Okays guys,
I'm a newbie to MINIs but not sport compacts in general. And sorry if this have been covered before, but I didn't see it in a quick search>>>
Question, what affordable headers (that work ) are on the market? I've seen Play, Supersprint and OBX mentioned several times, but the $$ on the Play and Supersprint are quite out of my league. Is the cat welded to the exhaust (causing the higher than normal header prices)? Or is it a pre-cat?
I do have a vendor that maybe interested in producing a CARB legal header, reasonably priced (if I can convince him that the demand is there and of course how much competition already exsists in the market ..). I have seen Promini, Moss Motors and other "vendors" offer either Supersprint or their "house" brand, are these house brands worthwhile (lets face it, a ultracheap header that produces no gain across the rpm range is not a bargain....it's gotta work to be worthwhile). As it is now, I have one company making a CAI that got 10 whp on my '02 MCS (catback, pulley upgrade and larger intercooler also in the works as they want to start marketing in Europe). Thanks for the time

Steve "Gomez" Adams

 

Steve,

The affordable header market for the MINI right now is very limited.
The OBX is possible but when I last checked ebay.com it was not listed.
Price was good, quality was OK but there was no cat so you have to cut and weld the stock cat on or buy a racing cat and weld it on.

Headers can have trouble with throwing P0420 error codes that cause the Service engine soon light to appear on the dash/tach.

For most owners I would say, it might be worthwhile just to wait and not upgrade headers at this time. Any gains are rather limited. Your upgrade funds may be better spent on wheels and tires.

 

Steve,


check out the pilo headers. www.piloracing.com i think they run for about $240 and you dont have to cut they are direct fit. how ever they dont have a cat so they are a lil loud.

loud is good at least for me...

 

Don't forget Milltek!

 

The factory header design appears to be quite good, and the pipes even look mandrel bent. See MadMick's pictures here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8&postcount=11

The only questionable looking part is the collector/flexpipe before the cat. I'd just cut that off/replace it with a bigger downpipe and call it a day if you're looking for affordable.

 

I got my header from HPRacing in miami off of ebay for like 300 bucks about a year ago......now there like 200. But you do throw ses light but i havn't had any problems whatsoever and the header is made very well. It does discolor but doesn't rust. The got a turbo mini on there sight. If you've been to HIN, you would of seen it.

Thanks,
Your Friend Ben

 

Guys,

Thanks for the info, I am having a cat back, large intercooler and upgrade the pulley (plus the CAI) all done by one of my vendors, just was curious on the header. I guess I'll spend the $$ on the chassis instead (LSD, bigger brakes, coilovers....)

Motor on...

Steve