GM Forum - Buick, Cadillac, Olds, GMC & Pontiac chat - Ricepipe + K&N RX-4750, smog test needs a sticker?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TROYPORT

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

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!