Well, Randy's been here in Detroit and done it for the lot of us. For me, the pully and ECU only begs for more mods...like maybe headers and throttle body? Who's got a Milltech header and how did it affect your performance and sound?

I'm also considering the Minimania cat-less header. Anyone have one of these and how does that affect the sound and hp as opposed to one with cat?

Untill Randy recovers from our pully party, let's hear some inputs?

Thank you Randy. You guys should ask him about his near jail experience while my Mini's motor was jacked up LOL

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i've got the London Stainless manifold (its the same thing) on my MC. In conjunction with the head, intake, exhaust system and such it appears to make a little HP. I don't think it makes a whole lot of differenc by itself (randy did a dyno run I believe). All together it has significantly made a diff. I'm not sure how much of the sound is due to the header but the car is definitely louder.

 

Silver does have an S and modding an S and a Cooper for power are two very different ballgames. I think you'll see a lot more power with an aftermarket header on the S vs the Cooper.

 

And with no cat they all get LOUDER.

I have the mini mania one on and it's TOO LOUD, it is coming off this weekend.

 

>>And with no cat they all get LOUDER.
>>
>>I have the mini mania one on and it's TOO LOUD, it is coming off this weekend.

Please elaborate...what kinda exhaust do you have?

 

A fellow local MINI owner (killer MCS :smile:

 

I will get the MIlltek Header and catback so I will let you guys know what I think about it .

 

A friend of mine here in the valley has the milltek header with the Borla race exhaust. It's loud like (maybe a little louder than) the Magnaflow with a stock header. Although not the package for me (since you can hear the car a half mile away), it sounds the nicest of any combo out there that I've heard.

 

>>A friend of mine here in the valley has the milltek header with the Borla race exhaust. It's loud like (maybe a little louder than) the Magnaflow with a stock header. Although not the package for me (since you can hear the car a half mile away), it sounds the nicest of any combo out there that I've heard.



That's perfect

I too have the Borla Race with pully, ECU, Alta intake. Sounds like the ticket (not literally) for me
Did he install it himself and how hard was it?
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A couple of thoughts here. If you want to get the performance that the header does bring but stay mellow with sound you have two clear options.

1) Run the header with the stock catback exhaust.
2) Run the header with a more conservative sounding aftermarket exhaust like the Milltek Quick Fit. #1 one is the most quiet choice that will get you power.

-Pete, Stratmosphere (Milltek Importer)


>>>>A friend of mine here in the valley has the milltek header with the Borla race exhaust. It's loud like (maybe a little louder than) the Magnaflow with a stock header. Although not the package for me (since you can hear the car a half mile away), it sounds the nicest of any combo out there that I've heard.
>>
>>
>>
>>That's perfect
>>
>>I too have the Borla Race with pully, ECU, Alta intake. Sounds like the ticket (not literally) for me
>>Did he install it himself and how hard was it?
>>_________________
>>
>>

 

im the friend the header isnt to bad of an intall it helps to have two people to work it in to place. it is hard to see the lineup of bolts when intalling. i love it though it is an awesome setup. could feel power gains. you should think about a tb too that was a real difference. with the head i got about 10flbs which is always nice for seat of the pants feel.

 

Nice to hear that. I am very excited to get them.

 

>>im the friend the header isnt to bad of an intall it helps to have two people to work it in to place. it is hard to see the lineup of bolts when intalling. i love it though it is an awesome setup. could feel power gains. you should think about a tb too that was a real difference. with the head i got about 10flbs which is always nice for seat of the pants feel.


what's a "tb"?

 

To answer the topic question of this thread, the Milltek header with cat works damn well for me, and its not a tough install. I have the Alta exhaust to complete the system in back, as well as Alta intake, larger throttle body, Alta diverter for the IC (larger IC will go in next Spring), ignition mods, and pulley and ECU by Randy. The sound is loud enough to mean business and get some attention without being annoying (except to my wife) or droning (or was that my wife?), and the whole package kicks ***. I just need to dial in the BMW/Williams F1 launch control system.

 

>>what's a "tb"?

tb = Throttle body

 

I have the LS/Milltek, and the stock Works exhaust. It is not too loud, nor too ricey. Growls, but no drone/resonances like some. Very useable, flows well. Actually took off my Alta intake, replaced with Rogue/madness and it made a huge difference. Much nicer sound now, and LOTS of burbles on the overrun. Worth it even at the higher price I paid early on.

 

Diggy, what made you choose to remove the Alta intake and put on the Rogue?

 

Yes I would be interested as well, seeing as I have your previous combination on order for an 03 JCW MCS....

 

Noise, lots and lots of noise. The whine was initially fun, but it became quite annoying, and a couple horsepower didn't make much diff to me, I have plenty. The wall between the intake and the cockpit really makes a huge difference, and the Alta performed fine, I just didn't like the noise. We have had other supercharged cars, and this was overwhelming. My wife's old Jag VdP Super had whine at WFO, but even that was nothing compared to this. Everyone that has driven it before and after remark how much quieter it is.
Header is much bigger deal than dyno shows, it seems. You won't regret it. Do TB as well, big IC, and S2K's won't like you anymore. Trust me.

 

If you'd like to keep the noise down, the Quicksilver catback may be an option - the QS catback has good power delivery but is a bit more mellow in sound levels.

The Milltek header is a good one; it is remarkably similar to the Quicksilver header - take a look at both. We have a sale on the Quicksilver DP currently. Although we're the QS importer, I must say that either system is a very good choice for a Mini owner.

Regards,
Ken

Cool New
http://www.coolnew.com

 

First lets address the Milltek Header question-
Loudness- either you get a little more loudness with certain less noisy exhausts such as the Milltek 3 piece, the JCW kit,Stock exhaust or Borla Street cat-back.
Or you can get more loudness-most of the flow through exhausts like Magnaflow, Borla Race, UUC and even Quicksilver Cat-back (Which I have).
Power- Best power about 7HP comes with Milltek header with flow through cat-back exhaust like Milltek 3 piece, UUC, magnaflow, Borla Race, Alta. The restrictive exhausts don't get as much gain maybe only half-results will vary. These include stock, Borla street, JCW kit, Quicksilver.
For the MC the Milltek isn't going to add that much power- might be better to spend a little less and get the Mini Mania header with sport cat-. Gives some gains but less than the Milltek header $750 vs $895. Headers with no sport cat are not giving gains on dyno tested at multiple sources. Talk to Randy Webb or Helix13 about that.

>>If you'd like to keep the noise down, the Quicksilver catback may be an option - the QS catback has good power delivery but is a bit more mellow in sound levels.
>>
>>The Milltek header is a good one; it is remarkably similar to the Quicksilver header - take a look at both. We have a sale on the Quicksilver DP currently. Although we're the QS importer, I must say that either system is a very good choice for a Mini owner.

I have Quicksilver Cat back exhaust with single tail pipe. It was mildly loud installed on my MCS but with the Milltek header it is now much louder. So I would say be prepared for it to be loud with both installed. Power gain was a little in the mid to high rpm range. At best +4HP with the header. O2 sensors work fine.

On Throttlebody- small gains for $459, I have the 62mm and smooth throttle response but maybe 5HP gain if you have pulley installed. Doesn't really seem worth the price but there is a small gain.

 

>>If you'd like to keep the noise down, the Quicksilver catback may be an option - the QS catback has good power delivery but is a bit more mellow in sound levels.
>>
>>The Milltek header is a good one; it is remarkably similar to the Quicksilver header - take a look at both. We have a sale on the Quicksilver DP currently. Although we're the QS importer, I must say that either system is a very good choice for a Mini owner.
>>
>>Regards,
>>Ken
>>
>>Cool New
>>http://www.coolnew.com
>>


Ken, How are the Milltech and QS similar or disimilar in HP gains and internal design?

Thanks

 

>>>>The Milltek header is a good one; it is remarkably similar to the Quicksilver header - take a look at both. We have a sale on the Quicksilver DP currently. Although we're the QS importer, I must say that either system is a very good choice for a Mini owner.

>>Ken, How are the Milltech and QS similar or disimilar in HP gains and internal design?

The London Stainless/QS Header and Milltek header are the "same" design. Very similar HP gains and same 4-1 primaries to collector design with sport cat and two working O2 sensors. LS was $1300 and Milltek header is now $895. The pictures look identical.

 

I wonder if any exhaust manufacturers, exhaust vendors, or individual enthusiasts have done testing on the actual backpressure in the header under load. It's a fairly simple procedure, thread a section of brake tubing into a bung in the exhaust (the metal tubing helps dissipate heat) the attach a cheap pressure gauge to the end of the tubing using some rubber tubing. According to Corky Bell, exhaust backpressure should remain under 4 psi, but even ignoring that reference value, it would be interesting to compare stock and aftermarket backpressures.

 

Corky Bell...he's still around? I met him in Texas where he had installed his turbo system on my CRX back in mid 80s.


>>I wonder if any exhaust manufacturers, exhaust vendors, or individual enthusiasts have done testing on the actual backpressure in the header under load. It's a fairly simple procedure, thread a section of brake tubing into a bung in the exhaust (the metal tubing helps dissipate heat) the attach a cheap pressure gauge to the end of the tubing using some rubber tubing. According to Corky Bell, exhaust backpressure should remain under 4 psi, but even ignoring that reference value, it would be interesting to compare stock and aftermarket backpressures.