Failed VA State Inspection...exhaust help?

[LynchburgCSI]

Well, I've now started college in Richmond, VA. Took the gen 3.5 5s-fe LE Camry in for state inspection and of course, it failed. Had my inspection done at Merchant's Tire on West Broad in Richmond. Love the merchants/tire kingdom/NTB family of stores. Here's the deal:
resolved, not resolved...help!, being fixed. UPDATES POSTED HERE.

EVERYTHING IS FIXED! ...INSPECTION PASSED!!!
-Foglights not approved....having them removed
-DEPO clear headlights not approved...having them check the DOT card that comes with them
-Front right strut mount installed incorrectly...having them correct it.
-Flex pipe is completely shot.....need to outsource work to another shop that'll do aftermarket exhaust work.
-Exhaust in the rear isn't installed correctly. I had my stock exhaust hacked off and an after market muffler put on. muffler is okay, but the piping from the stock to the muffler needs to be completely redone....need to outsource work to another shop that'll do aftermarket exhaust work.

My assumption is that for the exhaust work, I should just get the parts myself and have a shop do it. Since VA state inspections only give you 15 days to resolve the problems from a failed inspection, I need to get on this NOW. So...can anyone (JOE!) recommend a place that does aftermarket exhaust work in Richmond or near Richmond that does good work for a fair price? ALSO, assuming the shop will let me bring in my own parts, where should I get the flex pipe from? I'll have whatever shop correct the piping for the rear with its own parts. Thanks!

EDIT: Would it be easier just to replace all of the exhaust from the header to the tail pipe? go get a new preformance header or whatever it is and have them run new piping...?

[bigbird]

personally, id just replace whats broken on the exhaust. you can get an OEM style magnaflow replacment for the downpipe. it would prolly be better to jsut take the car to an exhaust shop and have them weld up the rest that needs fixin. they will have a better selection of parts so the exhaust is properly done.

PM joe if he doesnt respond here. whatever shop he had that welded on the muffler thats on my car did a pretty good job.

[eyeball96]

You have a PM! follow the advise!


[

B]-Foglights not approved....having them removed
-DEPO clear headlights not approved...having them check the DOT card that comes with them
-Front right strut mount installed incorrectly...having them correct it.
-Flex pipe is completely shot.....need to outsource work to another shop that'll do aftermarket exhaust work.
-Exhaust in the rear isn't installed correctly. I had my stock exhaust hacked off and an after market muffler put on. muffler is okay, but the piping from the stock to the muffler needs to be completely redone....need to outsource work to another shop that'll do aftermarket exhaust work.[/B]

All the ABOVE is total BULL SHIT.

They should be arrested!!

Fog lights only need to work..not approved???? never heard of such a thing!!

Your car only need headlights that light up!!

Leaking exhaust is the ONLY reason your exhaust should fail VA inspection, installation has no baring on the deal.

I usually use Merchants on Midlothian for my tire work...but man I'm reall thinking of not using them for that after hearing this Crap...

I hate fucking thieve auto mechanics....DAMN Dishonest BASTARDS!!!

[LynchburgCSI]

^ joe this is the first time i've ever let merchants/NTB do anything other than tires and alignment. prolly wont let them do anything else ever again. thanks for the PM.

edit: they said the fog lights werent CAE certified or something.

[LynchburgCSI]

Joe, i should also mention that the lady I dealt with at merchant's tire (Tammy) actually stopped me outside and referred me to a guy who'd do my inspection. She literally said they were trying to screw me over and her conscious was hurt by what they were doing. I'll be going back to merchants...but only for tires and alignments.

As for everyone else... I passed inspection and all remaining exhaust problems should be resolved today.

[eyeball96]

I'm glad everything worked out.....with out you spending a fortune!