Quote:
Originally Posted by white rocket
I suspect the argument would be that it was "equipped with noise enhancing device". Any muffler that is made to be louder than an "OEM or equivalent", by way of removing baffles or otherwise having it designed in a way that would increase the noise(and performance), would be susceptible to a fail on that basis.
A side by side cut-out of an HFP muffler and something truly aftermarket like HKS, Blitz, Tomei, Invidia, etc would be interesting. IIRC 99% of everything I have purchased over the years in terms of mods did have the "for off-road use only" disclosure so I wonder what muffler or exhaust system that is sold, licensed, warrantied, etc by a manufacturer that could be used as an example in favor of our argument.
It sucks that the current climate for licensed inspectors is "I'm just gonna fail anything that isn't stock so I don't catch heat" is only reinforcing the VPD's claims. That, and the apparent Soprano-style mafia visits they have apparently made to certain licensed facilities.
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I think you basically nailed it, "noise enhancing device", which lets face it, is precisely what most aftermarket performance exhausts do, by virtue of being less restrictive, and I guess to differentiate from aftermarket OEM type parts, which should perform like stock.
I think the whole point of most of these aftermarket companies stating that their parts are for "off road use" is to avoid liability and litigation for any incidents that potentially link their parts to
accidents , that and these parts are often "illegal" in many jurisdictions. This also would minimize liability for the manufacturer, since you've been warned that said parts are for use only off public roads, it's all on you.