I recently changed all my old vacuum hoses on my truck to new silicone ones and a smog tech told me that they are illegal.They are the same size and perform the same way just that they are silicone. I was wondering if anyone can confirm this or if there is any documation stating that they are in fact illegal. I searched but could not find an answer to my question. I searched the package that they came in and nowhere does it say offroad/race only or not legal. I'm in california

Here's what I've found. It explains it pretty well:

http://www.racingbeat.com/emissions.htm

Basically, you cannot tamper with or replace ANY portion of the emissions control equipment on a California vehicle unless it is either the OEM replacement or is specifically CARB-exempt. The smog tech visually identified your vacuum hoses as being non-OEM thus your car failed immediately. Ayup, it sucks...yet another price to pay to live in the Golden State.

Here's a link to the CARB site to determine if your equipment is exempt:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php

You might contact the manufacturer to see if they have received exempt status for this product and have not updated their packaging or labelling. Worth a shot in the dark....good luck!

I had the same problem a month ago. They failed me because I used regular heater hoses instead of an emission ones. Did not have any choice but to go to a dealer and pay 50 dollars for three pieces of a foot long 5/8 inch hoses.
Emission hose suppose to withstand higher temperatures and oil. The funny thing that they run side by side in the engine bay. We do not have a say here. When they tell you: "Jump!", you ask them: "How high?"

On a www.ultimatesubaru.org somebody provided me with a URL for the company that makes those special hoses. If you are still interested I will try to dig it up and post it here.

Sam