Drivetrain (Cooper S) MINI Cooper S (R53) intakes, exhausts, pulleys, headers, throttle bodies, and any other modifications to the Cooper S drivetrain.

Drivetrain What's the best exhaust?

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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 04:17 PM
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What's the best exhaust?

Hi,

I have a MCS, and am looking for a new exhaust. I want the free-flowing horsepower and torque gains, but not necessarily any louder than the stock one. I've read on Webb Motorsports that Randy would probably recommend the Milltek for my requirements.

Anyone out there have anything else to add? THANKS
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 04:24 PM
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Look through this thread. It is generally packed with pretty up-to-date info, pricing, sound clips for the majority of exhausts currently available in the US.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=23789

Sean
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 04:24 PM
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This thread might help out alot:


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=23789
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 04:27 PM
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Beat you to it!
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by biggripper
Beat you to it!
Dang I wish the posts showed the seconds.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 04:48 PM
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Does anybody have a video or soundbyte similar to these except on the JCW MCS exhuast?
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 04:49 PM
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Uuc Motor Werks!!!

Here is my personal favorite and the review.....



Here it is! Probably one of the most anticipated evals I've done in some time.

First impressions when you open the box are that you should be mounting this unit on your living room wall as a piece of art rather than putting it on the car. It is absolutely beautiful. The unit is entirely polished stainless steel.

Some of the things that are different about this system that I like - the resonator is at the rear of the system rather than straight off the cat (which moves the weight farther aft), the unit uses flanges to bolt together rather than sleeved couplings, and it hangs at the rear using the factory hangers, so removal of them and dealing with those dreaded rubber hangers is unnecessary. There are some revolutionary solutions on the UUC.

The sound is really a different ballgame. It is not a quiet system - in fact in sheer volume I'd say it is between the Quicksilver and the Magnaflow - but it doesn't seem to have any "drone" at all. It isn't a bothersome sound.

The unit comes with the down pipe that bolts to the cat, the resonator, and the muffler/tip section. Included in the packaging are gaskets for each flange, including at the cat, and all associated nuts and bolts (in a blue anodized finish no less).

The tips are very aesthetically pleasing, but again it is subjective.

Down to the numbers. The system performed well, but not earth shatteringly. Compared to stock, it makes 6.8 hp and 7.2 ft-lbs of torque. That is down about 3 on the Magnaflow and 1 on the Quicksilver, but the torque is above both by a couple. I honestly was hoping for a bit more, but seat of the pants, it feels good for sure - no doubt because of the increase in torque.

The price is, well, more than the others. It looks like a system that should run in the $1500 range, so I guess it could be construed a bargain at $875.

Pros

A true work of art
Good sound without being annoying
34 lbs saves 12 lbs over stock
Good torque
No sleeve fittings
Only three pieces
Uses stock hangers

Cons

Price is higher than other MINI systems
34 lbs is heavier than the single sided systems - but on par with other two sided ones
Horsepower is less than expected

Here are some pics of the system:

The Hardware


The System


The Tips






The Components




Bottom line

I like the system. I like the way it looks, fits, sounds and feels. It is not the end all power, weight, or price system, but it is a good compromise for all around use.

These are now available for shipping at the above mentioned price from Webb Motorsports. Feel free to call for any information. You can also post questions here as well.

Hope that helps!

Randy
720-841-1002
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 04:57 PM
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The UUC is the nicest, IMO but it's not what jonnieoh is looking for. He wants some power without noise - the Milltek is the only one that fits that description.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 05:03 PM
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Not to be BIAST!

But the Invidia unit is a nicer piece to look at on the eyes...The UUC is ok looking but the Invidia is the Super Model of the group...Here is my plug...I also have an Invidia in stock, they are on National backorder...I can sell it for $699 plus shipping...
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 05:09 PM
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I just installed the Megan Racing exhaust which I purchased from Pilo (Thanks, Dan; it installed and sounds great). Less than $450 delivered. You
can't beat it.

Here's a picture of it layed out and ready to be installed:

 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 05:31 PM
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Hello Pete,

I did not notice that you got the Megan! Very nice indeed.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by greatgro
He wants some power without noise
heh oh yeah...forgot...ofcourse that is kinda hard to do...
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by petecrosby
I just installed the Megan Racing exhaust which I purchased from Pilo (Thanks, Dan; it installed and sounds great). Less than $450 delivered. You
can't beat it.

Here's a picture of it layed out and ready to be installed:

I agree 100% the sound is very nice also. What is best is there is no drone and its quiet at highway speeds as long as you are cruising but when you punch it it has a very nice tone. On my 05 it sounds killer and really enhances the burble already present on the 05 cars.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by mdsbrain
Dang I wish the posts showed the seconds.
Yeah that would be awesome.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 09:33 PM
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I have the Milltek on my car, both the header and catback. The catback alone was very nice. It has no drone in the city or on the highway, but when you punch it the sound is very nice. The addition of the header just added alittle more aggressiveness to the already great sound. I get alot of compliments on the sound of my car. I also was very pleased with the performance I got from it. Hope this helps.


Conclusion= power to sound ratio=



Danny
 
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Old Jan 25, 2005 | 10:43 PM
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I just my milltek and I'm really impressed with it. It sounds great, no drone & the install was easy. I got if from Randy at Webb Motorsport. I went back and forth over the milltek or the magnaflow & I'm happy with my decision. It is the perfect mix of sound and power.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2005 | 10:32 AM
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All of the choices you have made to upgrade your exhaust systems sounds great.
I am debating between the Milltek and the Borla Street but my concern is noise and drone at cruising speed.
Which oneis the quietest?
Thanks,
Danish
 
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Old Jan 26, 2005 | 10:50 AM
  #18  
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Megan?

detlman, any report on the 'Butt-Dyno', do you feel faster? The only pseudo quantitative info I have found on the Megan is Pilo has some speed-time measurements showing an improvement with it.

I am looking for the same, similar sound to stock +/- some exhaust volume, and added flow/hp/torque.

The Milltek or Megan are my favorites. The Megan at 60% of the price of the Milltek is enticing. Leaving more room for the 'Wallet/Wife Dyno' for lighter wheels and tires.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2005 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by fishey72
detlman, any report on the 'Butt-Dyno', do you feel faster? The only pseudo quantitative info I have found on the Megan is Pilo has some speed-time measurements showing an improvement with it.

I am looking for the same, similar sound to stock +/- some exhaust volume, and added flow/hp/torque.

The Milltek or Megan are my favorites. The Megan at 60% of the price of the Milltek is enticing. Leaving more room for the 'Wallet/Wife Dyno' for lighter wheels and tires.
It does feel a little faster or at least sounds faster :-) I really like how it sounds at all rpm levels. Very drivable and at normal throttle not much louder than the stock system. On a scale of 1 - 10 I would give it an 8.5 I would give it a 10 but since I have an 05 I had to make some mods to the hangars.

For the price its a big winner in my book. I will be getting the car dynoed on sautrday so then we will know for sure what its doing. I also have an intake and mth flash. This car will spin the tires at will and will roast both of them from a dead stop for as long as you want to spin them ( read as waste your tires )

If I had to make th eexhaust choice again I would get the Megan again without hesitation. I also got mine from Pilo and it was shipped fast with great service.
 
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Old Feb 2, 2006 | 09:22 PM
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any installed pics or sound clips of the megan? That is looking better & better!

thanks!

-jac
 
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Old Feb 2, 2006 | 09:55 PM
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another vote for miltek.
but if megan is 60% of cost then go for that.
 
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Old Feb 2, 2006 | 11:14 PM
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If price is an issue for the Milltek, wait for the new Webb exhaust to become available to the public. If it's as revolutionary as they claim (and I certainly hope it is! ), all the Webb-natics will be ditching their current Millteks and Borlas for it.

I figure I'll decide whether to pick up a used Milltek/Borla or go with the WMS one after the WMS exhausts are widely available - the WMS may just be too enticing and must-have.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2006 | 02:32 AM
  #23  
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anyone has an review, videos, sound clip or pictures of a invidia setup? don't hear about this system too often, but the titanium tip is really growing on me~
 
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Old Feb 3, 2006 | 04:40 AM
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This is the route i think i'll be taking as well. I want to hear a few of them myself, but i really do think the market will open up on used exhasuts when randy releases his....

-jac

Originally Posted by latte hiatus
If price is an issue for the Milltek, wait for the new Webb exhaust to become available to the public. If it's as revolutionary as they claim (and I certainly hope it is! ), all the Webb-natics will be ditching their current Millteks and Borlas for it.

I figure I'll decide whether to pick up a used Milltek/Borla or go with the WMS one after the WMS exhausts are widely available - the WMS may just be too enticing and must-have.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2006 | 09:21 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by latte hiatus
If it's as revolutionary as they claim (and I certainly hope it is! ), all the Webb-natics will be ditching their current Millteks and Borlas for it.
 
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