OP, I feel ya on this man. Im from cali too and everytime i drive, i feel uncomfortable when a cop is around even if i got CARB legal parts. I got an AEM intake just for the CARB sticker even tho i couldve gotten an intake for cheaper and just got a K&N filter. Were honestly fighting a losing battle cause of all the cars there are here so emission control tight. Apparently, there are some body shops that will pass u on smog tests. Just know a guy with a shop that does smog n ur all good.