Sinister Diesel's Blog

Being in California means adhering to strict emissions regulations set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Installing non-CARB compliant parts on your truck can result in failing smog tests, which prevents you from registering your vehicle. Additionally, driving with non-CARB compliant parts can lead to fines or, even worse, a State Referee ticket. This ticket requires that your vehicle be inspected by a state referee to ensure it is 100% compliant with California emissions standards, during which time you cannot legally drive your truck on the road.

Getting an aftermarket part to be CARB legal involves extensive testing and significant expenses. Fortunately, there are aftermarket parts available that meet CARB requirements and can be used legally in California. Always check for CARB certification when purchasing parts to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal issues.

Do CARB Legal Parts have worse performance benefits?

At Sinister Diesel, we haven't found any evidence to suggest that California Legal Performance Parts perform worse than non-CARB compliant parts. While certain parts, such as tuners with custom tunes, will never be CARB compliant, many well-made performance parts can enhance your vehicle's performance while remaining CARB compliant.

By choosing CARB-compliant parts, you can enjoy increased performance without sacrificing legality or risking fines and penalties associated with non-compliance in California. Always ensure that your performance upgrades meet CARB standards to maintain your vehicle's registration and road legality in California.

CARB Legal Cold Air Intake for the 6.7 Powerstroke

Not only is the Sinister Diesel Cold Air Intake one of the best performing intakes on the market, it is also CARB Legal. As of writing this article, we currently have a CARB EO# for the 2011-2019 trucks. We are currently working on getting an EO# for 2020+ Trucks. Unfortunately, we are on their time and it is a waiting game.

The Sinister Diesel Cold Air Intake has Mandrel Bent Aluminum tube which helps decrease turbulence and increase flow. The intake utilizes an oversized long lasting filter media.

CARB Legal Cold Side Charge Pipe for the 6.7 Powerstroke

Every 6.7 Powerstroke on the road should be equipped with an upgraded Cold Side Charge Pipe. The factory OEM Cold Side Charge Pipe is notorious for bursting, leaving drivers stranded. The Sinister Diesel Cold Side Charge Pipe addresses these issues by providing superior performance and reliability that every truck needs. Additionally, it is CARB compliant, ensuring that your vehicle meets California's stringent emissions standards. Upgrade today to avoid being left stranded and enhance your truck's performance and dependability. 

The OEM Cold Side Charge Pipe in your 6.7 Powerstroke is made from plastic, which is prone to eventual failure. When this plastic part bursts, it causes a significant issue: the truck loses the ability to properly utilize compressed air, as it leaks into the atmosphere instead of reaching the engine. This results in the truck either running very rich or barely running at all, depending on the severity of the burst or crack. Upgrading to a Sinister Diesel Cold Side Charge Pipe prevents these critical failures, ensuring your truck runs smoothly and efficiently.

What modifications don't need a CARB sticker for the 6.7 Powerstroke?

Thankfully not every modification requires a CARB Sticker. Here is an list of parts that we offer that do not require a CARB Sticker.
Contamination Kits (2011-2018)
DPF-Back Exhaust (2011-2023)
Fuel Filter Conversion Kit (2011+)
Battery Hold Down's (2011-2023)
Coolant Reservoir (2017-2023)
Caps (2011-2023)
Coolant Filtration Systems (2011-2023)