I came across this thread http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...oute-pipe.html, and I was curious if anyone has information on the performance benefits, rather than the sound benefits. I would assume that by doing this mod, there would be less restriction, causing a potential gain in HP. Opinions?

Thanks in advance!

 

Please search "one ball"

I have done many .
Many are actually disappointed that it isn't louder .
meh ... never done a dyno.
butt dyno says better . .

 

I use to be into the sound of the exhaust when I was younger. Now in my older age, I would say I'm looking for performance more than anything. For something as simple and cheap as this is, until I get a decent exhaust mounted, I figure why not, assuming there is some sort of HP gain =p

So it's called the "one ball" mod....nice =p lol

 

Even full exhaust systems on minis show a minimal gain. Though if you do other mods it will help in the long run. I have the one ball mod and am fairly happy with it. I will be doing a full custom system in a week or so

 

For those of you who are familiar with the science of exhaust systems, does my logic sound right? Less restriction by removing the 1 resonator (one ball mod). This particular topic aside, at what point is too less restriction start affecting the desired amount of back pressure? And please correct me as I could be completely wrong =p Like I said, exhausts are not my thing.

 

"tmscaf" you are correct.
although most of my scientific exhaust knowledge is with 2 strokes .. I have knowledge with 4 strokes as well.
eventually "not enough" back pressure will have a reduction in torque.

That said the diameter and length of the MINI exhaust with a Cat and a resonator .. ...I''ll bet that alone is "enough " back pressure , before any system would have a reduction on torque.

Yhis is just me thinking here folks . haven't dynoed and researched results

 

I would imagine you'd see a minimal increase doing the one ball mod. When I purchased my R53 it already had it done...so I can't comment on a before/after. However, I just slapped on an Invidia cat-back and can compare that. First: the one ball is louder at low loads than the invidia. The one ball sounds sort of like loud engine noise. The invidia sounds much better. The pops were much louder with the one ball as well, almost sounding like gunshots. With the invidia they are more subdued and much bassier. The butt dyno didn't notice any performance gains with the swap to the invidia, but I wasn't really expecting any. I just wanted the car to sound better. Maybe if I did the exhaust swap before my pulley I may have noticed a difference, but ever since doing the pulley nothing seems to be a big enough performance gain

 

The 'One Ball' was originally suggested by Andy at Ross Tech many years ago, and we did the prototype. We did a before and after dyno, same car, same day and saw a whopping 2 wheel horsepower gain. The delta occurred only near redline and torque was almost identical across the rev range. As stated above, the sound level is almost identical with a slight raspyness that doesn't occur on the stocker. It was a good way to lose weight at the very least.

 

if you are just looking for performance the exhaust isnt really the best place to search for it. maybe look into some injectors and an ecu tune?

 

JCW injectors acquired Waiting for the CAI and then I'll head for an ECU tune. Shortly....