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Have just returned from a Meineke, The Discount Muffler Shop, where I was quoted $500 part-and-labor for a custom-made cat-back exhaust (essentially a straight pipe with 2 resonators).
Have noted that several forum members favor Helix 13's, Borla's, and RSpeed's exhaust options. Questions:
1. Any other option? Perhaps Supertrapp?
2. Why you chose such option?
3. Noticeable (read "Seat of the pants") HP gains?
4. Will I wake up my neighbors if I come home after midnight with such option?
I really like the Borla. I narrowed it down to Borla and RSpeed, and ended up going with the Borla primarily because a local race shop had a great sale price on it, and because of Borla's longevity and reputation. NOT that RSpeed doesn't have a good rep as well, and their exhaust sure is nice looking...
I was a bit wary of the noise, and it was a bit loud at first, but within a few hundred miles it really quieted down in a nice, civilized, but much deeper note. At least one board member didn't have the same experience at all; the Borla was much too loud and didn't show any signs of mellowing, so he removed it. Don't know if this is an installation discrepancy, or what. All I know is, I am very sensitive to having an obnoxious, head-turning exhaust, and I don't find the Borla to be such an exhaust during normal driving. Stomp on the gas though, and it really roars!
At highway speeds the exhaust is definitely more audible than the stock, but again, nothing that I find intrusive or annoying, and I'm very fussy about hearing my music.
The primary advantages to the RSpeed seem to be affordability, less conspicuous appearance (smaller tip than Borla), and a quieter note that people say is barely louder than the stock exhaust. Powerwise, it doesn't seem like any of the Cooper exhausts are going to give you much more than 4 or 5 hp.
__________________ "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy." - Tom Waits
You can call Randy and ask him about the various options http://www.mini-motorsport.com/exhaust-mc.php
If you can find some coopers with installed cat back exhausts in your local area
that would be best. Video clips are not always the greatest and each car is slightly
different. Prices are about $550 but Randy can price match anything if it can be done.
R-speed is also very good for $496 http://www.rspeed.net/mini/item.asp?...p;prod=M20-105
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#43 Street Modified (SM) Class SCCA Hawaii Region
2005-2009 Solo Run Off and Points Champion (Hawaii)(2nd 2006 Points)
2005-2008 Overall PAX: 8th 2006, 7th 2007, Tied 10th 2008.
2010-2011 Modified FWD RallyCross (Points Champion) http://www.sccahawaii.org/pics2008/s.../img_38944.jpg
You need to be careful about putting a custom made system on. The systems like Borla, Stebro, Quicksiver, NRP, Supertrapp, etc have all been designed and tested for the specific model. The muffler shop system may not give you any improvement except sound and could actually end up reducing low-end torque. You could end up with resonation and droaning problems.
I have a Stebro system and am happy with it.
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[img]albums/album25/aln.gif[/img]
Alta 15% pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress 22mm rear anti-sway bar. VinceAndJessica.com
Rogue Enginering also makes a nice catback system. There are a few MCO members myself included who have the rogue. It has a deeper sound than others, and performs quite well.
Andy
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[/SIGPIC]
MMC #48 CROC #19
03 Cooper
Helix exhaust here. It's definitely louder than stock, but I like it :smile: . I went for the Helix because those are the guys that I deal with for my other MINI mods. The power increases are most noticable in the higher RPM range. I think orbhot may be correct about the exhaust reducing low end torque, although I hate to admit it. I've had the stock/Helix/stock/Helix installed due to my dealer being an A$$ about diagnosing a front end noise problem and the pickup is slighty better off the line with the stock. Once I get rolling (and roaring), there is more responsiveness in the 300+RPM band.
Have the Remus, and it sounds absolutely wonderful. Lower tone than the Magnaflow or the Borla. There may be a couple more horses in some of the others, but none has a better sound, IMO. No drone, great sound at all speeds- right from idle, a slightly more muscular note. Spooled up, it makes sweet music. Gabe Bridge has sound files on his website.
Also, do a forum search for Cooper exhausts (click on "[search]" to the right of the pull-down menu above. I started a thread a while back called "Exhausts for the non-S crowd" and I know there have been a couple other threads with lots of testimonials about exhausts for the MC. There are links to sound and video clips as well.
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>>Have the Remus, and it sounds absolutely wonderful. Lower tone than the Magnaflow or the Borla. There may be a couple more horses in some of the others, but none has a better sound, IMO. No drone, great sound at all speeds- right from idle, a slightly more muscular note. Spooled up, it makes sweet music. Gabe Bridge has sound files on his website.
Actually it's Bridger but hey - Bridge is fine too :smile: And the site is bridger.us/mini for those wondering what the heck we're talking about.
Anyway I've got a Remus review on my site as well as soundclips. I completely with fms - the Remus has the best livable sound I've heard out of the MC exhausts. It's refined yet sounds plenty agressive when you want it to.
