Yes, you've spelled out your only two options perfectly.

Either remove the intake or have the car tuned for the intake. That's it.

Running the intake untuned is a major concern. You are correct to be vigilant. So many folks modify their car with nary a rudimentary understanding of how an engine even works. Here is the SF intake calibration vs. the OEM intake calibration -- don't worry about the units, just look at the difference in the curves.

 

Thanks for the info. In that case, are COBB AP's CARB compliant? I know the intake itself is CARB compliant so is it safe for me to assume at least the stage 1 tune (which factors in the aftermarket intake) is compliant as well, or am I mistaken?

 

I can speak from my own experience with my fa20 wrx (yours a 2.5 sti) that running an intake without a tune is a conplete mess. I though I could do it just temporary (5mins from home to work) and ended up using my wife FXT because I didnt like the a/f gauge constantly fighting the ratios.
It was a grimmspeed intake with stealth box, no ots maps for those so I end up on the dyno.
Good thing with your cobb intake is that there is ots maps supported. I highy recommend one of the 2 choices; get a stock intake back, or get an accessport with at least a ots map.


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everything else on the car is stock with no tune (according to the dealer).

At the very least, get the car on jack stands and make sure the exhaust components look factory, specifically the header and downpipe. A cat-back exhaust is of no concern. If you see any wear on the bolt heads, double check for leaks, as aftermarket exhaust parts were likely put on the car at one point. You just want to make sure the factory components were re-installed correctly. Hopefully, you will see consistent road grime buildup throughout.

Also, I PM'd you about having an Accessport I'm looking to get rid of, on the cheap.

 

Couldn't you just upload the stock tune when you go for whatever bullshit inspection they have? Also, how would they tell if your tune was altered?

 

Presumably from the checksum.

EDIT: Yup.

California Will Start Checking for ECU Tuning In Smog Checks This Month

For those of us who retain factory emissions hardware and cat converters, increased emissions from a tune are negligible. But we'll have to comply to stay street legal.

www.carbibles.com

So the question in my mind remains: let's say a map is CARB exempt. How will the owner indicate this to the smog tech? Is there a sticker or what?

 

What a terrible ****ing state.

 

Yes since the have many years of acquired data they can determine what a stock ECU is vs a modded one and it’s trivial to do so.

Luckily gasoline engines are going away soon so that’s that.

People in California are still car crazed and the amount of cars and money here mean this state can set the tone for environmental protection. And it’s paid off nicely. The number of people and cars has increased in my lifetime yet the air is cleaner.

 

Just to let you know my experience. Have 2013 STI with Stage 1 +. Live in California. It is fully certified as SMOG legal. I had it smogged in September. Brought in the EO's that State issued for the Cobb AP and Stage1+. Technician entered all in the computer and passed without any problems. Was fully upfront with Tech as well. And the EO is good for several maps not just the 'stock' map.

 

Well that's some good news to hear, looks like I won't be needing to get rid of that aftermarket intake after all. Since we both live in the same state, in order to use that aftermarket intake that came with the car and additionally since I do want at least a stage 1 tune to help the overall powerband of the car, care to share any specifics on the whole SMOG process? Like what exactly did you do from start of the SMOG certification to finish; did you just bring the EO papers to the tech, did u need stickers on your aftermarket parts, etc? Any information of the sort would be greatly beneficial since I would essentially need to do the same process. Thanks again!


Note for the previous folks who've replied on this post: Rest assured, one of my friends happened to have stock airbox from his STi and since he didn't need it, gave it to me so I don't have to worry to much about any further possible damage to the engine, for now.

 

@SD_GR if anything I think we can appreciate the effort that Cobb seems to have gone through for CARB compliance

 

It's reassuring. Emissions are the most important performance parameter for me.

 

I'm reading it the opposite but I could be wrong: it's saying the EO doesnt apply to a new vehicle sold off the lot -- isn't it?

 

It's that prior to or concurrent part that scares me. I could be wrong but in my head, that loaded phrase essentially combines 4 distinct statements:

"This Executive Order shall not apply to any Air Intake System advertised prior to or concurrent with transfer to an ultimate purchaser."

"This Executive Order shall not apply to any Air Intake System offered for sale prior to or concurrent with transfer to an ultimate purchaser."

"This Executive Order shall not apply to any Air Intake System sold prior to or concurrent with transfer to an ultimate purchaser."

"This Executive Order shall not apply to any Air Intake System installed on a new motor vehicle prior to or concurrent with transfer to an ultimate purchaser."

The 3rd one in particular is the one that scares me, cuz again even the guy from COBB support stated it was something with the wording of the laws that make them unable to give EO stickers to 2nd hand purchasers...

Again I could be completely off the mark but besides that, any thoughts?

 

Hm. I see what you are saying. IDK.

 

Yea, idk myself really, its that concurrent or prior part that's the most concerning, it's almost as if they're trying to kill the 2nd hand parts market here. Cuz as the "concurrent or prior" part implies, lets say hypothetically I want to sell my car, well under the EO wording, the EO itself wouldnt apply to the new owner and if I were to say, hypothetically sell my car, i would need to remove all the aftermarket parts since car can't have aftermarkets "concurrent or prior" to the person buying it... If only COBB gave me a sticker, then this would be no issue.

 

It also explains why their stage 1 tune is being problematic lately. It's attempting to replicate OEM results with performance oriented calibration

 

How much of a boost is their stage 1 map even giving? last time I checked, stage 1 only really smoothens out the power band, not necessarily give an major gains.