Yes, your smog technician is referring to the OEM air intake cleaner housing (airbox). The filter inside matters as well, though most all air filters you can by at a local autoprat store are California legal.
As far as the Air Intake Cleaner Housing remember it doesnt have to be bought at the Chevy dealer in order to be legal. So long as the part is an aftermarket OEM air box designed for your 1998 Chevy S10, it will pass the smog check.
posted by SmogTips Support
