Has anybody just taken off their MC resonator and noted the result? Here's what I'm going for. I would like my MC to be just a tiny bit louder and I'd love to have just a little burble on deceleration. I don't want to spend $5-600 for that, so I was thinking that if I just got the resonator replaced with a pipe, then I might be there.

Honestly I don't know enough about exhaust technology to know if this will be a potential solution or not, but I've heard of people doing the 1-ball deal on the MCS and it just made me think that there has to be a reasonable solution to my issue.

I'm not interested in gaining hp numbers and again, I don't want the MC to be loud, just a LITTLE BIT louder than it is right now would be perfect. I also like the way the stock exhaust looks and how it's integrated into the MINI so I don't really want to change that. All in all I think this would really suit what I'm looking for but thought I'd ask you guys (and ladies) and see if anybody's done this before.

Certainly I can't be the first...

 

Anytime you take the resonator off of an intake, it will help free up some restriction. What I did; however, when I had my Cooper, I got the MINI Mania cold air intake. Basically, you rebuild the stock intake with new parts. You get a new top, intake tube that has a smoother interior and gets rid of the resonator, and an oiled foam high flow filter. I absolutely loved mine.

 

I was actually talking about removing the EXHAUST resonator, but your info is very interesting. Thanks,
JQ

 

I don't" know about the resonator, but you may want to ask your local muffler shop what they think. But an intake will definitely help the sound of your cooper and add a little hp which is always a plus for our cars.

 

http://www.meineke.com/stuff_about_c...rk_exhaust.asp

According to Meineke's website the resonator serves the following purpose:
"The muffler alone cannot always quiet all of the engine noise. Many exhaust systems also include a resonator which is like a mini muffler. They are usually straight pipes filled with sound muffling materials. The resonator can be either before or after the muffler in the exhaust system".

Several other websites seem to maintain that this is true. Next week I'm going to talk with my local exhaust guy and see what he thinks about it. At the outset, it appears that my theory could produce the desired result. I'm kind of surprised that no-one else seems to have tried this prior to replacing their exhaust. Just guessing, but I'm thinking that this ought to be a $50 to $100 change at maximum.

Talk to me ladies and gentlemen...is there some reason NOT to do this mod? Are y'all curious to see what the result will be if I do decide to do it?

 

i think most people have not done this because for a little more (around $100-150) you could get a new exhaust. thats just my guess.

 

I've removed the resonators on other cars before and yes, they sounded a little louder. Try it, shouldn't be a problem.

Let us know how you like it.

 

Have you considered a Megan Racing cat back exhaust system? I'm saving my nickels for mine for my '06 MC, and they are a Ton Less Money than similar systems from Alta or Borla. Their product sounds a lot like what you're looking to achieve.

 

I just installed mine today. Nothing but positive all the way 'round.

Zip

 

Hi Zip. I haven't really considered the Megan Racing Cat Back at this point. I think that based on what I hear from my local muffler supply about taking off the resonator, I'll make my decision. If the resonator removal is a $50 decision, then I'll definitely try it before spending the $350 or so for a Megan system. If it (the resonator removal) would be over $100 then I may start saving my pennies as you did.

 

I didn't take the resonator off my stock system but I had to remove a damaged one from my RSpeed catback. The sound turned a bit buzzier on the outside and I suddenly had a mid-range resonance boom in the cabin.....

 

Thank you for bringing up this very good point. It is entirely possible that the OE Exhaust Resonator is there to specifically reduce the midrange boom.

On the other hand, I really don't think your experience can be used as the basis for my decision considering that you had an aftermarket exhaust, but this is exactly the reason I'm asking this question prior to making the mod.

I'm still holding out hope that somebody on this forum has done this before and can tell me what their experience is with it.

Anyone else with experience or advice, please feel free to chime in.

 

There are some Remus systems for sale right now on Ebay for $185. They have the twin and single muffler setups. I got a remus about a year and a half ago for around $200 and I love it. The sound is really deep and throaty with no buzz or high pitch tinny noises at all. Install is a snap and it looks great with a flat black muffler can and a fat oval engraved tip. It is a great buy in my opinion.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REMUS...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REMUS...QQcmdZViewItem

 

That's a good option. For whatever reason though I'm still endeared to the appearance and the MINI-ness of the stock exhaust. At least until I talk with my local muffler shop and get his advice on removing the stock resonator. This Remus system is about the best pricing I've seen on any MINI aftermarket system though.
Thanks!

 

well, taking the resonator off my aftermarket exhaust added burble and alittle noise. not sure if it would do the same for the stock exhaust.. but im sure it would. now if you dont want to spend that much, why not do an axleback exhaust AND remove the resonator? just th throw out the idea

 

My bad. I automatically thought you were talking about the intake's resonator.

 

My stock muffler went rusty on me so replacement was a good option. Another good part was that the Remus weighed about half of what the stock muffler weighed, that thing is huge!

 

I also had the Remus. Very nicely crafted exhaust. The tone was perfect, but I never saw anything on numbers though.

 

Yeah, I think they are mainly focused on tone based on looking at their website. The fact that it was only a rear section would lead me to believe that any power gains would be minimal anyway. The tone is excellent when combined with an open intake though. BadMINI, what did you switch to after the Remus? Are you happier with your new system? Did you gain any power?

 

i got the SuperSprint center pipe with no resonator together with the muffler. taking off the resonator certainly made the burble more noticeable