Ok guys, I have been slowly modifying my car, and now that I am done with the appearance part, I want to get more into the performance. I havent really modified import cars before only american cars etc. So I want to get a CAI and I know that with american cars, it really doesnt give off a sound other than a "whooshing" water faucet sound so I want to know if I buy a CAI will it make a noticible sound difference? I also have the trd axelback already on my car. Also do the brands matter? cuz I know that the knockoff ebay ones work just as good as the MAC and K&N do because hey it either works or it doesnt, is this the same for import cars as well? I have found this out from several forums. I have heard that TRD and Injen make some of the better CAI's but I dont know why other than they are more of a known brand. Also I have an 07 and I was looking on ebay and they have a fujita CAI for $200, and on trd sparks they have a trd for around $350, for the price is it going to make THAT much of a difference and is the fujita CA CARB approved and a good product? Sorry I just dont know that much about imports so this is why Im asking, any help would be appreciated thanks! (eventually I will do more performance like headers, suspension etc, but for now I just want to start with the intake and maybe later down the road invest in the trd s/c).

 

just make sure that when you get the intake that it is '07-'08 and not '05-'06 because the maf sensors are different and none of the cai are carb legal

 

yea I know that but which one is CARB legal?

 

from my understanding there all illegal, except TRD (I think)

 

They are ALL illegal. Not even the TRD.

K&N makes a CARB legal one... but it looks really close to stock and its expensive... not worth it in my opinion

 

^^^ yeah they due its like 250 or something like that and it uses the stock airbox

 

ok looks like I'll get the fujita then, does it give off any sound?

 

Not all, the TRD CAI specifically for the 2008 tC and xB is CARB legal as of July 2007 (E.O.# D-425-21).

 

Would basically any CAI for an 05 be legal in Texas?
I was confused at the dealership because the brochure for the TRD CAI said not for highway use, so I wasn't sure if it was legal in Texas or not.

 

My bro got away with having the Injen CAI on his Civic Si that was supposedly not for highway use, but the inspector didnt really care much for it. I know it doesnt really apply to your Q ^^^^^ but it gives you an idea of how laid back inspection is in Texas. If you do get it you can always keep your stock air box and switch it out every year to pass.

 

i almost called BS on this but decided to do some research first, and the TRD CAI is indeed carb legal

http://arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/de...o/D-425-21.pdf

 

so does that mean itd be carb legal for the 07s as well?

 

I believe only the 08s. But im sure we can just give that EO# to cops

 

only for the 08 tC's and xB's

 

Cant you use an 08 cai on an 07 tho? if so I can just buy it for my 07' and be legal!

 

now we're getting the rationale for the intake being so pricey.

 

thats what i was thinking.. since the 07 and 08s are the same..
but i got an injen so its illegal anyways i was just curious

 

I dont see why it would be illegal tho its just piping with a filter on there, and would the intake be so loud that it would draw attention to getting pulled over? Does it even produce any sound?

 

Police-the whole board of automobiles are like that. Pretty stupid. If only all the other manufacturers went through the process to be carb approved because they will all probably pass and show no difference in pollution.