When I was installing the Milltek header, I noticed the piping diameter of the header is dramatically larger than the subsequent JCW exhaust. :smile:

 

I have no suggestions but if you end up replacing the jcw catback I'd be interested in buying it. Good luck.
:smile:

 

You might want to replace it with something a little beefier like tha Magnaflow

You should be able to sell it for a good price here

 

>>You might want to replace it with something a little beefier like tha Magnaflow

Since the car already has Milltek header, I might consider Milltek exhaust as well.

 

The Magnaflow appears to have the tendency to self-destruct in the resonator area.

NAM thread.
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"In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane." -Oscar Wilde

 

i've swapped out for the milltek exhaust primarily for the deeper tone. but there sure seem to be some power gains.

weird thing i noticed is that there's a slight more roughness to the ride at ~ 2700-3000 rpm especially apparent in the lower gears. but to me it feels like it's additional available torque that's ready to go.

love the swap.

 

kbseto, did the Milltek replaced the JCW exhaust? Is it the new Milltek or the older version? :smile:

 

davecsumini,
I have been looking at the Milltek header to add some salsa. John Cooper Motorsports has a 225bhp kit on their we site:
JCM 225bhp kit
John Cooper Motorsports
The 265 bhp kit !!!

 

I wonder what exhaust is included in the JCM cars. :smile:

 

Dave,
A PM for you
Charlie

 

>>kbseto, did the Milltek replaced the JCW exhaust? Is it the new Milltek or the older version? :smile:

davecsumini,

kbseto had the JCW kit. Then he added the Milltek header and then the new Milltek cat-back exhaust. He is saving his JCW exhaust (I thought I saw it was for sale from JCW for $1300!!!) as I would advise you to do the same if you have space.

The comparison: JCW exhaust vs Milltek exhaust
JCW exhaust is part of the JCW kit and comes with the warranty but it is a restrictive design compared to exhausts like the Magnaflow, Borla Race, UUC or Milltek. The power gains are only slightly better than stock as is the exhaust note. It is a much better looking exhaust than the stock version and the weight might also be a bit better.

Given the level of performance mods you already have, your JCW exhaust is keeping you from getting some power but that advantage is offset by having an intact JCW kit with warranty. Although in my mind the aftermarket header would void the exhaust warranty anyway.

Generally I advice those who do JCW to stick with the kit and limit the other mods as they are paying for warranty and for having the full JCW kit. The other route of adding performance mods ala carte is cheaper but there is voiding of the warranties for everything upgraded.

So if you are after getting the most out of your JCW kit then leave well enough alone and enjoy the ride. But if the exhaust note is not serious enough for you and you want power then a beefy exhaust like the Magnaflow or Borla Race or UUC would be a possibility. Personally I like the Milltek header and exhaust combo for the added power and just a touch more exhaust growl than the JCW exhaust which is easy on the ears but good when you throttle up.

The JCM will have the stock exhaust since it lacks the JCW kit performance parts but has only the cosmetics and badges-go figure.

 

As far as the warranty is concerned, most of the mods are easily reversible to original spec. Since I did all the installation (except for JCW kit of course), I can switch them back. To me, the only mods that're difficult to uninstall and reinstall are the pulley and cylinder head, which are included in the JCW kit. Perhaps that's my justification to have the JCW kit, aside from the warranty. In any case, my local dealership is very understanding when it comes to most of the modifications.

Indeed, the polished exhaust tip of the JCW looks very attractive, especially with the engraved logos. Without the front and rear JCW emblems, the exhaust tip is the only way to distinguish an JCW from the standard MCS. If I decide to go with Milltek, I might graft the JCW tips onto the Milltek. :smile:

 

Ordered Milltek exhaust today. After a closer look at the JCW exhaust tips, they're actually removable. If Milltek tips are also removable, that will save me the trouble of welding. :smile:

 

>>Ordered Milltek exhaust today. After a closer look at the JCW exhaust tips, they're actually removable. If Milltek tips are also removable, that will save me the trouble of welding. :smile:

I think the JCW exhaust tips are very handsome and they do stick out further than the Milltek tips which are much more generic albeit similar. If you can easily exchange the tips then great, you'll have the best of both worlds.
I do think that the Milltek is louder and lighter with more torque than the JCW exhaust.

Just a note. If you had ordered both the Milltek header and exhaust from the same source- Webbmotorsports or Stratmosphere in NY, you could have gotten a $100 off for the pair. You might still ask if it was the same vendor for both.

The logical next steps are larger intercooler, ECU upgrade and rebored throttlebody. No rush on these. New stuff might appear soon, let the dust settle.

 

>>The logical next steps are larger intercooler, ECU upgrade and rebored throttlebody. No rush on these. New stuff might appear soon, let the dust settle.

You've read my mind! MINI obsession is undoubtedly an epidemic beyond human control.



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Singing the blue! Indi Blue, that is.

 

The JCW exhuast does not flow as well as Borla race or Magnaflow. The reason I went with it is becuase I need a car that is some what quiet since I drive so much.

 

>Just a note. If you had ordered both the Milltek header and exhaust from the same source- Webbmotorsports or Stratmosphere in NY, you could have gotten a $100 off for the pair. You might still ask if it was the same vendor for both.


yaya...

 

Replaced the JCW exhaust with Milltek last night. I must say that I really like the sound of the Milltek exhaust/header, which is deeper and "throatier" than JCW, but not necessarily louder by much. I haven't had a chance to take it out yet, but I hope I can feel the difference in the performance as well.

Since the Milltek exhaust tips are fixed to the pipe, they were cut off and additional pipes were welded on for securing the JCW tips. The grafting procedure wasn't difficult. I love the JCW tips too much to give them up.

For those who are interested in the JCW tips, they're available from Classic for $47.60 each (part # 82 12 0 303 295). The tips are secured with a screw; hence, they will fit any pipe with diameter smaller than the tips.



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Davecsumini

I too have upgraded my JCW to the Madness TB and did the ECU about two months ago. I am interested to hear how you rate the new exhaust upgrade. Will you put your car on a dyno after the falsh to see the gains?

My dyno chart was posted several months ago if you recall.

Keep us informed.

Also, on a different topic, my dealer said the Works seats are at DOT for eval and mat be available in 6 mos. +/-. I know this may differ from what you have been heard.

 

There's absolutely no point in having an exhaust header if you have a restrictive catback (like the JCW). Since you did all those other mods, I'd say you HAVE to change your exhaust!

 

>> Will you put your car on a dyno after the falsh to see the gains?

Because the car will be upgraded with Unichip "custom" mapping, the tuning and ECU mapping is performed while the car is on the dyno. Thus, I should have the dyno numbers.

I'm a total MOD BUG!




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>>I am interested to hear how you rate the new exhaust upgrade.

I finally had a chance to test drive the car with the Milltek exhaust. It does produce a deeper sound, but not loud at all. Just perfect for me! :smile:

Since most of the performance mods were installed within a short period of time, it's hard to pin point the exact benefit of each individual mod. One thing I know for certain is the car starts pulling away in low RPMs (as low as 2k). I believe the Milltek header/exhaust combo produces more low-end torque allowing the car to accelerate faster. With JCW itself, the car wakes up around 3k. The difference is definitely noticeable.


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Man! you must have spent $10K by now!

 

>>Man! you must have spent $10K by now!

And more!


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davecsumini

good to hear positive feedback on the exhaust. One more thing for my "list".

Look forward to hearing about the dyno. thanks