Greetings,

So my lovely and I will be motoring west to set up house in San Diego and I have concerns about my mini being legal out there. It's got a 17%, CAI, Milltek header and pipes as well as a tune and some suspension work. Do you know if I will have any problems getting tags or passing insp and such with these mods?

thanks in advance.

j.

Well first, stop using "Cali." That's a city in Colombia.

By the letter of the law, you won't pass inspection. CA law forbids any changing or modification of the exhaust system.

Fortunately, the letter doesn't get observed too often.

You might try to go to the general mini talk forum and look for the "an issue when buying an out of state used mini" thread.

Tint is only legal on the back and rear sides. No tint on the front, drivers or passenger windows. It is not a moving violation, but you can be pulled over for it. It's a $10 fix it ticket that needs to be signed off after the correction.

I went 12 years on one car before a young office pulled me over for it and cited me.

Emissions is a different game. Modification to engine are not permitted unless the device has a CARB number. You can search for the numbers here.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...es/amquery.php

A catback doesn’t count as it is after the catalytic converter. If the header doesn’t have a CARB number then you could fail the visual. It's up to the SMOG tech to catch it though. He may not even notice it.

They can’t see the tune, but make sure you don’t have any Check Engine Light turned on. If you still have the catalytic converter you should pass the tail pipe easy.

Suspension you can do what you want. It doesn’t seem to be an issue on the Mini but you can only lower a car so far. The California Highway Patrol has the guild lines posted but basically if you get a flat the car can’t drag on the pavement.

So when you get here the DMV will want to see the car and the paperwork. They check the VIN and such. Then they will send you to get a SMOG inspection.
If you do fail you can try another shop but you still spend the money for another SMOG. If you find it’s too much work then going back to stock or find a shop that cheats the system but expect to pay about $500 to pass.

If you have any other questions about it ask.

Tint is like $250+ now

LOL, not in Norcal but your much closer the SD then I am. I'm sure each city can set their own fees. I know SF no front plate ticket is bucks, but the CHP is still $10.

You have to worry about the tint here, especially after a cop has been killed. They get very nervous about cars that they can't see what the driver is up to.

Plus with the new cell phone law, they might nail you for tinting because they can't tell if you're using your handset or not.

I never thought there would be any vehicle code or municipal or state ticket that would be considered a bargain, but $10, wow...

I know. I've gotten a no front plate and tint ticket in the last year.

I had a friend in SFPD sign them off and just mail a $10 check. The CHP pulled me off the freeway for the plate. What a waste of there time.

You can't mess with the intake side either. So his CAI may cause a problem also.

I don't know of ANY aftermarket header that is legal in California

I have lived in California since day one. Brought a few cars in from out-of-state. It was I who posted the info on buying an out-of-state MINI.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...+of+state+mini

One interesting note: Where are you moving to in San Diego? The DMV online says that some counties by Zip Code do NOT require SMOG certification at registration time. I don't know if that applies to California resident registration "renewals" ONLY or for anyone, including people moving into the State. But maybe your residence zip code does not require inspections /certifications? Enter your ZIP in the below link and see if it is exempted. Wouldn't that be a hoot if it was!

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/Applicat...ZipLookup.aspx

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

Bonus Tip: Enter your's and your wife's work addresses and also the home. That gives you three chances that maybe one of them will fall within the exempted Zip Codes. Maybe you can use a relative's Zip too, if you are gonna park the MINI there.

Here are more details.

1. Don't go by what some people are saying in here. Don't try to evade the system or think you will get away with circumventing the laws. E.g., I would not pin my hopes on finding someone to illegally pass your vehicle on a smog inspection. You run the risk, also, that you may be paying $500 to an undercover agent who will bust you on a felony.

2. The way I understand it to work, you first get a smog certificate. It's possible that there are only certain testing shops authorized to inspect and issue certificates on out-of-state cars. Those shops are very strict and follow the rules to the letter because they are selected by the State to be "special certification stations." Some are "enhanced stations" others are "test only" and yet another is a "test and repair" center. I'd be nervous going to a test and repair center because it seems there is an incentive to fail the MINI then hit you for repair costs.

When they complete the inspection, they give you a certificate [a computer readout] that also is sent online to Sacramento DMV headquarters, so it's in the system when you go to DMV.

I do not believe the way it works for out-of-state is that you go to DMV, then they tell you to get certified /tested, then to come back. No one would be that cruel, even the bureaucratic DMV employees who hate anyone who walks into the door.

3. After getting your smog certificate you must visit the DMV for an inspection and completion of registration information. Best to go online and make an appointment for a registration / inspection. If you just show up without an appointment plan on being there three or more hours [especially with the cutbacks of employees due to the budget impasse.]

https://eg.dmv.ca.gov/foa/clear.do?goTo=officeVisit

4. Go online and download all the forms you need. Fill them out ahead of time.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/formsreg_alpha.htm

5. Be advised that most inspectors will access the online database and see what all your car should have in terms of equipment [aka emission control system / devices].

Most inspectors will see on the computer that you have had the smog inspection and passed, so what they are looking for when physically inspecting the MINI is that all the equipment is there.

Here is the inspection form the DMV inspector will fill out [on the back]:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg343.pdf

6. Some inspectors are more thorough than others. I have seen some get in there with a flashlight and check off each item that is supposed to be present. Others have popped open the hood, quickly eyeballed things and ended the inspection in two minutes. One time I had a Ducati 998 inspected and I thought that would be a breeze. The DMV inspector spent 15 minutes looking for data on his PC so he could know what to look for. The he spent about 30 minutes inspecting, looking for all the emissions stuff. Then he could not find one of the VINs. He was going to flunk me, then we were able to remove a cover and he saw it. What a PITA.

But you should assume that you will get the Inspection **** who will don his coveralls and spend an hour looking things over.

7. They also are trained to look for other things, the most important to match the VINs in the engine, frame, windshield and your paperwork. Some will do a safety check such as making sure the brake lights and lights are working, wipers, plates on front and back, tires not worn down to unsafe remaining tread, etc. [They can pretty much do anything they want to pass or not pass your MINI. Just be nice, "yes sir, no sir" and play along. Just pretend it's WWII, you escaped a POW camp and the DMV people are the guards you are trying to get past so you can slip into Switzerland.]

8. Bonus Tip: When making an appointment, try to get one for a Friday about 3:00 PM or later. This is because odds are you will get an inspector in a good mood because the weekend is coming and he or she will want to rush you through. The worst day, as you can imagine, is Monday mornings.

Sorry for all the grim news, but you [wisely] asked.

So whats the difference between the, Enhanced and Basic smog check? I just checked my mom's zip and it falls in the basic category. And whats the likly hood of transfering the registration there?

I dunno, but when we sold an old Audi last year it was right around registration renewal time. So I figured might as well pay the reg and smog it since I was not sure if the car would sell in time to avoid late reg penalties.

Went to my 76 Union gas station to do the SMOG [where I go to get minor things done.] They were all set to do it then they connected to DMV computers and said "Sorry, you have to go to a test-only smog inspection station." He gave me directions to a place, went there and got the job done.

But I did not see where the "enhanced station" guy did anything different. In fact, the place was kind of dumpy and no way I would have taken my cars there to get worked on, not even an oil change. Note: I had to go to a test-only center, but I am not sure if it was also an "enhanced testing station." I dropped the car off and did not see if he did the enhanced tests, which includes putting the car on a dynamometer and driven while the smog machine collects emissions samples from the tailpipe. I understand basic stations test the car at idle, which is less accurate.

The car passed, that's all I cared about. Guess I should have paid closer attention.

As bad luck would have it, the Audi sold before the reg was due. $180 down the drain since no buyer ever cares that the reg has been paid, except me, who always seems to buy cars right when the reg for the next year has to be paid, like my MINI in June 2008, reg was due 18 days after I bought the car.

The DMV does not check addresses you put on the forms. Can you imagine that, DMV sending out investigators to verify your MINI is parked at your mom's house.

Matter of fact, many, many people do not put their real physical addressed on DMV forms because they do not want stalkers or whoever finding them. Famous people, the paranoid and cautious people don't put their real addresses on something as simple to obtain as DMV info.

Not saying you should do that, but I certainly do not put my address where the cars and superbikes are parked. I have had P.O. Boxes since the first year of college and have not used anything else but such for all my mail.

The DMV asks for two things on most forms, physical address where the car is parked and mailing address. You can take it from there on what to do.

Oh, one important point. If you are in Fresno and your mom is in a different county, that might be a problem with the DMV. Don't do anything that might be considered a crime [lying on a DMV form to circumvent smog laws.]

Also, always give your insurance company accurate information because rates are based on geographic region [for now, the law might be changing in that regard, no more rates based on zip code]. But you don't want the carrier to be giving you a cheaper rate because it thinks you are in a safer region when in fact you are not. Of course, if you are both in the same area, then this is not an issue, usually.

Welcome to Cali!

I've hardly ever had a problem with tint and I'm on the road all the time (20-30k miles/year). If you're worried about getting hassled then just roll them down around LEO's.

Exhaust is fine if it's cat-back. If you have a downpipe, you should be fine as long as it has a cat. Most cat equipped down pipes look relatively stock, and most smog techs don't check for CARB EO numbers if it doesn't look like anything's changed. If you have a cat, you will pass the sniff test.

You might have an issue with your intake but that's a quick swap prior to inspection. And as always, it's pretty easy to find places that will pass your car no matter what so don't worry too much about it. Well, as long as you don't leave it til the last minute. Not good to have a looming smog check date and not have found your smog guy yet.

I have heard of "those places" on the news when they did an expose. But have never looked for one. When the news covered the scandal, the news crew went undercover with the DMV cops. They busted a few of those shops, closed them down and sent the guys to six months in jail. As I recall, the fine was huge.

But the news said that lots of those shops thrive in L. A. despite law enforcement crackdowns.

I don't know if he qualifies to get the inspection done at a regular inspection station [test only vs. test and repair.] If he has to go to a special shop, I don't know that those will pass his car "no matter what," as you say. The test and repair obviously can repair his MINI so it will pass.

I think a problem he has is that the smog station is supposed to also inspect the car and certify that he has all the equipment that's on the DMV's checklist. If the station signs off on it, but the guy shows up to DMV and they see the equipment is missing, then the station is going to get busted. I don't know that any station is going to risk that.

But I don't know what's going on on the streets, so I can't really comment on exactly what avenues he has.

As to his parts, some of the aftermarket performance products on the market are NOT authorized for California street use, and will definitely pose an emissions threat.

You know more than I about his equipment and the risk he runs. I don't know if any of his parts have an Executive Order number, that is, a number given to performance products which the State of California has inspected and approved for street use. Most manufactures of these products will stamp the EO number on their product.

In some cases EO Numbered decals are provided with the component and required to be placed under the vehicle's hood. The smog station which will be inspecting his MINI must have the EO number readily available, either via a decal, stamp or the specific component's manual. His vehicle will fail the smog test if he is not able to provide EO numbers for his performance products.

I wouldn't follow the advice from those saying you're ok if it's only "cat-back."

Guess again.

A couple years ago, a bunch of clowns in Oakland though it would be fun to have a muffler shop weld washers into their tail pipes, to make a whistling sound as they drove.

The law stepped in after a lot of noise complaints. Cited the drivers, AND the shop for modifying the original exhaust system. The law is on the books.

The shop I know of is a Test Only station. You usually can find out about them by other car guys and you need to be a long time member.

But that's beside the point. You can go to the DMV 1st. I have a few times to get the paperwork started and the inspection. They mainly make sure it's a 50 state car. They will then tell you to go get a smog check. It doesn’t matter if it's a Test only station or a Test and Repair place.

You playing a numbers game at this point if you don’t correct the Mini. Plenty of real shops will pass the car because they either don’t catch it or don’t know what they are looking at. You can increase your odds by finding a very busy SMOG shop as they just run cars though as quickly as possible. Remember they really just want to take your money. I have plenty of friends with long tube headers, lumpy cam shafts and CAI kits that pass all the time as long as you pass the tail pipe test.

BTW Enhanced is the Smog check on the loaded dyno. Basic is just the idle and RPM test with no load.

Honestly I would but the exhaust before the catback back to stock so it’s something you don’t need to worry about. I say that because San Diego is the inventor of what is called the DRAG net, which is growing traction in CA. Basically once a LEO has you pulled over for anything they can have you open your hood for a safety inspection. Don’t say no because then your citied for obstruction.

If they think you have illegal modification you are sent to the State Referee. You do have the option to bypass the Ref but you pay a $500 or more fine.
Even stock cars are being sent to the REF.

Whistles are illegal and is a CVC violation. So is having a car that makes more them 95db but that’s a different CVC.

CVC 27150. (a) Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

The DMV doesn't verify the smog check's findings. If he gets a passing smog certificate he's good to go. Cali doesn't have inspections performed by the DMV.

The parts that are not authorized for street use don't necessarily produce an emissions threat. Many manufacturers don't pursue CARB testing because it's very expensive, and takes a lot of time before they can even get scheduled to have testing done. What ends up happening is that they put it out as 49 state legal because they don't really want to deal with Cali's hassles. Will most (key word "most") 49 state legal gear pass the sniffer? Yes. And I'll reiterate that if the equipment looks stock, the smog guy won't even blink on the visual inspection. On one of my previous cars, I had long tube headers (illegal because they move the position of the O2 sensor by about 5 inches) but I still had hi flow cats. The car never failed the emissions test and I never had a problem getting it smogged. Someone mentioned that an intake might be a problem and this is true because it's easy to see that it's not stock. That, however, is something that can be swapped out prior to a smog check.

As for the "less than legal" stations, you don't just go around asking stations to do it. lol You usually find the places through others' recommendations. And that's a last resort. Somg checks aren't really as scary as people make them out to be. Many shops will ignore the visual inspection if it passes the sniffer. Most people will never, ever need to find one of the "questionable ethics" places.

Wrong. As someone just posted, whistles are covered by a different section of the law. Cat back exhausts are fine as long as they don't exceed the noise limit stated in the VC. Most exhaust manufacturers make their systems so that they comply with noise laws, and even if you had a relatively loud one, exhaust tickets are what people call an "a$$h0le ticket." Act like an a$$h0le when a cop pulls you over, or drive around gunning it all the time like a douche, you're probably gonna get a ticket for it...

Modification of Exhaust Systems

27151. (a) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of the vehicle so that the vehicle is not in compliance with the provisions of Section 27150 or exceeds the noise limits established for the type of vehicle in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200). No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system so modified.
(b) For the purposes of exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or less, when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998, complies with this section. Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.

Amended Sec. 10, Ch. 92, Stats. 2001. Effective January 1, 2002.

Regulations Governing Exhaust Systems

27150.2. (a) Stations providing referee functions pursuant to Section 44036 of the Health and Safety Code shall provide for the testing of vehicular exhaust systems and the issuance of certificates of compliance only for those vehicles that have received a citation for a violation of Section 27150 or 27151.
(b) A certificate of compliance for a vehicular exhaust system shall be issued pursuant to subdivision (a) if the vehicle complies with Sections 27150 and 27151. Exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds comply with Sections 27150 and 27151 if they emit no more than 95 dbA when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998.

(c) An exhaust system certificate of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision (a) shall identify, to the extent possible, the make, model, year, license number, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle tested, and the make and model of the exhaust system installed on the vehicle.

(d) The station shall charge a fee for the exhaust system certificate of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision (a). The fee charged shall be calculated to recover the costs incurred by the Department of Consumer Affairs to implement this section. The fees charged by the station shall be deposited in the Vehicle Inspection and Repair Fund established by Section 44062 of the Health and Safety Code.

(e) Vehicular exhaust systems are exempt from the requirements of Sections 27150 and 27151 if compliance with those sections, or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, would cause an unreasonable hardship without resulting in a sufficient corresponding benefit with respect to noise level control.

Amended Sec. 4, Ch. 92, Stats. 2001. Effective January 1, 2002.
Amended Sec. 3, Ch. 569, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd12c5a2.htm

Cool you found it. 95db is not that loud BTW. Last month I had a friend in a stock LS2 GTO with a Magnaflow catback get sent to the Ref and it failed by 1db.

Magnaflow makes the quietest catback for the GTO and it failed.

Just so were clear the catback is not an emissions device so the smog shop doesn’t test it. It's a Vehicle code violation that an office can write you up for. I sure wish Harleys fell into this CVC.

Ugh... what's with calling it "Cali." Never heard that slang anywhere. But I'm not in the inner circle of hip talk.

As to what the DMV does, I am not aware that they "verify" the station's findings [e.g. they only confirm the vehicle passed.] What the DMV has is computer access to the Sacramento database where the inspecting station sent the test results.

As to what the DMV inspects, all I can go on is what the DMV did on my out-of-state vehicles when I took them in to get registered, and what happened to my friends on their inspections.

Each time DMV had a computer printout with a graphic of what and where the emissions control system devices the vehicle should have. The inspector looked for the VINs to match and did a cursory scan to see if my vehicles had the "stock" emissions control equipment.

My last was in 2004. Maybe they don't do that any longer or the San Francisco DMV was more strict.

Here is how California designates the stations and testers:

The Smog Check area in which a vehicle is registered will determine the type of test it needs to receive certification, and the frequency of testing. The Smog Check area in which a station is located will determine which licenses the technician must possess and what equipment must be used to test vehicles. The ZIP Code locator can be used to determine your Smog Check area. The Smog Check Program Area Map provides a view of the California Smog Check Program areas.

Areas of the State

All areas of California require Smog Check certifications when a specified model year vehicle changes ownership or is registered for the first time in California. The Smog Check program divides the state into four areas.

Enhanced Areas: Vehicles within specified model years are required to be certified every two years during their registration renewal with DMV. Also a portion of the vehicles are required to obtain a certificate (passing Smog test) from a Test-Only or Gold Shield station. Vehicles registered in an Enhanced Area must receive an ASM (Acceleration Simulation Mode) Smog Check unless the vehicle is not compatible.

Partially Enhanced Areas: Vehicles within specified model years are required to be certified every two years during their registration renewal with DMV. Vehicles are not directed to be certified at Test Only or Gold Shield stations. Vehicles registered in a Partially Enhanced Area must receive an ASM Smog Check unless the vehicle is not compatible.

Basic Areas: Vehicles within specified model years are required to be certified every two years during their registration renewal with DMV. Vehicles registered in a Basic Area must receive a TSI (Two Speed Idle) Smog Check.
Change of Ownership Areas: Vehicles within specified model years are required to be certified only upon change of ownership or initial registration in California. Vehicles registered in this area must receive a TSI (Two Speed Idle) Smog Check.

Testing Equipment

All stations use equipment called BAR-97 Emissions Inspection Systems (EIS).
Enhanced Area Equipment: Enhanced and Partially Enhanced area stations use an EIS with a treadmill-like device called a dynamometer to simulate actual driving conditions. A few vehicles, such as large trucks, some four-wheel drive vehicles and some vehicles with traction control, will receive a Two Speed Idle inspection without the use of the dynamometer.
Basic Area Equipment: Basic and Change of Ownership area stations also use an EIS, but are not required to have a dynamometer.

Technician Licenses

The Advanced Emission Specialist (EA) Technician License allows an individual to inspect, diagnose, adjust, repair, and certify the emissions control systems of vehicles registered in all areas of the state, including Enhanced Areas. Only technicians with this license may use the EIS with a dynamometer to perform Enhanced Inspections.

The Basic Area (EB) Technician License allows an individual to inspect, diagnose, adjust, repair, and certify the emissions control systems of vehicles registered in the state's Basic and Change of Ownership Areas.

The Intern (EI) Technician License allows an individual, under the direction of a supervising, licensed Smog Check Technician, to perform repairs or make adjustments to the emissions control systems for vehicles that have failed a Smog Check inspection. The Intern Technician license may be used statewide, but it is a nonrenewable license and expires after two years. This license does NOT allow the licensee to perform Smog Check inspections.