i have a no name cold air Intake and obvisley i did not get any papers for it...but my question is, do you need it to be carb approved? or is it considered a replacement part? and i live in california so if i go to get my car smoged will the guy check to see if i have the papers for it?
no you won't pass the visual test with that in your car. at smog time just take it out and put your stock airbox back in, but do it right. the smog tester should notice any loose vacuum hoses. If you get pulled over and the cops do an engine inspection you could get a fix-it ticket and/or a fine, I'm not sure but probably one of those. I don't know how often people get pulled over and inspected, but why risk it is my thinkin. How much did you pay for the ebay Intake? Maybe you can sell it to someone who doesn't have smog checks or someone who doesn't care. Then buy a CARB approved Intake like AEM or Injen or K&N.
Or...if you wanna go the rebel criminal route just slap on an AEM, K&N or Injen sticker and buy the CARB sticker from someone who doesn't live in a smog test area. I don't endorse this method and wouldn't do it personally so if you get in big trouble don't blame me.