I can only say this post should say WHAT NOT TO DO TO YOUR MINI !

 

not sure what all the fuss is about....the catalytic converter right after the turbo. adding a dump pump off the DP flange is safe, as long as you get the heat away from anything that would melt. the turbo and cat act as mufflers......I've run my old turbo car with no mufflers just straight pipes and it was quieter than the aftermarket exhaust system with race cat.

 

Junior,

I may not agree with some of your mods, but the way some people react on this thread really sucks. It really pisses me off that any unique approach to something is met with attacks and low class behavior.

But underneath some of the crap, there is a reasonable concern for safety. And even without required emission tests in FL, you still can get screwed by law enforcement for modifying emissions equipment, and hit with large fines.

Stay safe, and don't do anything that might arouse suspicion during a traffic stop, or yearly inspection.

Jas.

And 'ghetto' may be accepted in some circles, but I still find it offensive. Ironically, I don't find the expression Rube Goldberg antisemitic, and just as effective in describing some jury rigged modification. I happen to be overly sensitive to some things, and we as a society can do a lot to improve things just in the language we use. I'd like to think that MINI owners represent the cream of motoring society, and not a group of fourth grade South Park kids. But that's just my opinion, and I do have an ignore list at my disposal to avoid those posters whom I don't respect.

I will follow Mark's advice... Nuff said.

 

ever heard of carbon monoxide?

 

mmmm Kay, Florida obviously doesn't have the same emissions regulations that we have in California.

IMHO, you Floridians can't vote and sure as hell can't mod a car

 

the cat is still in place it looks like which makes it not a smog issue, more of a safety issue, but he fixed it so all is good

 

ever heard of reading comprehension? ever seen a car with sidepipes or an exhaust exit in the front quarter panel?

 

I love it! The HAI for the R56. A man after my own heart! and the metal pipe down where that thinggy from the factory part is, uh, was, is pure hot-rodder cheap yet effective modding as well. While I wouldn't do a "down turn' exhaust quite as far up to the engine as he has, this was a common mod (admittedly AFTER a muffler) for lots that did some rear suspension work on solid rear axle cars. Hard to route two pipes out the back with a watts linkage or a panhard bar....

As far as legality, it's legal to do after cat exhaust work as long as you pass sound levels. And remember all, he said it was TEMPORARY. You may not like it, but I love the spirit! a 2 out of three batting average in baseball would make you a millionair!

Now, get some data logging equipment and see if your intake makes things better or worse. Lots of MAF cars don't like turbulence, so you may run into something there.

When I data logged a HAI on an R53, it had better throttle response, but no better power. But that's before I put in some home made baffling to keep the radiator air from getting sucked in.

Matt

 

Yah......about california and voting.....



Of course florida doesnt have the emissions of CA.....just look at your required CARB stickers.

 

WOW, as much as I hate to add to the fuss, this thread has truly become yet another perfect example of "What is wrong here on NAM". Just like in this thread, the OP proposed a change to his MINI and there's already 59 responses most of which offer no advice whatsoever. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this forum, if I didn't I certainly wouldn't waste my time posting. However, just like Jas said, the way a lot of members react is beyond ridiculous. Note, I did not say EVERY member as I'm sure some of the posts were out of concern which is respectable. But as PGT said, it's not as if he's venting air before the primary cat. Although I would be worried about heat, he said multiple times that the mod is temporary and he's driving very limited distances until then. Not to mention no matter who approves of the mods and who doesn't, it's his damn car. Even if he is destroying it (which these mods are not) that's wholly his personal choice.

 

hmm..lot's of posts since this afternoon.. Just an FYI...the catback has returned to it's stock nature.. The pic of the engine bay above is correct, below the cat, is the only place to unbolt the remainder of the exhaust system and that's where it was off.. I wasn't really hurting anything, no lights, no trouble, the factory cat was still in place, no violation (except maybe noise - but, have you heard a harley lately?)
Anyways, the ridiculous comments about voting...what struck you to come up with that?.. All my previous cars I've always bought the best of the best when it came to performance parts.. For example, I had an 06 GTO before this.. My whole exhaust setup was well over 2000 dollars.. Just because it has a high sticker price, doesn't always mean it's the best.. Another example, there are ebay intercoolers for Evo's that work better than some of the name brand $600+ ones, which yes, they have been flow tested.. you'd be surprised in what you can get if you mod it in some what decent fashion.. So whatever you were talking about "I don't know how to mod a car" I was just saving some $$.. Go ahead, you can spend the same 800 on your catback, while I do this and get better results probably... To each their own, right?

So anyways, back to the topic... After putting the factory catback back on the car, it feels the top end is a bit sluggish as compared to when the DP was wide open..

So all the CO worriers, you may rest in peace tonight

 

don't mind the dissenters on NAM...most need to pay someone to install their aftermarket cupholders. Very few know how to turn wrenches and would rather play armchair quarterbacks

 

Interesting!! I sold my '05 LS2 GTO to buy my MINI!! My RWHP was dynoed at 360 with my mods but the MCS is much more fun!! (excuse me for a little offtopic)

 

While the open pipe under the car is quite a twist on running open headers, many here are somewhat new to car mods. I personally like the low-buck approach, as testing has often shown that low buck and some ingenuity often beat the higher priced parts for both cost AND effect.

Do what you do and don't worry about the dissenters.

Matt

 

There is one major difference between side pipes/exhaust that exit in front of the rear quarter panel and just disconnecting the exhaust at the end of the down pipe -- side pipes/side exhaust dump the exhaust out the side of the car, not directly under the car right in front of the cabin. Yes it's a proven performance increase on a turbo car, but it's just not safe. There is no inspection/emission testing in the US that would ever pass that, cat or no cat. I commend him on reinstalling the exhaust.

 

clearly, leaving it dumping below the car wasn't his longterm plan. It would have been easy enough to rig up a short section to route exhaust gas to the side

 

Maybe, but at least the governor knows how to pronounce the name of his state. As opposed to the governor of Kah-lee-four-knee-yah....

 

i don't have a carb sticker for my intake, and i prefer my governor to enunciate...

 

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

It'd be a tough choice between Aahnold, a Bush, and Jesse 'the body' Ventura. Too bad Steven Colbert pulled out of the SC primary. Enunciation, huh? I thought it was an Austrian hot air exhaust mod....

Not meaning to stray off topic, but this has been such an informative thread so far, with all the respect and intelligence displayed, I figured it needed a little political banter to complete the picture...

 

Thank you for putting the pipe back on, really.

So, do you have plans on when you will put a straight pipe on it? I would love to know if it is livable, as it would be inexpensive, and probably perform nicely (vids would be cool, esp before/after). I know that a complete lack of backpressure is not optimal, but the turbo probably provides plenty most of the time, along with the cats.

 

I mentioned earlier, I'm not exactly sure if I'm going to have time this week, and next week is Thanksgiving, so it will probably be the week after.. We all know what stock exhaust sounds like, but I'll post vids when I do get it on..

 

I agree the mini is a lot of fun.. And I can't get over the sound of a turbo spooling and the BOV.. I didn't exactly sell mine.. I uh..well...totaled it.. Doing something stupid, around a slight bend, traction control off, threw it in 3rd, tires spun, over a sidewalk I went, through a bus stop sign, and off a grassy ditch which basically compressed the bottom of the car..hmm.. I believe it was over $25K in damage.. Mine was supposed to be around 380whp.. I had intake, headers, high flow cats, and magnaflows catback, along with a diablosport tune (thank god it got rid of that 1 > 4 skipshift, that was annoying!)

 

nice cheap mods! why not make a new down pipe without the cat and see how it sounds then

Chris.