That is exactly what I thought. I just thought maybe it was something new. I think it will be well worth it to get the header ceramic coated. reduce the heat in the engine compartment.


IF I ONLY HAD MY DONUT GASKET

 

Is this header still available somewhere? Where?

Thanks!

 

Hey, you might be interested in this;
http://www.exhaust-gaskets.com/show1...onut%20Gaskets

This one should work with slight Mod's, Graphite Code:-46069
The small numbers are the actual size of the OBX gasket.

 

Thanks a lot for this info. I'm gonna give it a try.

 

Anyone

 

I did a search on EBAY and nothing came up.
I can send you these link's to two vendors that have sold them in the past.

http://stores.ebay.com/Sparktec-Motorsports

http://stores.ebay.com/Weaponspeed

They have AIM/email to contact them. :smile:

 

and it got lost in shipment! BOO HOO HOO. I have sparkteck mini site bookmarked as well. Today, nothing....

http://www.sparktecmotorsports.com/mini.html

Matt

 

Spartec was able to get me my gasket. He said the headers are still not available. Danny Wong at spartec just ordered himself a mini. I suggested to him to join Nam and check out the list of people still waiting for them to come available. He may offer them directly to us here, if the vendor costs are reasonable. At the least he said he would let us know when they come available.

stever

 

I just got one. $175, $11+ for shipping, and $14 for tax.... I live near by....

But they're back in stock.....

Matt

 

He says he checked and there are no gasket/donut issues. I checked, and they weren't on eBay. Go to this listing to check it out....

Matt

 

Just ordered mine from Sparktec. I have been waiting for this to be back in stock since I missed my first chance. I will post how it turns out after the I get it on. Less than $200.00 delivered. I like that.

 

I went with the Magnaflow. Part number 94166. OBD-II, pre- and post-cat 02 bungs. $60 shipped from Performance Peddler. (I live in CA).

Matt

 

Thanks for that useful info Matt. Please keep us updated on how the install and fitment goes. The main thing holding me back is the cat issue.

 

Waiting for mine to return from Jet-Hot, getting the Sterling ceramic coating.
This is what I sourced for a CAT solution other than the OEM CAT.
Magnaflow/Sound Design
2.5" in/out, 13" long end to end, 9" CAT body, 4.5" thick, 6.5" wide, 1 sensor.
Summit part number MPE-91036, $63.95
This can be welded on or flanged, If needing a 2.5" flange,
Expensive, http://stores.channeladvisor.com/ve...ms/F250-2SCNC?
or very reasonable,
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/f...andgaskets.htm

There that's better:smile:

 

I am adding an OBX Header, also. The thought of adding a 2.5" inch cat is a good idea. I talked with Magnaflow and they recommended the 91036 over the 94166. What would you expect in noise level increase? Please keep us informed on your installations. Thanks.

 

I"m planning on sticking with the stock cat because I don't think that it will pose a flow restriction. I will be recieving the header next Tuesday and hope to have it installed by the end of the week.
I believe that Helix is using the stock cat with some header installations and the cat to me looks pretty good sized for the amount of air a 1,600 cc engine is able to pump.
Are there any contrary opinions based on experience?

 

dcummings, Nope, and I would use the OEM CAT if I had a spare.

JPit, Thanks for the confirmation from Magnaflow!:smile: I really don't expect a

noise level increase at all. I have a Magnaflow CAT back already that sounds real sweet.

 

Just a reminder for those who have not seen all the pages. I posted pictures of my installation, using the stock CAT, in page 4 of this thread. These pictures will be very helpful to anyone who wants to take this project to a local muffler shop. They should be helpful for any non-stock CAT installation.

From my experience, adding this header with a stock CAT and keeping the stock CAT-back exhaust was just great. Added torque and HP everywhere. Just great. When I changed the CAT-Back to a REMUS, I could tell that I had additional gains in the high end, but lost some of the torque, gained with the OBX, in the low end. Seems like the loss of back pressure cause this. Some people just call it a properly tuned exhaust. I do not believe this is a REMUS only issue. I did some crazy things to get that torque back, without changing the REMUS, but will only talk about it if asked. Just changing the Header to the OBX will make you happy. Going beyond, will still get more gains, but you might lose some of the torque gain in the process.

The Muffler shop charged me $30 for cutting and welding on the stock CAT in place. To get it that cheap, I had to remove the stock header and install the OBX header myself. This was not that difficult and it was fun. Then, I drove the CATless MINI to the shop. Keep this in mind: ear plugs. The MINI with a pipe attached as an exhaust is LOUD. I have been on airboats that had a 454 with a straight pipe as the exhaust and it is similar or worse. It will shake you in your seat. Keep it under 3K rpms.

Bomboasy

 

Thanks bomboasy! I printed those pictures out months ago when I thought that I was getting the header before they ran out. They are a big help as I will be doing this mod next week.
I was lucky enough to have someone (Agent Cooper) loan me thier stock header to cut the stock cat. off of so that I don't have to drive the car with an open exhaust to get it welded. Your pictures save me from having to do a trial fit also.
I'm running a Milltek cat. back system so I have some adjustability lenght-wise, which takes the wory out if exact fit.
I'm looking foreward to seeing what kind if difference this will make performance and soundwise. I plan a dyno run soon.

 

I'm still very interested in hearing from somebody with a Cooper, non-S that has done this mod and what they think of it. I will probably be doing this soon.

 

Based on the positive results posted here and the reasonable cost, I'm really interested in adding the OBX header with either the stock or an aftermarket cat. In PA, though, we have exhaust testing for state inspection every year, and I worry that without the pre-cat it might fail. Any one with experience on this? I'm thinking the pre-cat may only be there to get the main cat up to light-off temp faster, so once the car is warm the emissions won't be any different. Thoughts?

 

Once the car is at operating temp, the precat has no purpose. I live in California which is very strict, and have passed emmisions. I had done this on previous cars.

 

I haven't done the OBX but am tempted. If I do, I'll definitely retain the stock header and cat in case I have to replace to pass smog. The dealer charges $1000 for the item.

 

I just cut the stock converter off of the header to reuse on the OBX header last night and looking at the precat it sure looks restrictive. I'm really looking foreward to seeing what the effect of the change is.

 

I ordered my header last week it will be here sometime next week. If you plan to use a high flow cat do you need a special one or will the ones the pipe and muffler shops have work? Also, if you leave the pre-cat off the check engine light will not come on correct? I thought that was stated earlier but wanted to clarify. I don't want the light on but I want to get as much extra torq as possible. How do I need to set mine up? Thanks for any help.