Alright, I've narrowd my choice down to two.
And by exhaust system, I mean the exhaust header + catback

1.) Megan Racing (header+catback)
2.)OBX (header+catback)

Now, there is no smog test where I live so I can omit the Cat in my setup. From what I understand, this will yeild greater performance gains, yes?

Both are priced about the same so that isn't the issue.
What I am wanting to know is, is there a performance difference between the megan and obx systems as far as HP and torque gains and if so how much?

Another concern is how do each systems sound, if you could give a description. I've checked youtube sound clips but haven't been able to find a sampe of each complete system, for an R50 at that.

I don't want an obnoxious system (i.e. extremely loud). Sporty is good though
I don't want my MINI sounding like some ricey civic either.


Just doing some research. I'll probably hold off on an exhaust until spring and after I upgrade my brake system and add a sway bar.
I already have a DDM intake and tsw engine damper kit

Any input would be appreciated. thankyou in advance.

 

The Supersprint cat back makes very nice sound, but it is a bit expensive. If you want gains, you can remove the precat, and put a free flow main cat (cut and weld on the stock header), or you can buy the OBX header, it is cheap and good

 

I've got to make a plug for the John Cooper Works Sound Kit, which includes cat-back exhaust, intake and ECU reprogramming.

But, it sounds like you're going for more horsepower.

 

I just had an OBX installed on my R50 and like it very much. Hard to say how much hp gain as the difference was subtle. I would describe the noise as throaty with throttle, with a noticeable but not annoying low grumble when cruising. It doesn't sound 'ricey' at all to me. There aren't many sound clips available, but I thought there were one or two on youtube. Maybe try more general search terms. Sorry I can't provide a link.

 

Found one for you. Try this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fh6D...eature=related

 

I'll more than likely replace the stock manifold with a header.

Won't a free flow cat decrease my low end torque? Or am I thinking of a straight pipe?
Where is the pre-cat relative to the downpipe? Is the down pipe after the cat? About a free-flow cat. I can just omit the cat completely. No emissions test where I live. Unless, this will decrease my performance or cause harm to my car.

Thanks for the sound clip link and other useful info.

veggivet
Yeah, that is kinda what I'm going for. As far as sound is concerned, then I'm guessing the OBX is the better choice, atleast, as far as the header is concerned.

Wonder if I could have OBX header + Megan catback? Unless, OBX sells a complete catback. I haven't seen one that replaces the downpipe which is where most of the power will come from as far as catbacks are concerned. Right?

 

I hardly can say if it will decrease your your low end torque, because i haven't ever tried a free flow cat. I run straight pipe to the back, with a backbox only, and with the rear seats removed, it is VERY loud.

The stock header has the precat and cat on it. But at 165$ just get an OBX, worth the money. If you do get the OBX, have in mind that it doesn't include the de cat pipe, you'll have to fabricate it at an exhaust shop.

If you remove both cats, and put a free flow exhaust, it will be a little loud compared to stock.

 

get the supersprint!! dont get the megan unless you want to go deaf or make the cop chase you down!!

i had both exhaust and im very pleased with my supersprint exhaust then the megan

 

yeah but isnt the supersprint twice as expensive? I'm not wanting to blow a lot of money on exhaust since the performance gains are so low.

Is the Megan really that loud? lol. Is it an annoying loud?

 

Look up sound test for Megan exhaust on YouTube and you'll get an idea of it.
As for as the cost for supersprint its around $1350 for no resonator with the resonator its about $1550, and this does not include the price of the $900 header as well. But they are for "RACING" so this is why the cost is a lot higher.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Super...Q5fAccessories

This is the same back box as mine, with center exit. You will have to remove the spare wheel to fit this, and you save a lot of weight. It has wonderfull sound. The seller is BMP Design, the official USA dealer. (i got mine from them) It is in fairly good price for a Supersprint, but the price doesn't include the tips.

 

My mistake, it includes the BMP RS tips, same with mine. Better for you Go for it!

 

Yeah I emailed them about an exhaust and they got back to me, this is where I got the price of the total exhaust for both ways.

 

You're in the 1st generation Minis here... and you give incorrect information to people.

The stadard supersprint cat back price is 452$ : http://www.promini.com/product-exec/...earch_model/99

And the center exit is 450$ for the back box and tips, plus 223$ for the center pipe, = 673 plus shipping. Or he can keep his stock center silencer.

 

Sorry about the wrong info. I didnt see the 1st gen part.

 

You may be able to pick up a used system in the marketplace. A lot of people put their car back to stock before selling it. I picked up my OBX for $125.

 

May I chime in as an R50 owner and Megan catback owner and vendor? Thanks

here's a link to my Megan on my R50 without a header. http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...553&pr=goog-sl#

I have never had a cop chase me down due to catback. I spend countless hours in my MINI, no back seat, on expressways without issue and have never had anyone on a phone call ask me if I was in the car or say the exhaust was too loud. I think it's got a great low tone and is hard to beat for the price. Plus the it helps the GF sleep on road trip and that makes it the best ever

IMHO the Megan is not the loudest R50 catback, but it's up there.

I have 40K on my Megan and it's wearing very well and the SS is looking good even with Chicago winters on my daily driver.

FYI, the Megan R50 catback is finally on a boat headed to the states and we'll start shipping them to customers mid Jan 2010.

As for a header. I'm of the thought "get a header when you can get the head ported to match the header and an ECU tune." Very few if any have shown proof that without an ECU tune that a header will make power. A header will add sound and volume but not always power. I'd also store the OEM system with cat in case you sell the car to someone in a smog state or county.

When RMW tuned my MINI with OEM header and Megan catback, Jan told me a little more back pressure would help get more HP and TQ for the record.

 

Well, it's settled then. Megan catack it is. And, since I'll be doing the megan catback, it would probably make sense to go with the megan header if I do upgrade the exhaust manifold.

Thanks Dustin.

Just not sure if I want to spend the $$ on a P&P head, cam, and header. That's like 3 grand in parts alone. I'm sure it'll be about a 50 HP gain though.

I'll work on suspension before I do all that.

 

I agree that suspension is one of the best investments in an r50 you can make and when done right very few can keep up with you in the corners and that's where I think the fun really starts.

 

i got a 09 mini and i want to upgrade the suspension whats the best way to go about it?

 

This is the first generation Minis

 

by going to the 2nd gen suspension section

 

oh really

 

lol

 

lol back to the header debate...

Found a guy who did the OBX header. Said it gave some nice low end torq (~6) with minir HP gains (1-2). However, he did have a pre cat delete, removed the silencer/rear muffler and running a straight pipe. Said it deffinately pulls harder past 4k RPM.
OBX is a 4-2-1 design while the Megan is a 4-1 design.
plus, I really dig the sound of the OBX header. Then again though, I heard a megan catback in person and I loved it! Had some nice burble and it really wasn't ricey or annoyingly loud either.