It's not all doom and gloom here in CA. There is no way for all of the smog techs to know what was OEM or not for all the various years and car manufacturers. If you've modified your car and it's not within code, then yes there is a potential for you not passing. If you go 1 mph over the speed limit you have the potential for getting a speeding ticket, but the likelihood of it is very slim. There's a difference between the letter of the law and what is actually enforced. For the most part, if your car doesn't have any blatant visual violations during the smog inspection, and your car passes the "sniffer" you're going to be good to go.

If you bring in a completely stock vehicle for testing and in the engine bay you have a bunch of chrome, bright color paint on various parts, stainless steel braided hose, etc., the smog tech is going to scrutinize everything in order to find what may have been modified, even though it's all for aesthetics yet still has completely stock parts. If your engine bay looks stock, the tech will more than likely look over it quickly and move on to what he needs to do next.

The owners of the smog inspection stations get more money in their pockets if they can turn out more business, which means they don't want the techs spending an inordinate amount of time picking your car apart. If you have something that's obviously not within code, such as no cat, CEL on, etc., then definitely you're not going to get any further.

If you're referring to the Low Pressure Fuel Evaporative Test, that test is only for 1995 and older vehicles, therefore it has nothing to do with 1st gen Minis.

 

While I was hesitated to post because of a continuing debate I can safely say unless you are licensed to give Ca certifide smog tests or own a shop that does what you posted is not true. These test centers are being monitored more now under the new program guidelines. So most technician do in fact carefully look at what they are signing off on. Not only the shop but the Technician gets fined under the new BAR/ARB regulations.
The comment about the LPFE test was to show the inconsistencies in the program. The new test which was required early last year had started to fail on perfectly passable systems because of equipment irregularities. The shops when they contacted the BAR were told un officially to go ahead and pass the questionable vehicle by using the controlled devises that came as part of the LPFE test equipment. I can go more into the details if needed.
Clearly you live in CA so good luck to you when it is time for your testing. For others in CA find a shop and talk with them. you may find them to be helpful with each situation. but try not to commit to testing unless you are 100% sure you will have no issues.
Bottom line no one should be telling or suggesting that it is ok not to worry and not to be concerned with non OEM parts installed on their MINIs when it comes to CA smog testing.
I sincerely doubt that any vendor will sell you a non CRAB approved part for a CA and tell you its ok!
The term most often used is “Some parts may not be approved or legal for use on California Vehicles”

 

Thanks for the wish of good luck. My car passed the CA emissions testing approximately 2 months ago with flying colors, and yes it's modified.

As for the LPFE test, that's for OBD-I and older cars, not our OBD-II MINIs (I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know). I wanted to make it clear to our MINI brethren that this is not a test to worry about for our cars, as the information you provided may have lead people to believe this is a new test that applies to the cars we talk about specifically here in the 1st Gen MINI Cooper S Modified Drivetrain section.

 

JCW kits were added to '02s only after the customer would break-in the engine, then return the car to the dealer for a retro-fit. So, my VIN does not reflect any JCW from the factory and may cause problems in the future, though it is a factory add-on.

 

I don't believe it will be an issue as JCW parts are legal in all 50 states and are not considered aftermarket.
They are certified as OEM, just like any other Mini part, regardless of when installed.

You'll pass just fine and if you don't your Mini dealer will be happy to solve your problem.
Actually I'm jesting here but if your worried you might use a shop that they recommend and you'll have no issues at all.

Hop this helps...