Can it be removed without any problems? I bought a K&N drop in filter and noticed it inside the housing. Its right before the air flow meter.

 

It's a Carbon filter, and it is part of the emissions system. The dealer could possibly deny you any warranty claims. I really do not think removing it will do one bit of good. Will it actually hurt anything removing it? I highly doubt it, no aftermarket intakes have them.
The only real benefit I see to it is catching excess oil from the K&N filter. That would require the filter to be over oiled in the first place. My filter has not bled any red oil residue onto the carbon filter. I have checked several times.

 

Yeah, I was thinking the same with the Dealership. I know GMs have one that looks like a door screen, and they usually remove it with no real power gains.

 

In short,
If you don't know what it is, leave it alone.
Buy an intake if you wanna go fast.
The end :-)

 

Ha. Whatever dood.

 

:beer::thumbup:

 

Smart man

 

That CARB filter is what allows this car to be 50 state emissions legal (including CA). You will be fine in the rest of the 49 states without it.

Installing an aftermarket intake removes this CARB filter regardless (to increase airflow), which is why most aftermarket intakes will not pass emissions in CA. An exception is the TRD, which uses a factory style airbox and still includes the extra CARB filter.

 

Cause an intake makes you go fast

 

I can easily remove the CARB filter with out damage and just goop it back in 6 years from now, if I still have it.
Pretty sure it will be a reg CA smog too and those guys don't usually dig into the stock filter housing. Its just, is it worth it? Noticeable power I mean.

 

it does just like stickers add 10 hp

 

Doubt you will see anything noticeable from removing it. I say leave it. But technically you will flow better.