Generally, what types of modifications to vehicles are not considered "street legal"?
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Andy Ninja Is Wicked Back To Work
ANSWERS: 3
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Generally, any modification that defeats any safety feature (example: seatbelts, windshield wipers, etc.) on any car that was manufactured after the law implementing them is illegal. Any non approved modification of OEM emissions controls such as removing the catalytic convertor is illegal. The law varies on emissions mods state to state as the apply to both the year of the vehicle and/or the year of the engine - California is the most stringent in the US. Generally cars older than the implementation of these laws are exempt, for example adding a supercharger. A lot of aftermarket manufacturers of performance parts will note whether or not it is street legal in most states. Basically your specific answer depends on where the car is to be driven. Since you did not specify, try referring to your states Revised Code located at the respected government website.
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Generally speaking, anything the police can think of and anything that will rack in more dollars for the government. Loud sound systems, wide tyres, cars the ride too low to the ground, loud exhaust systems, number (license) plates poorly lit at night, burnouts. In the earlier days V8's where all the go. They where loud, big, fast in a straight line, tough as and very easy to pick. The (what I call) pocket rockets of today can be easierly hidden under the hood of what looks like a normal streetcar. The WRX and Evo 6's are looked at alot, but most of the stuff on them is street legal.
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In general, illegal modifications fall into four main categories. 1) Safety - Anything that defeats or impedes factory-installed safety equipment or otherwise makes the vehicle unsafe is illegal. For instance, improperly installed rollcages (like many 'fashion' cages) are unsafe as they impede emergency egress from the vehicle. 2) Emissions - California is draconian enough to forbid any engine/exhaust mods that don't have a CARB exemption number. Federal law prohibits the removal of catalytic converters on any 'street-legal' vehicle; race cars can get away with it though. Other jurisdictions have their own laws. 3) Distractions - Anything that will distract either the driver or other motorists. This may include neon underlighting, in-dash DVD players in the front seat, excessively bright headlights, etcetera. 4) Noise - Most places have limits on the volume levels of your exhaust system an stereo. Driving down the road with 2400 watts running through a pair of 22-inch subwoofers at 127 dB is a definite violation in most places, as is a 'fart-can' muffler that does not actually muffle the exhaust.
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