in California, is it against the emissions law to have a CAI in your car? because somebody told me that having one won't let you pass the visual emissions test, whatever that means... can i get verification on this?

 

CAI's and other engine parts are legal, as long as they are CARB certified and come with a CARB sticker. (California Air Resources Board). Aftermarket parts companies are well aware of California, and performance parts are usually advertised as being "50-state legal" if they pass CARB's requirements. It's on a part-by-part basis, not all-CAI's or all-exhausts. Contact the part's manufacturer if you have specific questions about it's use in California.

Info from CARB's website on aftermarket engine parts:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/aftermkt.htm

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

You ask and....you get THE answer

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Prem/Winter/Aero/Tint/Rims
69 Chevelle Hard Top BB/4.11's/Posi

 

It depends on the Smog control guy. I had a K&N cone filter on this one eclipse. Brought it in to get smogged 3 different times. They never said anything about the exposed cone filter, plus it was hanging by a nylon tie.

The car passed everytime.

BS G35C 6spd navi/aero/prem

 

Pardon me for asking a stupid question. What is a CAI? I have not heard of this before, but that is because I am new to the scene.

Thanks.

 

Cold Air Intake.

It's an aftermarket intake that draws in fresh, cool air instead of drawing in warm air from inside the engine compartment. It usually does this by routing the intake down into the wheel well, with a cone filter. Down side is you don't want to drive through a deep water puddle, or you'll suck water into your engine.. very bad. Some CAI's have a bypass valve you can open to prevent this sort of thing.

The idea is that cold air is denser, so if you draw in cold air, you can get more of it into the cylinder, and get more power.

I don't think it's as helpful and upgrade on the G35 as it might be on some other cars, because if you look, the G35 already has a well-designed intake that's taking air in from the front grill. However, you will at least get the benefit of a smoother intake path and no resonator box.. smoother airflow is good provides a little more power, but the lack of resonator makes it louder.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter