Over at Mini2 there is a lot of talk about the supertrapp exhaust silencer, and claims of big gains in hp, as much or more than the Magnaflow, etc.

Don't see much talk about it over here. What are the thoughts about the supertrapp?

Thanks,

John

 

I read one piece about the Supertrapp and it said "before you run out and buy one"... The installer complained about what a horrible noise it produces. Very raspy, no matter how many discs are used. I'd wait for a good dyno result to be posted before I believe any HP gains. Some of the stuff I've read actually talk about REDUCED torque.

 

Well John, first, let me welcome you to MCO!

I think you are right. The Supertrapp makes about the same power as the Magnaflow. Here are the reasons I would advise against it.

1) It doesn't sound all that nice at all.
2) There isn't a good way to make it exit out of the center of the car (the battery is in the way). This ends up requiring a side valance exit (cut the stock valance).
3) You have to fabricate a system form scratch.
4) It holds a lot of heat at the actual Supertrapp, so the plastic valance has some melting issues (as opposed to the aftermarket systems that were designed for the MINI which hold most of their heat in the mufflers, and very little in the tips).
5) It is very loud when enough baffles are removed to make power.

Reasons for it (not enough in my opinion).

1) It is light.
2) It is cheap.

I like the Magnaflow for the power it makes, the sound it has, and the quality of the fit and finish. It, as well as the Borla and the Quicksilver, have very well engineered mounting systems, and allow the stock exit to remain. If you want light weight, the Quicksilver is a great system without a lot of noise (like the Supertrapp has). If you want power, I still think the Magnaflow has more potential than the Supertrapp. I just don't feel it's the best option unless you absolutely don't have the money and can't save up for one of the systems that's already been designed for the MINI.

Let me know if you have any other questions about these system's designs.

Randy
randy@mini-motorsport.com

 

Randy,

What do you think about Rogue Engineerings design? It has a nice sound, but seems like it might be a bit loud as well.

Thanks for the help.

 

Well if performance is your only concern then the combo of its power and weight can't be beat, I don't care what people say about the magnaflow. The weight is an issue.

Now, if your just looking for a better exhaust that has some nice power, but aren't looking for every last bit of weight savings along with power then there are other good ones. I like stuff i've heard about the quicksilver better then the magnaflow so far though. The magna is just so god darn heavy, though lighter then stock.

I've talked to a bunch of people that use the supertrapps. Garfield from the MINI2 forums and uses and loves the Supertrapp. He isn't just an average joe either...he is a very good autox driver and instructor.

So what if you have to get a piece fabricated for it. Still under 250 bucks you can have it fabricated, installed, etc..that includes the price of the supertrapp.

Sound is an issue i agree for some people. In my case...i don't give a rats **** what it sounds like...what is the best exhaust.

Look around at what race teams use....alot of touring car series have alot of guys running the supertrapp, including all of the barber dodge cars, and the indylights when they existed.

It is an exhaust that was made for the track...that people use on the street as well. Looks, Sound, etc are not concerns when it comes to a race exhaust.

So if you dont' much care what it sounds like, or what it looks like...I am convinced that it is the best option out there right now.

If the sound bothers you...I think the quicksilver is the exhaust worth looking at.

 

>>Randy,
>>
>>What do you think about Rogue Engineerings design? It has a nice sound, but seems like it might be a bit loud as well.
>>
>>Thanks for the help.

The Rogue is a great design for the Cooper, but it is absolutely horrible on the S. It just plain doesn't fit.

As for the Magnaflow, the weight is actually quite a bit lighter than the stock, at 33lbs. The Quicksilver is even lighter at 22 lbs, but it is also a smaller diameter tubing at 2 1/4" (compared to the Magnaflow's 2 1/2&quot. I really think that is the key to the Magnaflow. Now if the Supersprint system only fit without having to cut and weld, and it didn't cost about a gazillion dollars...

If it's looks you're after, I like the Borla, and with the new race system, it isn't quite as down on power to the other systems as the street system was (but it's also louder).

For the track, I would be interested in a straight Megz megaphone. Who cares about the sound at the track! For the street, I think even you might be unhappy with the sound of the Supertrapp, Casey. My other concern is the melting valance issue, and I think most customers do care what the back end of the car looks like as well.

I have a couple of stock exhaust systems at my disposal, and plan on making a 0 restriction system to test at the track. I'll let you know what the outcome is.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Randy
randy@mini-motorsport.com

 

Garfield has his rear valence cut to fit it and is about 1/8" of an inch away and has had zero problems with melting. His father has it touching...and has only a small amount melting. Simple fix - install it so it doesn't touch.

For track alot of series require a muffler...so straight cat wouldn't work.

I agree the borla i think does look the best...i've also heard from BMP design that in the future they might offer a 1 muffler design of the supersprint for race use...so it will be lighter...just a matter of getting supersprint to make a connecting pipe.

compare the 33lbs to sub 10lbs of the supertrapp and that is a nice savings of 23+ lbs.

Garfield didn't much like the sound at first..but has said that it really isn't that bad and has grown to like it...he drives his as a daily driver.

He also said that the videos of his car with the supertrapp - make it sound alot louder then it truely is.

 

this is a pic of garfields car....it is the older style of the supertrapp and not the new design that looks better and performs the same. Valence is cut to fit it.

Also when he fit his he used to long of connecting pipe thus it sticks out a bit - but is easly made flush.

_________________
Cheerio

Casey

 

The way we always got around the noise requirement at the track was easy - make a deflector that hoseclamps onto the megaphone, and direct it away from the side of the track with the decibel meter. It has always worked on Porsche and even Mazda rotary motors, so I'm certain the MINI would work with that set-up as well.

I have the exhaust install down to less than an hour (30 minutes in one case), so I plan on developing a track system and then using the Magnaflow on the street and for autocross events.

I agree that the weight savings are big, but I could lose that much weight if I had to

I'll let everyone know what happens - stay tuned!

Randy

 

I hadn't seen the pic before my post went up.

That's what I mean. It just doesn't look right. I wonder if we could find the stock Cooper bumper and how much it is. That at least might look right (but you would lose the cool S vents). The unfinished look drives me crazy.

Do you have a pic of the new Supertrapp?

 

I don't have a pic of the new supertrapp installed on the S yet - http://www.supertrapp.com/Automotive...otive_page.htm has pics of it on other cars though...and how far it sticks out is adjustable so if you want it flush that is easy to do.

The Cooper valence won't fit from what i've heard...but I know rogue engineering made a template and a pic was floating around on MINI2 i believe of the stock exhaust opening filled it with a new piece...didn't look stock..but looked really good. The nice advantage of the side exit and center open like in the pic and for the same reason garfield left it open is for the use of a hitch. (of course removed during autox but handy for bringing stuff to the autox.)

 

What would you think about a forum " Torque and driveability for the buck"? I guess that in most cases low end torque is much more an issue than the gain of HP at high revs.

Thank you Randy for these excellent comments.

By the way I never got more than 18 mpg in city driving

Guy

 

Randy - I would love to see your findings using a supertrapp exhaust. Your info here has been great and I love reading your posts on little tricks you find. Thanks for providing the informaiton you have with us...muchos appreciated.

 

Thanks guys. I'll let you knowwhat I find. I have to give Supertrapp a call and go out to the parts warehouse to look at those stock exhausts I have. I may just go find some 2 1/2" tubing, talk to Burns, and build something from scratch.

Randy