Most liked posts in thread: Joni: Slow Progress to a Quicker Car

The only people I've ever heard say "I love drone" don't really know what it is, and haven't owned a car that did it.

Drone is when the exhaust's resonant frequency makes the entire car resonate like you're inside a subwoofer. It does not sound "good" or "loud". It just makes your head HURT. BADLY.

What you really want is a loud exhaust with no drone. Which is what I have... Miltek with catless RMW header. And mine blows flames out the back. :devil:

 

... And it never ends. At least for some of us.

 

Owning a MINI is a labor of love that is worth it when everything is running well.

 

And so it begins.....

 

You've ridden in my car... You know how loud a straight pipe is on an R53!

Honestly its even too much for me to handle anymore, which is why its on the list of things I am changing... [emoji12][emoji482]

Miltek is top notch, but there are other and cheaper options... At the end of the day the 1/2 price POS from China is going to free up the same amount of power, its the durability and sound that you're paying for.

 

Blimey gave the long answer.

Short answer: No.

 

Huh?

 

If your having money troubles with the MINI love, say away from women and never get married. :lol::ihih::lol:

 

If you look in your intake, there's a rubber grommet (about 2" across) between the airbox and the plastic cowl wall. That grommet has a plastic plate blocking it. If you knock the plate out (keep the grommet) that will let the stock airbox breathe a little through the cowl. All by itself, that will give you a bit more SC whine. That plus adding the pulley will make it sound MUCH better than stock.

 

Don't listen to blimey. He doesn't even know when he's in reverse. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: (See blimeys thread about his PDC).


Sorry, blimey, couldn't resist the temptation. :devil:

 

With 1" (25 mm) spacers you need to be aware of the size of the wheel (dia, width, offset) and tires (width, aspect ratio) to be used to not have rubbing in the rear, especially when you lower the car. With 215/45-17 tires a 25 mm spacer might be too much. The wheel specs should be marked on the back side of the wheel.

If you just want a slight lowering and do not plan to adjust the ride height, I would suggest just getting lowering springs and shocks rather than coil-overs. Coil-overs just add complexity and cost that might not be needed.

You might also want to think about front camber plates so that you can increase the amount of negative camber for better handling. Maybe something like the IE Fixed plates. If you go with coil-overs, look for ones that come with camber plates. The camber plates and 19mm rear sway bar are a nice combination.

 

.....at the expense of ride and reliability?

 

If you are doing a straight pipe make sure you save the OEM or whatever exhaust you have on your car now.

I have a custom locally made straight pipe exhaust that I put one in the Spring for the Dragon and a month or two after. It is LOUD, very loud.

The best thing to do is have one custom made for you locally because they can measure and build it right on the car on a lift. Mail order is not the way to go.

Also doing this locally allows you to have them add resonators to try and bring the drone down a little after you drive it for a while.

I say after a while because the brand new stainless straight exhaust will be LOUD like an F1 car because the pipes are bare inside. You have to drive it a while and let carbon build up on the inside of the pipes and the tone will become much deeper but still be loud.

Most people and cops do not like loud exhaust like Nathan and I have so if you drive it daily be prepared to make noise ordinance donations to you local government. :lol:

FYI the straight pipe is for noise only and you will not gain any HP. If you want a excellent exhaust that will last and is high quality I would buy a Milltek

It's the one I have and I have been taking it on and off for 7 + years when I swap in straight pipe.

 

It's not just the loudness, it's the drone. Great way for quick hearing loss.

Many have tried, no one has pulled it off on a street car. Don't waste your money.