Megan Racing:

For instance - the JCW header that's part of their Engine Kit for the MINI race series... See how long the primaries are? From what I know, they spent quite a bit of time on tuning the lengths - and this looks about right... Unfortunately, they want $1330 for it. Hah!

 

Just found this thread after a link was posted in the SoCal forums.
I live in Norwalk, about 15 minutes from La Puente.

I don't know if my car would fit what you're looking for.
I have a [b]2003 MC with K&N intake and a Magnaflow exhaust ("Custom-built" at Kenny's Muffler in Cypress). I wouldn't mind helping out here.

 

We've had a bad experience with Catalytic Converters. We tried that with the Scion TC and then they started to fall apart on the inside on us. So then we had a recall and that was pretty costly.

We'd love to offer that though, trust me. But before we can go that route, we have to find a factory that can give us better quality catalyst. Quality is a big thing for us.

 

Hmmmm... I wish I could get my hands on that. I'll look into this further... thanks for the insight.

 

I wish I could get my hands on one - for less than $1330!!! Hahahahaha!!!

I think some may suggest a metallic racing cat, which should be better - the ceramic core ones do fall apart (*cough* Magnaflow *cough*). Random Technology and Vibrant Performance make metallic core race cats...

 

If you notice on our headers we have a flange right before the Resonated section. The reason for that was so that people can take it to an exhaust shop and have a Catalytic Converter of their choice to install in it's place. We're still trying to find a factory that can work with us in this case.

 

Note that the JCW setup has a cat-pipe, which also shown in that pic... It attaches to the flange after the flex joint. I believe the OEM o2 sensors must have to be relocated - that first one would appear to be way, WAY farther down the JCW system vs. the OEM manifold.

 

Is their Cat on the Mid-Pipe of the Cat-Back? I'd have to sell the complete system if that was the case, right?

 

That's the spirit blacknblue!!! Let's keep this project rolling!

 

Yup, it is on THEIR mid-pipe!

BUT, if you just made the header with a flange end, people would come... I'd cut my OEM cat off, weld on a flange and bolt that sucker on there...

Alternatively:

Option One - supply a test pipe connector (like your resonator) for full race

Option Two - supply a metallic race cat with flanges on both sides of it (o2 sensor bung downstream of cat) so it could be worked into any system.

Bonus - You could also create a mid-pipe for your already released MCS exhaust and forthcoming MC exhaust, a la Supersprint - and have a GREAT head-to-tip setup!!!

 

Okay, now I'm at a loss.

We already do have a flanged pipe that people could easily weld their stock cat onto.

We also already have everything from the block to the tip for the MCS. So... am I missing something here?

 

I'm getting in contact with Blacknblue to work with this. I'll make sure to have pictures of when we take it to the shop and post them. Hopefully if this works out well we'll get this done in a timely fashion.

 

Just replied to your email but forgot to give you my phone #.
I'll PM you with that info.

J/C

 

I'm just searching for a really well executed header, is all... If the flex joint on the your header was a bit longer, the primaries longer and smaller diameter (a la the JCW), a 4:2:1 design (a la the JCW), and the ports matched up a bit better on the block, I'd be all over it... JMHO, but nobody's gotten it quite right yet, save maybe JCW and their solution is unGodly expensive...

IMHO, smaller primaries are key to maintaining or increasing velocity - and tuning the length is beneficial for maximizing power. A 4:2:1 should make better power down low-mid RPM range, which is great for autocrossing and street.

The bigger primaries and 4:1 design might be great for the forced induction guys and the track, but I just don't see it serving us naturally aspirated guys as well...

Just my $.02 is all - I mean no disrespect. Until someone releases a great design to market, I'll stick with my OEM manifold with the gutted pre-cat since it seems to make as much power as any aftermarket manifold... Since you guys seem to be genuinely interested in manufacturing stuff with lots of our input, I'd just figure I would share.

 

The smaller primaries keeps the velocity up, true. But that's mainly beneficial for turbocharged cars that need to keep that velocity up and not loose energy before powering the turbocharger. Our headers were mainly designed for the MCS in which the primaries and collector sizes needed to be increased for a car under boost. The more air you have going in, the more air is being pushed out.

True, NA cars do benefit mainly from a header that maintains velocity... that's to capture the scavenging effect that helps to draw in a new intake charge into the cylinder. We can probably design a header that was more tuned for the NA Mini Coopers if that's what you're asking for?

 

Um, that'd be great...

 

So this is the muffler that we're going to use for the MC exhaust. I spoke to BlacknBlue and he's going to be coming down not this weekend but next week so we can get this operation started. The welds on this one are sloppy because it was a sample, but I just wanted to give you an insight onto the look and construction of it all.

 

Nice - It reminds me of a can of SPAM! Can't wait to follow the progress of this. Thanks again for working with the MCs.

 

I think that's what I'll call it from now on in here at the warehouse... "The Spam Cans"

 

Yum

 

I have a stupid question. Will this exhaust (or any aftermarket exhaust) fit on all year model Coopers.

The JCW Sound Kit came in two options, one for 02-early 04 and the other for 04 to 06. Of course, that could have been for the other components and not the exhaust.

 

The only stupid question is one that is not asked. That is a question that I myself would like to know. I know that on the MCS, there was a change between the years and we had to make extra hangers so that they could be used on both years.

Does anyone know if there is a similar change for the exhaust of the MC's? Either way, before production does begin, I will double check this issue and be sure that it fits all year Mini Coopers.

Let me know peoples...

 

It's an intake issue, not exhaust.

Steve

 

How about selling a MC exhaust with MCS hangars?

I just had to modify a Rspeed Cooper exhaust (dont hate me guys, i know they dont make them anymore) to fit an S, and it was a PITA. IF only someone made a Cooper sytle, right side exit system for an s.....

 

Thanks for the info. Maybe I should have asked to pull the exhaust off my old, wrecked MINI.

OR, I'll just wait to see how this sounds!!