JabsZA

Hello folks,

I have run into a potential problem.

I have purchased a Street, Catted, Loud muffler exhaust setup from Jaime @ Dundon. The exhaust is arriving tomorrow.
I have found a local Porsche specialist shop near me who can do the install, but i have been warned that this would not be a legal setup. It turns out that with this exhaust (not being TUV certified), i will run into insurance problems in case of an accident. (according to the shop)


So, I need to know the following:


Is there any truth to this? These guys are legit, they tune and service street and race Porsches...classic and new...so i assume they know what they are talking about.

I am assuming that i am not the first to import an exhaust from the US to Germany. However, having lived here now for only 4 months - im not yet fully up to speed on the regulations.



Has anyone ever experienced a similar challenge? ..and how did you resolve it (and make it TUV compliant)?


Id hate to return this exhaust on the back of a stupid thing like this...


Thanks!

NCheok

They are being diligent to warn you of potential issues you may face and is a responsible move especially when they know they might lose the revenue of not installing your exhaust components from Dundon.

It is impossible to make it TUV compliant, basically any TUV compliant exhaust is I would say almost identical or next to no difference in performance, sound vs OEM. That is the whole purpose and intent of TUV certification for aftermarket components.

Not going to butter this up, if you have an accident and you are more than likely or is at fault, definitely they can nitpick of anything and everything. If it is the opposite, there really is no grounds for why a claim will be denied especially when clear fault attribution is with the other party.

More importantly, I will be concerned with Porsche factory warranty if you still have it active on what constitutes a potential or confirmed void of warranty with whatever aftermarket parts installed. Air intake and muffler upgrades have always been considered safe and mild bolt-ons, anything beyond these start to make things grey and up for contention.

JabsZA

What about those who import their car from the US - it would mean that their unknown components would not pass TUV inspection...

Interesting...

Frank 991 GT3 RS

no chance to get any TÜV approval!

Cay_PI

@ JabZA

You are joking? You bought this (really cool) parts and were not aware of the legal sitaution?

I'm german. I would like to have such a long tube thing too but its no way to make it legal. Practically every modification on the headers / catsalysts is impossible to homologate on the newest generation of cars. The tests and proves would be more expensive than the whole car.

But good news, you will most likely not run in trouble with the insurance. If they catch you they will suspend your car, give you a fine because of "driving a car without homologation" and you will get a lawsuit because of tax cheating (your car hasn't Euro 6 anymore) which is the most expensive part.

JabsZA

Yes, rookie mistake on my end..didnt know the German authorities were so OCD.

NCheok

Wow, the truth literally hurts.

Can we get a bit more education? What about simple basic stuff - center muffler only for more sound, air intake before throttle body.

Or is it straightforward? 100% standard, no modifications whatsoever.

3-Pedals

What does homologation mean? Is it one of those words converted into english spoken in european countries as a second language?

Similar to that, the word “kinematics” that all these germans use. I know what kinematics mean though, just sounds very funny - no one uses it here.

NCheok

Automotive world, is the certification of vehicle (make, model) or particular component (part or parts) in a vehicle that has met the requirements set by different statutory regulatory bodies.

For example Euro 6 forced the latest "improvements" like particular exhaust filters or the removal of exhaust backfiring, pops and cracks more commonly found on AMGs.

Euro 7 will push CO2 emissions target even lower and drive ICE cars further into aggressive optimization to pass Euro 7 homologation standards.

Cay_PI

You can modify anything, it just have to be not louder than before and must be compliant with emission law. And you need to prove it.

This means, center bypass is not possible because to noisy. Changing something at the headers or catalysts -> not compliant with emissions. Even if you could develop a sports exhaust that meets emission law (whats nearly impossible if you wnat to gain power) than you need to prove it. You will have to make the same certificates than the OEM. Impossible in theses days. Maybe possible with a car from 2015.

Driving a center bypass is not legal but the fine is not so high. Worst thing could be, they suspend your car and you have some trouble. Maybe 1 day of effort and a few hundred Euros. If you manipulate the Headers and they catch you, it is mutch more trouble and you will pay 1-2 monthly incomes because of tax cheating.

NCheok

Wow, this is no laughing matter.

Thank you for the further insight.

I think I will stay a tourist to the great state of Baden-Wurttemberg.

peritus

What about other mods such as lowering your car with TUV approved (H&R) springs or a (Sachs) light weight flywheel? Would TUV approve these light mods if the components are separately TUV approved?

20C4S

German don't mess around with TUV stuff. Highly respect that.

I am the Walrus

It’s TUV love

Cay_PI

Its more the desire to not have the car deregistered by the police If they check and its to loud (in some citys you can be sure to be checked with that car), they derigister the car, tow it and store it. Than the TÜV checks, in case of manipulation you pay for all that and have bring back the car to original conditions and re-register. Unfunny.