So, when I purchased the GP2, it came with the 3" exhaust. From what I understand, this actually caused HP loss. It also has a terrible drone at certain speeds, so I'm planning on changing it to at 2.5".. ideally before MOTD! That said, figured I would start a thread for folks to post pics of the exhaust you are running on your Gen 2's (any model). Hopefully, we can also get some video's or sound files and feedback on quality etc. I'll try to capture mine this weekend. One of the ones I'm looking at is the NM engineering downpipe back exhaust
I have the JCW exhaust with the resonator deleted. No drone thank goodness I hate drone. The JCW exhaust is to quiet for my taste. I think you are correct on the size of the pipe, I have always heard 2.5 is best. @Sully if you run out of time you could always have Chad install an exhaust for you at the Dragon. Or come to Memphis and we can do it!
Before downsizing exhaust diameter, I'd want to see some performance verification, like a dyno chart or two, that 2.5" is better than 3". I like to credit my HP gains, in big part, to my 3" catless exhaust. An engine has to breathe if it's gonna make big power.
I'm interested in this information as well as I am looknig into replacing my cat and exhaust. So far I am leaning towards the milltek cat and resonated exhaust but would love to hear other opinions. I wasn't impressed with my NM air charge pipe so not sure I would want to take a risk something that costs much more.
I'll see if Mario still has them.. this was his feedback. If all goes well, I'll get the car up in the air this weekend and take some pic's of the exhaust. I know it was a pretty basic straight through from when I was last under there. I also will run some Dyno runs before I make any changes... so we will know if I go up or down from the change. That said, I imagine you are pushing more WHP.. so it may work for you but not my setup. Lets see what the exhaust is and the Dyno... good feedback. Agreed, haven't found good documented individual results. So I will document mine and then we can go from there. Thanks - I'll take a look at them. Ideally I have a downpipe back exhaust.. otherwise I'll have to create the connector pipe.
Sully, I cannot BELIEVE you are not a Milltek man. They are THE best of the best. The one I have on my '06 S has been there since '06...still burbles juuuuuust right!
Borla here. I feel it’s one of the best for power gain(though an exhaust can only do so much) and sounds great! Have had many positive comments on how good my R50 sounds.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/vendor-announcements/336973-milltek-exhaust-on-sale-free-shipping.html
"Free shipping" at that place? Only after jacking up the prices to pay for the "free shipping". Check around at the other vendors....
Never ever buy anything from ECS Tuning. They suck, as they ship the wrong parts or do not have it in stock and people have waited months for stuff from EVS just to have the order cancelled by ECS. Heck there is even a 8,000 member FB group called “Why I hate ECS Tuning”. Dedicated to the poor service and sales stories.
How’s $839.00 for a new 2nd Gen Milteck exhaust delivered to the Dragon ? Chad from Detroit Tuned can bring it and install it for you. https://www.detroittuned.com/milltek-exhaust-mk2/
Lol - I've used different exhaust on different vehicles. Never used a Milltek yet.. but looking into them now. Looks like they have the option of with resonator or without... anybody heard one without a resonator? @Goldsmithy - thanks for the link. @Dave.0 - Funny, first thing I after looking at the ECS, what check out outmotoring and detroit tuned. @colinmini - I used a borla exhaust on one of my BMW's, sounded good. Frankly the exhaust sound I liked the most was the Remus exhaust I had on my Corrado VR6.. yummy. Funny, Aaron and I were having that discussion yesterday regarding the overall market.
What about Supersprint? Anyone ever used theirs? Also, had one on a BMW previously.. https://www.supersprint.com/ww-en/supersprint-performance-sport-exhaust-mini-r56-cooper-s-jcw-gp.aspx
Your exhaust system is going to reduce the noise your specific engine makes. The same system will sound different depending on the significant engine mods installed --- turbo, head, cams, pistons, tune, etc. I've heard cars with very popular exhaust systems and virtually no other engine mods --- they sounded like sewing machines! About 8 years ago, I bought a 3" Alta catless and added about an 18" resonator, to keep the noise to a minimum --- it's supposed to be a "sleeper" and not attract a lot of attention. Definitely not a sewing machine, and doesn't sound like a 1.6L 4 cyl either, 'specially when I get on it. If you can find a car with the same significant mod package as yours, and you like their sound, get that system. Finding one via a forum isn't likely to be satisfying. Hang out at your local dealer's service dept, or check with your local Mini club --- get "up close and personal" with one. After all that, be advised that I have one completely dead ear and the other has a hearing aid that is just that --- an aid. Too much time at the shooting range without hearing protection.
Agree 100%, you won't be sure unless you hear it in person. You are also correct (as usual) that the mods also impact the sound. So even if I hear and exhaust and like it, odds are it may sound a little different on mine. All good point. That said, I was curious what people were running and their feedback. For example, did people have fitment issues with certain exhaust? Did it drone, rust etc. Regarding your comment on the 3" verse 2.5". According to Mario the HP dropped 7 WHP due to velocity loss. That is why he recommended if I was going to change the exhaust to consider going to a 2.5". I'm going to run a baseline before making any changes. Then as I make changes, my plan is to baseline it again with the changes. In my case, there is an ALTA open cone intake. So I expect the biggest difference will not be on the dyno, it will be on the road when the engine is hot but my intake temperatures remain colder due to a closed system. Lol - I'm not there yet, but I do get ringing in one ear at certain times. When I was in highschool and college we would go to a friends farm and shoot the whole weekend. At one point, we decided we needed ear plugs and found 9mm worked well.... probably not the best choice but better than nothing. It was funny with everyone walking around with 9mm hanging out of their ears. Needless to say the next time we had correct plugs.