When talking about aftermarket products for the street, it's a question of some importance: Is it legal? This month we put together a product guide detailing some of the best "street" products we could find in the import aftermarket. Initially, we wanted to make it a CARB-legal guide, but to tell you the truth there aren't a whole lot of CARB-approved products on the street. Therefore, the guide details products that are touted as street worthy-that is, they will not affect your engine's emissions in an adverse way.
Basically, for an aftermarket part to be considered absolutely street legal, it must either be a direct O.E. replacement or it must be tested extensively by California's Air Resource Board (CARB) at a significant monetary cost to the company seeking approval. Some of the products listed here have in fact made it through the requisite red tape and received their CARB approval (O.E.) number. The rest can either be considered O.E. replacements or they are mild enough in their effects they will not cause drastic changes to your engine's emissions.
Please note this is not a be-all end-all solution to your street legal concerns; it is merely a guide to be used in planning your method of attack. Before you make a purchase, please use your head and consult with the product manufacturer before you take the plunge. Happy hunting.
Note on electronics:
Because of their adjustable nature, aftermarket electronics like piggyback computers cannot be considered truly "street legal" in the strictest sense of the term. However, this isn't to say cars running these electronics will not pass emissions tests. These electronics can be invaluable tools when configuring your engine for optimum performance, whethe it be for performance or emissions compliance.
Note on cams:
Technically, there are no CARB-approved camshafts on the market. The cams we present here are touted as hot street cams, but neither carry genuine CARB approval, although Skunk2 claims certification is pending for its Stage 1 cam package. If you're worried about affecting your car's emissions, contact your chosen cam manufacturer directly and consult a technical representative.
Note on exhausts:
Despite what the CHP and EPA might want to tell you, cat-back aftermarket exhausts cannot affect your engine's emissions and therefore do not need CARB approval to make them street legal. What you really need to be concerned about on the street is exhaust noise. Some companies like GReddy go the extra mile to ensure their exhaust dB ratings match up with law enforcement's criteria. If you're in doubt about your chosen system, contact the manufacturer and ask if it's been designed and tested to meet noise regulations.