1st Gen R53 Cooper S California Compliant Header and CAT??

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by martinb, Feb 9, 2016.

  1. martinb

    martinb New Member

    Feb 1, 2016
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    I believe I need a new flex coupling on my 2006 JCW convertible and I just found out that it's an all-in-one unit and the best price I can find one for is from my local shop at $1008.00. Owch!

    Does anyone know of an aftermarket replacement for the factory unit? I'd want to retain all sensors, maybe gain a few HP, and not have it much louder than stock.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    May 4, 2009
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    OEM is the only "header" CARB compliant for Kalifornia.
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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  4. quikmni

    quikmni Moderator

    Jun 6, 2009
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    As Dave O stated, only the OEM manifold/header is legal in CA.
    You might be able to get the header welded to fix the crack.
    If you do not find a used OEM header to replace your header you can probably safety get away with installing an aftermarket manifold/header on a CA registered car as long as it has a good cat converter. If you go with a good header/cat combo such as the Flashpoint ($800) or Milltek ($1300) you should be OK. I have never had a smog inspector look close enough that he could tell that the header had been changed, especially on the Mini where the header is under a heat shield. A good aftermarket header with cat should have no problem passing the the non-visual portion of the smog test.
     
  5. Canusrufis

    Canusrufis RMW Powered R53
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    Nov 27, 2013
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    ^^^^^^^ thats really depressing. "Like you know" move out of CA depressing.
     
  6. myles2go

    myles2go Active Member

    May 7, 2012
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    As mentioned a good header and cat should pass the emissions test, but they're not cheap.

    However, it's hard to believe that there isn't a flex joint available that fits the stock exhaust manifold. A quick search on Summit shows 474 flexible exhaust couplers. You'd think one of them is usable.
     
  7. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
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    ^^^^ +1 on the replacement coupler. like
     
  8. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    May 4, 2009
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    If you post a new thread asking if someone has a used Gen 1 OEM header for sale you may get a few hits.

    I sold mine long ago when I got my RMW header, but some people still have them hanging in the garage and they may want to part with them.:idea:
     
  9. macnagaf

    macnagaf New Member

    Jun 15, 2015
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    I have a used oem header hanging around probably right around 140k on it though
     
  10. ColinGreene

    ColinGreene Well-Known Member
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    May 15, 2009
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    if you broke a flex joint its likely one of the engine mounts if not more than one is trashed.
     
  11. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
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    Like :Thumbsup:
     

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