What Exhaust to use?

Go up to "search" and look for "exhaust". I like to search by "posts". This is a topic that has been discussed many times and there are many views about it. When the first MINI rolled off the line in 2002, I believe someone was already looking for an exhaust for it. :cornut:

Jim

 

What Jim said

 

Check out the Stratmosphere or Milltek exhaust. They are the most popular for the R53 they fit great, no drone, and make good power.

 

Are you looking for a Cat-Back exhaust, Header, or both?

For cat-back I have used the Borla Sport, JCW, JCW without resonator, and Milltek.
I have not installed a header on either of my Minis.
The only other aftermarket cat-back that I have seen on any of Minis in the club is a Magnaflow which I thought was a little too loud (louder than the Borla Sport).

The Stratmoshere that Way mentioned is similar to the Milltek and I believe a little less expensive. You can drive my 06 to see what it sounds like.

I liked the Borla Sport on my 03 MCS. It had a great sound, a little on the loud side which I enjoyed. However, it did drone a little on the highway at certain RPMs and engine loads. Sometimes I would have to downshift to get the RPMs up a little to get rid of the drone when climbing a hill and the engine loaded down a little. The normal criusing on a flat highway was not bad.

On my 06 MCS GP, I thought the JCW was too quiet, even without a rear seat or rear insulation. I thought the Borla Sport was a little too loud in the GP (no seat or insulation). I removed the resonator on the JCW exhaust and the volume was OK but too much snap, crackle, pop with the deacceleration programmed pop of the 06. I finally went with the Milltek which is louder than the JCW but queiter than the Borla Sport. The Milltek is a little quieter than I would like but it does not drone on the highway which is nice.

If you intend to ever install a header you will want to stay on the quieter side of the cat-back exhausts, such as the Stratmoshere, Miltek, or Borla Street.

 

What are your goals?
For example are you going for max perf or max sound, etc.
If funds are limited, a good header will provide more perf and a little more sound. While a catback will provide more sound and a little more perf. Of course if you do both (i.e. header and catback) then you get more of both perf and sound.

I started with the Madness 2.5" catback (very similar design as the JCW catback) with the stock header. I liked it, it was deeper and had more pop 'n burble, with somewhat high db.

Next step was adding the RMW street header. Sounded great on the track as heard from another car, but too loud for me inside the car, especially with the windows down. This combo actually scared/startled people.

Now I am back to my OEM JCW 2.25" catback with the RMW street header. Not quite as loud/mean sounding on the track, but I still get compliments. No drone or bad sounds. On the track with the windows down it is still too loud for me but earplugs are cheap. For street driving it is fine, especially with the windows up. If too loud at any point, just upshift and all is quiet.

Figure out what you are trying to achieve, and then go listen to as many different combos as you can find. This is one of those very personal mods that has got to sound right to you.

 

I sold the JCW exhaust but a few people in the club have JCW so you should be able to hear the JCW at our next event.

 

You can frequently find a stock exhaust for free if you want to try it and still have the stock to switch back to.

 

I have been running a One-ball for about 3 years on my 05MCS and I am really happy with it. I keep going back and forth with upgrading it with an Alta (they are on sale right now- tempting). I like the sound of the one ball, but it does give a little more "popping". It's probably one of the cheepest and best mods you can do on an R53 IMO. In fact, I just talked myself into keeping the One-ball and by myself that 42" Vizio thats on sale instead of the Alta....

 

I do not like referencing other sites but I could not find anything on MA so here is a link to a good thread with many exhaust sounds.
MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - Your MCS exhaust reference thread. Videos. Sound clips. etc

I know it is hard to tell the real-life sound from a sound clip but I do not believe that anyone in the club has a one-ball exhaust.

 

Wise man!

 

Even if it doesn't totally float your boat, the cost isn't high enough to cause any real remorse for doing so.

 

MiniHockey- how did it go with the one ball?

 

MiniHockey- I got rear ended last week. Part of the damage was to my muffler and tail pipes. But, my one-ball stainless pipe is still good. If you havent done your mod yet, I'll give it to you. It's in great shape and I have no use for it. PM me, and let me know. You pay shipping from Delaware. I am going with a Stratmosphere cat back.

 

I am happy as punch with the OBXr Header.. then I went to the Magnaflow mufflers ( got part numbers from Magnaflow and bought just the mufflers), had a local shop do the install with 2.5 Dia pipe. I have run two different brands since stock... the OBXr are by far the best out there for my applications.. Big tubes.. power producing OVAL Flange, 2-4-1 design with a great collector. IMHO You can not beat the performance!!

Just me.................................

Thumper

( Mods.. TPR2R / 15%/ OBXr / Water-meth / Magnaflows /Custom High lift Camshaft / Nitrous -Wet Shot )