I have a chance to buy a used JCW exhaust (photo) attached. Questions though

1) What is the big part at the upstream end...that's not the Catalytic converter is it?

2) What would be a fair price to offer for this (It's apparently low mileage...the owner replaced it with a Borla exhaust at 3000 miles)?

3) This will fit on my '06 R53, right? It's from an '08 Cabrio (so it's still an R52, right?)

 

1. Yup that is not a Catalytic converter. AFAIK, that is a midbox or mid muffer or got alot of name for it.. the use of it is to quiet down the exhaust and restricting some flow.. some have replaced with a straight pipe but not sure abt the sound or any performance increase (i dont have JCW exhaust)

2. Not sure sorry.

3. Yup it will fit

 

Yes, that's a catback exhaust. The catalytic converter is built into the factory exhaust manifold/header. My Invidia exhaust came with the same basic setup, albeit different mufflers and different angles on the muffler piping.

Prices in the Marketplace section show about $400 for a used JCW exhaust. Age, mileage, and driving conditions would be factors. Consider the fact a new Invidia catback exhaust can be had for about $660.

 

Ok, I'm confused. You're saying that the stock R53 cat is upstream of where this exhaust will connect? Just want to be clear, I haven't looked underneath mine (with stock exhaust except one-ball) to have ssen the cat. I don't want to accidently eliminate my cat...

 

You can't accidentally eliminate your converter from the manifold...it would have to be cut off.
Just separate the system from the manifold at the two bolt flange, undo the hangers, and remove the old system.

 

Yes, the catalytic converter is upstream of the full cat-back exhaust. The large cylindrical part at the tip of the single pipe is a resonator to help reduce noise. The OEM exhaust has large mufflers that do the job, so the center pipe does not have one. My Invidia exhaust has a resonator as well because the mufflers are long and cylindrical in shape for maximum flow.

 

Understand all. Thanks. Have to negotiate a price now and see if I can afford it.