I recently installed the alta sportone exhaust, and the tips hang low and are uneven. could this be due to install error or manufacturing defect?

 

Yes. Install error seems far more likely, though, or possibly damage during shipment.
_________________
"Meine dispatcher says there is something wrong with deine cable"

 

This is a known problem. Randy Webb noticed it when this exhaust was reviewed by him. His remedy was to cut the pipes at the rear of the muffler and weld them back at a slightly different and better angle. When questioning Alta they claim that all MINIs are a bit different and that their test MINI did fine with this production model of Alta exhaust.

I would take up this illfit with Alta and if you cannot find any easy way to fix it then you might need to cut the tail pipe and weld it back so that it does hang correctly.

I would have thought that by now Alta had corrected this problem.

 

I stand corrected...

 

huh, i wanted to get that exhaust...been waiting forever to get one.

i guess not any more.

oh well.

 

It's survival of the fittest with aftermarket parts. While ALTA makes some very top-shelf products (CAI, taper-bore 15% pulley, big Intercooler, sway bars, and short-shifter) I hate to say they struck out with their cat-back. Sub-par fitment and OMG yukkie/wheezy standing-behind-the-car sound makes for a bad choice. If you want a lightweight single-sided cat-back, the Quicksilver is a much better option.

 

hey ryan, slightly off topic however, while you are discussing alta products: i want to install a short shifter and i am looking at b&m. how does it compare to alta in your opinion and what should i be concerned with in choosing one? thanks.
it sounds like the alta is the best choice for the pulley? :smile:

 

>>huh, i wanted to get that exhaust...been waiting forever to get one.
>>
>>i guess not any more.
>>
>>oh well.
kenchan,
I installed the Miltek exhaust last weekend. Great looks, great sound, even better perfomance. I was waiting for the Alta too until I noticed that the exhaust only came out one of the tips and that it makes a wooshing sound instead of the lower tone of the Miltek. My MCS has the aero kit also and it took a little shimming to keep the tips from touching the body. Despite that it was an easy install. Check it out here:

http://homepage.mac.com/mudshark45/PhotoAlbum18.html

Patrick

 

>>hey ryan, slightly off topic however, while you are discussing alta products: i want to install a short shifter and i am looking at b&m. how does it compare to alta in your opinion and what should i be concerned with in choosing one? thanks.
>>it sounds like the alta is the best choice for the pulley? :smile:
For pulleys you might check out the helix13 pulleys in various sizes. They are made to Helix13 specs by two sources, one of them is P&D which made the original pulley upgrades. Both bolt on and press on type pulleys are for sale. Alta is the bolt on type.

For short shifters, you might look into the Helix13 short shifter which is about $40 and keeps the shift **** height the same as stock- using the stock or aftermarket ****. But the throw length is less and more positive. The Alta and B&M short shifters will change the height of the **** and cost $100+ more for parts.

I own the B&M with a momo **** and I have tried the Helix13 short shifter with a stock **** and I like the later better. Worth a look.

 

nice job, Patrick!!

Thanks for the info on the shimming. Looks like about 7-8mm needed, huh?
That's a great idea. Your mcs looks great...

>>kenchan,
>>I installed the Miltek exhaust last weekend. Great looks, great sound, even better perfomance. I was waiting for the Alta too until I noticed that the exhaust only came out one of the tips and that it makes a wooshing sound instead of the lower tone of the Miltek. My MCS has the aero kit also and it took a little shimming to keep the tips from touching the body. Despite that it was an easy install. Check it out here:
>>
>>http://homepage.mac.com/mudshark45/PhotoAlbum18.html
>>
>>Patrick

 

>>I recently installed the alta sportone exhaust, and the tips hang low and are uneven. could this be due to install error or manufacturing defect?

I installed the Alta exhaust early last Fall. I had the same install issues. I was able to align the tips be rotating the rear muffler section before tightening the bolts at the rear flange. You can see it in the pictures posted on page 3 of Boston Pulley Party on Randy Webb's site.

More recently I resorted to removing the rear section and adjusting the welded hangers with a hammer to deal with the height issue. I enjoy the looks and sound of the system, but I would like to hear the Milltek system live. The only issue I have now is a nagging, occaisional vibration and noise from the heat shield next to the mid-section exhaust bracket.

 

kenchan,
Don't know the mm's. 3 washers did the trick.
Patrick

 

Just finished installing my Alta exhaust. Love the sound and size and shape of tips but hate the fit. Why can't they get it right. My system was from the lated production run which was suppose to take care of all the problems. I also have rattle in mid section when at idle. Will have to take to muffler shop to have ends moved. WOW.

15% pully, Alta Intake, Helix shortshifter, Altra Exhaust. Waiting for G.I.A.C.

 

does ANYONE have a sound/video clip of the alta exhaust? i've asked on Webb and Mini2 and no one has one....

I was thinking about getting one. Fitment isn't an issue b/c i got a great exhaust guy.... just concerned about sound.

comments?

thanks
-ABT-

 

I realy like the sound because of no drone. Well made except for tips hanging and a little twisted. Sorry no sound chip.

 

>>I realy like the sound because of no drone. Well made except for tips hanging and a little twisted. Sorry no sound chip.

pics? i want to see what you mean by "a little twisted."

thanks!

 

IF you have not already read this older thread on this exhaust-then check it out.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...4&start=25

How to install
http://outmotoring.com/How_to_altaexhaust.htm

>>pics? i want to see what you mean by "a little twisted."
Outmotoring says the units they have installed have tips that are level- you might check with them.

A little Twisted!

This was Randy Webb's initial install.
Then after six tries

Then he cut and rewelded it for a better fit

Then it fit better but one side had more exhaust flow and turned color

So Randy torched the other tip and painted the inside a little black

Does this seem like a lot of extra work? Hmm.

And Randy is not alone with this twisted fitment issue.


All pics off of Randy's site.
I have not seen one in person up close.
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Send a PM to minihune Mele Kalikimaka & Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

 

thanks minihune.... had seen the pics on webb, but not the other thread you linked too.... the reason i wanted to see dennisyvonne's pics is that the ones on Webb's site are from the purported "original" system.... supposedly they had "fixed" the problems and i wanted to see what the "fixed" system looked like..... hence i have wanted to see a newer one.

the request still stands, BTW.

thanks for the link to the old thread, minihune!

-ABT-

 

actually, minihune, a LOT of thanks are in order - on that "how to install" page on outmotoring's site, he has some audio clips of the exhaust. thanks for that link!

FYI for everyone else: Outmotoring has a sound clip outside the car stationary, and inside the car while moving. i would like to hear an outside with the car driving by, because outside the exhaust sounds a little different with a load on the engine.

i didn't hear any "jet sound" that has been rumored with this exhaust. all i could hear was the supercharger whine.

-ABT-