I'm in California and I'm looking at buying an out-of-state modified Cooper S. Here's the engine related mods...

RMW Street Cam
Unichip PiggyBack ECU
Alta Airbox/Foam Air Filter
15% Webb Motorsports Pulley
Ireland Engineering Cat Back Exhaust
Nology hotwires
Larger Intercooler
Silicone Hoses

As near as I can tell, the only thing that looks to cause an issue with the visual inspection is the Alta airbox (which is not CARB approved and is obvious).

Can anyone confirm that for me? Any other input or comments on this are GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!

 

I have an 06 GP with a RMW dominator cam and tune and I just had the smog test done with no problems. The only thing might be the intake for the visual but that is up to the place doing the test. I saw that ad and I was tempted to buy that car for that price even though it was in Colorado.

 

I also saw that car...killer price. Changing the airbox back to oem will help in passing the CA visual inspection.

 

+1 The CAI will catch their attention & possibly look closer @ the other things.
It has been rumored that some inspectors know the difference as far as the look of the pullies, if you run accross someone locally who looks like they have a modified Mini or can find a local Mini club, maybe they can point you to a more forgiving inspection station.

 

I've seen multiple threads on modding Cali cars, and was wondering why the non-OEM air filter causes such a ruckus with the state inspections?

I see that some aftermarket air filters are state/EO approved, but why not all? I could understand if an aftermarket mod allowed more pollutants to exit the vehicle and into the enviironment, but an airbox/air filter just allows your engine to breathe easier. Why is that verboten, such a no-no?

Just curious, and feeling empathetic for all the Cali residents who deal with that s#it.

 

Basiclly it's to make it easier on them, Blanket "No Modifications at ALL, without approval" made the burden fall on others, rather than them, to wade through the sea of mfgr's & parts.

 

Thanks everyone. California is just a pain. The visual inspection really serves no purpose. If it passes the tailpipe, it should pass. Have I mentioned California is a pain?

They've been cracking down too. I bought my 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited used and it had an AFE cold air intake installed. It passed smog two times and on the last visit they wouldn't pass it because of the CAI. I had to put the stock one back on for the test.

I think the stock airbox will do the trick. The car in Colorado looks like a good deal and I'm super interested. Just trying to get all my ducks in a row before I commit.

Thanks again!

 

California has weird laws. The reason you see so many "Beefed Up" older cars, in CA they are CARB exempt, I'm not sure of the year for the cut off.. but the pic i just added is of a 1600 HP!! Chevy Nova that is street legal.. The engine is a work of art… the cooling system is in the trunk… This car doesn't have be smoged!! But I have to take off my M7 CAI? It's ridicules...

It seems to me that the California Air Resource Board, is slightly biased toward's the auto manufacturers… Importing a car from another state is also a PITA.. There are no real answers to the legal issues in CA. One thing i have to say, the amount of SMOG we have in CA Is nuts!! when i drive down into the valley from the Grapevine on my way to Fresno From LA, It's like driving into A fire-cloud…. So… i'm of two minds, i want my Mini to go fast but i don't wanna breath the fumes…

But +1 On Changing The CAI For SMOG ")

 

I saw that car...looks nice.

Also, I am in California and will give you my experience with bringing multiple cars (with modifications) into the state. The key is to find either a somewhat mod friendly emissions station (or a lazy one). If you find one, they will usually ignore or not even notice the minor non-carb compliant mods (e.g. pulleys, bigger intercoolers, etc.). The key and the thing you can't get around is the computer and tailpipe test. Car must not have codes and must pass smog.

Looking at the mods list, a stock intake would be helpful. The other thing I am not sure of in your list is the Unichip Piggyback but other than that, as long as you have no codes and there is a stock cat, you should be able to pass.

 

I don't necessarily want to defend California's laws (shared with many other states to varying degrees), but there is some logic behind them. It is a misconception that if a car passes the tailpipe test it is OK. There are plenty of mods that would not effect the results of that test, but would make the car non-compliant overall. The tailpipe test is just a process control check - if an unmodified car passes the test, then it is evidence that the system is probably working within acceptable limits. Once the system is modified, you really don't know anything for sure any more, hence the blanket prohibition on mods, even ones that your intuition would tell you would have minimal impacts.

 

Q: Do you know what's more of a pain in the a** than California's Smog Check I program?
A: California's Smog Check II program.

CARB is ridiculous.

I disagree with Sp4rtan: It is not a misconception that if a car passes the tailpipe test it is OK; especially with Smog Check II.

I've had the displeasure of receiving criticism from California State Senator Lois Volk about my 1964 Chevy Pickup truck. She assumed, based on its age, the truck must be a gross polluter. She was clueless when I told her about the internal engine modifications and ignition upgrades completed to improve horsepower by improving combustion efficiency. Wolk thought this was evidence that it is a gross polluter! The discussion attempted about stoichiometry left her even more confused. The most annoying aspect of this story is the woman entered my private property uninvited to tell me about my gross polluter. Politicians are self-important and ridiculous.