I have done a few searches under "emissions" and "smog". Most of the threads just talk about intakes or problems with Mini smog equipment.

My question goes out to the guys who have MINI's with a the following mods: exhaust & headers, intake, pulley, chip. Do you guys pass CA smog with all that stuff still on or do you put ALL the stock stuff back on? Do you just put the stock exhaust and intake back on?

What does it take to get pass CA smog once you do all this to your ride?
Craig

 

You'll need a CARB approved intake with the CARB sticker/paperwork or your stock airbox.

Exhaust is ok. I'm not sure if the pulley is ok or not, but it won't be picked up on an inspection, probably the same is true with the header.

I'm not sure about the software.

 

Are you saying I have to undo my intake?

How does the smog guy know what was there to start with and that this is not stock?? I mean it is not like he has smoged a bunch of MCSs.

Earl

 

Hey 10851cs, I like you screen name. How many people other do you think actually know what it means?

 

Given that most aftermarket intakes are cone filters I'd say that's a dead giveaway it's not stock. An aftermarket panel filter would be a lot harder to spot. So, yes, I would recommend you have a CARB intake or your stock airbox in place. It's specifically something that gets checked during the emissions inspection.

 

Pretty much everyone he tells, I think. To my knowledge, your the first one who's picked up on it without being told.

 

I dont think that you should be worrying about this much..... i believe that on new cars you dont need to get a smog for 6 years.... so worry about it in 6 years :P

 

The DMV site says:


Vehicles that are four model years old or less are exempt from the biennial smog requirements for registration renewal.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm

 

Vehicles that are four model years old, or less, are exempt from the biennial smog inspection for registration renewal. These vehicle owners will pay an annual $4 smog abatement fee for the first four registration years.


Effective January 1, 2004, vehicles six model years or less will be exempt from the biennial smog check requirement in the counties listed below. The remainder of the State will continue to have a four-model year exemption from the biennial smog check requirement.

Counties with six (or less) model year exemption, all zip codes included:

Butte Nevada Santa Cruz
Colusa San Benito Shasta
Glenn San Luis Obispo Tehama
Monterey Santa Barbara Yuba

Partial counties with six (or less) model year exemption, listed zip codes only:

Kern 93501, 93505,93519, 93523, 93524, 93527, 93528, 93554, 93555
Marin 94924, 94929, 94933, 94937, 94938, 94940, 94946, 94950, 94956, 94963, 94970, 94971
Napa 94503, 94508, 94515, 94562, 94567, 94573, 94574, 94576
San Diego 91917, 91935, 92061, 92065, 92035, 92082
San Mateo 94018, 94019, 94020, 94021, 94037, 94038, 94060, 94074
Santa Clara 94550, 95023, 95076, 95140
Sonoma 94515, 94972, 95416, 95431, 95433, 95442, 95452, 95476, 95487
Sutter 95622, 95950, 95953, 95957, 95982, 95991, 95992, 95993

 

From my smog experiences. Go to the smog test only places that retest for free if you don't pass. If you go to a repair shop they might give you a hard time wanting to get smog repair jobs. The test only places generally don't care as much what you have if it isn't obvious. Cone filter yes. Other than that they won't care unless you can't pass.

Patrick

 

Recently my 2003 MCS was "unofficially" tested at a certified smog place, and it passed with flying colors . Of note, the CO2 was 14.6% at idle and speed, while the passing level for that component is 14.7%. So, what's the big deal? At the time of testing my car had the following mods:

Pipercross Viper CAI, 62mm TB, ported/polished head, Schrick cam (264), MM header with OBDII catalytic converter, Miltek cat-back, 180 degree thermostat, 15% pulley and Evotech ECU upgrade.

The only real give-away of alteration is the CAI. While my heavily modded car met emission requirements, I still may put on the stock CAI when I renew the license in a year or two.

 

The K & N Typhoon intake, for the Cooper and Cooper S, is street legal in California.... and come with a CARB sticker.

retroom

 

On intake filter systems a CARB number is not needed. As a Ca. Smog Tech., this is what I go by

This is from the California Smog Check Inspection Manual

“Items that are not of concern as long as the required emission controls are connected and functioning. (No Executive Order number is needed).

* Non-thermostatically controlled air cleaners and/or elements. (Note Applicable PCV and/or EVAP systems must remain closed with the new air cleaner assembly installed. Additionally, any other emission related components must remain intact)
* Air conditioner cut-out systems
* Anti-theft systems
* Blowby oil separators and filters
* Electronic ignition systems retrofitted to vehicles originally equipped with points, as long as the original advance controls are maintained
* Engine shut off system
* Governors
* Ignition bridges and coil modifications
* Throttle lockout systems
* Intercoolers for OEM turbochargers
* Under-Carburetor screens
* Vapor/steam/water injectors”


Headers on CAT required cars DO require a CARB label. However the Mini comes standard with a tube header so most Smog Techs would never catch this (except me ) also the heat shields prevent it from being seen. Be careful, most after market headers come with OBD I CATS, this may cause a MIL to come on.

There no test for Pulley, Cam, T/B, or Programming.

I work at a Test Only Center and my car passes the emissions test with flying colors.

Dave

 

You may be suprised with what we know.

Dave

 

I have the Alta intake. I wrote to them earlier this month to ask about CARB certification, and this was the reply:
Hey D1, where is your smog test station located? If Alta hasn't gotten their act together by the time Peanut needs to be tested again, maybe I'll come see you!

 

I believe Dave lives a few minutes away from Steve's auto clinic in North Hills area