I currently live in Georgia, and am moving to San Francisco, CA this summer. I have the Madness intake, 15% pulley, Milltek exhaust and Unichip. I don't think the Madness is CARB approved.

I saw on the forums that unless your intake is CARB approved, it's illegal in California. How do they know you have an aftermarket intake? I mean, I've been pulled over in California before and they never asked me for license, registration, proof of insurance AND open the hood so I can see your intake.

Is it something that only becomes an issue when you get your emission test done? Is doing the cowl mod (cutting holes) illegal, too? If I do the cowl mod, will that be an issue even if I put the stock air filter back in?

Any further info on this topic would be most appreciated. Does anyone know what the fine associated with an illegal intake is?

Thanks!

 

I lived in LA for couple of years. When i brought my car into the state,
I was required to do a smog check. Just put your factory intake on (just in case)
and after the smog check, putback your madness intake. I don't think youll
have any problems with your setup even without taking anything off.

Most smog centers are free unless you pass. :smile:

No, cops will not pull you over and ask you to pop your hood.

 

Welcome to California.
Your MINI will be closely examined when it is smog tested for registration and again for the DMV paperwork. Smog testing is a bit like a physical exam, plastic gloves included.
Most smog testers are very comprehensive, over looking nothing and reporting everything. It really is no big deal to find a CARB approved CAI and perhaps yours is.
I believe there is a link to CARB via the DMV web site. A little homework should relieve the anxiety.

 

I have never had any problems with mods to my car. As for smog goes, you will need to provide the proof that your mod is CARB approved. If not the technican is not suppose to test you... however, some shops will!

As for a pre-test I dont know if you are required to remove it for that. To be on the safe side I would just remove your aftermarket and replace the stock air box... it only takes about 20 mins to do.

Here is a link to the California website dealing with more info.

Legal/illegal items per CHP CHP Street legal

If you are moving to California-- new to california-DMV

There is a list of CARB Approved things somewhere.. I am still searching for that. I will post it here once I find it.

 

just found the link.... Its actually on the street legal page... here is the aftermarket parts listing. Sorry I couldnt get it in on the other post.

here

 

Thanks for the info and the sites.

I know that cars built for California get a CA Approved Catalytic converter on the header. Since I bought my car in Georgia, is the lack of a more restrictive converter going to be an issue?

I don't suppose the Milltek exhaust is going to cause a problem, too? Is there anyone who lives in California that has any of these mods and is ok by the state?

If they're that thorough, they're going to see the holes cut into the cowl after my stock intake is back on, aren't they? That might raise an eyebrow...

 

Where you are going to be living in CA has a lot to do with your hood being lifted or not. I live in the L.A area and they are really cracking down on aftermarket modded cars. It is mostly the import street racer types with the added on front mount intercoolers etc that are getting the heat but it is creating a situation where the police are becoming much more aware of what is and isn't stock. I've been lucky so far but a fix it ticket or worse is always just around the corner. The more stock the rest of your car appears the better off you are in the long run. I am pretty much screwed LOL .

 

Well, the Milltek exhaust is the only mod that would be visible really, and it definitely doesn't look or sound like a ricer. I mean, when it gets hot the tips stick out, but not a whole lot and it certainly doesn't look like the bazookas I see on Civics and Acuras driving around Atlanta.

Other than that, all my mods are under the hood, and the pulley mod is pretty much unnoticable to anyone but the dealer!

 

Neither the Madness intake or the UNICHIP are CARB approved (I have an ALTA and a UNICHIP). The beauty of both modifications is that they can easily be returned to stock for dealer/smog/law enforcement purposes. (Assuming you have your original air-box parts in the case of intake).

Realistically, unless your car looks like a "rice-rocket," your chances of getting stopped by the law, on looks alone, are relatively slim. However, if you are cited for a "speed contest" or illegal road racing (and that includes canyon carving) ... then be prepared for the officer to go thru your car "with a fine tooth comb."

I have a seriously modded JCW. I don't have front plates. In theory, I take a chance every time I drive the car ... I could be cited for no front plates. I have driven the car on the streets that way (touch-wood) for 2 years and haven't had a problem. But, I don't look "ricey" and I try (God help me ... I try) to obey the speed the limits!!! So far ... so good,

Basically " .... you pays your money and you takes your chances ..." Good luck and Welcome to California!

ftbt

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, DS/W; Sport + Premium + Alta CAI + Unichip + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, X Drilled + Slotted Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Schroth Harness and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

2002 CVT Cooper LY/W + Sport + 17" S Lites & Pirelii Euforias + Clear Bra

 

Be careful where you get your car smogged. Make sure the shop you go to is not just a check station that doesn't do repairs. They make their money on re-inspections so they will be extremely picky. Go to a repair station. They will be better to work with.

 

1. Maxmini : I saw you had the nitrous in your car and very visible are you not worried about police seeing this??? or isn't it a problem/illegal

2. Alta is working on getting CARB approved

3. For the Cali people the new law is cars after 2001 do not need smogging until 5th year after purchase. older cars is still 2 years, so that gives us Alta intake 3-4 years before switching it out for smog.

 

I didn't know that new cars after 2001 are requred for every 5 years smog. Where did you hear that? If this is the case... thats really cool. The cost of smog in California is just being jacked up so high. The state raised the standards last October which jacked up the prices around all of California, especailly in Northern California. Now everyone is running smog II (I am almost certain this is the same test, but more money,)

I agree with everyone about being steathly-- it will benifit you. If you draw attention you run the risk of being cited. As does everyone I drve without the front plates... I also invested in a radar detector to limit my speeding. Well, I speed more now, but I am more aware now.

As for nitrous.... that would move me closer to a rice rocket.... NO THANKS!!!! Might as well get some "spinners" or "dubs."

PS- there are too many idiots that live around me trying to be rice rockets... I'm a little turned off... if you have not noticed

 

I read it on http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov

 

Thanks. I will search around for that. If you have the specific link that would be great. I tried to do a search on the BAR for the subject, but it gave me too broad of a response. Thanks again, I will do some research... If I find it, I will post it.

 

I should really wait before submitting the post.... I found it!!

Here is the page with info on every 5 years....Link


Here is some more additional info
LINK

 

Grendel what nitrous ? But officer that is OXYGEN look at my gray hair i'm OLD :smile: Seriously it is very illegal out here but so is the lazer jammer :smile: . I just have been able to get by so far but if worse comes to worse I have high friends in places, or is that supposed to be friends in high places ? LOL

 

Reallydoesnt this look like a plain old oxygen bottel to you ? :smile:

 

CornOnTheCob,
All US MINIs are 50 state emission compliant. So you won't have any issues about that. especially if you do like has been suggested and slap your OEM filter on for a day or two. The thing you need the most is that plaque in the engine compartment just above the left front wheel well, it says "CATALYST" among a bunch of other stuff. The DMV verifier will be most interested with the plaque; you will have to point it out since MINI experiences at DMV have been little.
An appointment at DMV will help you get in and out quickly. Allow an extra 20 minutes for verification. AAA has a list of their approved smog certification stations. NorCalMINI members will have lots of suggestions too.

 

Actually some of the NOS brand stuff is CARB approved in Cali.

 

The link below is a very good place to start for California Street Legal

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/streetlegal.html

My understanding is that 'cat-back' exaust systems are smog legal, but the noise level is up to a citing officers opion. That opinion my be disputed by you in an official sound check station.


The link below is where you will find CARB Exempt Air Filter / Intakes listed by Mfg.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...rmktdevice.php

The 8 listed below are the only ones for a MINI that I have found so far.

EO: D-269-27
EO Date: 10/20/2003
Manufacturer Name: K & N Engineering, Inc.
Device: Typhoon Intake System
Device Type: Air Filter/ Intake Modification
69-2020TB 2002-2003 Mini Cooper L4-1.6L
69-2020TP 2002-2003 Mini Cooper L4-1.6L
69-2020TR 2002-2003 Mini Cooper L4-1.6L
69-2020TS 2002-2003 Mini Cooper L4-1.6L
69-2021TB 2002-2003 Mini Cooper S L4-1.6L Supercharged
69-2021TP 2002-2003 Mini Cooper S L4-1.6L Supercharged
69-2021TR 2002-2003 Mini Cooper S L4-1.6L Supercharged
69-2021TS 2002-2003 Mini Cooper S L4-1.6L Supercharged

Hope this helps...

 

Thanks for all the info everyone!

 

No problem, I hope this helps you figure it all out. Changing intake / airbox is no big deal, but I can count on that I will be lazy when it comes to changing it back during smog time, which is in 5 years... per the other posts. If I can even find my OEM airbox. At that point I dont want to have to pay late fees to DMV or go through any of the hassels that go with that. Having the CARB sticker helps out for my sanity. You know?

 

I purchased my MCS out of state in Nov 03. Prior to registrating it in CA I was required to have a smog test done on my 50 state car. Guess what it passed! well to a tune of 85 for an out of state smog certificate.

Hey Arnie, how about some more DMV reform.
You may want to know a new law was put into effect this year, that if you bring an out of state car into CA you will have 20 working days to get it registered without penalty.
This was in today's newspaper. http://www.modbee.com

The story was that the CHP may be asking citizens to turn in or spy upon new neighbors that are driving cars
having out of state registration.

Hope you have a really good reason to move...cause your gonna be second guessing yourself without it.