechanic who has an attitude problem working at vtnz.

The guys at vtnz are always picky with silly shit, and can often miss safety aspects..

I have had customers who get passed with LOCKED diffs, due to them not even road testing the car at all.