Hey I want to put a different exaust on my Cooper, I don't really have to have more HP, although it wouldn't hurt, but i want it to sound mean. Any suggestions? And what is an ECU? A Header? sorry, stupid questions but I'm trying to learn

 

There are several exhausts out there that will give you a meaner sound. There is an exhaust thread somewhere that has some sound files.

The ECU is the computer that controls your engine. Upgrading to a new chip or ECU map (program) will improve performance.

Good luck and have fun

 

I found this thread to be very useful when looking at exhausts... There are many sound clips and descriptions of all the different systems out there. Remapping the ECu will reconfigure the brain of the car to get different things out of it. (More HP, better gas mileage, etc.)
Cheers.
jason
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=23789

 

Well I have an 04MC and recently put the Megan exhaust on. It is louder than stock and i did impress a JCW owner with it. check the Megan thread.


Art

 

Ok thanks. Another questions, how do I upgrade (don't know if thats the right word) or revamp my ecu? Don't I have to take it to the dealer?

 

A dealer can only provide up[dates to your ECU. To add performance you need either MTH or a chip added.


Art

 

Whats MTH and what kind of chip?

 

MTH is modified flash you get loaded into you ECU based on your original file. Exuse me I have a brain fart on who makes chips both, but both are available if you do a search.


Art

 

Just do a search for "MTH" or "GIAC" GIAC is another type of reflash that is availible for the Cooper. Flashing the ECU will basicly tell your car not to be a gas sipping MINI. You will see a bump in power, but mostly a smoother powerband. Hesitation will decrease too.

 

Its a bit spendy but the JCW Soundkit is nice....

 

yes it is a very nice piece....a very slight bump in power.....but a factory warrenty and you know it's all built well.

 

I don't have that kind of money to spend i don't think
How much do chips run?

 

I got the aFe intake (less than 200$) and the tuner file MTH ECU upgrade fom Don (about 400$ - see the MTH forum). It's a sweet combo - my Cooper sounds and feels like a mean sports car at 4000 rpm and higher :-)

Both installs were free - you can do them easily yourself (probably 20 minutes each) and good thing is that you keep you car close to stock (can swap it back to stock in the same 20 min) and keep it stealth - it's as quiet as stock when you want it to be.

 

Ok. And sorry but where did you get them?

 

If you're interested, here's a video of the Megan Racing Cooper exhaust in action:

Video

 

seigmann -
aFe intake from http://www.flowsource.net/
MTH from http://www.dmhmotorsports.net/


although this setup is nowhere as loud as novemberist's setup, to which you can upgrade if the above two are not enough anyway

 

Wow I really liked that Megan Racing exhaust. Is that just the exaust and where can you get one?!

 

That's just the exhaust and you should contact the vendor. His user name on here is "Megan Racing" and he's really a swell guy.

 

Ok. I'm kinda new to this so how do I contact him?

 

I just installed a Borla on my Cooper and love it. Great sound and not too loud at all.

 

Another option is the BMP/ProMini intake and exhaust. There are some clips and a review on motoringfile.com. I thought they sounded pretty tite, especially the intake.

 

I havnt read this whole thread.. but magnaflow plus intake makes it sound mean. really throaty.. im not sure about minis but on my honda headers lit up noise from the front making it sounds pretty mean too. so id go, intake headers, magnaflow.

 

I've got the Megan. It's got a great note, which may be too loud for some.

It doesn't sound like a fart can, but more like a sports car which seems like it's what you are looking for.

I think there was somebody on the board who is selling thiers.

 

I have the magnaflow with a panel filter and no rear seat. the thing sounds vicious, has lots of pop and burble like some of the S exhausts and at the dragon I received quite a few compliments and inquires, also people have been know to jump when it backfires in a parking garage


I have a couple of sound clips, though they don’t really do it justice


http://www-personal.umich.edu/~baileyst/magnaflow.wmv

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~baileyst/Exhaust%20Clip%202.wmv

There is some drone at the higher end of highway speeds but it is not unbearable, I did 2500 miles in 5 days without a headache

dyno shows more hp and torque in high rpm, but not much down low