California Smog Question

Hey guys, I was looking into wanting to get a K&N, AEM, or INJEN CAI or short ram intake for the 2008, but was wondering, are there any models that ARE CA CARB complaint? I dont really want to mess with worrying about passing smog if I go with a certain setup. Just from looking, however, it doesnt look like there is much, if anything at all. Wondering if anyone in CA has installed one and what their smog experience has been like.

 

There are a bunch of approved aftermarket intakes. They don't give you performance gains, but if you want one, make sure that you get one that is CARB compliant. It'll have a CARB sticker on it to provide proof for the smog station. I work at Lakewood High btw! Have a good day.

Edit: not a lot. I guess the sea of them for sale on CL misled me to believe that there were.

 

How do you really know that what you are buying on the internet is CA approved though? I was looking at the K&N website and there were a few models that said they were CA approved, but I went in to Pep Boys yesterday and saw that they carry Injen and K&N intakes. I asked the guy if they had a setup for the 2008 Tacoma, and he said that, according to their database, there are no K&N models that are CA approved. Is he just a typical Auto Parts store dummy that doesnt know?
I only ask because I bought the Injen CAI for my 2011 Scion xB and it said it was CA approved, it was able to be shipped to CA, and when I finally got it smogged, it failed visual inspection. i had to reinstall the stock intake and take it back to pass.
So what is it that I have to look for to make sure that I dont deal with that B.S. with the Tacoma?

 

Look for an all electric truck.

 

Call the manufacturer. They'll give you the straight answer. I see a lot of guys running the K&N on the 4.0, but I don't know if it's CARB approved. You could always just swap your stock air box back in for inspections every 2 years. Not too hard to do. Here's a thread that's old as dirt and it's for 4runners with the 4.0, but it's something:

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19839

You could hit up Underdog Racing Development (URD):

http://www.urdusa.com/

 

thanks for all the great info @Dalandser. very helpful. I guess it would be best to call the manufacturer; and it would not be THAT hard, or a PITA to just change it once every 2 years.

@rnish don't know if you're trying to be funny or a troll... either way, I don't understand what you are trying to say so..... ya.

 

I would ask a smog tech in California as they are the ones who are going too pass or fail your truck,not the manufacture who only wants too sell their product.

 

Snorkel FTMFW

 

Another reason not to live in CA

 

If its truly CA legal then it should come with an official CARB sticker that goes either under the hood or on the intake itself, for a smog tech to see and know that it really is CARB approved. Without it, any modification to the motor will make you fail a visual inspection. The TRD supercharger and other TRD products come with one.

 

CA doesn't want people tinkering with their cars unless the products they're buying are coming from companies that have paid the hefty CARB certification fees. Another reason to love CA

 

Btw don't waste your money or take a smog test chance on a CAI. They don't do anything for performance. Save up for something that you know will boost performance and be CARB legal like a TRD/Magnuson supercharger

 

Unfortunately the only cai for our trucks that are carb legal are stock or trd and that's about it. I went through this about 5 years ago with a k&n. Legally companies can't even sell non carb to Cali resident's

 

The stock intake is a true cold air intake. Many of the aftermarket CAIs actually draw air from inside the engine bay (warm air intake). There's a coolant hose that goes along the MAF that actually warms the air before it goes into the engine. Also, if you use an "increased flow" intake, the The MAF will sense the increased air flow and the air fuel ratio will be adjusted back to stock intake levels - so none of those do you any good on a stock engine.

Put your hard earned money into a different mod.

 

This right here.

OP save your money and dont buy a "cold air intake" as the stock one is about as cold air intake as you can get. The ONLY time you will see a benefit of something like a URD true CAI is if you are supercharged, with a smaller pully.

 

You can get an afe drop in air filter. That will probably do the same thing if there are any (minimal) performance gains, cost less, and be less hassle for smog. I get wanting one for the look, for some people that's what they want one for. It is what it is. Not mad at you if you want one, but look for a used one and save 1/2 of the cost over a new one since it really is just for looks unless you're adding headers and possibly some other mods like fiberglass fenders and don't want to be sucking air through the stock airbox for that reason.