anyone out there know of modifications to reduce the emissions from LEV to ULEV or even SULEV(ha)? And if so, would these mods negate the warranty? really. i'm serious. thanks for your help. :smile:

-=lotus_grrl=-

 

The only way I know of to make a Mini a SULEV is to buy
one and not put the key in it. Other members may have
other ideas.

 

lotus_girl: welcome to MCO!

I don't think there is much chance of improving the emissions. Someone might have some other ideas.

 

Interesting. Here are a couple items from other threads on the board.

also, you might want to check out this thread as there is a little discussion about fuel economy going on.

_________________

 

Well, what about some alternative catlaytic converter a la "California Emissions Packages" that other vehicles sometimes get? i've tried a quick web search on catalytic converters and emissions reductions, but i'm not getting back what i'm looking for. this is a deal-breaker for me. while i'm sure many of you are into rallying and racing (and I've been there- I have an old mustang cobra), i'm trying to find an aesthetically pleasing car that has just enough zoom to satisfy my speed lust, good handling, decent creature comforts, and excellent gas mileage / emissions. it's not an oxymoron; the cooper is definitely a step in the right direction here.

any other suggestions? thanks.

-lotus_grrl

 

As far as new Cats go, I think there's a lot of room for improvement there. I dont know much about them myself, but i talked to my dealer for a while about the same type of thing. Essentially she said that the current catallytic converter isn't very high-flowing and isn't particularly efficient. She was of the impression that a new cat could be fitted that would both improve flow AND emissions. The only downside it that it's probably not cheap at all (hence why they aren't included on the car in the first place)

 

I am not to well versed regarding the mini's emmision system. But most modern day vehicles come with extremely efficient cats. To actually "upgrade" the cat to a higher flowing one on most cars will have next to nothing gains. I am almost sure that the mini utilizes more than one cat since it is a ulev vehicle, possibly even 3 cats. One can eliminate 1 of the cats while still retaining the primary cat without failing emmissions tests.

Or you could increase the diameter of the exhaust not more than 2.25 on the regular mini and 2.5 on the S. Then utilize a bigger cat perhaps from an older american made vehicle (u pick junkyard special)

This will work much better than just upgrading to supposed "high performance" cats of the same diameter. These mods should not negate the warranty or emmision system too

 

>>Well, what about some alternative catlaytic converter a la "California Emissions Packages" that other vehicles sometimes get? {clip}

I think I know where you're going here, but I also believe that the MINI -- as is the case with most cars now sold in the U.S. is sold in all 50 states with an emissions system that meets the California standards. Basically, car manufs have determined that it makes more sense to create ONE car to sell nationwide that meets the highest standard (Yeah! to states like CA for leading the way on this type of thing!!). So anyway, there's no alternative cat, speced by the manuf, that has a higher emissions standard.

As for aftermarket, I suspect that there's endless tinkering that could be done by those so qualified and inclined (check MINI2 threads for this), but I'd also wager that in the end the results will be more expensive than the benefits to your individual car and related problems warrant. Bottom line is that a well-engineered, mass market (well, not as "mass" as some cars, but still no exotic) car like the MINI is what it is from the manuf. They've created the balance between performance, reliability, emissions, etc. Tinkering with that equation is difficult.

I'm sure that there are engineers out there who would take this as a challenge and get out their screwdivers
...but for anyone less than the highly technical, I think this is it.

 

Don't know if this will help, but one of my concerns when we installed our full Supersprint exhaust system was the emissions. Being in the business of SRI (socially responsible investing) for the last dozen years, my philosophy has always been to maximize (investment) performance while still holding to one's values. In the MINI world, that translates to maximizing the automotive performance while trying to minimize the ecological impacts.

After our headers and mufflers and such were installed on our MCS, I paid to have a California emissions "Test Only" facility (where the gross polluters are sent) run smog tests and to my relief the numbers came back very low, way below the allowable amounts for emissions. Unfortunately, I didn't think of doing this until after the two-day installation of the nearly $3K system and wasn't about to reverse the procedure to have a baseline test run.

For what it's worth, that's my smog experiment so far. Also, from an environmental impact standpoint... lightening the weight of the car (and the occupants as some wags have pointed out) is the best way to increase acceleration while simultaneously decreasing gas consumption and thus emissions output...

 

Headers? What header out there is legal for street?

 

Supersprint headers are NOT legal for the street. Then again, it's NOT legal to drive 5 mph over the speed limit either.

I don't want cars that are "dirtier" from an emissions standpoint... but if they're not "legal" to the letter of the law... they will just join the long list of other "outlaw" cars I've been driving (MCS is car #19 for me, most have been modded).

Anyway, I'm aware of the risk I'm taking with the headers-- which is why I had the factory heatshield that was on top of the OE exhaust manifold modified so that you can't see the headers from above. Can't pop the hood and see the cool stainless steel headers... but casually prying police officers or mechanics won't see them either. My main concern (besides high HP... Supersprint claims 21 HP at the wheels/25 or so at the crank for their whole system) was that my whole exhaust system have relatively low emissions (i.e. comparable to factory).