I installed a used JCW exhaust on our stock MCS, and I'm pleasantly suprised with the results. I didn't think it would make a huge performance difference, but the added power is defanitly noticable. It's a little louder than stock, but not at all obnoxious. If you're looking for a much more aggressive sound than stock, JCW is not the way to go.

For anyone who's keeping track - my stock 04 exhaust weighs in at ~48lbs, and the 04 JCW exhaust is ~40lbs. Given how people complain about the weight of the stock unit, I was expecting a greater difference.

The install took about 2-3 hours, and was relatively easy. I'll have some before during and after picks and hopefully some audio tomorrow.

 

I am doing this mid-may - post some pics/sound - I'd appreciate it very much.

 

Are you putting on the JCW or another exhaust?

If you want a head start on the process, there are good write ups at

Outmotoring

and

Webb Motorsports

Some tips from those how-tos and my install -

PB Blaster or WD40 everything before you get started
channel lock pliers are great for getting the hangers off the donuts
jacks stands work great for supporting the exhaust during install and removal (if it falls on you it will hurt!
a creeper works great for getting your shiny new exhaust under the car w/o scratching it.

 

I'm doing the JCW exhaust also - so I'm particularly excited about your sound clips - I also can't wait to see the pics.

Your write-up so far as me very excited.

 

I'm curious, are you buying it new? It's so expensive compared to the aftermarket options I'd be interested to hear why you are choosing to go with the JCW.

 

I hear that the jcw exhaust is not all that impressive h.p. wise. Something like only 3hp. The tips are nice. I went with the Borla sport. Mini of Peabody did have a brand new jcw exhaust that one of their jcw customers took off of their car to put a borla on. I don't know if it's still available, but their asking price was $750. A pretty good deal if this is the way you want to go.

-joe

 

I'm glad to hear that you feel the difference with the JCW!

 

Heeeeeeyyy, early_apex, old buddy, old pal! Would you be interested in parting with your stocker in a couple of months??? I think I might be looking for a stocker to try out the one baller.

 

Defanitly have no use and no room for the stock exhaust. It's free to the first person that comes and gets it. I'll consider shipping if it sits around here long enough.

 

no, not intending to buy it new

 

Here's a direct link to the page of Peabody mini with the jcw exhaust for sale. It appears to still be available. It's $795.00 - I thought that it was $750. Still way cheaper than ordering one.

-> http://www.peabodyminisports.com/Mer...duct_Code=CSWE

-joe

 

Some pics

 

There are a few shots of the stuff you need to undo here

Stock exhaust sound - 6meg

JCW exhaust sound - 6meg

 

very enjoyable. thank you - looks great - sounds slightly sportier.

 

It could be the quality of the sound clip posted, but I am underwhelmed with the exhaust note of the JCW. It likely sounds different in person. Just my opinion and thanks for posting. :smile:



<A HREF="https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/albums/album04/Mini_X_2b1.jpg" TARGET="_blank">
His, Chile RED over, Madness intake, Magnaflow exhaust, Helix 15% Pulley &amp; RDR Swaybar
Hers, Electric Blue / Union Jack on top and BONE Stock

 

The JCW exhaust is relatively quiet compared to other aftermarket exhaust. It does, however, produce a sportier sound than standard MCS exhaust.


_________________

 

Twominis - the sound clips are reasonably accurate, and you are correct, the JCW doesn't sound alot different from stock. I think the difference would be more noticable in a flyby - Dave shot past us on the last PDXMINI run with the JCW installed and you could defanitly tell something other than stock was going on. You can tell the difference, but for a true growl I would look towards an aftermarket exhaust.

There is a noticable improvement in performance, and since I didn't want to make the car too loud, this setup is working out great for me.

Dave - I was waiting to see if anyone would notice the tips

 

Thanks for posting the two sound clips. I thought they sounded very very close.

So for those that are interested in the JCW exhaust-
The difference from stock is that the JCW exhaust offers:
Less weight- which is good but the lightest of the dual exhausts are about 33-34 pounds while the single sided MCS exhausts are about 20 pounds.
A little more power- 2 or 3 HP would be realistic. Double that for a Borla Street.
Nice lower exhaust note without being too loud or harsh for everyday driving-absolutely. Similar qualities are found in the Milltek and UUC.
Nice looking tail pipe tips with JCW engravings-One of the best looking tips around
A bargain for about $750 if you can find one used.

 

Over the 2 days at PDX Pulley Party, I had a chance to sample various exhaust systems on MCS. Of the ones I've heard, here's what I've found in the order noise level:

OEM
JCW
Borla Street (almost the same as JCW)
Milltek
Alta
Playmini/Scorpion
Borla Sport
Mangaflow

:smile:

 

So what gives you more HP... JCW or Borla, I do not want to get that deeeeeeeeep sound though, cops in CA react to the sound first

 

I was very pleased with my "Ebay" RSpeed type 2 exhaust.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d+exhaust+type

Looks sharp and I think it helps. About 36 lbs. Not much bang for the buck though, even though $409.00 out the door. Still, the sound is very pleasant. I'm glad I did it.

If anything, I was very cautious and concerned about making my HK equipped S noisy. However the Alta intake is much noisier, and I don't mind it. Just took trip up to Laguna Seca from Santa Ana (350 miles each way) and it was not objectionable in the least. Very mild but good and smooth tone. Extremely hi quality.

IMO paying $700 for an exhaust is a waste of money. I tend to think Andy@ has it right - lose the 18 lbs and pick up a couple of horses with the one-ball, for $100 or so.

 

Doesn't the design and bends of the JCW look very similar to the Scorpion exhaust? I thought the pictures provided were of my Scorpion exhaust, but with welded joints, when I first saw it.

How does the JCW compare in cost to the $495 for the Scorpion?

 

the scorpion is an excellent fit, finish, nice sounding exhaust for the price.. i believe it's the same as the playmini system.. but no one even knows the official hp gains... i'll probably do a dyno run to see where my car is going and use other's numbers as reference to determine hp, but this is hardly scientific

it's probably between miltek borla street for noise... absoltely no drone and it sounds great on wide open throttle, and you can still hear it at idle.. amazing if you ask me

i said i was gonna do an exhaust clip for it when i got time, but never got the time.. i believe mini2 has a soundclip of it

honestly, with a gain of 5 hp and im real happy.. i just want to know if it's actually a free-flow system