exhaust clearance with WVO tank

[northriver]

Made the decision to modify the tank.

It is still not obvious to me what is legal with regard to a side exhaust ... although exiting behind the rear wheel well AND behind the passenger compartment seem to be requirements. It also seems to me (from what I have read) that it is unlikely you would be ticketed for this modification. Regardless, we wanted to err on the side of caution and modifying the tank seemed the safest solution. My suspicion is I would have paid about the same for exhaust work.

I took the tank into a fabrication shop in Kamloops (Acumen Machine shop) and had them cut the corner off of the tank. The tank is now back and I am hoping to get it installed today.

[jessef]

although exiting behind the rear wheel well AND behind the passenger compartment seem to be requirements.

There are brand new 2011 vehicles with side exhaust before the rear wheel.

Putting a side exhaust on an L400 does NOT violate BC Motor vehicle act laws. Read below. (bits related to you highlighted in bold)

Sept,2011 BC MOTOR VEHICLE ACT REGULATIONS

Mufflers :

Muffler
7.03 (1) A motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler consisting of a series of pipes or chambers which ensures that the exhaust gases from the engine are cooled and expelled without excessive noise.

Cut-outs prohibited
(2) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine when the muffler with which the vehicle is equipped is cut out or disconnected from the engine.
Part removal prohibited
(3) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler from which has been removed any baffle plate or other part.
Alteration prohibited
(4) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler the exhaust outlet of which has been opened or widened.
Noise increase or flames prohibited
(5) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler or exhaust system to which is attached any device which increases the noise of the expulsion of the gases from the engine or allows a flame to be emitted from the exhaust system.


Exhaust muffler
22 A vehicle shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler which complies with section 7.03 of the regulations.

An exhaust system shall not have loose or leaking joints, seams or holes.
A muffler shall not have loose interior baffles or patches.
The exhaust system and its elements must be securely fastened.
The exhaust system shall not be located so that a person may be burned when entering or leaving the vehicle.
No part of an exhaust system may pass through a passenger compartment.
An exhaust system must not discharge excessive fumes or smoke.
Flexible hose used in an exhaust system shall be of a heavy duty type acceptable to the inspector.

[nxski]

If I read this correctly this is saying that side exhausts are fine but the fact that they are wider than stock and make more noise means they are illegal!?

[jessef]

yes & no

that will be up to the inspector if you get called in for an inspection.

the deal is, a side exhaust is legal unless you can stuff a watermelon in it and it's shooting out flames

[nxski]

I could have sworn there was a distance it had to be behind the opening windows. This is'nt the case then?

[Manitoba deli]

Unless things have changed in Manitoba, the exhaust must exit rearward of the passenger compartment. A side exhaust would only be legal on a pick-up truck. That being said, I am still making my l400 a side exhaust. With a diesel, you will know if exhaust fumes are coming in, and you will be choking and gagging long before carbon monoxide will get you.

Jason

[Kuan]

you will be choking and gagging long before carbon monoxide will get you.
Jason

Or you will have a sudden craving for greasy deep fried food if you are running veg. Not sure which will kill you first; clogged arteries or carbon monoxide poisoning!

[jessef]

no matter which way you spin it, there is always a chance you can get pulled over and sent to an inspection facility. depending on the inspector, based on the wide-open terminology, they can nab you anywhere along the exhaust route.

rule of thumb above still applies. if it's a straight through exhaust, loud, smokes and a policeman sees it, it's one easy ticket.