Ohhhhhhh yes, that's my car....it's black

That was one of my old tunes, took it out on the latest tunes though

 

so i finally got my exhaust thanks to a fellow member here on nam. i have never installed an exhaust so doing this was pretty intimidating. to be honest i wish i read this thread a little more before i did the install because taking off the stock exhaust was a pain in the butt. what made it hard was taking it off the hangers. thumper mentioned about using wd40 but i missed that. i ended up looking for instructions on how to take off the oem exhaust and i ended up using a long flat head to take it off. that pretty much took the entire time of the install. those darn hangers.

all in all it was a 2 hour install with the hangers taking most of the time. its a lovely exhaust. i am addicted to the sound but there is a slight drone to it. again just a SLIGHT drone but enough that my gf noticed it and asked me what that sound was. through that, i am going to dynomat the boot. during the first drive with her, we both noticed the rattling, which everyone who installed this exhaust knows that it is from that plate. heres a question that no one brought up about that plate, is that plate necessarily needed on the mini or can i just take it off? i see how others say loosen the clamps, push up on the middle pipe and then tighten but is that plate really necessary?

another issue that i have is that i am rubbing the rear valence (is that what it is?) with the exhaust tips. i can not prevent that from happening for some reason... i know a lot of members say that there has been no issues of melting and others considered about filing down. has anyone figured this out?

so all in all, this is a great sounding exhaust. the gf said that it is noticeably louder than the stock one. she mentioned that her best friend's rsx has a insanely loud can and that it is unbearable so i trust her opinion on that. if you can handle the ever so SLIGHT drone, which is more of a "hummmmm" sound, then this is the way to go. for me and the gf, im gonna put dynomat. the install is a breeze if you have wd 40 and the tools necessary for the install.

if anyone needs pics i have no issue in taking how ever much you guys need.

-nam

 

Just go to you local hardware store and buy 1/4 inch spacers. Its a structural brace so technically it isn't necessary but your not gonna do any better w/o it

 

A small gear puller works really well for removing the rubber hangers. Of course all of this works better with the WD 40.

As for the exhaust tips rubbing on the valence...What I found was the rotating the center section of the exhaust pipe would raise and lower the exhuast tips and move them left or right. I was able to get about 3/8" clearance with the valence doing that and before tightening the clamps.

I would assume that the plate under the exhaust has something to do with stiffening the car body. I would leave it in. The washers/spacers would be a good idea if you can't move the exhaust up. I was able to get mine moved and it has stayed after really cranking on the clamp bolt. Just be careful not to over tighten it and break the bolt.

 

Just finished installing my Q300. Used four jack stands to allow for room underneath. Took about an hour and a half at a leisurely pace.

Purchased it from StreetRays.com for $557.01 shipped. CHING!

Trick to the hanger grommets is to WD40 them first thing then pry them off gently with a flat head screwdriver after you remove the down pipe clamp. Liquid wrench on the down pipe clamp nut helps also.

Tools needed:

Floor jack, four jack stands
3/8 driver metric deep sockets (only used three sizes)
Two screwdrivers (to pry apart the down pipe clamp)
Channel locks (helps get the band clamps started)

The key is to take your time and double check the tip clearance before cranking down on the band clamps.

Item was well packed with no dents or dings. Instructions were not included. It is not rocket science to install. Don't let mod exuberance cloud common sense. Rolled tips were mandatory.*

Initial post-install thoughts from inside the cabin perspective:

Idle - just right. Does not sound like a Civic with a phart pipe. Thank god.
Low speed driving - just enough louder off idle. Very tolerable.
40mph/4th roll on throttle, no gear change - no straining drone
55mph 5th gear downshift to 4th stab - not really much additional cabin noise over stock.
0mph to redline 1-2, 2-3. Not annoyingly loud at all. Nice balance between turbo spool and exhaust tone.

Seat of pants - too early to tell really. Seems to have a bit more pep but I am driving on Blizzaks. This is not an OH-MY-GAWD-where-have-you-been-all-my-life modification. Worth $749, NO WAY. $560, yeah.

It is smokey and stinky like a new exhaust should be. No worries. Repeated hot turbo gasses will fix that.

Tip to rear valance clearance is approximately 1/4" which is just right in my book. I pushed the tips under the valance a little before tightening as my '08 R56 supposedly has the 'exhaust fix' yet both my wife and I have burned our shins and a So Sorry letter from MINIUSA. * Henceforth a rolled tip being a mandatory requirement.

There should be NO contact between the exhaust and the plate. No washers necessary if you push up on the exhaust when tightening the front band clamp and the rear clamp. The last thing you want is a sagging clanking cherry bomb on a flex tube looking exhaust.

Overall pleased and appreciative of thread posters for indirectly helping determine the purchase.

Bob

 

Where did you jack the car up and what was the placement of the jackstands? Dont want to damage the undercarriage or bend things up. Seen a jackstand almost go through my friends floorpan by the rear passenger footrest lol. I was guna get a set of ramps but can borrow 4 jackstands from a friend.

 

I raised the car at the front jacking point (square box just behind the front tire). Both tires will come off the ground using a decent floor jack.

The front stands went on the frame itself which is not right at the edge of the vehicle. I put the rear stands at the bottom of the rear shock mount.

Please ask for in person assistance if you are new to using a jack/jackstands or do not feel comfortable placing them. I know it is winter but do NOT place jack stands on asphalt, especially when warm.
A guy in my local gearhead forum/club suffocated to death when his jackstand fell over due to asphalt being too warm.

Bob

 

after reading all the posts I am considering the Invidia for my 2011 MCS.However, living in Mass. I have a concern with emissions laws. From what I have read there is a secondary catalyst in the plumbing and it is welded in place. That is why some makers require you to cut the pipe downsream from that secondary cat in order to retain it. Does the Invidia replace the secondary cat in their system? If not, will it create problems at emissions inspection?

 

It depends on how emissions testing is done. If all they do is an OBD2 plug in test, you're fine. It will not cause a check engine light. If they also do tail pipe sniffer, you may have problems, but probably not.

 

Bottom line is you need to check with someone who does the emisssions checks and who you trust or maybe go on line and look up the state requirements. The Invidia does replace the second cat in the system. It actually bolts/clamps directly to the the down pipe where the stock system bolts up.

FWIW - mine just past the NY State inspection performed at the dealer.

 

The only reason for the 2nd cat is so that the car can pass emissions immediately upon a cold start, until the primary cat heats up. If the 2nd cat was integral to passing emissions it would be monitored by O2 sensors like the primary cat is...

 

Thank you all very much. You have been very helpful in my decision making.

 

I ordered the Invidia system from Street Rays.They emailed me back saying that the item listed on ebay (it was listed as their last one so I jumped) is for a 2007 so they are not sure it will fit my 2011. To my knowledge, the only difference is the addition of Valvetronic this year so the basic layout should be the same 2007-2011.Can any one shed any light on this? Thank you in advance. You guys have been really helpful.
Joel

 

i was thinking the exact same thing i have the Accessport already and wanted the first one, its a 3" as well rite just no cat? i emailed exhaust depot about a week ago and no reply... did you ever get this set up?

 

I'm running this setup, but with the catted ED downpipe and a stage 3 map. Power is great and it sounds awesome!

 

Fixed all problems of coming loose. Buddy of mine who is a mini tech welded it with a nice bead and it sounds GGGGGRRRREAT!

 

For reference My buddy does great work in the 703 area, i am even pitching him side jobs from my end i dont have time for. If you want the info PM me. PS hes a MINI tech ;-)

 

 

after the controversy re: the Invidia fitting my 2011 MCS or not,I bought a Magnaflow catback. The installation took about 45 min.I also added a K&N standard air filter and NM torque arm insert. No dyno info but the seat-of-the pants result is dramatic-both throttle response and acceleration. The sound is deep and throaty but not at all obnoxious. IMO a great improvement for not a lot of money.

 

Has anyone done a dyno run before and after their exhaust installation?

If so, where can the dyno charts be found?

 

With the amount of modifications you have, you should know that a cat back exhaust isn't going to provide any sort of useful power gains.

 

Before I did my exhaust I emailed Invidia themselves to ask if the 07+ would fit a 2011 mcs and they replied yes.
I did a custom magnaflow on mine which was far cheaper.

 

 

define useful power gains.

your going to make a couple of measurable ponies because your removing the second cat. but the seat in the pants feel isn't going to increase.

 

Can anyone post pix of their car with the exhaust - like from the back and a bit sideways to see how it sticks out ?
Iam in Canada, anyone with a good website to refer to the Q300 ?
Is is the best one (I know you guys have it haha) you would buy (again) if you had the chance ??
thanks all !!