Forgive me if this has been discussed numerous times, but I can't find a single thread that compiles all of the "best" systems into one place. If there is such a thread, perhaps a mod can make it sticky.

I have an R56 on order, scheduled for delivery in late June. I'm just trying to do a little pre-planning on my mods.

For the exhaust, I'm looking for the best combo of (in this particular order):
1. Sound
2. Performance
3. Price
4. Looks

So far I am considering (in no order):
1. Alta Cat Back
2. Meisterschaft (sold by Eisenhaus)
3. Borla
4. Magnaflow
5. Minispeed
6. Dinan

Any other options?

 

The Alta has great fit and finish and it has a subtle yet aggressive exhaust note. V-band is also a great feature. It is available also in the new "stealth" black finish. Plus you can always add the Alta downpipe at a later date.

Alta R56 3" Exhaust



Alta R56 3" Downpipe



-Cliff

 

I think Milltek also makes one.

I think you're smart to put sound #1 because you're going to be disappointed if you are expecting any noticeable performance gains from a catback exhaust, let alone differences among manufacturers.
Because performance is more or less moot, price becomes of 2nd importance and to that end, I think the finished aftermarket products are overpriced for our cars. The design of the exhaust is so simple and the run of pipe is not long. I don't buy the R&D argument with these catbacks as I do with other aftermarket tuner products.
To this end, if you like the magnaflow sound, I'd simply replace the muffler back.

If you're looking for a turbo back full exhaust, disregard what I wrote and try to wait and see what the RMW exhaust sounds and performs like.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=131616

^^I'm considering custom exhaust with Magnflow muffler and tips. Sounds good...There are a bunch of youtube videos that will give you an idea of how it sounds.

I did a recent search for MINI Cooper exhausts and I didn't find that many options...or at least I wanted more options.

 

How about the sound of the JCW exhaust from the engine kit?

 

I believe AC Schnitzer, Hamann, and Quicksilver all make exhausts...but availability is somewhat limited.

 

WayMotorWorks had a new full system that was on display at the MOTD. Based on the details of the system, I think it would be worth serious consideration.

Check it out.
Turbo Back:
http://waymotorworks.com/product.php...cat=329&page=1

Cat Back:
http://waymotorworks.com/product.php...cat=329&page=1

 

Interesting WMW says 2.5inch is the way to go...Do they have dyno info?

 

Milltek Mini Cooper S R56 Turbo-Back Exhaust System (Dual Oval Tips)
http://www.namotorsports.net/detail....d/MKMTKSSXM010

 

Bang for the buck, the custom magnaflow cannot be beat. check the thread someone else posted for pix, i think my gallery has some pix as well. It sounds mean, full 3 inch piping and it cost 355 total out the door.

 

MAGNAFLOW FTW ... I have been looking into this exhaust for weeks now and it is by far the cheapest, best looking, and best sounding cat-back there is.

Check out this thread posted by ghosthound! There is great info there and everything you need to know! ...

Custom 3inch Magnaflow Catback

Good Luck

TB

 

Yes we use 2.5inch. Reason is that 3 inch is over kill and adding weight to the car. I don't want to argue, if you want to really ponder turbos, back pressure, turbo spool and everything turbo read the book by Corky Bell, called Maximum boost. You'll learn alot.

As for dyno results, our baseline run was 200lbs torque at the wheels 50*degree day.
Post WMW downpipe and Exhaust 213.3 lbs torque at the wheels 74*degree day.
Yes same dyno, same car, same starting rpm, same moon the night before.
This a real number, not a marketing number or anything for advertising. I don't have time to play those games.

Anyone that heard or rode in the car at the Dragon can feel free to chime in to give and unbias opinion.

 

We tested ours months ago but other projects have put it on the back burner. We have decided to get it into production and we use only the best components in ours. Vband clamps through out as STANDARD equipment

 

Hey revolution - I'm in OC myself, so it would be very convenient to have you guys do some work on my car (assuming you do such things). However, after checking your website, it appears you only do hardcore racing mods. Do you do more "street" mods that aren't listed on your site?

 

yes, I am just too busy/lazy to update the site

 

RMW is making an exhaust. Dyno tested it at about 14 whp with the downpipe. Others are correct in assuming that a cat back only isn't going to make any power. You'd be lucky if you made 2 HP from just a catback.

 

Whoops, beat me to it .

 

I'm not sure I understand how a cat-back exhaust on a turbo engine won't improve power significantly. I had a 996TT and quite literally changed the muffler (albeit a large & cumbersome all-in-one unit), switched to 100-cell cats, and I had a dynoed ~30WHP increase. My results were very common and easy to duplicate. A quick visit to any major Porsche board (6speed or rennlist) will confirm this.

the only way I can believe the same results (skewed downward for the difference in displacement) would not be true for mini is if mini already uses a super-efficient exhaust design, similar to AMG.

 

your 2nd sentence says it all

 

You're talking about a giant boxer 6 and comparing it to a 1.6L inline 4?

The Prince motor flows about as much air in 5 minutes as that 996 motor does in 30 seconds at WOT.

Just not a huge restriction. Swapping out the downpipe and cat will yield the biggest results. Cat-Back is hardly any power.

 

So Cat Back then is mainly for sound then??? Makes sense when you see the restriction from the Turbo back stock system...and then say look at Alta/Supersprint etc Turbo back with high flow cat, or not cat at all...

Shame is...most of that stuff is not CARB legal

 

07 MC S. Had JCW tuning kit installed. Included exhaust. Love the sound, not too loud, not like a vacuum cleaner and decent looking at the boot. Also, the ECU upgrade made a sinificant difference.

 

So to be clear - will a TURBO-back system make a performance difference worth the $1700 cost? Or are we better off with a $340 muffler swap for sound only?

 

MY vote is a big NO. The 3" is a consistent outperformer over 2.5". Our in house testing proves it, as does the independents.

Simple logic, why would 2.5" be ideal for a S/C (r53/52) and still be ideal for a turboed R56? Makes no sense. Turbo's would love a huge inverted funnel for an exhaust.

The STOCK R56 system is 2.36" inches!!!!

 

the turbo is also the size of a hair dryer