[jefe2000]

I'm slowly ramping up my wrenching skills (and toolset collection). I'd convinced myself that my next project to tackle will be pulling out the stock plastic charge pipe on my M2's N55 and replacing it with with a metal pipe. I'll be staying at stock boost levels for the foreseeable future, so this will be more of a peace-of-mind mod — the last thing I want is to blow the pipe on a roadtrip with the family along for the ride.

But I think I'm learning that charge pipes in California/USA (CA) are a bit fraught. Some pipes come with CA-specific warnings. Some vendors outright won't sell 'em to CA residents. And then there are stories of failing visual inspections at smog checks due to the aftermarket pipe.

So, if I can even get a metal charge pipe here in CA, I wonder what I'm in for. I'd love to read the experience of other CA folks with metal charge pipes: good, bad, ugly, or otherwise. Please respond to the poll above and/or put your story below. Thanks!

[jefe2000]

Thanks for the poll replies so far!

For the folks that got flagged during smog: any ideas as to why? Is/was your metal charge pipe shiny silver? Did you have a super-detail-oriented smog inspector? Is your engine bay blinged-out and attention grabbing? Bad luck? …?

[lax01]

I got FTP Motorsport metal pipes and I don't even think a trained mechanic would be able to say "that's not OEM"..

Haven't gone through actual SMOG (I think this year is the first) so we shall see...

[Gnarlym3]

Originally Posted by lax01

I got FTP Motorsport metal pipes and I don't even think a trained mechanic would be able to say "that's not OEM"..

Haven't gone through actual SMOG (I think this year is the first) so we shall see...

I would agree, FTP or CTS? Both come in black metal piping. Look relatively OEM, without giving the vibe of intercooler piping.

[jv004]

N55 FTP will be flag because of the branding logo placed in a very visible area, even a rookie tech will flag it as aftermarket in CA. My ftp got flagged because of that. I say if u have an N55 m2 and the pipe is black and no branding whatsoever, then u should be good.

[lax01]

Originally Posted by jv004

FTP will be flag because of the branding logo placed in a very visible area, even a rookie tech will flag it as aftermarket in CA. My ftp got flagged because of that. I say if ur pipe is black and no branding whatsoever, then u should be good.

Flagged and then what happened? Did you fail?

[jv004]

Originally Posted by lax01

Flagged and then what happened? Did you fail?

Emissions passed, but automatic fail due to charge pipe. Had to change to stock.
Tech wasnt an expert on bmw internals but felt uncomfortable because of the branding.

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by jv004

N55 FTP will be flag because of the branding logo placed in a very visible area, even a rookie tech will flag it as aftermarket in CA. My ftp got flagged because of that. I say if u have an N55 m2 and the pipe is black and no branding whatsoever, then u should be good.

That’s my hope: a nice black wrinkle powder coated pipe that just disappears in my otherwise stock engine bay.

Good tip on the logo calling attention to the FTP pipe. I’ll keep that in mind.

I’m currently looking at the BMS charge pipe as a good option. I saw a good review from forum member F87Source here on Bimmerpost and it looks like it’s a very stealth option.

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

I’m currently looking at the BMS charge pipe as a good option. I saw a good review from forum member F87Source here on Bimmerpost and it looks like it’s a very stealth option.

Following up with the review I’d read about the BMS charge pipe:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1831920

[lax01]

I was curious and went down to take a look....the FTP plate is there but I'd be pretty annoyed if they called it out as a SMOG failure:



You have to really be looking for a reason to fail the car....





It's been awhile since I've had to deal with SMOG...guess I will just have to find a nice to go



The FTP logo is also peeling off and I feel like I can pull it completely off if the pipe is hot - might try that in the future...

[jv004]

Originally Posted by lax01

I was curious and went down to take a look....the FTP plate is there but I'd be pretty annoyed if they called it out as a SMOG failure:



You have to really be looking for a reason to fail the car....


It's been awhile since I've had to deal with SMOG...guess I will just have to find a nice to go


The FTP logo is also peeling off and I feel like I can pull it completely off if the pipe is hot - might try that in the future...

It is very annoying since CP doesn't affect emissions. CA is allot stricter this days, especially now that EVs are coming out more and more. Hopefully, you have better luck.

[BadgerDog]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

Following up with the review I’d read about the BMS charge pipe:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1831920

I'd steer clear of that company personally. I had an extremely bad experience with them that ended to going to cc charge back. Cc company sided with me so eff them, but never ever again would I remotely consider buying from that jackhole that owns the place.

Oh, and part of the issue was the charge pipe I bought had some chunks missing from the powder coat from the factory. BMS makes crap for racer bois who wanna buy cheap mods, not serious upgrades.

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by BadgerDog

Oh, and part of the issue was the charge pipe I bought had some chunks missing from the powder coat from the factory. BMS makes crap for racer bois who wanna buy cheap mods, not serious upgrades.

Thanks for the input about BMS. What charge pipe did you end up with?

[BadgerDog]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

Thanks for the input about BMS. What charge pipe did you end up with?

I didn't, haha. I never ended up upgrading that car. It was my last car, a 2016 z4. Not sure if I'll do the m2 either, but considering it.

[ShortSides]

Wait a sec...Cali flags fails for an aftermarket charge pipe???

The sooner that state succeeds, the better!

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by ShortSides

Wait a sec...Cali flags fails for an aftermarket charge pipe???

That’s what I’m learning, yeah. The pipes have to be certified by CA’s state version of the EPA (called CARB). If not certified, they can potentially be flagged during the visual portion of the smog inspection and cause the inspection to fail. I’m trying to learn how often this actually happens.

Originally Posted by ShortSides

The sooner that state succeeds, the better!

In all, things are feeling pretty successful over here, thanks!

[Altra]

I'm rocking an anodized black ER charge pipe. No branding on the pipes themselves, but there is branding on the silicon hump hose that connects the two pipes....which might be too far down in the engine bay to actually get a good look at.

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by Altra

I'm rocking an anodized black ER charge pipe. No branding on the pipes themselves, but there is branding on the silicon hump hose that connects the two pipes....which might be too far down in the engine bay to actually get a good look at.

That ER charge pipe looks really nice. I almost had the opportunity to pick up a second-hand one here on BIMMERPOST, but wasn’t quite quick enough. That’s when I noticed they’re not for retail sale here in CA and is what let me to post this poll.

Small sample size so far, but it looks like some folks have problems during the smog inspection and some don’t. I hope to get a better idea of what it might be that causes inspectors to call out the metal pipes. So far I’ve seen that pipes with a visible logo can be a problem. I also imagine that attention-catching mods in the engine bay might make a smog inspector take a closer look.

[BadgerDog]

Originally Posted by jefe2000

That ER charge pipe looks really nice. I almost had the opportunity to pick up a second-hand one here on BIMMERPOST, but wasn’t quite quick enough. That’s when I noticed they’re not for retail sale here in CA and is what let me to post this poll.

Small sample size so far, but it looks like some folks have problems during the smog inspection and some don’t. I hope to get a better idea of what it might be that causes inspectors to call out the metal pipes. So far I’ve seen that pipes with a visible logo can be a problem. I also imagine that attention-catching mods in the engine bay might make a smog inspector take a closer look.

Im also real curious. Not in a hurry to change over, but if I ever DO have to replace one (or just get enough mileage to feel its worth it for peace of mind) Id sure like to know what I can get away with (SUCH a stupid thing to be illegal but I digress).

[BadgerDog]

Originally Posted by BadgerDog

Im also real curious. Not in a hurry to change over, but if I ever DO have to replace one (or just get enough mileage to feel its worth it for peace of mind) Id sure like to know what I can get away with (SUCH a stupid thing to be illegal but I digress).

I couldn't agree more...

[DBinOC]

I have the BMS charge pipe - black crinkle black coat and no visible branding. I took it to 2 different smog places, both places said "no way." The frustrating thing is that if you look around on BMS's website, or even Pelican Parts selling a Racing Dynamics charge pipe, there is NO mention of the parts not being CARB-legal, while other parts on the same sites ARE called out as not being legal in CA.

Both BMS and Pelican Parts are CA companies. You would think they would know. I even emailed BMS and asked - they came back with "it's a replacement part, nothing else is needed." Yeah, how do I tell that to the smog tech?

Looks like i'm putting the plastic crap back in so I can pass smog.....

DBinOC

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by DBinOC

I have the BMS charge pipe - black crinkle black coat and no visible branding. I took it to 2 different smog places, both places said "no way." The frustrating thing is that if you look around on BMS's website, or even Pelican Parts selling a Racing Dynamics charge pipe, there is NO mention of the parts not being CARB-legal, while other parts on the same sites ARE called out as not being legal in CA.

…

Looks like i'm putting the plastic crap back in so I can pass smog.....

Yes, this is exactly what I’m worried about and why I keep vacillating on the charge pipe swap. I keep almost pulling the trigger on the purchase. Thanks for the input!