Are K&N Cone Filters CA Smog Legal?
12-17-2003, 08:19 AM
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Are K&N Cone Filters CA Smog Legal?
I'm worried about passing the visual inspection when I go back to California and putting on a stock filter is not one of my options -- I currently have no room for it -- so I have to use K&N. I know I'm bringing back an old question, but I just used the search function and I'm now even more confused. 
K&N doesn't not have a CARB EO number to exempt it from smog. But someone mentioned couple of years ago that that K&N is fine because our cars are not equipped with a sealed airbox (TAC - Thermostatic Air Cleaner). Is this right? Anyone know of the details of this?
K&N doesn't not have a CARB EO number to exempt it from smog. But someone mentioned couple of years ago that that K&N is fine because our cars are not equipped with a sealed airbox (TAC - Thermostatic Air Cleaner). Is this right? Anyone know of the details of this?
12-17-2003, 04:03 PM
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I have NO idea if it is or isn't but the smart thing to do is just go to one of the places and just explain the situation and ask them if it is legal or not. I know that over there they can "mark" your car for certain reasons with the testing, so I would ask them like you haven't done it yet but need to see if it is legal or not.
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12-17-2003, 07:42 PM
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I think I finally found the answer I was looking for here: California Enhanced Smog Check Advice Needed. It seems like the guys on the Turbo board have been getting away with alot of underhood mods and still passing California smog. I just hope they were referring to the cone filter rather than keeping the stock airbox. Also found a story about how Danno went as far as going to a referee station to get a pass -- he seems to have alot of experience dealing with CA smog. <I wonder if he reads the NA forum...>
12-17-2003, 07:54 PM
#9
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"I wonder if he reads the NA forum...>"
heh, heh.. maybe I do..
Well, technically, the K&N cone-filters are not legal because the law states that you cannot replace emissions-related equipment on your car with aftermarket parts that do not have a CARB-EO (Executive Order) number. However, under the point-by-point inspection guidelines, you can get through the visual-inspection tests and if your chips and car is tuned properly, you'll also pass the emissions testing as well. Here's our latest MAP-1 configuration that re-uses the stock airbox for those wishing not to draw too much attention:
It actually contains a K&N panel filter in the stock airbox and completely does way with the restrictive AFM. Gonna dyno-test one of these cars early next year. I suspect with the flow-rates of the stock turbo, it shouldn't have any power-differences between the MAP-1 and MAP-2 configurations (260-270rwhp @ 15psi or 300-310rwhp@18psi with TurboS).
heh, heh.. maybe I do..
Well, technically, the K&N cone-filters are not legal because the law states that you cannot replace emissions-related equipment on your car with aftermarket parts that do not have a CARB-EO (Executive Order) number. However, under the point-by-point inspection guidelines, you can get through the visual-inspection tests and if your chips and car is tuned properly, you'll also pass the emissions testing as well. Here's our latest MAP-1 configuration that re-uses the stock airbox for those wishing not to draw too much attention:
It actually contains a K&N panel filter in the stock airbox and completely does way with the restrictive AFM. Gonna dyno-test one of these cars early next year. I suspect with the flow-rates of the stock turbo, it shouldn't have any power-differences between the MAP-1 and MAP-2 configurations (260-270rwhp @ 15psi or 300-310rwhp@18psi with TurboS).
Last edited by Danno; 12-17-2003 at 11:58 PM.
12-17-2003, 08:05 PM
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However, under the point-by-point inspection guideline, you can get through the visual-inspection tests...
I wish I can figure out a less attention-grabbing solution, but I currently have a 968 engine under the hood, which leaves no room for a stock airbox -- hence the damn filter that cries out "fail my a$$".
Muchas Gracias!
