Good luck to you!
Smog Question
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 228
Likes: 2
From: California
You'll be fine. I live in Southern California myself. I had an SLP air box on my F body and have K&N cold air intake on the Vette and all good. Passes smog inspection. As long as your IAT sensor is in place thats all you need. Not like the old days when you had to use your stock air cleaner with heat riser ducts and all that. Computer controlled cars take care of everything.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I wouldn't take the chance...
You are just as likely to be toast when the smog guy sees an aftermarket intake with no C.A.R.B. sticker/plate. I've been told more than once that in order to not put the smog shop at risk of heftly fines, make sure that ANYTHING related to emissions controls is OEM. Even a catch can is illegal, since it is connected to the PCV line.
Just do what I do - swap out the intake for the OEM one, 2 weeks prior to the test. You should give your engine some time to adjust to the lower flow rate.
Just do what I do - swap out the intake for the OEM one, 2 weeks prior to the test. You should give your engine some time to adjust to the lower flow rate.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
It's a good idea to have the stock one handy should the tech not want to pass you on the visual
Thanks,Matt
Thanks,Matt
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: Fresno CA
Smart move....... I use this time every 2 years to give my aftermarket Haltech CAI a good cleaning and re-oil the filter. It barely takes 30 minutes to change out the air filter to the stock one.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 3
From: somewhere shooting my assault rifles
First time I brought my car to my smog shop the owners said no way before I even opened the hood but once they called in CARB # for blower to state and got a verification it was for my year and make it passed just fine. They said it blew cleaner than stock as well. Their shop is very strict and wont pass a car unless its perfect visual wise. They couldn't believe that much HP and passes smog. Gotta love these cars and smog legal! 
One of the owners wanted a ride and since the freeway was a couple blocks away....He had to change his shorts when we got back and probably was smiling for a week..
One of the owners wanted a ride and since the freeway was a couple blocks away....He had to change his shorts when we got back and probably was smiling for a week..
Last edited by Z06supercharged; Nov 19, 2010 at 05:37 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 228
Likes: 2
From: California
[QUOTE=Dave68;1575966744]You are just as likely to be toast when the smog guy sees an aftermarket intake with no C.A.R.B. sticker/plate. I've been told more than once that in order to not put the smog shop at risk of heftly fines, make sure that ANYTHING related to emissions controls is OEM. Even a catch can is illegal, since it is connected to the PCV line.
I used to own and operate a smog check station here in California. Changing the intake and air cleaner is 50 state legal as long as the IAT sensor is in place. And it makes sense. How could a cold air intake effect emissions? And if a smog check station tells you different I would report them!
I used to own and operate a smog check station here in California. Changing the intake and air cleaner is 50 state legal as long as the IAT sensor is in place. And it makes sense. How could a cold air intake effect emissions? And if a smog check station tells you different I would report them!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
[QUOTE=Old Horsepower;1576002263]
I went thru tthis last year.. and NOBODY in the state or at the testing station had a direct answer for me.
I had a Vararam sysyem installed .. a bit more than just a CAI but all the stock connections are in place and are functioning.. I failed the visual..
The guy doing the test said it was'nt OEM so he failed it. I told him the thh rules states that als long as the replecement part has the same function and connections as the replacement part it was legal... thats from the testing rule book!
The state folks that administer the testing folks said it was leagal.
The state refree said "I dont know, Im not sure".... really that what he said! He didnt want to take a stand I told him you guy in the field if you dont know who does...
Best I could determine it was up to teh GODS.. if youy got lucky you'd pass if not... well have a stock system avaliable
You are just as likely to be toast when the smog guy sees an aftermarket intake with no C.A.R.B. sticker/plate. I've been told more than once that in order to not put the smog shop at risk of heftly fines, make sure that ANYTHING related to emissions controls is OEM. Even a catch can is illegal, since it is connected to the PCV line.
I used to own and operate a smog check station here in California. Changing the intake and air cleaner is 50 state legal as long as the IAT sensor is in place. And it makes sense. How could a cold air intake effect emissions? And if a smog check station tells you different I would report them!
I used to own and operate a smog check station here in California. Changing the intake and air cleaner is 50 state legal as long as the IAT sensor is in place. And it makes sense. How could a cold air intake effect emissions? And if a smog check station tells you different I would report them!
I had a Vararam sysyem installed .. a bit more than just a CAI but all the stock connections are in place and are functioning.. I failed the visual..
The guy doing the test said it was'nt OEM so he failed it. I told him the thh rules states that als long as the replecement part has the same function and connections as the replacement part it was legal... thats from the testing rule book!
The state folks that administer the testing folks said it was leagal.
The state refree said "I dont know, Im not sure".... really that what he said! He didnt want to take a stand I told him you guy in the field if you dont know who does...
Best I could determine it was up to teh GODS.. if youy got lucky you'd pass if not... well have a stock system avaliable
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
It passed with no problems. Lower emissions than my 2000 toyota tacoma 4 banger..... Better gas milage half the time to. Now if lasts 300,000 with know problems Ill really be happy......
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 38
From: Temecula CA
I have a Vararam on my car, and passed smog just today, without any issues at all. I put the stock air duct back in place of the Power Duct and removed the Vararam decals. I doubt the typical smog inspection person could even tell that the Vararam is not a stock piece, especially if the red coupler is replaced with a black one. The snorkel type air intakes like the Blackwing might be another matter because of their high visual appearance.
Phil
Phil
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
[QUOTE=SDZ06Driver;1576004264]
I went thru tthis last year.. and NOBODY in the state or at the testing station had a direct answer for me.
I had a Vararam sysyem installed .. a bit more than just a CAI but all the stock connections are in place and are functioning.. I failed the visual..
The guy doing the test said it was'nt OEM so he failed it. I told him the thh rules states that als long as the replecement part has the same function and connections as the replacement part it was legal... thats from the testing rule book!
The state folks that administer the testing folks said it was leagal.
The state refree said "I dont know, Im not sure".... really that what he said! He didnt want to take a stand I told him you guy in the field if you dont know who does...
Best I could determine it was up to teh GODS.. if youy got lucky you'd pass if not... well have a stock system avaliable
I have spoken to a BAR (bureau of automotive repair) a few times about this and in no uncertain terms, I was told that any aftermarket "emissions-related" part or assembly MUST HAVE A C.A.R.B. sticker - no exceptions.
A Vararam is illegal in CA. If the smog tech knows his or her stuff, he or she will fail a vehicle that has one installed. This is also true of LT headers.
One guy I know thought that a vacuum/boost gauge would be illegal. But this is not changing the operating parameters or emissions of the engine; it is simply measuring conditions. An aftermarket intake could very well cause the engine to run leaner than it would from the factory. Many Z06 owners would get lean codes after installing an aftermarket intake. This is why the manufacturer must prove that the ECU can compensate for the extra air flow before the intake system is granted a C.A.R.B. number.
I went thru tthis last year.. and NOBODY in the state or at the testing station had a direct answer for me.
I had a Vararam sysyem installed .. a bit more than just a CAI but all the stock connections are in place and are functioning.. I failed the visual..
The guy doing the test said it was'nt OEM so he failed it. I told him the thh rules states that als long as the replecement part has the same function and connections as the replacement part it was legal... thats from the testing rule book!
The state folks that administer the testing folks said it was leagal.
The state refree said "I dont know, Im not sure".... really that what he said! He didnt want to take a stand I told him you guy in the field if you dont know who does...
Best I could determine it was up to teh GODS.. if youy got lucky you'd pass if not... well have a stock system avaliable
A Vararam is illegal in CA. If the smog tech knows his or her stuff, he or she will fail a vehicle that has one installed. This is also true of LT headers.
One guy I know thought that a vacuum/boost gauge would be illegal. But this is not changing the operating parameters or emissions of the engine; it is simply measuring conditions. An aftermarket intake could very well cause the engine to run leaner than it would from the factory. Many Z06 owners would get lean codes after installing an aftermarket intake. This is why the manufacturer must prove that the ECU can compensate for the extra air flow before the intake system is granted a C.A.R.B. number.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 38
From: Temecula CA
The trouble with using appearance as measure of pass/fail is that the techs can't possibly know all of the vehicles and what is stock and what isn't. There are far too many vehicles and engines for them to possibly know them all. For many years I had a 1972 Corvette with an LT1 engine. From the factory, it came with a unpainted aluminum high rise manifold, chrome valve covers, and a chrome, open element air cleaner. Every time I took the car to be smogged, I got into a hassle with them because they would see the manifold, valve covers and air cleaner and, say it wasn't stock. The car would always easily pass the actual smog test. Ultimately, after much discussion, they would finally pass the car. I really hated taking that car to be smog checked.
Phil
Phil
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
I have a Vararam on my car, and passed smog just today, without any issues at all. I put the stock air duct back in place of the Power Duct and removed the Vararam decals. I doubt the typical smog inspection person could even tell that the Vararam is not a stock piece, especially if the red coupler is replaced with a black one. The snorkel type air intakes like the Blackwing might be another matter because of their high visual appearance.
Phil
Phil
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles Ca
I had no issues.
I had a carb sticker for another car i stuck on the radiator shroud but I honestly don't think he even looked for it.
He did peek under the car to make sure there were cats.
Passed easily.
I had a carb sticker for another car i stuck on the radiator shroud but I honestly don't think he even looked for it.
He did peek under the car to make sure there were cats.
Passed easily.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
Exactly...just remove ALL stickers and make it look as stock as possible. The vararam as others have said will not be an issue unless the particular tech that is smogging your ride knows what to look for.
The vararam looks pretty stock if you leave the stickers off.
It really is a luck of the draw thing unless your buddy is the one doing the smog.
The vararam looks pretty stock if you leave the stickers off.
It really is a luck of the draw thing unless your buddy is the one doing the smog.
