Hello all,

after doing some research and finding out more about downpipes and considering my tune I will be adding in the summer. I was originally looking at the Akrapovic DP, but then did some more homework on them. I realized after talking to more tuners out there, that catless is the way to go and a few buddies have swayed me that way as well. I am currently in the market for a DP but now I am looking at the WMW catless DP and also this Milltek catless DP I found on ebay, http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-COOPER-...item4d0807db77

Now after looking somewhat closer at both those DP's I am really interested in which way to kind of go. Usually I tend to stay away from ebay unless it's like magnaflow's mufflers I bought from them and other small gadgets.

I also was looking at the turbo DP outmotoring is advertising, http://www.outmotoring.com/turbo-downpipe.html, just curious to those who might have bought this high-flow DP, how do you like it?


Thanks for anyone's opinions on which way to go or also on the outmotoring DP.


Rob

 

I have a Riss Racing Pipe that I am about to part with for a $100 you just have to weld the bracket on the bottom back on.

 

PM sent.

 

Take a look at VIP Custom's downpipe:
http://www.vipcustomparts.com/vcp%20exhaust%20page.htm

I bought their dp back exhaust and it was very high quality! Not much more than many of the questionable ebay items.

I personally did the AR Design downpipe, but it isn't the cheapest or easiest to install. You can't go wrong with WMW downpipe either.

 

Thanks Taz! Looks like a quality piece. If Porthos doesn't give me his, ill go with that DP for a good price too.

 

I'll second VIP's quality!!!

 

+1 on the AR Design downpipe. I'm going that route too. I've had the Akrapovic DP which was nice but like the 3" DP AR is offering. Also it's much more affordable than Akra.

 

I'm about to get the evolve catless DP in the mail ill let you how the fitment and quality is. Just hoping I don't have to order the akrapovic delete-r. need a cheaper way to get rid of the CEL

 

I heard someone did something else in a way not to deal with the CEL. I can't seem to find the thread though.

Personally, since I am going catless I will buy the delete-R. This will happen once I get my car fixed in a week and half. Then all the exhaust work will be installed.

 

Can a ALTA AP clear the CEL cause my Catless DP?

Seems like a lot of Euro MINI have Evolve DP on their cars.

 

This thread? I talk about how I'm using an O2 spacer. It's not perfect, but the CEL happens to be off at the present time

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-mods-n18.html

Also, I have the Evolve Catless DP... The fitment and quality of the welds and flange seem top notch.

 

Yeah Tony that thread but I think I showed you the link to JM's O2 sensor for $69. It's not a bad idea, and I will try it.


I was looking at that DP you have, but I'm gonna go with either the VIP or Milltek catless DP. I don't feel justified to spend over $400 on a catless DP. But that's my opinion. Ill be working on the exhaust in May and ill let you know what happens when I use their O2 sensor!

 

Call some of your local BMW tuners/performance shops. I found VS Motorsports near me (Chicagoland) that did BMW's and they got Evolve parts in all the time and actually had one in stock for the MINI. I paid $280 for my Evolve catless DP through them.

Unfortunately, they just recently packed up shop and went out of business.

 

I contacted Evolve in UK and they said they have De-Cat downpipe including shipping for $320 USD. Not bad...

 

Well that's an option for me, or the VIP for $300 free shipping or a Milltek for $260 on eBay free shipping. But I am loving the VIP and Evolve better cause of quality.

 

Milltek has a great quality exhaust systems....

I bought from that ebay seller a scorpion downpipe (catless) and it's great and cheaper

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-MINI-COO...item4cff3577df

http://www.millteksport.com/exhaust....1#.UUIGRNbTzy8

http://www.scorpion-exhausts.com/pro...tml?autoid=299

 

Yeah I think ill stick with either Evolve, VIP, or Milltek.

But glad to know that DP worked out for you. Did you get a CEL and of you did, what did you do to erase it?

 

It used to get a CEL, now i have stage 2 remap, but you can erase it with the torque app and the elm bluetooth scanner.

I think scorpion its much better than evolve, its like a Milltek!!!

 

This are pics of my downpipe vs stock!

 

Yup!!! Same here. Stock vs Evolve

 

Hey Tony, is your car pretty fast now with all those mods? Just curious. I'm curious how your car pulls. Post some videos if you get a chance.

Also with the catless DP, and 2nd cat and resonator delete, is it super loud and droney? Just curious as well, I am thinking of that route too since my resonator is gone but I might buy the magnaflow one to put on for $65!

 

Double Post

 

I'll try to remind myself to take videos on my way to work on of these days. Hard without mount to hold the iPhone. I feel like it pulled pretty good when it just had the NM Stage 1 and intake. I felt a noise difference and a small butt dyno gain from the DP in the mid-range RPM, and then I felt a noticeable upper RPM gain from the FMIC along with it no longer getting heatsoaked in a hurry after a few good pulls. It's so much more consistent power with that Helix unit. I would recommend it to anyone.

All together, I'm happy with the combo right now. I can't wait to see what it's like with Stage 2.

As far as the exhaust is concerned, it stayed real pretty quiet on the expressway after just the downpipe. After I cut the 2nd cat and the resonator out, it's a bit rowdy, I like how it sounds. The pop and burble in Sport mode is just vicious. It definitely drones above about 65mph on the expressway in 6th but that doesn't affect me much because the speed limits here are all 55mph. Damn Chicagoland. Also, I should note that it's difficult for me to judge how much drone would be heard in a car that still had back seats. I noticed a HUGE difference in road and exhaust noise when I took the back seat out. I guess you never really realize how much that seat padding keeps things quiet. I also get a lot of cabin vibration from the BSH sport engine mount. That all being said, it's gonna be really hard for me to judge what everyone else's experience might be. But it's not for the faint of heart, that's for sure.

I would assume it may quiet down a hair when I actually get around to putting a properly sized catback on it, as the pipe diameter would be a bit larger. I'm pretty set on the DDMWorks Catback, it's no cat no resonator mandrel bent 3" with a muffler. I know there's a whole discussion about 3" vs 2.5" and they see no power advantage with the larger piping, only added weight. Frankly, I could care less about the couple of lbs. I added a few when I added the Helix FMIC, so I'm not gonna cry about a few more in the exhaust, especially after I lost 36 removing the back seats.

EDIT!: I've also heard good things about Way's custom cat-back setup he sells. It's less expensive than the DDMWorks, and runs the 2.5" piping. He also has a resonator on his, I'm emailing him now to see if he would do one that was a straight pipe to the muffler sans resonator. If you couldn't tell, I really like it being loud. LOL

 

Thanks Tony looking forward to the videos!


Yeah I'd rather go with the stainless steel custom piping since the custom exhaust setup is a bit cheaper than buying a catback system. I'm just gonna install my exhaust when I get back from San Fran later this month. Then the downpipe is next! I can't wait to post up videos of the rest of my mods.

 

The VIP DP looks good. I just can't seem to buy it on their website.