Anything that could change the emissions is a no no. A smaller pulley pulls in more air so it in effect changes the emissions. It's a very vague law, take for instance intakes, they all do the exact same thing but only a couple are legal? Some techs will balk at aftermarket IC's, when they really don't change anything, unless they assume colder intake air will change the emissions? A lot of it really comes down to the almighty dollar, the state wants their money
You should be fine as long as you don't put a flashing neon sign under the hood pointing to your aftermarket FUN pulley.
Yes it is up to the tech to catch the pulley. Some do some don't. The way the law reads any modification with out a CARB exception number is an automatic fail even if the emissions are reduced. The Bay Area is pretty laid back compared to the Los Angles area. The story is that if you're stopped they'll look for non-stock parts so that they can issue fix-it tickets. Hope this helps...
The intercooler is a perfect example. It's an automatic fail according to the law. Some techs will pass you, just luck of the draw I guess. Like Dave.O says, no neon signs.....enjoy the pulley! Hope this helps...
PULLEY! PULLEY! PULLEY! Add the pulley because speeding is against the law also and we all do it everyday.
I have had no problems with my GP IC yet....maybe because it still is a Mini part? Now if I drove up with a W2A......might be a different story? Here in the Central Valley the techs are pretty tough, as we have the worst air in the nation, after it all blows down from the Bay Area :lol: Btw, I keep all my OEM parts just in case.....
I would assume since the gp intercooler is oem to a stock mini gp it passed all the blah blah tests and what not. That being said, I would certainly hope it would be ok to install, as I see that on the list of the nearing "to-do" mods, esp since I hope to auto-x this fall....
UPDATE: Coated the pulley with heat-resistant paint, really like the stealthy look to it! Completely hidden when installed! Aannnnnnnd this pulley makes my car fly like a bull on cocaine; lovin the whine from the front and the exhaust in the rear vroom vroom