I"ve got a nice quick 2003/EB MCS running great with the Powerchip ECU, 15% pulley, Madness cold air in, MagnaFlow exhaust, and all is well on 93 Octane here in Florida... But... I may be moving to Southern California. Land of 91 Octane, and rip-off smog tests.

Does anyone know what I have to do, or what I may expect with regards to registering and driving my modded Mini in Southern California?


Thanks for any info....

 

Driving is not the problem, but finding a smog center, when the time comes, that will ignore your none CARB ( California Air Resources Board ) http://www.arb.ca.gov/ CAI might take a little time.

Not impossible though. I too have a Alta CAI and Magnaflow, and my only real concern would be getting pulled over by an overzealous officer and having to open the hood where he would see my CAI. All CAI in california must have a CARB sticker or else they are illegal in CA. http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/aftermkt.htm

Good news is that there no longer is an ** Import fee** which many people had to pay when bringing none California cars into the state.

 

I had a intake on my old 98 Prelude while I lived in LA... no one commented
anything about it being illegal during the smog check.

But you could put back the stock one in there (only takes about 15min)
before you take it in. smog test are free until you pass....at least that
was the way 4-5 years ago.

 

Many us in CA have kept our stock boxes for a re-install, when that time comes. Thankfully, it should only take 20 or so minutes. CARB certification is a big plus to avoid the hassle... Welcome to CA!

 

Akajoker, THANKS!!

I went to the CA website to check out about cold air intakes but saw no reference to CARB (California Air Resources Board) stickers. Is this something my Madness cold air intake should come with from the manufacturer? Or is it something one can get?

Also, I'm still wondering what is going to happen going from 93 octane here in FL to 91 octane in CA. I'm going to miss my octane! ;-)

 

If you live near Huntington Beach I know of a place - thanks to another NAM member - where you can get 100 octane straight from the pump. For $6+ a gallon!

 

If you check the second link I posted you will see that their is a list of "CARB Approved" aftermarket products. If the manufacturer of your CAI, is not listed it is thus "illegal" and would not have a CARB sticker. Apparently it is a very big pain for manufacturers to get approved so some don't bother to try in CA.

 

Currently, I have the Madness/Rogue intake as well. It was a couple years ago, but George at Madness told me that he would be sending-out CARB stickers. I don't know if that ever happened, at least I never got mine. With M7's new intake coming to mkt soon, I guess I won't bother pursuing it (the Madness CARB), but you might want to contact George at MINI Madness to see...

If I read that right, looks like only the K&N Typhoon is the only on CARB-approved in CA, via Executive Order:

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

 

Very interesting on the CARB stickers. I'll get in touch with George at MiniMadness and see if they have gone through the process.

And $6 bucks a gallon for 100 octane!!??!! Wow, that's almost as expensive as Starbucks!

Thanks everybody!!

 

Make an appt at a DMV.
Go get the car smogged at a CA smog station.
Then you do the forms to import & register a car into the state. You will need the title and the old registration. When your slot is called, most of the work will be done. Then you go get inspected....

Your car will have to go through a visual inspection at a DMV. This is to look for the 50 state emissions sticker under the hood. They are also supposed to inspect that the equipment has not been modified. This step will be harder to get through than finding a no-lookie smog station. They will also check break lights and turn signals (we want everyone to be safe here.....)

After this, you go back inside to who was helping you before. They finish the paperwork and take your money. They will give you a piece of paper and you will go to a window where they will give you plates and reg stickers.

You're done!

I've done this twice in the last two year. Not a big hassle, but it's dealing with a rather apathetic beurocracy.

Oh yeah, take a checkbook!

Matt

 

A DMV appointment is a must unless you like to have lunch while waiting in line. The earlier in the day your appointment the faster you will be outa there and on your way. :smile: The DMV line can get very long by 8:30AM.
What part of our glorious Country of California will you be moving to?
Have you applied for your visa to move to California?

 

Welcome! I lived in Florida for 4 years, and have lived in So Cal for 19 years. To be honest, I would not move to the So Cal area today because of the traffic, high home prices (300K+ for a condo!), general congestion, and fast paced lifestyle. If you don't accelerate from the traffic light the moment it turns green, you get honked at! But we do have the BEST weather in the country...No humidity, sunny climate, and mild temperatures.

If it's job related, I fully understand. Your Mini is perfect here with no snow and road salt to rust out your Cooper, and you can fit in all of the new "compact" parking stalls developers are installing. Stay clear of the sand and gravel trucks on the local freeways (rocks & sand = death to windshield).

 

Rick, if you don't mind where in HB - what are the cross streets? I like adding an occasional shot every now and then and would like to see how the car runs with the GIAC at 100 octane..thanks. AMPR

 

Thanks for all the DMV info guys...

I guess I owe and explanation.
I lived in So. Cal all my life, moved to FL in '99 because I wanted to try some "waterfront" property with the sailboat on my own dock. (Fast mini sailboat too!! F-24 corsair trimaran--this boat scares me) Fast boats, cars...ugh, I digress.

Anyway, I work on the road, so can live nearly anywhere an airport isn't too far away. I've pretty much had it with FL and it's, old folks, neo-cons, and not to forget ...four hurricanes. I'm tradin' in my hurricanes for So. Cal. earthquakes, and Santa Ana driven fires... There... I feel better already!

I'm looking presently in the hills/mountains east of San Diego. So... there you have it. BTW, I'm going to love getting back in the hills and the twisties with my Mini. In FL everything is pretty much built on the square...boring...and flat.

Regarding my "visa" to move to California... I'm a naturalized Californian, dont' need one!


Thanks again guys!

 

Thanks for the explanation. Make sure you hook-up with the Southern California Mini Maniac (SCMM) club http://clubscmm.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1153 for the monthly runs. This link gives you information to the next one driving out to Indio. Check out the photo overlooking Palm Desert and that winding road. That should wet your Mini appetite! Florida can't compete with this! Welcome back...

 

I live in Lakeside, just east of San Diego. If you want any info on real estate I could send you a local paper with info that may not be on the internet.

When are you coming out? We, http://www.westcoastminiclub.org/, drive the back roads about every two to three weeks. Last weekend we went to breakfast and a great drive.

Earl

 

It is at a car wash on the west side of Beach Blvd north of Adams. I will get the address this week.

 

Another native returns to the motherland.
Tons of things are always happening in the area. You will love the Mini community, the events and, most of all, the people.