Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance CHRIS WONG: is cta intake CARB legal?

Chris: I went in for a smog check and asked if my CTA intake would be a problem; they said they'd reject it if I don't have a California Air Resources Board sticker verifying that it's legal for California. Do you have such stickers? If not, why not?

Failing that, I'll put the stock intake back on until the test is passed.

It might not be too easy to pass, because (as I've mentioned in Problems) my engine is not running right, and two days ago it threw a CEL with code 171, Too Lean. I tried injector cleaner and a new fuel filter. What else can cause a lean condition? A dirty MAF, maybe? Oxygen sensors?

By the way, the garage guy who looked at the intake called it a "nice piece".

Getting something certified by CARB is $$$$$$$. You'll find very few aftermarket parts with a CARB certification.

I replaced my O2 sensor (upstream) to fix my problem and it didn't. Ended up cleaning the MAF sensor elements and that fixed it. Just be careful!!

D Davis,
How do you clean the MAF elements? I have a lean condition also, (code 181), and the new o2 sensor didn't solve the problem for me either.

Paul, as with many other manufacturers and after market shops like us, modification parts are deemed for off road use only. That leaves the responsibility to the end user. In the case of CARB, we are based out of Canada and are not seeking the CARB specification as per my previous statement. Technically speaking, our intakes can be made emissions legal, by routing the valve cover gases back to the intake tract (after 98 intakes) and using a semi enclosed heat shielded filter, with inlet connected to the fender opening. By golly, you may as well use a stock intake, if you know what I mean.

Your CEL may be a bad O2 sensor. It starts out being an intermittent CEL then happens more often till it causes a solid CEL.

Now wait, my pre98 routes the gases back to the intake, and I do have a semi enclosed heat shield... and I don't think it's quite like going back to stock.

So it probably could be certified if someone were to put up ten billion dollars in state fees...?

I'm almost curious enough to pay someone to sniff the exhaust and see if the emissions are any different from stock.

Paul-
I just had my car sniffed in GA (not nearly as strict as CA) with the CTA on and based on the readings (.01 IIRC), you could barely tell my car was running

Sniffer wise, I think you will be fine. Can't say about the visual.

BTW- Chris, I can vouch for the emissions not being effected by the CTA Intake.

Thanks for the update, Matt.

That's good to hear. I wouldn't want to be smogging the sky in my quest to get a little more go.