Hi there. What are people's thoughts on this exhaust from MiniMania? Any particular reason why it should be so much more expensive than, for example, the Borla? Does anyone know who manufactures the exhaust for MiniMania.

I ask because I recently purchased this cat-back system from a reseller, Minispares, in the UK (although the exhaust still says 'MiniMania' on the side) and I suppose need reassuring that the extra money spent over a Playmini or Magnex was worthwhile.

Any info. or opinions on this exhaust greatly appreciated, cheers. :smile:

 

>>Hi there. What are people's thoughts on this exhaust from MiniMania? Any particular reason why it should be so much more expensive than, for example, the Borla? Does anyone know who manufactures the exhaust for MiniMania.
>>
>>I ask because I recently purchased this cat-back system from a reseller, Minispares, in the UK (although the exhaust still says 'MiniMania' on the side) and I suppose need reassuring that the extra money spent over a Playmini or Magnex was worthwhile.
Bonjour,
Welcome to NAM,
There are many exhausts for the MC and for the MCS at all sorts of prices. Most of the time we see MC exhausts at about $550 USD. This one you mentioned from MiniMania is $695! which I had not seen before. Seems very high but you do get the silent tip that can be removed (I hope it doesn't fall off on that long trip). Also the ad mentions a larger primary pipe but the MC does best with a pipe about 2.25" while the MCS does best with 2.5" diameter pipe so there is a limit how big you can make the pipe.

Seems that other exhausts should do a decent job for less money than this choice. For the MCS we have the UUC for $875 and is only a tad better on power than the Borla street for $200 less. Same sort of thing. The exhaust note is different so you have to decide what you want and what you can live with.

You might call Randy Webb at Webbmotorsports and ask him about this MiniMania MC exhaust- he might know more.

 

>>Hi there. What are people's thoughts on this exhaust from MiniMania? Any particular reason why it should be so much more expensive than, for example, the Borla? Does anyone know who manufactures the exhaust for MiniMania.
>>
>>I ask because I recently purchased this cat-back system from a reseller, Minispares, in the UK (although the exhaust still says 'MiniMania' on the side) and I suppose need reassuring that the extra money spent over a Playmini or Magnex was worthwhile.
>>
>>Any info. or opinions on this exhaust greatly appreciated, cheers. :smile:

I'm 99% sure that's the same MC catback Mini Mania has been selling all along. According to GRM (Grassroots Motorsports - do yourself a favor and subscribe - check it out here) it's built "at Comptech, the Honda tuning firm. The build quality is typical Comptech, with jewelry-like precision welds and heavy-duty flanged joints."



When GRM did their MC exhaust shoot-out (Feb 2003 issue) there were less systems available than there are today. They tested the stock versus Supersprint (the only non-catback of the bunch), Rogue, Mini Mania, and Helix. Long-story-short, it was essentially neck and neck between the Mini Mania and Helix, with the Helix scoring slightly better hp and the Mini Mania scoring slightly better torque. GRM also said the Mini Mania's torque was healthier in the 2000-3500 rpm range.

Why is it so expensive? Dunno. It looks to be very well built and it's come down from its original $725 price, if that's any consolation. Their "silent tip" trick is the only one offered so far....I think.

_________________
'02 IB/IB MC (name=ZIPPY) w/ assorted factory extras + SSR Comps (17&quot w/ B-stone Potenza S-03s + RDR rear swaybar + B&M short shifter + HSport ARCAs + Racing Dynamics strut brace + RSpeed exhaust + PiperCross Viper CAI......etc

 

arent minmania and minspares the same company

 

Nice one. Cheers guys! :smile:

I'd been looking and looking but hadn't been able to find any further information on the exhaust.

I must say I've been fairly impressed with it so far, and the most noticeable thing has been an increase in torque (as well as the noise of course).

Minispares and MiniMania do seem to be essentially the same company. Even the website's laid out the same. My exhaust says 'MiniMania' on the side though, and the guy said they had to import it from the states. He said it was the only cat-back out of the ones they stocked that he could really recommend (the don't stock the Borla at MiniSpares). He sais that unlike the Playmini, it actually does add (albeit very little) power and torque.

Thanks again.

Couple of pics:

 

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>>Slightly off-topic -
>>I like the Strong Bad sticker - I've named my dog after Trogdor the Burninator (a Strong Bad character for those not in the know)!

What's cooler than the Bad sticker is the Nordschleife decal below the plate! The MINI would be a blast there! Fine taste Bonjour!

 

Trogdor rocks!

 

sorry off topic again...

mann i keep getting confused if you guys are talking to me or if you guys are just saying it to the site in general.

my name is also nam. hahahaha thats cool.. i got a site that is my name. but yeah.. mannn i was like whoa someones talking to me. haha ok ok.. but yeah.. back to subject. :smile:

 

Trogdor was actually before home star runner. hate to burst your bubble.

 

>>What's cooler than the Bad sticker is the Nordschleife decal below the plate! The MINI would be a blast there! Fine taste Bonjour!

Yeah, the Nordschleife was great. A group of about 13 of us went over a couple of weeks ago for a Mini corso. There were ~90 Minis from around Europe all going round the ring. We even got to go on the starting grid and go round part of the GP circuit. Obviously the corso was relatively slow, but we had a go in the public session the next day.

I've got a few pics of this if anyone's interested. :smile:

Here's one on the GP circuit:

 

Anyone else have this exhaust? I did a search on Comptech and found that most of their catback systems are similarly priced ($700). Quality seems awesome, but is it really better than say a Borla or RSpeed? Other than Bonjour, has anyone else heard this exhaust? Comparisons or comments?