Hello all,

I've been a long time lurker, but usually just stick to reading posts. Have been a long time MINI owner have had my R53 since 04, and last year picked up a R59 JCW. Love both the cars and MINIs in general.

I never modded the R53, because by the time I got out of college and had actual money to do it I didn't want to as it had been so reliable I didn't want to screw with anything on it and to this day /knock on wood it's been rock solid.

Now my R59 I wanted to have a little fun with and last year at MOTD I ended up having Way put a few items on while I was out there and got a stage 2 tune from him as well. I recently snagged a Akrapovic downpipe from a fellow member and installed it this past weekend and noticed it was a bit raspy in the lower RPMs. I didn't notice this on any of the videos I had watch prior to purchasing this and I was curious if other owners have this as well, the raspiness appears to be coming from the engine and most of the videos are all from behind the vehicle so perhaps that's why I never noticed it in the videos?

I didn't want to do a straight downpipe due to usually driving with the top down and didn't want it too loud, so figured a high flow would at least be a nice compromise.

Does anyone else have this with their Akrapovic downpipe or any high-flow pipe for that matter and is there anything that can be done to tame this (hood insulation, etc)?.

It certainly feels like there is a decent improvement with this mod, the turbo spooling seems to spool a bit quicker and seems a bit peppier overall, but perhaps that's a pseduo effect.

Just thought I would throw a quick question out and see if this is normal for this.

Thanks
Chad

 

Did you use new gaskets? Gasket for the turbo to DP ( https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/18307589503/ ) and gasket/clamp for downpipe to cat-back ( https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...56352/ES40513/ ).
I had the same problem before. Used brand new gaskets and the raspiness went away.

 

Yeah, I did use a brand new gasket and exhaust clamp, perhaps something isn't aligned just right? Defiantly worth a check thanks for the suggestion.

 

Thanks for the suggestion kelvin, the issue was there was the exhaust clamp was just slight misaligned from the back, got that straightened out and now sounds great.

Thanks again, much appreciated.