Auto Parts: cherry bombs, mileage cars, cherry bombs

Question
how are cherry bombs not street legal,i thought it didnt matter as long as u had a muffler on the vehicle.it should pass emissions.

Answer
    Each state writes their own emissions regulations.  Many states have outlawed glass pack mufflers, mostly because they are too loud.  In Maryland, for instance, the exhaust system must be exactly the same as the one that came on the car when it was new, including a catalytic converter if one was originally fitted.  Maryland has two inspections:  the safety inspection that is done when the car is titled, and the emissions inspection which is done once every two years.  Pre-OBDII cars are inspected for the presence of a converter, then tested with a tailpipe probe.  So long as the converter is present and the readings at the tailpipe fall within the regulations for that particular year (station managers are even allowed to afford some leeway for very-high-mileage cars), the car passes.  However, the safety inspection conducted when the title changes hands does not allow ANY variation in the exhaust.  The reason that glass packs are not allowed has nothing to do with emissions, it is a noise issue.  There are very few states left (mostly so-called flyover states) that don't have noise regulations which a glass pack can't meet.  It's like an open-pipe Harley; you can drive it around all you want but eventually you are going to get a ticket for too much noise.

    Many states have other variations of these regulations; California is very tough, for instance.  If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to question the regulations.  Ask to see a copy and read it thoroughly.  These variations can cause a lot of grief when moving from one state to another.  In Maryland it even matters which county you live in.