Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S New Project - Taking the Buzz out of Gnat

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by Nathan, Mar 7, 2013.

  1. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    I'm living with it....
    Nate.... It needs a bunch moar quiet....
    There is absolutely no fauna that exists in the neighborhood now.... They all gone.... Yesterday I saw a family of earthworms leaving the area.... They were mighty PO'd....
    Trust me.... It needs moar quiet....
     
  2. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 1, 2009
    9,244
    3,802
    113
    Ratings:
    +3,863 / 0 / -1
    But Chuck.....Gnat is designed to wake up all those hippie folk that are living in the art galleries down there :)
     
  3. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    It's workin...:D
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    I forgot to mention that so far the persistent CEL for the Cat Below Threshold is now out.

    So odd not seeing yellow lights.
     
  5. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

    Jun 12, 2009
    1,315
    154
    63
    Civil Engineer
    Durham, NC
    Ratings:
    +155 / 0 / -0
    Better get it inspected, quick, before those lights come on again.
     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    Thanks for that vote of confidence! :Thumbsup:
     
  7. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 5, 2009
    3,378
    3,368
    113
    Ratings:
    +3,369 / 0 / -0

    I'm convinced the only way to make the MINI tolerable is with twin cans in the rear. You have a straight shot all the way through, coupled to a fairly aggressive header, correct?

    I tried multiple straight configurations to no avail, I really want a straight shot for rear diffuser fitment reasons, but I haven't been able to find a solution that doesn't drone or isn't ear splitting loud during acceleration.

    If I try it again, I would go with one of those corkscrew mufflers, something from hushpower, or one of the mufflers from an aeronautical dealer that Jan recommended, that can be packed with kevlar. None are cheap, and I've come to the realization short of twin cans there is no cheap reliable solution. Interested to see if you find one.
     
  8. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

    Mar 12, 2012
    1,970
    1,586
    113
    Engineer
    Central America
    Ratings:
    +1,587 / 0 / -0
    I went with Mini/Suzuki/Mustang! [​IMG]

    Uploaded with ImageShack.us
     
  9. peep

    peep New Member

    Jan 29, 2013
    281
    82
    0
    marketing...conference and event planner right now
    Central New Jersey
    Ratings:
    +82 / 0 / -0
    Any you tube video of before and after of how Gnat is doing?
     
  10. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    There has been no change as of yet. Shop has not contacted me to set up a time to start.

    Think I may look elsewhere.
     
  11. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    Thought I'd revisit this. I've had other things going on with both me and the MINI since I started on the quest to quiet things a little. Now that these are mostly resolved I figured I'd jump back into thinking about taming the noise some.

    The shop I contacted back in April has told me they don't want to work on the car, not in so many words, but by their lack of action. They think they are something here in Columbus, they are. But I'm not going to denigrate them for not calling me back, ignoring my visit to them and in general showing an attitude that a MINI is beneath them. Ehhh, I'm over it with them, besides, the road construction around them makes it a pain to get there.

    I went to another local shop that has been around since 1978. They are known for their Hot Rod Exhaust Systems. They told me to bring them the parts, they'd be happy to install them. I've been there for some other work before and found them great to deal with. However, I have no clue as to what parts I want. Just know the outcome I'm looking for.

    Got a line on another shop that is an exhaust only place that has been around since 1978 as well. Just clear on the other side of town from the one noted above. Not a big deal, this is not a big town. I'm going to try and get there in the next week or so to see what they have to say.
     
  12. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
    Supporting Member

    May 4, 2009
    8,767
    2,547
    113
    Bend, OR USA
    Ratings:
    +2,678 / 1 / -0
    I would think the only parts needed would be the muffler/resonators and tips.....right? They would have the rest. You could get whatever cans sound good to you (Magnaflow, Borla, whatever) and have them put together the system you want. There is a shop here that does the same thing. They will order the parts you want. There are some very nice sounding MINI's around here with the Magnaflow cans, but I think they are all in the OEM configuration and not a straight thru system.
     
  13. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Dec 22, 2009
    5,640
    4,594
    113
    Male
    Overland Park, Ks
    Ratings:
    +5,186 / 1 / -0
    The problem with making a system up is the drone at certain speeds/RPM's, right?

    Hope you figure something out that you like and that doesn't drive you nutso on the highway! :Thumbsup:
     

Share This Page