I just got my '03 MCS back from PA state emissions testing (they put the car on rollers and bring it up to ~15 MPH, then measure the various nasty components of the exhaust). Here's my car:

'03 MCS
14,411 miles
Helix/P&D 15% Pulley
MTH Chip
Magnaflow Exhaust
Alta Intake

My Mods and Dyno/Dragstrip Results

Well, here's the results:

CO % x liters
Limit = 1.10
Test value = 0.00
PASS

HC ppm x liters
Limit = 275
Test value = 8
PASS

NO ppm x liters
Limit = 3600
Test value = 28
PASS

RPM Reading = 2578
Dilution Reading = 15.4%

So, even with mods bringing power up from 144 whp to 173 whp, and 1/4 mile time from mid-15's to mid-14's, it still passed with flying colors. Yay!

 

So here's the question, Andy. Your super-modded Super MINI passed with flying colors. Much of the MINI's less than sporty mechanical and electronic setup is blamed on emissions concerns. So if they can be modded to this level without adversely affecting emissions, then why don't they come pre-set like this? Are we all getting "soft" MINIs because of the state of California and they're ridiculous emissions standards?

 

More importantly, when is ross-tech going to have software for the MINI?

 

If you could pass with all those mods then I don't see why the State of California should make me remove my intake

Do you think you would still pass with headers and no cat?

 

Chitown_COOP wrote:

Personally, I feel there are several reasons for the characteristics of the stock engine management. Certainly, emissions is a major concern, but so is marketing (the JCW kit presumably wouldn't sell as well without the "37 hp" gain), longevity concerns, etc.



mrbean wrote:

Good question, but here is the best answer I can provide at this point:

Q: Does Ross-Tech make diagnostic software for other makes of cars?



rfibanez wrote:

CARB operates a bit differently than the state of PA. PA couldn't care less if I had a Chevy 502 under my hood as long as it passes emissions testing. I wouldn't think the MINI would pass with no cat (certainly not the visual portion).

 

Are you running any type of aftermarket header, or have you tested any emissions effect from them, just a curiosity, we dont have emissions checks here, but as a vendor i get a lot of questions about them, and the effects of mods to them, thanks for teh post good to here the mods you have done haven't , will help me answer those questions i couldn't be sure of before...

 

Crap! PA changed their emissions testing and now they monitor Readiness codes. I cleared fault codes during testing on Tuesday, forgetting that I had an emissions test on Wednesday. Sure enough, they were unable to test since the readiness bit for "Comprehensive Components" was Failed or Incomplete. I've been driving around town and on the highway for the past 3 days, trying to get it to reset, but no luck.

I just talked to a friend of a friend who works as a tech for MINI. Apparently, to get all readiness bits to set, you need to:

From a cold start, drive 3-5 minutes between 10-30 mph without going over 3k, then 15 minutes between 40-60 without going over 3k, then idle for 10 minutes.

Emissions testing standards for new cars are stupid. Even if it wanted to, my MCS couldn't spew out even a fraction of the pollutants as a '71 Pontiac LeMans, yet I needed to get it emissions tested within a month or when I bought it, then every friggin year thereafter! At least NJ gives you several years grace when you buy a new car.

Grrrr!!! I guess I'll have to try that draconian routine to get the bit to pass, but if I get pulled over in the meantime and asked why my inspection has lapsed, I'll demonstrate the readiness stuff to the cop.

 

hey! I used to drive a '67 Lemans

 

Okay, Catalina. Is that better?

 

Andy..


are you running v.39?

 

Nope, v.36. I got the recall notices, but they did not appear to apply to this specific problem.

 

Thanks for the readiness procedure Andy. Does sound like a pain-in-the-azz alright... Heck, even CA has the 3 year grace! Next Sept/Oct is my turn...

 

 

Update: After a 4 hr round trip drive to Baltimore over the weekend, my last readiness bit has finally been set. My car is getting tested as I type, I'll post my latest test values when they come in.

 

What's a readiness code or bit? What is exactly being "set" as you drive around town?

 

Not only do you need to pass the exhaust test in California, but they won't even start the test if you don't pass the visual. So if you have aftermarket equipment on your car, such as a CAI or the tasty new twincharger, forget it unless is has a CARB certificate. Most small manufacturers can't afford the time and $$$ to get the certification so they always have a disclaimer on there products when sold in California, "for use on off-road vehicles only."

Really pisses me off, because you probably will pass most of the time, but the SMOG ***** won't even test you unless you pass visual.

 

or HAI will need to keep their stock airboxes for the very reason you mentioned. Dumb...maybe Arnold can change that? If so, we need him as President!

 

The good news is my car passed its emissions testing with flying colors. The bad news is that they no longer do a sniffer test at all. They just plug in a generic OBD-II scan tool and make sure all the readiness bits are set. It still costs $80.

Antranik,

See this page for brief overview of emissions testing and readiness:

http://www.dmv.de.gov/services/vehic...aqs_obdi.shtml

 

No hope from Arnold on this one. In fact a recent bill was circulated to roll back the current requirements for smog testing in CA. There was a bill passed about 5 years ago that allowed cars manufactured prior to 1974 to no longer have to undergo smog testing, they are such a small percentage of those vehicles on the road. It was great for old car enthusiasts though, imagine trying to keep late 60's and early 70's era smog equipment in working order.
It was also going to start rolling forward, but I am not sure when that was supposed to occur, so if your car was older then 30 years, no more smog test.
Now one of our all knowing and all caring legislators is basically rolling back the smog check laws to the way they were, so all vehicles older then 1967 will have to pass a smog again, who cares ho much it costs, and if you don't pass, gross polluter status so you can be tested every year instead of every other year. What a great state!

 

I wonder if any of Arnolds Hummers are modded?

 

Allegedly, his first Hummer had a 350 gas engine in place of the diesel. Wonder how that does at the emissions station?

 

BTW, not that it matters much, but my car has some different equipment now than it did at the start of this thread.

'03 MCS
28,800 miles
Helix/P&D 15% Pulley
GIAC Chip
Oneball Exhaust
HAI

 

The more equipment the better!