[drmjm1]

Looking at doing the FMIC upgrade, don't wanna have to switch it back to stock every 2 years to smog. Would love to hear from CA people if they are switching back to stock for smog or what their experiences are?

Anyone have experience with CA legal FMIC's:
Wagner Upgrade Intercooler N54 part #200001023?
Mishimoto Performance Intercooler, 2007–2013 Model: MMINT-E90-07 $640
Active Autowerke $600
VRSF $450
CTS $750
Cobb $950
Dinan $1200

Also, anyone have comparison between the CA emissions legal upgrade ones mentioned above and the full race upgrade versions? Wagner Evo2 competition part #200001044, etc.? Evolution Racewerks

Looking forward to hearing what solutions you guys have found!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

I don't think any intercooler is CARB Exempt except stock.

[alpineweissm]

I'd like to get an FMIC eventually. It should only be the visual part of the smog that would potentially not pass inspection. The plan would be to get one that looks as factory as possible and hope it doesn't get noticed. You could paint over any newer/shiny parts to make it appear old/factory.

[JM98]

Honestly, any of the direct fit options look factory. I highly doubt any smog tech would notice.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

I've heard any intercooler that fits in the stock location and does not replace/remove any factory lines or connections is considered a direct replacement and legal to install in CARB vehicles.

Mike

[andydna15]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

I've heard any intercooler that fits in the stock location and does not replace/remove any factory lines or connections is considered a direct replacement and legal to install in CARB vehicles.

Mike

+1
https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/APPENDIX%...%2012-2009.pdf

[drmjm1]

I emailed AA to ask if they were CA legal. Got the definitive answer.

-------- Original message --------
From: Rob Hugh <rhugh@activeautowerke.com>
Date: 1/27/17 7:21 AM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: CARB

Hi,
None of our products are CARB certified for California, however we have sold hundreds all over the US.

Thanks,

Robert Hugh Director of Sales Active Autowerke
(305)233-9300 office (305)253-8921 fax
rhugh@activeautowerke.com www.activeautowerke.com

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

As others suggested (with no guarantee) if you get an intercooler that appears stock with stock connections, one may not even notice it is aftermarket. If it's that important to pass with the utmost certainty, just return to stock for inspection.

[drmjm1]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

I don't think any intercooler is CARB Exempt except stock.

I have found otherwise:
From their website.....
Mishimoto BMW 335i/335xi/135i Performance Intercooler, 2007–2013
Model: MMINT-E90-0 $800.00

Features
› Direct fit for the E9X Chassis with N54/N55 engines
› 20+ hp increase
› 35°F (19.45°C) reduction in AIT
› 22% increase in core size
› Includes CNC-machined quick-disconnect fittings to mate with OEM pipes
› Easy install – under an hour
› Direct fit – no modifications required
› Bar-and-plate construction
› 100% aluminum, TIG-welded with cast end tanks
› CARB EO #: D-759

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by drmjm1

I have found otherwise:
From their website.....
Mishimoto BMW 335i/335xi/135i Performance Intercooler, 2007–2013
Model: MMINT-E90-0 $800.00

Features
› Direct fit for the E9X Chassis with N54/N55 engines
› 20+ hp increase
› 35°F (19.45°C) reduction in AIT
› 22% increase in core size
› Includes CNC-machined quick-disconnect fittings to mate with OEM pipes
› Easy install – under an hour
› Direct fit – no modifications required
› Bar-and-plate construction
› 100% aluminum, TIG-welded with cast end tanks
› CARB EO #: D-759

I stand corrected then and I think that may be the only one.

Good thing about the Mishomoto is it retains factory connections for an easy install and with the brushed finish it almost looks stock.

[skyotee]

I would say that any SMOG tech who notices a direct fit aftermarket intercooler, would probably get some kind of award from the CARB!!! But I think it is extremely unlikely they would notice.

That said, nice to know the Mishimoto is a CARB legal option, good find!

[drmjm1]

Originally Posted by andydna15

+1
https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/APPENDIX%...%2012-2009.pdf

andydna made a good find. The manual shows that for an Intercooler, visual verification by the tech is not required, so I'm guessing that they probably don't look very hard.

So long story short, they probably won't look, if they do and it appears pretty stock it won't matter if they look, worst case if you don't wanna have to reinstall for inspection go Mishimoto.

Thanks for the input and feedback guys.

[drmjm1]

And I got another email from a company near me in La Habra CA, Mod Bargains. Here is what they had to say....

Hey Matt,

Thank you for your inquiry and I’m looking forward to helping you out. The only FMIC that I’m aware of that has CARB approval is from Mishimoto (CARB EO #: D-759). Link below to the product.

mod bargains com/mishimoto-bmw-335i-335xi-135i-aluminum-performance-intercooler,htm

It is a very popular FMIC which yields better gains, cooling, and does not require modification to install. It is a direct fit and typically takes about 2.5 hours to complete.

That being said, I see that you’re local to us and we can definitely install the car for you! Let me know if you’re interested in the silver or black version and I’d be more than happy to provide you with a quote. Talk to you soon!

Best Regards,

Alan Wei
General Manager
mod bargains com
Phone: 714 582 33 30 x 8006
Fax: 562 694 4198
Hours: M-F 8 AM - 6 PM PST / Sat. 8 AM -5 PM PST

[mike@x-ph.com]

All intercoolers will pass a Smog check in CA

[IllSic_Design]

They will most likely not notice it isn't stock unless its one of the huge "Race" ones and even then I doubt they will look too hard or even be able to tell the difference.

[MysticRob]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

All intercoolers will pass a Smog check in CA

I'll absolutely agree with this. Unless the smog tech hates you personally and knows how to identify an aftermarket FMIC to flag it, I would not even worry about it.

It's a non-issue since the tech isn't going to care about it anyway. He's likely got 3 or 4 people waiting and just wants to start the car, have it pass, and get onto the next paying customer.

I drove my pullied and tuned 2004 Cobra to a smog tech and he opened the hood, got big eyes, and simply asked if the car was supercharged from the factory. I said yep, and it passed without issue.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by MysticRob

I'll absolutely agree with this. Unless the smog tech hates you personally and knows how to identify an aftermarket FMIC to flag it, I would not even worry about it.

It's a non-issue since the tech isn't going to care about it anyway. He's likely got 3 or 4 people waiting and just wants to start the car, have it pass, and get onto the next paying customer.

I drove my pullied and tuned 2004 Cobra to a smog tech and he opened the hood, got big eyes, and simply asked if the car was supercharged from the factory. I said yep, and it passed without issue.

During one of the SEMA meetings this year they went over which parts need to be checked by Carb and intercooler was not one on the list.

[MysticRob]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

During one of the SEMA meetings this year they went over which parts need to be checked by Carb and intercooler was not one on the list.

Even better then. Makes sense, the part does nothing more than cool incoming air from the turbos anyway. Pretty sure I read somewhere that if we all upgraded our FMICs we could save the planet from global warming.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by MysticRob

Pretty sure I read somewhere that if we all upgraded our FMICs we could save the planet from global warming.

[AK.]

Aftermarket FMIC's are not too noticeable tbh. I've had mine on for a year and no one has noticed it at all. You should be good regardless, I passed my smog with it on.

[drmjm1]

Originally Posted by AK.

Aftermarket FMIC's are not too noticeable tbh. I've had mine on for a year and no one has noticed it at all. You should be good regardless, I passed my smog with it on.

Thanks, that is totally helpful! By the way, which fmic did you get? What performance differences and or gains have you noticed? What other mods do you have?

[jzchen]

All the ones listed in the OP have CARB EO#s? I found the Dinan one: D-176-46. (This is the one I have, but haven't had to smog the car much since it is currently PNO with the DMV.)