CA Gryphon + a couple ?'s

[OC Dan]

New to the forum, but have been trolling for awhile.

So, I have a 2008 FX4 5.4l I'm looking to get a gryphon this coming spring when I do gears (4.30 or 4.56) and wheels + tires.

My question is, the "illegal for sale and use in CA" is that a generic clause for liability reasons, or will I be drawn and quatered if caught running a gryphon in my truck in CA?

Also, after reading A LOT about CAI's, the concensus seems to be the Gotts mod will gain roughly the same HP as a full CAI kit with the Gryphon? I would get the S&B if I were to even do it. Most of the increases the CAI's boast about are waaay up in the RPM range. I don't cruise around at 4000+ rpm's, so I'm thinking a complete CAI might be a waste. That cash would then go towards the other items I'm going to do.

And lastly, excepting a throaty growl, is the same true for exhaust? I don't want to spend $500 for sound effects. If I'll get a decent, genuine power increse by adding an exhaust with the gryphon, I'll do it. But, if we're only talking a couple HP for $500, then I'll pass.

Thanks in advance.