Muffler Mania!

By Judi Markowitz / Huntington Woods, Mich.

During the long winter months, I look forward to warm weather coming to Michigan. As the temperatures rise and the landscape changes, people can be seen riding bikes, walking, gardening and simply visiting with neighbors.

The low hum of cars can be heard from our main thoroughfare, Woodward Ave. However, this summer, cars equipped with glasspack muffler systems have virtually transformed pleasant evenings into a caphony of loud and irritating noise.

Glasspack mufflers first came on the scene in the early 1960s, but didn’t become popular until the 70s. They were originally designed to make engines sound louder and more aggressive than stock exhaust systems. These muffler systems sound like a motorcycle on steroids — they emit a thunderous sound.

Their deep tones are attributed to its construction. Glasspacks are known as straight-through mufflers since exhaust gas passes through the center of the mechanism. They have much less sound absorbing material due to fiberglass being the main component. Not surprisingly, these features violate many local noise pollution laws — but only if drivers are caught in the act.

Glasspack mufflers are relatively inexpensive to install. Depending on the size of the muffler and material used, prices may range from $8 to $30 dollars. When installed by a professional, the price escalates— $50 to $200 dollars. With these nominal costs, glasspacks have become immensely popular.

After months of listening to cars race up and down Woodward, I decided to contact several local police departments about the issue – Ferndale, Royal Oak and Huntington Woods. They all had similarly dismissive responses. “Call us when you hear the loud noises and we’ll try to send an officer out to observe the situation.” I responded, “Cars are racing down Woodward all night, just send someone at any given time to monitor.”

Then I was told, “Sadly, we just don’t have enough officers available to assess this problem. We are aware of the irritating noise and the drag racing since residents have complained.”  And, last, a city official stated that each city has noise ordinances, but none is specifically focused on vehicles.

I have observed police cars stationed on busy streets eagerly waiting to pounce on a speeding vehicle. I have also been privy to an officer knocking on my front door during a federal holiday to report that a citizen lodged a complaint. My car, which was parked at the end of the driveway to accommodate family members who were having dinner at our house, was blocking the sidewalk by over a foot.

I suppose it was too difficult for that disgruntled individual to simply take a few steps around my car. If officers can respond to such a frivolous complaint, then why can’t they monitor the activity on Woodward Avenue — the infamous M-1.

When speaking with residents who live close to Woodward, I repeatedly hear anger and utter frustration about these monster mufflers. My neighbor Shelley Jaffe, who lives one block west of Woodward, explained, “My family has lived here for 38 years. In the past we could open our windows at night, sit on our porches, and enjoy the peace and quiet of our beautiful neighborhood.”

‘Woodward has always been a busy street, but in the past few years it has become a hangout for drag racing with cars and motorcycles that have installed Cherry Bomb Glasspack mufflers that make booming noises that sound louder than fireworks.”

Shelley, who works at a law firm, informed me about Michigan Vehicle Code 257.707.  She became acquainted with this code due to the ongoing racket on Woodward. The code states that, “A motor vehicle, including a motorcycle or moped, shall always be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke. A person shall not remove, destroy, or damage any of the baffles contained in the muffler, nor shall a person use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device upon a motorcycle or moped on a highway or street.”

Added Shelley, “Because these types of mufflers are currently legal in Michigan, our police departments have done nothing to deter the noise pollution emanating from these vehicles.”

The majority of people who have installed glasspack mufflers don’t seem to care about the impact they have on the public. A recent incident in a parking structure cemented these feelings. I was helping my daughter Lindsay out of her seat when a car drove by, which is nothing out of the ordinary.

But on this day, the sounds the car produced completely took us by surprise. Lindsay has special needs and is sensitive to loud noises and she also startles easily. I literally jumped up and Lindsay’s body stiffened before I could help her into her wheelchair. The muffler sounds from this car reverberated off the walls of the structure. It was an unsettling auditory experience.

As I watched the car slide into a parking spot, I knew I had to speak to the driver. There are risks

involved in this, but it had to be done. After a brief conversation, I told the young man about

our reaction to his souped-up muffler system. He apologized and then grimaced saying, “It’s a

cool sound though.” This guy just didn’t get it.

David Soloman, another neighbor who lives on the east side of our street, discussed his concern over the never-ending commotion on Woodward. Says David, “We have lived in the same house on York Road, just south of Lincoln, for 20 years. In that time, we have come to truly appreciate where we live and how convenient Woodard is for us. We accept that it’s heavily traveled, and we accept that the car enthusiasts use it regularly. In truth, Woodward is a big reason why our neighborhood is so great.”

“However, the increasing vehicle noise has really been noticeable this year. The normal sounds of traffic are one thing, but the modified vehicles with extremely loud exhaust systems are incredibly annoying. These cars increase in number as the sun goes down, especially on summer nights, and continue well into the early morning hours. That truly baffles me. Where are the police when these cars have the road to themselves?”

“I would support any and all efforts that seek to regulate the excessive noise on Woodward, especially after 11 pm. It seems to me that the city of Royal Oak often forgets its residents on the west side of Woodward, which is disappointing.”

In March 2025, an article was published in the Royal Oak/City Spotlight discussing this ongoing problem. Questions were posed by citizens and answered by local authorities. The report stated, “In 2016 the City of Royal Oak passed an ordinance prohibiting vehicle noise audible at a 50-foot distance—the most stringent vehicle-noise ordinance of all the Woodward communities. Police issued more than 100 high-cost citations to drivers in violation. Unfortunately, the ordinance was overturned in 2017 following a lawsuit filed against the City; we are now required to follow the State’s less-restrictive laws and ordinances.”

After digging further, I discovered that many states have instituted ordinances against loud mufflers, which include glasspack types. The focus has been on reducing noise pollution due to the many complaints lodged by citizens. On the West Coast, Los Angeles has a strict enforcement code which regulates noise issues pertaining to vehicles. San Francisco also has ordinances as well.

The general consensus on the East Coast makes it clear that noise pollution from vehicles will not be tolerated. In New York, there are strict limits on noise levels. which include muffler modifications. Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. Baltimore, Maryland and others have followed suit. Citizens have shown their displeasure with booming mufflers and their voices have been heard.

It doesn’t matter if you’re 23 or 73 — muffler modifications are an annoyance to those who live close to the action. I’m fully aware that these systems are fun for the drivers and their companions. However, it would be nice if drivers could display a modicum of respect. They take advantage of the cities that don’t ticket loud vehicle disturbances, and they know that local police departments aren’t overly concerned with the issue. It’s a win-win for these rollicking drivers, who are creating havoc on the roads.

Michigan lawmakers need to change their position on muffler modifications, reduce the blaring noise, so that summer evenings on Woodward Avenue can return to a quiet hum.

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Judi Markowitz is a retired high school English teacher of 34 years. She primarily taught twelth grade and had the pleasure of having her three sons grace her classes. In addition, she taught debate, forensics, and Detroit film. Judi has four adult children and nine wonderful and energetic grandchildren. She is married to Jeffrey Markowitz, whom she met in high school. They now spend much of their time running around with their grandkids. The View from Four Foot Two is Judi’s first book.