Looking for 2.3L cold air intake under $250

[xeroplasmic]

Hi guys, i'm looking for a cold air intake for a 03 ZX3 2.3L, it doesn't matter what it is as long as it is exempt in California to pass smog. I have a budget of $250 for it and am looking for something that is decent. I have one right now but it doesn't have an exempt sticker on it so I can't pass smog atm. Anyone have any ideas for what the best one is for that price? please and thank you!

-Eirik

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[05focusST91]

Aem/cfm intakes are around that price area, if not try steeda or fswerks

[xxMichaelAnthony]

Your best bet is to find someone local and see if you can borrow their stock intake. You probably wont find a CARB approved intake for under $250 even then I don't think anyone made them for your year.

Post up in the Nor Cal regional section http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=5

We have a few member on here from Rocklin, Citrus Heights and Folsom areas.

[xxMichaelAnthony]

Originally Posted by 05focusST91

Aem/cfm intakes are around that price area, if not try steeda or fswerks

None of these are CARB approved for 03. Remember, we're in the great state of Commiefornia.

[homey55]

there were a couple cosworth units for sale in the classifieds. Unfortunately, that is the only legal unit for our car. K&N also has a CAI that is CARB approved and will fit our car and should have no problem passing the visual inspection. http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=57-2559

[zetecDon]

Moved to "Duratec Performance".

[xxMichaelAnthony]

Originally Posted by homey55

there were a couple cosworth units for sale in the classifieds. Unfortunately, that is the only legal unit for our car. K&N also has a CAI that is CARB approved and will fit our car and should have no problem passing the visual inspection. http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=57-2559

Cosworth CIA thats CARB legal for 03 would be hard to find.The CARB EO# for 03 is D-594-1. Only ones I have seen were D-594 which is only approved for 04. The K&N you linked to is only approved for 05. K&N doesn't make anything approved for 03 Duratec.

If the shop is actually concerned about CARB stickers they will most likely run the EO#s. Just saying CARB approved means nothing. If they run the EO#s and they don't match model year and motor size, it will fail. As far as I know, there are no CARB legal intakes for 03 2.3 Duratec.

[homey55]

Originally Posted by xxMichaelAnthony

Cosworth CIA thats CARB legal for 03 would be hard to find.The CARB EO# for 03 is D-594-1. Only ones I have seen were D-594 which is only approved for 04. The K&N you linked to is only approved for 05. K&N doesn't make anything approved for 03 Duratec.

If the shop is actually concerned about CARB stickers they will most likely run the EO#s. Just saying CARB approved means nothing. If they run the EO#s and they don't match model year and motor size, it will fail. As far as I know, there are no CARB legal intakes for 03 2.3 Duratec.

Used Cosworth is the only "legal" intake for that year. I had my car smog'd earlier this year in California before I moved to Mississippi. Now I have no smog whatsoever .

I would think you could easily pass inspection with the K&N though. The smog guys don't typically run numbers.

There are a couple Cosworth used units in the classifieds though.

[xxMichaelAnthony]

Originally Posted by xxMichaelAnthony

As far as I know, there are no CARB legal intakes for 03 2.3 Duratec.

I meant to add except the Cosworth EO# D-594-1.

Originally Posted by homey55

Used Cosworth is the only "legal" intake for that year. I had my car smog'd earlier this year in California before I moved to Mississippi. Now I have no smog whatsoever .

I would think you could easily pass inspection with the K&N though. The smog guys don't typically run numbers.

There are a couple Cosworth used units in the classifieds though.

What is the EO number on your Cossie intake? Im just giving the OP info on what actually is CARB legal for his year and what isn't. If he wants to get one that is just "CARB legal" for the Duratec he can go for it.

- Cossie EO# D-594 (04 2.3) http://arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/eo/D-594.pdf
- Cossie EO# D-594-1 (03-04 2.3, 05 2.0) http://arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/eo/D-594-1.pd

OP - The part number listed on both EOs is the same. If you end up with the Cossie intake and it isn't the -1 number, print out the second pdf I linked above. Show them the part number is the same and the original EO was just updated to cover more models. And remember I am assuming the smog guy you're going to is doing everything 100% by the book. They might pass it just because there is sticker on it and not run the number.

[quacking05focus]

Just keep your stock setup, buy an adapter coupler for ~20 dollars or less so every two years you can reinstall the top part of oem intake just with the aftermarket unit's filter to drive to the smog shop and get tested. It really takes less than 30 minutes and you don't even have to put the car up on jacks or anything (the biggest pain of course is the large oem air cleaner assembly). I've been enjoying my fs werks for the last three and a half years.