is it legal to cut off resonator?

[hinmo24t]

im in MA. my dad claims any modification to exhuast theyll fail when he and i both know for my last 3 or four vehicles ive run aftermarket catbacks, etc.

had the section behind muffler welded on by mechanic and maybe it slopes down slightly, drives me nuts and i would benefit from higher clearance without resonator too. anyone know if it is illegal to get rid of the resonator? i could get a turn down tip and bolt it on, or perhaps leave it where i cut it because the pipe angles down slightly as is right now...

thanks for your input

 

[JAXJeremy]

By federal law you cannot modify emissions control equipment..That, however, doesn't prevent people from doing it, especially in areas where there is no testing..a resonator would not fall under the emissions control category. Changing the resonator or modifying should in no way impact emissions, so unless your state has some really weird law preventing any vehicle modifications, I can't imagine it would be illegal..

 

[xtremewlr]

Be federal law you cannot modify emissions control equipment..That, however, doesn't prevent people from doing it, especially in areas where there is no testing..a resonator would not fall under the emissions control category. Changing the resonator or modifying should in no way impact emissions, so unless your state has some really weird law preventing any vehicle modifications, I can't imagine it would be illegal..

Simply said...

Anything AFTER the catalytic controller is not emissions control equipment. Therefore, yes, you can remove the resonator. I'm in AZ and cut the stock resonator off for clearance. Doesn't affect anything, still runs fine and actually the noise levels in the cab have not changed at all. The resonator is useless weight that hangs too low for offroad use.

 

[hinmo24t]

Be federal law you cannot modify emissions control equipment..That, however, doesn't prevent people from doing it, especially in areas where there is no testing..a resonator would not fall under the emissions control category. Changing the resonator or modifying should in no way impact emissions, so unless your state has some really weird law preventing any vehicle modifications, I can't imagine it would be illegal..

if there were any nanny state to flag it, it could very well be MA but I think based on your input and the gentleman's below, i might take a saw to it and hope for the best. if they failed it, itd be a great excuse to get an aftermarket unit on there

 

[AuSeeker]

if there were any nanny state to flag it, it could very well be MA but I think based on your input and the gentleman's below, i might take a saw to it and hope for the best. if they failed it, itd be a great excuse to get an aftermarket unit on there

Why not just contact a inspection station and ask them??

 

[radlynx]

You'll be fine without resonator

 

[hinmo24t]

Why not just contact a inspection station and ask them??

i dont feel like thats a smart idea.

from their point of view itd be smart to say no probably. they could say theyre not sure (a lot of people dont differentiate mufflers resonators or the resonators purpose etc., not thought about often) and want to see it in person which i dont have time for. seems like if anything probably just go for it and hope its so far back that they wont give it thought. i wont cut just after the axle like a lot of people so it faces down and towards tire, ill cut mine directly behind resonator as they welded it angled slightly down anyway...might add a turn tip eventually or somthing. i heard MA mandated cameras in every inspection booth where each vehicle that rolls in is streamed to the state for flagging lift kits and other modifications (lowered) i swear this state is asinine in so many ways big gov. for perspective, aside from way out in western MA where there might be an additional 10 miles of legal trails, theres about 5-10 miles of legal public dirt/offroading areas for SUVs/quads/ditbikes in the entire state, total. under 20 miles of offroads legal to engage 4x4 etc. have to travel about 2 minimum hours to out of state for more; silver lining my house is 10 mins to one of the legal areas in MA.

i might still cut off the resonator...we have a few aftermarket catback options it seems for the v6 and also a reputable Lous custom exhaust shop in area that i could get work done if needed...used them for my GTI vr6...their piping and magnaflow cans.

 

[hinmo24t]

You'll be fine without resonator

coming from another ma$$hole i appreciate your input. amirite this state can be bogus or what?

 

[xtremewlr]

I coulda swore you had some pics posted and that I replied saying I would get some pics of mine after work for you. But now those are gone. Buggy forum me thinks.

Anyhow, here are the pics of mine that I thought I said I would take for you.

 

[hinmo24t]

I coulda swore you had some pics posted and that I replied saying I would get some pics of mine after work for you. But now those are gone. Buggy forum me thinks.

Anyhow, here are the pics of mine that I thought I said I would take for you.

appreciate that. you took a sawzall to it?

 

[xtremewlr]

appreciate that. you took a sawzall to it?

Yup. Dropped the spare so it was out of the way and used a sawzall. I was under there changing the rear diff gear oil anyhow.

 

[hinmo24t]

Yup. Dropped the spare so it was out of the way and used a sawzall. I was under there changing the rear diff gear oil anyhow.

nice. i run a full size spare on detours offroad carrier on hatch so i have a bunch of room under there already. thanks pics once again.

 

[Inv4drZm]

nice. i run a full size spare on detours offroad carrier on hatch so i have a bunch of room under there already. thanks pics once again.

This is where I sawzall cut mine. Worked great for the couple years that I had it.