I bought my 03 MCS in August and have about 3,000 miles on it. Will be adding the pulley from Helix shortly. Need to decide what exhaust I should go with. Performance and Sound is the most important to me. Cost of the exhaust does not matter.

I've narrowed it down to: Magnaflow (sounds good, I like loud)
UCC (my brother Greatgro just got it and it's awesome)
Borla (I had one in my previous corvette and I loved it)

Which exhaust do you have and why? Which would do you suggest now that you know I want performance and a great sound.

Thanks

RaceCarDriver

 

I have both the Borla street and sport system. I have heard them all and REALLY like the Borla sport/race system. I also have the jackson racing header so it has a very unigue sound.I tried it frist " catless ' and it was REALLY loud but sounded great. Now i have the cat converter back on and took the inline resonator out. It is about 85% as loud as before and still sounds great. BTW it will still set off car alarms if you get on it :smile: RandyPage Title maxmini home site

 

>>I bought my 03 MCS in August and have about 3,000 miles on it. Will be adding the pulley from Helix shortly. Need to decide what exhaust I should go with. Performance and Sound is the most important to me. Cost of the exhaust does not matter.
>>
>>I've narrowed it down to: Magnaflow (sounds good, I like loud)
>> UCC (my brother Greatgro just got it and it's awesome)
>> Borla (I had one in my previous corvette and I loved it)

Those are all good choices-
Magnaflow- loudest esp with a header but not the best flow through design if you go all out with the mods at some point. The restriction occurs at the Y joint is the rub. Good HP gains, mod on torque gains. Does drone some.

UUC- not as loud more refined but very good sound. Balance of HP and torque gains at 7 and 7. Very good flow through design. Highest cost at $875. Works well with Milltek header- adds 7 HP with some increase in loudness. Doesn't drone.

Borla- available as street (quiet) or Race/sport (much louder like the Magnaflow). Race/sport has a good flow through design and is louder than UUC.

Other considerations (both with moderate loudness)-
Milltek is coming out with a three piece new exhaust that looks really good. Works well with the Milltek header.
Alta has a good single exhaust that is lighter with good power gains but some hanging problems.

A note on headers. Most of the headers when used with any aftermarket exhaust may increase the exhaust note to the point of being almost as loud or louder than the stock Magnaflow. I have a quicksilver that is moderately loud but after adding the Milltek header it is much louder. So think about whether you might add a header in the future. I have a friend that has a Magnaflow and when he added the Mini Mania header with sport cat it was simply too loud for street use. I agree. He removed it. Milltek in general would add less loudness than Mini Mania's header.

 

Got a few friends with various exhaust for comparison........loud is not my cup of tea (power is)...........

The result is.......................................it appears that UUC (what I have), will give you the most punch/torque, down right simple!!!!!!!!!!!

 

If you want the most H.P/torque gains and Reasonably LOUD the Magnaflow is for you. I went for it based on Randy's suggestion. I also wanted loud and with the most reported gains. Additionally I also like the way the tips fill the space at the edge of the skirt. Flush Tips pictures
I've had one on my '02 MCS for nearly a yr and love it more and more each day. Some have complained about a "drone", personally I havent ever had it, but if you have sensitive ears take a listen b4 you buy. E-bay has the Flow for about $530 E-bay Magnaflow or so and I'm sure some private vendors on here can price match.

Good luck

His, MCS CHILE RED all over, Magnaflow, Helix 15% pulley, Madness CAI & RDR rear swaybar
Hers, MCS Electric Blue, Union Jack on top and bone stock

 

>>If you want the most H.P/torque gains and Reasonably LOUD the Magnaflow is for you. I went for it based on Randy's suggestion. I also wanted loud and with the most reported gains. Additionally I also like the way the tips fill the space at the edge of the skirt.

HP gains and torque gains are separate. Do not assume that if one is high as in the Magnaflow that the other is as well because it is not. The 7 ft lbs of torque that the UUC gives is about as high as it goes for cat-back exhausts. Magnaflow is more like 5 ft lbs of torque albeit slightly higher on HP.

Magnaflow is definitely louder than UUC but magnaflow tips are large trumpet like compared to the more reserved UUC tips-but also very nicely done.

Milltek is the other balanced system for HP and torque gains but isn't that loud, has nice tips like JCW exhaust.

UUC and Milltek don't drone. Some remove the Magnaflow due to droning issues. It's pretty loud inside and out sometimes.

It's probably a good idea to talk to Randy Webb before you make your final decision. If you can hear the exhausts in person that is a good thing to do. Don't forget about Borla Race or Sport because it is quite loud and gives good HP gains and a little better flow through design than the Magnaflow for a highly modded MCS.

 

>>The 7 ft lbs of torque that the UUC gives is about as high as it goes for cat-back exhausts. Magnaflow is more like 5 ft lbs of torque albeit slightly higher on HP.

Aloha!!! , Thanks Mr. Science for correcting my error. :smile: But C'mon we're really splitting hairs here...can you really "feel" 2lbs of torque? IMO the most important issues when choosing a cat back exhaust are the sound, aethethics ( tips) , quality of product and cost. Sure they all give a few more H.P and torque, but from what I've read here it really depends on what other mods you have.

I was a bit disappointed when I was dynoed before and after the Helix pulley, due to the fact that a friend of mine, who has the same mods, excluding the Magnaflow actually had a few more ft.lbs torque and H.P. (dynoed on same machine under similar operating temps and atmospheric conditions) Did the Magnaflow with the pulley give me these lower #s?

Has someone dynoed the various cat back exhaust systems on a pulley modded S to see what the gains are then? If so post a link. I believe the dyno #s posted with each exhaust are on a "stock" S. What the gains are with the addition of CAI, Pulley etc. who knows?

To the poster of this thread. Do us a favor, get the pulley get it dynoed and the add exhaust and see if you can get another dyno and let us know the results. Or if anyone knows these elusive results let us all know.

Thanks.




His, MCS CHILE RED all over, Magnaflow, Helix 15% pulley, Madness CAI & RDR rear swaybar
Hers, MCS Electric Blue, Union Jack on top and bone stock

 

If interested you can check out this:
http://www.webbmotorsports.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=3
especially exhausting exhausts. Then talk to Randy Webb about his estimates on HP and dyno results.

 

>>I bought my 03 MCS in August and have about 3,000 miles on it. Will be adding the pulley from Helix shortly. Need to decide what exhaust I should go with. Performance and Sound is the most important to me. Cost of the exhaust does not matter.
>>
>>I've narrowed it down to: Magnaflow (sounds good, I like loud)
>> UCC (my brother Greatgro just got it and it's awesome)
>> Borla (I had one in my previous corvette and I loved it)
>>
>>Which exhaust do you have and why? Which would do you suggest now that you know I want performance and a great sound.
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>RaceCarDriver

Your brother & I have both....lived/researched this issue for nearly a year :smile:
You have all the info...... one could possibly have...at your fingertips :smile:
You know what each of the three above choices offer/represent in both sound/performance/etc....etc

It's your PERSONAL choice dude... :smile:

Jump into da pool....:smile:

Peace,
D

>>
>>


_________________
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

I have the Borla Race system and I love it. My decision was influenced by cost so I tried to find the best design for the money and I wanted it louder than stock but not obnoxious. I love the borla Race, it was a good price, best flow design and great sound with nice tips. I've been able to drive behind my MCS (in the wife's Mini Van) while she drove "my" Mini and it sounds sooo nice. My 2yr old son said it best on his first ride in the back seat with the Borla Race - "There's a Monster in Daddy's car.... I can hear it".

 

I have the Magnaflow on my 04 mcs and like it alot. Love the sound, can feel the hp gain (Alta Intake also installed) and, for the $$ its a good bang for your buck.

 

>>I have the Borla Race system and I love it. >>
>>
>>

Is the Borla Race street legal?

 

>>>>I have the Borla Race system and I love it. >>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>Is the Borla Race street legal?
>>
>>
>>
Yes, they have two versions the "Borla Street" and the "Borla Sport". the Borla Sport has more commonly been refered to as "Borla Race" but it's completely street legal and not as loud as the "Race" might imply. As a comparison, most of the "Ricer" cars I encounter that have aftermarket exhausts are much louder sounding that the Borla Race is but not nearly as nice sounding. Any aftermarket Truck exhaust will be much louder than the Borla Race also for comparison. So it's not like your obnoxious going down the road, it just sounds good... kinda like you'd expect a Ferarri to sound. It has about the same sound level as some of the new Infinity cars have, like the G35 or the FX45.

 

I disagree. I have the UUC and it definitely drones. It's just that it only drones in certain circumstances. Basically you must be in the 3k RPM range and be giving it a lot of gas. So if you're cruising on the highway, it's not bad at all - almost nonexistent. But if you go up a steep hill on the highway and give it a lot of gas in 6th gear on the highway - it's VERY, VERY loud and resonanting. I don't mind it but my wife does!

I would also seriously consider the Milltek, Racecardriver. But there isn't much info or sound clips of that one yet b/c it's so new.

 

Ok, I have to bite.... why on earth would you be giving it WOT in 6th gear @ 3k RPMs? You have a clutch in your car... use it to downshift! Heck I don't like trying to open it up in 6th gear at all... 6th gear is a cruising gear, not an accelerating gear.

 

Sorry I didn't mean WOT in 6th. Just if you're cruising at 70 or 80 mph and the highway now goes uphill. You'll have to put the pedal halfway down to MAINTAIN your speed. In stock form I always downshifted even for stuff like this. But since I got the pulley (19k miles ago) I like how even 6th gear has power and it isn't necessary to downshift to accelerate or even pass other cars. But even maintaining speed up and upgrade will require a downshift to 4th or 3rd to avoid very loud droning. But still, I'm not complaining but rather stating a fact for those that want to avoid droning at all costs!

 

I've got the Borla Street and love it.

 

>>I've got the Borla Street and love it.

Ditto Black Dog :smile:

Peace,
D

 

I have the Borla street and I love it!!!
Check out http://www.flowfaster.com they have the Borla at a great price!!!

 

Ok, I think I've narrowed it down to the UUC and the Borla Race (the Borla street would definitely be too quiet for me)

RaceCarDriver

 

I have the UUC, I like it, but D put it very well, you got the info, its personal pref. no matter which one you get, you will be in good company.

 

>>Ok, I think I've narrowed it down to the UUC and the Borla Race (the Borla street would definitely be too quiet for me)
>>
>>RaceCarDriver
>>

If you've narrowed it down to those two, then the only reason to purchase the Borla is because you can't afford the UUC. The UUC is beautifuly designed system, all polished, 'Y' pipe that's a work of art and arguably nicer tips. That would have been my choice over the Borla but I wasen't going to spend close to $900 on an exhaust with most of the benifits going unseen to all except the neightbors cat that occuasionally crawls under my MINI for a rest.

Decisions up to you, both are nice systems for the price.

 

>>>>Ok, I think I've narrowed it down to the UUC and the Borla Race (the Borla street would definitely be too quiet for me)
>>>>
>>>>RaceCarDriver
>>>>
>>
>>If you've narrowed it down to those two, then the only reason to purchase the Borla is because you can't afford the UUC. The UUC is beautifuly designed system, all polished, 'Y' pipe that's a work of art and arguably nicer tips. That would have been my choice over the Borla but I wasen't going to spend close to $900 on an exhaust with most of the benifits going unseen to all except the neightbors cat that occuasionally crawls under my MINI for a rest.
>>
>>Decisions up to you, both are nice systems for the price.
>>
>>
>>


Assuming the performance from the two are the same. I think I want the one that sounds the loudest.

RaceCarDriver

 

>>Assuming the performance from the two are the same. I think I want the one that sounds the loudest.
>>
>>RaceCarDriver

They will probably be similar. Also, the sound level is probably similar but I think you yourself would have to hear them to choose base on how loud it is. My Borla does drone but unlike the UUC that someone mentioned above, the Borla only drones below 3k RPM when on the gas hard. Above 3k and the exhaust doesn't drone in the car at all.

 

I have decided to go with the Magnaflow system. Great price and very good performance returns. The fact that the system is loud is a feature to me that might be a down side for others.