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 Posted: Jun 19, 2017 03:44PM
 Edited:  Jun 20, 2017 07:35AM
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Well good luck I hope you have a successful outcome as it will be good for us in California if you manage to get it through registration.

Mini's are like buses they come along in a bunch

 Posted: Jun 19, 2017 03:12PM
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Hi Guys - appreciate all the feedback.  After multiple conversations with the CA Gray Market Lab, and CA Smog Ref's, I've settled on proceeding ahead with the modifications required to get my 'Certificate of Conformance'.  Lead time for the modifications and cert was quoted as 8-12 wks, so will try and keep everyone posted on progress.

Justin

 Posted: Jun 17, 2017 06:42AM
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US
I am pretty sure that BMC cars had air injection smog equipment starting in 1968.
I am wondering if this means Austin America 1300s as well as it must. I just don't remember America engine bays that well.
Certainly MG 1100s did not, but I do not remember clearly the transition from MG to America.

I don't believe any of this has any impact on the current situation and the practicality of testing. But as Mike says, it would be great if someone with deep pockets was willing to try.
terry

 Posted: Jun 17, 2017 06:32AM
 Edited:  Jun 17, 2017 06:33AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerkuld
Quote:
...
But that's just the fuel tank. The biggest issue you're going to have is the engine. The A-series engine does not have a certification. An evaporative certification on an engine series is a HUGE undertaking. You'd need several engine 'samples' and a certified emissions lab to undertake a test which takes months. An engine with a carburetor is going to find it very difficult to pass the test, as the fuel in the jet is always exposed to atmosphere.
...

The MG midget in 1974 had smog equipment on it like the Austin America had-- exhaust injection ports on the head, belt driven air pump, etc. That doesn't mean it had any sort of certification in the US. But I think that it COULD be a route to look into more. However, in the strict country of California, even the 1974 MG Midget doesn't need to pass a smog check anymore.

 Posted: Jun 17, 2017 05:16AM
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alex.  A few true MPI,S were imported to OZ.. but I think they could only be imported direct from the UK. I an article in MINI EXPERIENCE mag  some years ago about this..  maybe someone can post it..  later b c

 Posted: Jun 17, 2017 01:00AM
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GB
Aren't they Australian though ?

 Posted: Jun 16, 2017 02:45PM
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Not sure if any of you have seen the Youtube channel Mighty Car Mods.  One of the presenters has a 1998 JDM Mini, it is an MPI.

 Posted: Jun 16, 2017 11:01AM
 Edited:  Jun 16, 2017 11:05AM
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US
I think it depends on what you mean by MPi.
They had "MPi" components, block, fuse block and maybe other items, but the injection was single point.

Plus there were additional variations that accommodated the air conditioning components.

 Posted: Jun 16, 2017 08:54AM
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GB
MPi with a side mount I believe, though the automatic ones were still SPi I think.

 Posted: Jun 16, 2017 07:59AM
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US
Good question on the Japanese SPi/MPi cars. Were they SPi cars all the way or MPi with a side mounted radiator. Or a mix. The block looks MPi.

 Posted: Jun 16, 2017 07:40AM
 Edited:  Jun 16, 2017 07:41AM
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Our 95 SPI JDM has the side rad because they need to have the A/C compressor mounted and all the associated plumbing. The only way it fits is if it stays in the "wing" (fender).

If it's not Scottish....it's crap! (Cry of the Mini Tartan Owners' Clan)

 Posted: Jun 16, 2017 06:20AM
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mini mover. yes all the Jap specks minis only had SPI.. and I think some had front mounted rads for some reason.. ?? this might have been an aftermarket option..?? later bc

 Posted: Jun 16, 2017 04:36AM
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CA
If Malsal were not playing International Jet Setter he would answer this in detail. lOL

Big AL

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Niagara Ontario Canada

 Posted: Jun 16, 2017 04:06AM
mur
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That is an excellent resource C. However, didn't the Japanese market cars have SPI systems all the way to the end of production? I think my 1997 is SPI.

 Posted: Jun 15, 2017 06:26PM
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US
A little clean up on some earlier postings. These should be pretty close. 
SPi first introduce in Oct 1991.
998 (always carb) died in 1992
When the 998 died a carb'd 1275 took over. HIF38.
1275 carb died by August 1994.
SPi died August 1996.
MPi came out in Oct 1996.

 Posted: Jun 15, 2017 12:39PM
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+2.. you might get an ICI  to do this.. but bet cost would be $20 large.. I think there is one in LA.   later bc

 Posted: Jun 15, 2017 12:26PM
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CA
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Mini
If you really want to throw $5 large away, go ahead. There's no way you will ever get that registered in California. Can't be done. Ask the company wanting the $5 large if they guarantee that you can get it registered? Are they willing to give you the money back if you can't? If they say no, then run away and sell the Mini.


+1

  ~ 30 minutes in a Mini is more therapeutic than 3 sessions @ the shrink. ~

  Mike  Cool  NB, Canada   

 Posted: Jun 15, 2017 11:14AM
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CA
I believe the last mini with carbureation would have been the 1993 mini Rio by Rover

Correct me if lam wrong

Big AL

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada

 Posted: Jun 15, 2017 07:43AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CooperTune
. . . you mention an ECU and being a 998. I have never seen a injected 998. . . (CTR)

I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure the 1275 engines were the only Minis with fuel injection. 1991 was the transition year, where MPI was introduced, but the 998 was phased out in favor of the 1275. I doubt the car in question has an ECU.

From work I've done with CARB in the past, the EVAP system will purely deal with evaporative emissions. They would want the fuel tank to be a non-permeable material (steel is good), but they'd want the vent to go through a carbon canister to absorb fuel vapor. The canister would then have to be connected to the inlet manifold, possibly with a solenoid valve, to allow the carbon canister to be cleared of fuel vapor when the engine starts, and to actively recover fuel vapor from the tank while the engine is running. They're also going to want a non-vented fuel cap. This bit is relatively easy and they can used pre-certified components and fuel tank materials to meet the requirement. None of this needs an ECU of any kind.

But that's just the fuel tank. The biggest issue you're going to have is the engine. The A-series engine does not have a certification. An evaporative certification on an engine series is a HUGE undertaking. You'd need several engine 'samples' and a certified emissions lab to undertake a test which takes months. An engine with a carburetor is going to find it very difficult to pass the test, as the fuel in the jet is always exposed to atmosphere.

On top of this, I'm pretty sure CARB would want exhaust emissions certification for the A-series engine particular to the model year of your car. Again, this doesn't exist, so you'd need to go back to the emissions lab and have them run an exhaust emissions test to verify that the engine meets the exhaust emissions specification. You'd probably have to do your own testing before hand to make sure the engine is even capable of meeting the exhaust emissions standard, which it may not be. The place you've found who thinks they can get your car emissions legal probably doesn't realize that there isn't any engine data for our cars in the CARB system.

You see how complicated and amazingly expensive this gets? If it was easy, someone would have already done it and be importing Minis from abroad.

It's sad to say, but your best bet is to do as others have said - sell your car out of state and find a car already in California. You're going to want a 1974 or older to avoid any further CARB complications.

Sorry, but the very best of luck.

 Posted: Jun 15, 2017 04:44AM
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If you really want to throw $5 large away, go ahead. There's no way you will ever get that registered in California. Can't be done. Ask the company wanting the $5 large if they guarantee that you can get it registered? Are they willing to give you the money back if you can't? If they say no, then run away and sell the Mini.

"Retired:  No Job, No Money, Wife and I!  Will travel anywhere for Minis"

[email protected]

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