Ricepipe + K&N RX-4750, smog test needs a sticker?
 

I had the most interesting thing happen today. My car dealership was smog testing my Bonneville, and said it passed, except for the intake. They said they would need it to have either: (1) The stock intake, or (2) A "CARB" (California Air Resources Board) sticker with an exemption number on it.

I thought this sounded ridiculous, as last I recalled, the K&N filters and aftermarket intakes were supposed to be legal in all 50 states. So I googled and searched K&N, to find this in their FAQ:

"Typhoon Intake Systems have either been submitted for CARB exemption or they already are CARB exempt. [snip] Our AirCharger intake kits may not be legal in states where under the hood modifications are not allowed. Check your local laws if you are unsure."

I have the Autozone rice pipe with the K&N RX-4750 filter, so I don't even have a K&N intake pipe, and I don't recall the Autozone rice pipe having a sticker. As for the K&N filter, it is one of their "Universal Clamp on Filters" to which they had this to say:

"Universal clamp-on filters may not be legal in states where under the hood modifications are not allowed. Since they can be used on just about anything, it would be impossible to have all the different filters tested for all possible applications. Check your local laws if you are unsure."

My dealer said he'd hold the paperwork on my smog, and if I brought him either my car with factory intake, or a CARB exemption sticker, they would finish and submit my smog test.

I'm a little surprised at all of this. I've never heard of any of our members having any smog certification issues with their Autozone rice pipe + K&N filters before. I figure it's probably less hassle for me to throw the factory intake on it for a day and get my certification, but has anyone else experienced any problems with "The Man" leaning on them about their intake?

I've heard about people having issues, or maybe I just figured you could, so I've always thrown my stock intakes back on when I was getting an inspection/emissions test. I pass the test and throw the K&N back on. :twisted:

Andy has posted in detail about California and mods. Aren't you in California.?

I take it you're in CA?

Here's a link to the California Air Resource Board (CARB) approved list of parts in CA:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...rmktdevice.php

Total # of aftermarket engine/intake/exhaust/ignition mods allowed in CA, of any type, for any LeSabre or Bonnevile, of any year, for street-legal use:
Big fat ZERO.

(There is some stuff on the list for certain model years of 3800-powered Camaros/Firebirds and Regals/GP's, but that's it)

That’s not completely true. These MSD ignition coils are 50 state legal. I'm sure there is other things too.

Ed

Thanks guys.
(-and yes, I'm in California.)
I threw the stock intake back on. Busted the IAT taking it out of the K&N, had a buddy get me one from an Autozone. Everything's back together now, I'll get it signed off tomorrow and throw the K&N back on.

My original IAT had an all-plastic housing, the new one is solid brass. Vastly heftier!

I stand corrected (if your car is 2001 or older, that is).

EDIT: change "Big fat ZERO" to "Very near ZERO."

Gut your stock airbox and cut open the front (nothing off the top) so the filter can stick out and get the air, and somehow get the rice pipe to go through your stock accordion tube. This would make an even better CAI, as it would be better shielded from heat, but it wouldn't look as nice, although it may fool the emissions inspector.

at the risk of sounding really stupid..
 

What's a rice pipe? And do you really notice that much of a difference with the K&N filter, and how exactly do you "gut" the airbox?
I've read articles here and there about these types of mods, and what I find interesting is some that say the manufacturers have precisely "tuned" the air intake and exhaust to provide the correct amount of breathing the engine needs on both ends to maximize efficiency; in fuel mileage, proper torque in the correct RPM range, and emissions without requiring the cat to clean up unnecessary mess.. I'm not into performance, so my Bonneville resto will be stock, but has anyone seen all that much of a difference, or can prove it, besides saying at the top of the acceleration ramp on the freeway I can now go 73MPH when before I was going 69MPH..
Believe me, I'm not trying to start an argument, you guys have been very helpful to me, but I'm just curious if in the long run you're in better shape.. Thanks.. Mike

Mike..please add your year and model to the signature part of your profile.

;)

And start a new thread in Performance with that same post. :wink:

Re: at the risk of sounding really stupid..
 

What the two guys above said. Your post is a reasonable one that asks reasonable questions. But in the context of this post, it amounts to threadjacking. We like to stay "on topic" within individual posts. This post is about difficulties encountered in a California emissions test due to having modified the factory air intake. You should ask your questions in a different post.

Also, familiarize yourself with the "Search" tool (at the top of the page) when you encounter terminology that is new to you. A "ricepipe" is a somewhat derogatory term for an aftermarket air intake pipe. If you search on the term "ricepipe" in the "performance and brainstorming" forum, all of your questions are answered in the first three hits.

Back to my original thread: Threw the factory air intake back on with the new IAT, passed smog. K&N goes back on as soon as possible. As for there being no (or few) "street legal" modifications, my upgrade from a single exhaust muffler to the Magnaflow dual exhaust muffler was apparently no problem at all for California. I'm surprised they listed my intake as "tampered" and "modified" and then said nothing at all about the muffler.

Also, I find it amusing that my car passed all the emissions numbers with the K&N intake on it, yet they wouldn't pass my car without the factory intake on it. Which just underscores how stupid laws and requirements like that are. They actually wouldn't pass a car that passes all the emissions requirements. Ridiculous!

Along the same topic, my '75 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup (high GVW, exempt from unleaded in "75) flunked inspection in Texas 'cause I had an open air cleaner. Dug thru the bowels of the garage and found the stocker and passed. :D