Drivetrain If you had to choose which exhaust
Nice looking cobra! I have been out of 5.0 racing for about 10 years and had a ton of mustangs throughout that time. As you stated earlier, I'm sure a lot has changed since then.
However, we were surprised to see what little difference cat-back systems made between one another when strapped mustangs to the dyno. Most made about the same 5-12 HP over stock. I will keep searching for some DYNO numbers on mini catbacks. It seems to come down to personal taste rather than actual HP for most of them.
I can get my hands on a borla kit for 400.00 ish but may sink the money into a header instead and just keep the one-ball, even though the muffler is on the wrong side of the car.
my old 96' saleen 11:88 pass
However, we were surprised to see what little difference cat-back systems made between one another when strapped mustangs to the dyno. Most made about the same 5-12 HP over stock. I will keep searching for some DYNO numbers on mini catbacks. It seems to come down to personal taste rather than actual HP for most of them.
I can get my hands on a borla kit for 400.00 ish but may sink the money into a header instead and just keep the one-ball, even though the muffler is on the wrong side of the car.
my old 96' saleen 11:88 pass
I wouldn't know about the exhaust velocity and heat retention of a R53 pumping 13-15psi using a single 2.5" like Alta or dual 2.5" like Magnaflow setup. I thought one ***** were made for reducing weight, corner balancing and saving $$, it seems the saving money part with a decent brand is not much of a savings with MINI tax and all. 
Besides Borla's and Magnaflow's warranty I feel is the best in the industry, Milltek, Stratmos, Invidia, Alta cannot come close to that level of protection even when some cost the same or more.
To somewhat answer the 2.25" on a 1.6L eaton blown car question. I know from personal experience on 2 other Eaton m42 equipped 1.6L cars I've owned, one being a 90 CRX and other a Miata that had a Thermal R&D 60mm(2.35") system. Both cars at 11-12psi setups and produced around same power and tq. The CRX benefited later with just a 2.5" collector on Kamikaze 4-1 catless header and full 2.5" exhaust. Less PSI was seen on datalogs but more power was produced, not only that but the car became free revving, gained power throughout the band and peak, this also allowed the Eaton to work less and stay cooler. This was over 5 years ago, I could only imagine this would be the case with the R53 today being the Tritec is very similar to those 2.
Anyways my one ball is nothing special. It's like any other custom one ball cat-back with no resonator and 1 muffler(Dynomax Super Turbo) sitting on the passenger side exiting like a non-S cooper would. The Dynomax is offset in and center out, and it's not straight thru design. It's very loud and obnoxious.
I'll try to get pics/vids, but it's raining today.
And on your 5.0 comment, I built/tracked a 95' 5.0 Cobra, which I owned until August of this year.
Besides Borla's and Magnaflow's warranty I feel is the best in the industry, Milltek, Stratmos, Invidia, Alta cannot come close to that level of protection even when some cost the same or more.To somewhat answer the 2.25" on a 1.6L eaton blown car question. I know from personal experience on 2 other Eaton m42 equipped 1.6L cars I've owned, one being a 90 CRX and other a Miata that had a Thermal R&D 60mm(2.35") system. Both cars at 11-12psi setups and produced around same power and tq. The CRX benefited later with just a 2.5" collector on Kamikaze 4-1 catless header and full 2.5" exhaust. Less PSI was seen on datalogs but more power was produced, not only that but the car became free revving, gained power throughout the band and peak, this also allowed the Eaton to work less and stay cooler. This was over 5 years ago, I could only imagine this would be the case with the R53 today being the Tritec is very similar to those 2.
Anyways my one ball is nothing special. It's like any other custom one ball cat-back with no resonator and 1 muffler(Dynomax Super Turbo) sitting on the passenger side exiting like a non-S cooper would. The Dynomax is offset in and center out, and it's not straight thru design. It's very loud and obnoxious.
I'll try to get pics/vids, but it's raining today. And on your 5.0 comment, I built/tracked a 95' 5.0 Cobra, which I owned until August of this year.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, Florida
Since I have a Turbo, I opted for 3" exhaust with both the second cat and resonator removed. The outlets On the muffler are 4". It sounds real Angry! 
The downfall is drone on the highway. I found if I keep the motor under 3,000 rpms, the drone is tolerable. I wanted a loud exhaust and it is loud 
. I don't do much highway travel so drone is only an occasional issue .
The downfall is drone on the highway. I found if I keep the motor under 3,000 rpms, the drone is tolerable. I wanted a loud exhaust and it is loud . I don't do much highway travel so drone is only an occasional issue .
Last edited by AXO; Sep 20, 2011 at 05:01 PM.
AXO, For the R56 to have the least bit of drone, Invidia Q300, Borla Street or Milltek/Stratmos is your answer. For the R53 there really isn't a happy medium.
Well here it is, it arrived fresh out of production, factory direct.
I love the look and feel of the system and I'm sure I'll love the sound too.
Well here it is, it arrived fresh out of production, factory direct.
I love the look and feel of the system and I'm sure I'll love the sound too.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 76
From: New Brunswick, CANADA
I may need to replace my OEM exhasut system in the spring. I'm getting a rattle at certain RPMs from the right muffler pod on my 2002 R53.
I'd like to replace the catback system with something other than OEM, but want to keep drone down as much as possible since I do lots of highway driving where RPM ranges in the 3000 to 3250 range.
What would you guys suggest?
I'd like to replace the catback system with something other than OEM, but want to keep drone down as much as possible since I do lots of highway driving where RPM ranges in the 3000 to 3250 range.
What would you guys suggest?
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