HELP....Got Randy's Milltek header today. Question, DO I REUSE THE ORIGINAL HEADER GASKET?

There's no new header gasket in the box. Hope I don't have to wait until next week to get a new one.

Thanks

 

sid,
you should be able to use the same gasket. lay it over the header and see if the holes all match. if the holes in the gasket are smaller than the header then you will want to trim some of the gasket away for best flow. i am guessing that the gasket looks to be in good shape, but if not then go to the auto parts store and get a high temp gasket sealer. i have always used Ultra Copper (and it really works great). follow the directions on the tube and you will be all set. i would use the old gasket as well as the sealer to take up any gaps and seal up any leaks. if your still having problems give me a call and i'll give you a hand.

and as a side note, the mirror caps will gain you at least that much because they will blind the other cars around you...lol...and i think the stock S wing would look cooler in red than maybe the aero wing. think about that one.

 

Cough...cough....just finished the job...well, a half hour ago so Randy's estimate of 1.5 hour job is pretty spot on

Thought I'd just jack it up and wait for some replies but just kept going till it was done. WHOA

Thanks, Chad for your input. I did reuse the metal gasket and there doesn't seem to be any leaks. And the check engine light didn't come one. AOK According to Randy's guestimet, he figures I should have 207 WHP now

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Silver,
No problem on re-using the gasket for the Milltek header. Most of us have hardly any miles on our MINIs when we add the header.

The exhaust loudness will vary from car to car based on the exhaust you have. Sometimes the loudness is hardly affected and sometimes quite a bit more. The Milltek usually adds only modestly to exhaust note, Mini Mania headers usually quite a bit more. Loudness does not equal power.

I have the quicksilver and noticed that the Milltek header added much loudness.

You should notice more HP and torque in the 4000-6500 rpm range. With a Borla race exhaust you are getting the max power gains that the Milltek will offer.

 

Thanks, Minihune. What kinda cat back are you using :smile:

 

207? What mods do you have??? You must have everything they make!!! I'm still very skeptical that the aftermarket headers make any power. I have yet to see them make power when dynoed by someone that doesn't sell them.

 

I had Randy install the Alta intake and pully along with his ECU mod. Before that, I've already had the Borla Race. When I ordered the header from Randy, I asked about his best guess and that's what he told me We'll see after the dyno run (to be scheduled after Ryan get his Milltek exhaust....hee hee).

I've pretty much done all the BIG stuff. Big throttle body and cam could add another 10 hp but I'm satisfied for now...NOT

Really, this should be enough

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Silver,

My Cat-back is the quicksilver (single sided exhaust-21 pounds) by London Stainless.

>>I had Randy install the Alta intake and pully along with his ECU mod. Before that, I've already had the Borla Race. When I ordered the header from Randy, I asked about his best guess and that's what he told me We'll see after the dyno run (to be scheduled after Ryan get his Milltek exhaust....hee hee).

According to Eric at Helix13 he is getting about 166 to 168 Wheel HP from an intake/15% pulley/Borla exhaust.
Even with the alta intake/ECU/ Borla race and Milltek header my math doesn't give me 207 Wheel HP for your MCS.
You might check back with Randy some time- I'd guess it would be closer to 185 WHP which is plenty powerful.

>>I've pretty much done all the BIG stuff. Big throttle body and cam could add another 10 hp but I'm satisfied for now...NOT

Throttlebody and cam don't really add much- 10 HP would be generous, probably closer to 6 or 7 HP so that would be a pretty expensive way to add HP.

Headers? The Milltek I have definitely adds some power but it overlaps with the power I get from my Quicksilver- all mid to high range rpms. It's not abundant like the pulley upgrade but it is noticable. I talked to Eric about dyno results from headers and he is not impressed with ones he has tested but he has never dynoed the Milltek or London stainless header. I had my quicksilver first then later added the Milltek header so I know that the cat-back exhaust did add power.

 

Maybe it was a typo? He might have meant HP not WHP. Will ask him after the holidays....MERRY CHRISTMAS