I am in the process of adding the H Sport Springs and Madness suspension (parts are here, just need them installed). I am also planning NRP catback exhaust and doing the pulley at my local performance shop at the same time. I am in negotiations with my wife and it looks like for budget reasons that I may have to choose between the exhaust or the pulley. For the mod that I don't do now, I can do later, like in 3 months. I am leaning for getting the exhaust done, so that the car will breath better when the pulley is added (and delay the "warranty" issue). But I know several of you that did the pulley, have kept the stock exhaust (like Sleepless). Of the two choices, which one would you recommend? Or do you say the heck with it, it's only money, and do both?

 

I would do both but if you have to choose one do the pulley it is a very noticable boost in power whereas the cat back is subtle at best

 

I agree, do the pulley 1st. More bang for the buck. There is a great deal of debate on which cat back does better with the pulley. Wait untill more data is available. Just my opinion.


His, Chile RED all over, Madness intake, Randy's Intake MOD, Magnaflow exhaust and Helix/PD Pulley
Hers, EB UJ on top and bone stock.

 

>>I agree, do the pulley 1st. More bang for the buck. There is a great deal of debate on which cat back does better with the pulley. Wait untill more data is available. Just my opinion.
>>


What he said.

 

I have both.My Quicksilver exhaust cost almost $800,and takes 2 hours to install.I did the install myself,but the dealer wanted 3 hours labor at $95 per hour.Add taxes and/or shipping,you're spending $1100.I think the HP gains for all exhausts are vastly overstated,the QS probably adds about 7 Hp at the top end of the range.Using my math,thats about $160 per horse.
I'm the organizer of the So.Ohio Pulley Install.Randy installed reduction pulleys in our cars for $400,HP gain 15-20.Torque gains are even more impressive at any RPM's,not just the top range.My price per horse with the pulley was,at most,$27 per horse.
You may debate exhaust systems,but reguardless of systems and price, the pulley yeilds a better gain per dollar.

 

>>I have both.My Quicksilver exhaust cost almost $800,and takes 2 hours to install.I did the install myself,but the dealer wanted 3 hours labor at $95 per hour.Add taxes and/or shipping,you're spending $1100.I think the HP gains for all exhausts are vastly overstated,the QS probably adds about 7 Hp at the top end of the range.Using my math,thats about $160 per horse.
>>I'm the organizer of the So.Ohio Pulley Install.Randy installed reduction pulleys in our cars for $400,HP gain 15-20.Torque gains are even more impressive at any RPM's,not just the top range.My price per horse with the pulley was,at most,$27 per horse.
>>You may debate exhaust systems,but reguardless of systems and price, the pulley yeilds a better gain per dollar.

Mikehome1,
Thanks for your view on this. Part of my problem is to do the pulley at a very high price of $600, and/or do the NRP exhaust at $700 (both installed prices)? We have very high labor rates in the SF Bay Area, and not many people that are knowledgeable to do this work. I know Randy may do a pulley event here in the near future, but so far, my fellow MINI enthusiasts have not been supporting this very well. The exhuast will likely just give me a better sound and slight HP gain. I have already done the Madness Intake. The pulley still seems like the best HP per $. Do you or anyone else see any issues with the pulley install with the stock exhuast?

 

Randy did a number of pulleys,and pulley ECU's on stock exhaust cars this weekend;the gains were impressive.You could PM some of the participants in the so.ohio pulley mod to find out who had the pulley only on a stock exhaust..Ryepile has a stock exhaust with the pulley and ECU

 

From a purely esthetic viewpoint, I'd recommend the exhaust first. I'm not familiar with the one you're interested in, but the magnaflow produces the most satisfying sounds I've heard. It runs $570 at Husker Performance and the guys at Midas can put on for $107 (if I had a lift, I might have attempted it myself). Anyway, the pulley give you a little better throttle response and I'm sure the dyno confirms more horses, but the perceived gains are modest at best (IMHO). Anyway, you asked.

 

Sharks,

I'll ditto Mikehome1. Do the pulley. I did mine at the So. Ohio mod meet, I have a stock exhaust and stock ECU, and there is a noticeable improvement in torque, especially midrange. Its like an extra pair of cylinders on the MCS. My next mods will either be the quicksilver or magnaflow, I'm currently undecided, then on to the h-sports and rear sway bar.

 

I had The pulley done on a bone stock mcs @ the So. Ohio group install. The gains are very obvious; no stutter on standing starts, rolling accel. dramatic improvement, great intake sound (even with stock intake/airbox) and very "torquey" feel at cruising speeds. No question, I'm glad I did the pulley first. All further mods will be based upon it. Regards,
John

 

For what it's worth, I have a stock exhaust and I had the pulley and ECU done in Cincinnati ($1100 for both) as well. The only other mod I have is the Rogue intake. Because of the ECU mine might not be the best opinion to draw from but I can now feel the tires breaking grip when I plant the throttle while going 20 mph. The improvement is HUGE.

I however don't expect huge HP improvements from an exhaust but the sound alone may get me to jump for it. I may opt for an exhaust someday but I'm enjoying my sleeper status right now. Better brakes may be a better mod for now :smile:

You have a tougher situation not having a $400 pulley install option. Perhaps talk with Mike more about how better to promote a party to get Randy to make the trip. If you can't pull that off and you're itching to do SOMETHING/ANYTHING to your car (and I do know the feeling) then go for the exhaust until you can get the pulley done. If you can have Randy do it, all the better, as he makes it look easy in about the time it taks to get a pizza delivered.

Jim

 

>> I am in negotiations with my wife and it looks like for budget reasons that I may have to choose between the exhaust or the pulley.

Do both and apologize later

 

>>For what it's worth, I have a stock exhaust and I had the pulley and ECU done in Cincinnati ($1100 for both) as well. The only other mod I have is the Rogue intake. Because of the ECU mine might not be the best opinion to draw from but I can now feel the tires breaking grip when I plant the throttle while going 20 mph. The improvement is HUGE.
>>
>>I however don't expect huge HP improvements from an exhaust but the sound alone may get me to jump for it. I may opt for an exhaust someday but I'm enjoying my sleeper status right now. Better brakes may be a better mod for now :smile:
>>
>>You have a tougher situation not having a $400 pulley install option. Perhaps talk with Mike more about how better to promote a party to get Randy to make the trip. If you can't pull that off and you're itching to do SOMETHING/ANYTHING to your car (and I do know the feeling) then go for the exhaust until you can get the pulley done. If you can have Randy do it, all the better, as he makes it look easy in about the time it taks to get a pizza delivered.
>>
>>Jim

Thanks Jim and others that have added to this post. The pulley mod seems essential to get the most out of my MCS. There is a SF Bay Area group trying to get enough people to sign-up to get Randy here mid-July! This change of events is huge and I think I can get the exhaust and pulley within my budget, and I can start craving ECU (MINI Motorsports), brake (Powerslot rotors/Ferrodo pads), and tire upgrade (S-03). Thanks again to everyone responding to my post!

 

You can see a good dyno chart of my car with the pulley and stock exhaust, as well with the EvoTech ECU by clicking on the "more" link in my sig.

I have no plans to change the exhaust, I like the stock sound and the power with it is exceptional. I recently read a test of exhausts in the August issue of European Car and that article would lead you to believe that the aftermarket exhausts in fact give no noticable power increase. This has been the case in other BMWs so it does not suprise me. However, Randy and others have seem HP gains so one has to take the whole exhaust business with a grain of salt and mainly change the exhaust for the sound and not the power.

Anyway, you'll love the pulley :smile: