You could mount up an R53 borla exhaust which is what I did. It's a single muffler so it's a little louder than a dual set up. Also since the muffler is straight through to the tip with no bends that adds a little volume also. The normal R56 has the two 90 degree bends to exit the center of the car.

 

all mods in the description, except for the boost spring and BPV

 

JIC-Magic Stainless Steel Full Cat-back Exhaust R53 2006 Cooper S


More Photos > http://smu.gs/1axEeq0


Video >

 

Would it be advisable to run open pipe all the way out?

 

I guess a better question is I'm pretty well set on running open pipes, is there any reason that I shouldn't, or any pointers on what I should do with it?

 

It's going to be REALLY loud.

 

With no backpressure, you'll probably experience a drop in performance and you'll annoy a whole lot of people.

 

Ended up buying an alta cat back kit. Not skilled or patient enough to fab up my own.

 

ebay exhaust

 

I've scoured the internet in search of a decent video of the Megan Racing exhaust, but no luck. Can anybody with this exhaust post videos so I can get a better idea how this exhaust sounds? Preferably a drive-by video and inside the car.

 

This is the setup I ended up going with and I love it.

 

So, if anyone is still looking at this thread, what does the membership think about the Alta exhaust ??? Seems over priced ?? Quality or just another exhaust system in the choice of many out there ............

 

I have one on my 2006 MCS. In theory it should be lighter than others since it is one sided. When I bought mine the quality was poor and the warranty was one year. I believe there quality has improved (from what I've read) and that the warranty is longer now (how long?) I like how mine sounds. It is loud, but I am okay with that. Other than the quality issues I had, my only other complaint is I feel it drones a bit too much on the highway. If I were to replace it, I'd like at one of the 2 Borla models.

 

I have an 05 MCS and have the Alta exhaust as well. I also have an OBX racing header and deleted the CAT. My exhaust is a bit loud and "droning" on the highway, but all in all, I like it. I have the oval tip as well which gave it a different look. I have many Alta parts on my car and have always had great luck. Their customer services is great too! I had to have the resonator replaced initially due to a rattle. They replaced it no questions asked!

 

Thanks much for the Alta exhaust feedback.
I am still with the stock system but I like the low noise level.
The Alta looks clean and an easy install but just how loud is it over stock ???


I might have to go with a bigger system but that means paying out $ for the install.

 

From what I've read, Alta is one of the loudest exhausts.

Since Comcast discontinued users home pages, mine is only available on thewayback machine. Here are 3 articles I wrote on the Alta exhaust.
https://web.archive.org/web/20151002...taexhaust.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20151002...aexhaust2.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20151002...aexhaust3.html

 

I was told to add this here Vehicle is an '03 R53. Exhaust is an older Invidia system, stock header and cat.

 

Here's a good example with instructions!

http://new.minimania.com/part/NME103...t-Back-R52-R53

http://new.minimania.com/NME1022_Cat..._MINI_Cooper_S

We also have Borla and Quicksilver:

http://new.minimania.com/Search_Results/cat%20back/All

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Finally got something that looks like an exhaust after a coworker who's more of a talker than a doer did a shitty job to fit my Varex and a custom catback... The stock manifold cracked at the pre-cat not even a week after... I had to take my somewhat expensive Varex muffler to a welding shop to get it fixed. I had the middle section welded with a mig (not stainless), but I don't really mind since I plan on changing the manifold again in the near future (RMW since I plan on getting one of their head anyway). So right now, I have a OBX header, modified factory cat so it's 2.5" all the way, an 18" Vibrant resonator and XForce Varex muffler. I went with the Varex as I work in a city where there's that one cop that hunts anything modified. He even have his own modified coat hanger to stick in mufflers and see if there's baffles in there. So yeah, Varex was the logical choice for me. It's not cheap, but with the trap closed, it sounds like stock (at most like a One-Ball) and when it's open, well, it's not fully straight pipe, but it makes a bunch more noise. There might be a bit of raspiness due to a slightly leaking v-band.

 

Hey guys, I got a Dinan exhaust mounted on my '04 MCS. This is a video I took on my first dyno run with the exhaust mounted. Stock everything except for the exhaust, pulled 155hp/143lb-ft at the wheels.

 

That Dinan exhaust is super rare.

 

Best part about it is I got it for free (plus install/repair costs). A local Miniac was upgrading to a full Milltek exhaust and was giving it away (all of the welding downstream of the muffler needed to be redone).

 

That's cool. Cant beat that. Any of Dinan parts on it?

 

Nothing on mine except the exhaust right now. Would love to get enough parts to earn a Dinan badge though.

 

Avoid Ireland Engineering exhaust systems.

I bought one, had it on my car for 6 months and the thing is rusting. It is not just trivial surface rust either. Additionally, fitment is poor. Mine put the muffler too close to the rear bumper heat shield, resulting in the rear bumper cover getting melted the first race event the muffler saw.

Sound was good though. Little louder than stock.