Why would I get a ticket for my intake?

Question

I was driving and the cop pulls over six cars. He goes to each and every one of us and says "I pulled you over for "illegal modifications". I thought to myself that i'm going to do good and leave without a ticket, but he gave me a ticket.

I got a ticket for not having a front license plate (I can understand that) and for my "illegal" Intake. My intake passed smog and it has the CARB numbers. He said it's illegal because i'm using two different types of brands for my intake. The pipe is AEM and the air filter is KnY.

So i was wondering, can I fight it? or is he right? What he explained to me seemed understandable, but he should've let me go because it passed smog. By the way I live in California.

Answer 1

Did the officer site the specific law that you are supposedly violating?  Because if there is such a law I would think that anyone who has ever had a stock air filter in a stock intake replaced outside the dealer would also be violating it.

I would absolutely fight this.  Try to set up your court date on a day this officer is off duty so that he either has to come in on his day off or won't show up to testify.  

Answer 2

As long as you have the CARB numbers, you can win it in court.

Answer 3

First of all, exactly how does Officer D-Bag even know you've got mods on your engine?

Unless there's something going on about Calif. law enforcement I've never heard of, then I don't think he's got the authority to assess the correctness of engine mods.  As you affirmed with your CARB statement, that's CARB's bailiwick and your car passed.

I'd take that one to court.

Answer 4

you need to look at cal laws before you decide to fight it.if everything is with in the law then get all your paper work to gather and fight it.

Answer 5

I've heard California can be very picky for this type of stuff.  You can try to fight it as you mentioned the AEM intake does have a CARB exemption number but does the K&N filter have a CARB no. as well?  If it does, you have a good case in front of the judge.  If the K&N filter does not, just hope the judge is in a good mood.