I had been referencing the Composite standards R-157 dated REV 10/99 and just became aware there is an update with REV 12/04:
http://www.ct.gov/dmv/LIB/dmv/20/29/R-157.pdf
Takes awhile to load even with DSL
" Properly located and shielded side exhaust may be allowed in compliance with departmental side exhaust standards*. Passenger vehicles equipped with exhaust pipes exiting to the side, forward of the rear axle, must extend rearward beyond any passenger openings, Exhaust header pipes extending to the outside of vehicle frame rails must be shielded from excessive heat and not protrude beyond the extreme outer edge of the front or rear tires, whichever is narrower, so as not to pose a hazard to occupants or pedestrians"
* standard was not defined
Appears the above change and other changes from the 10/99 document are specifically directed for compliance by Cobras and T-Buckets, such as those made by Total Performance