[Greenfun13]

Hey everyone,

Looking to buy a FMIC soon and since I live in California I was thinking I might play it safe and go with a CARB legal intercooler this time around. I am thinking of going with the Mishimoto but was wondering if it came with a CARB EO sticker? Can anyone confirm this?

I am thinking it must, otherwise what would stop me from installing a Depo Racing Beast fmic and saying its a Mishimoto?

Side question: If that CARB sticker exists, does anyone have one they are willing to let go of?

Thank you in advance!

 

[junits15]

so real question, what stops people from just uploading a photocopy of the sticker somewhere online, downloading it, printing on sticker paper and then putting it on the car for any IC they use? I can't imagine they are serialized are they?

 

[rambleon84]

so real question, what stops people from just uploading a photocopy of the sticker somewhere online, downloading it, printing on sticker paper and then putting it on the car for any IC they use? I can't imagine they are serialized are they?

Yeah as far as I can tell, the stickers just have 5he brand name/address and the carb id on it, not serialized.
Ex a Cobb one on their intake:

@Greenfun13 you will need to reach out to Mishi and find out. Cobb lists their carb data online and list their intercoolers, I believe mountune also have a carb approval too

 

[Greenfun13]

so real question, what stops people from just uploading a photocopy of the sticker somewhere online, downloading it, printing on sticker paper and then putting it on the car for any IC they use? I can't imagine they are serialized are they?

Exactamundo! Just need to find a good soul willing to upload a high resolution photo.

All other CARB approved products I have purchased in the past have never been serialized. Just a sticker you're supposed to place in the engine bay/on the product.

 

[Greenfun13]

@Greenfun13 you will need to reach out to Mishi and find out. Cobb lists their carb data online and list their intercoolers, I believe mountune also have a carb approval too

Yeah, I guess I'll have to shoot them an email. I thought it was strange that they don't list the carb data like Cobb, Mountune, and others.

 

[rambleon84]

All other CARB approved products I have purchased in the past have never been serialized. Just a sticker you're supposed to place in the engine bay/on the product.

So are you supposed to put the intercooler carb sticker on the intercooler so the carb person can see it? Hope it's an all weather sticker then because if you can see it on the intercooler, it's going to be exposed to the elements 😂

 

[Greenfun13]

Guess I didn't look at Mishimoto's website thoroughly enough.. Looky looky at what I found.

Now the REAL question: Will this sticker give me the power to run any FMIC I want in CA?

 

[rambleon84]

Guess I didn't look at Mishimoto's website thoroughly enough.. Looky looky at what I found.

Now the REAL question: Will this sticker give me the power to run any FMIC I want in CA? View attachment 400804

Depends how thorough they are and if your conscience allows it lol. Not like most intercoolers are obviously branded and if they are, not a place that's obvious to see.

This is coming from someone not exposed to carb and how a device designed to cool air will effect what your exhausts' cat does.

 

[TurboGT]

Guess I didn't look at Mishimoto's website thoroughly enough.. Looky looky at what I found.

Now the REAL question: Will this sticker give me the power to run any FMIC I want in CA?

Looks like you're in a perfect position to find out. I haven't seen this topic posted about here before (that doesn't mean it hasn't been). But if you're willing to put your money on the line, I'd appreciate hearing the results!

 

[Greenfun13]

Looks like you're in a perfect position to find out. I haven't seen this topic posted about here before (that doesn't mean it hasn't been). But if you're willing to put your money on the line, I'd appreciate hearing the results!

I am debating it.. However, depending on how thorough the smog tech is I found a few things that could spoil this wonderfully evil plan...

Exhibit #1: Based on the upside down "M" this is the bottom of the IC.. Would this sticker be visible by sticking your head under the car? If this sticker is supposed to be visible, I might have some problems when they cant find it.. (but what if I replicated that sticker??)

Exhibit #2: The embossed "M" logo on the end tanks signifying that it is a Mishimoto... I imagine this would be harder to see with the front bumper installed..

EDIT:

Exhibit #3: Maybe the above embossed "M" might be easier to spot than I was thinking it would be.. (shoutout to @isomorphZeta for posting the picture, even though you haven't been active since 2018)

 

[Greenfun13]

Going further down the rabbit hole, maybe it would work based on the quote below from a SMOG thread over in the West Coast Regional section. According to the November 2017 edition of the CA SMOG Check Manual, it looks like the smog tech isn't required to verify the EO on an intercooler.. Very interesting!

@mackey
I was not aware of the information aftermarket intercoolers on page 51 in your link. Good to know.

Looking at oil separators on that list, it doesn't require an E.O. Could this also be referring to a non-vented oil catch can as well? I do know if you vent it to open air, it won't pass smog.

View attachment 400264

View attachment 400265

EDIT: Added a screenshot of the post for easier viewing:

 

[junits15]

You wont be able to see either of those things when the IC is installed, it would take specific knowledge of misihmoto hardware to know what the logo is. Whos' to say you didn't just paint over the one on the front? or strip the paint?

Unless they have some big database with images for them to cross reference I dont see how they could accurately say if the part is the one on the sticker. The cobb intake is literally just a pipe, you could slap that sticker on anything and there would be no way to know it wasn't that part.


just something to consider

 

[etagus]

It's a hard, metallic kind of CARB sticker, but it isn't serialized. It's just like that one that was uploaded. The tech only kinda looked at my FMIC because he noticed I placed the Sticker under the hood, near my headlight. He asked me what it was for, glanced down at it, and moved on. Didn't look for any serial numbers, logos, etc...

 

[Greenfun13]

A little update on this thread after a few days mulling over what I want to do:

I think I am going to order a Woosh FMIC since it is almost identical in dimensions to the Mishimoto unit and $263 cheaper. I am also going to order it in black so it doesn't stick out as much as the raw/silver color (plus thats all Ron has in stock right now lol).

Then I think I am going to make a new thread asking if anyone has one of those CARB stickers from their Mishimoto FMIC that they didn't use and are willing to sell/give to me. If I don't get any bites, I will buy some printable vinyl that hopefully matches the metallic color of the original CARB sticker.

Anyone have an extra Mishimoto CARB sticker laying around?? (think Mishimoto would send me one without proof of purchase?)

 

[Boricuallama]

Anyone have an extra Mishimoto CARB sticker laying around?? (think Mishimoto would send me one without proof of purchase?)

I can give you mine if you can't get one from them. I didn't put it on because they don't check for that here in NC.

 

[Greenfun13]

I can give you mine if you can't get one from them. I didn't put it on because they don't check for that here in NC.

Very much appreciated! I might take you up on that offer.

I just fired off an email to them right now. I will update this thread when they respond.

 

[Boricuallama]

It's a metal sticker, which was a surprise to me when I got it.

 

[Greenfun13]

View attachment 401054
View attachment 401055
It's a metal sticker, which was a surprise to me when I got it.

That's what I kinda figured.. All the previous carb stickers I have gotten over the years have been printed on some sort of metallic material. They probably do that to withstand the elements in an engine bay, and also to keep people like me from recreating them as easily. hahah

Thanks again for the offer to send it to me if Mishimoto isn't willing to do the same. If Mishi falls through, I will make it worth your while to mail it to me. I'll just need your PayPal address when the time comes.

Thanks again!

 

[Greenfun13]

Finally heard back from Mishimoto. I told them I just purchased an ST with one of their FMIC's installed but the owner didn't have the sticker anymore and was requesting a replacement. This is their reply:

We are required by the California Air Research Board to ask for a few things before we can send out a CARB sticker. Could you please provide me with a copy of your receipt as well?

To process for you, please provide the following information.

• Name and mailing address (We will only ship out CARB stickers to customers who reside in CA).
• Year, make, and model of the vehicle(s).
• Mishimoto part number.

Additionally, please provide us the following pictures.

• A clear photo of the Mishimoto intake installed in the vehicle.
• A clear photo of the V.I.N. on the drivers side doorjamb.

We are always here to help and support our customers. Please feel free to follow up with any additional questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help!

Thanks,

Phomma Malaythong
Mishimoto Automotive
302.762.4501


Check your inbox @Boricuallama, you have an incoming PM.