My question is:

1. How loud is the one ball exhaust compare to an after market exhaust?

2. Anyone in California has done this and well it passes the smog check?

3. What to expect from the one ball exhaust MOD?



Any help will be grateful.

Thank you

See if you can find another MINI owner that has one so you can see it up close, listen for yourself and go for a ride.

From hearing it in person I would say that it is mildly louder than stock and not as loud as an aftermarket exhaust.

2. Smog check? Good question.

3. Low cost mod about $70. Easy to do at an exhaust shop. Looses some weight (which IS good). Not much gained or lost on power or mpg although some owners have reported they like it. Talk to eric at Helix13, they have done quite a few. Voids your exhaust warranty.

The exhaust makes a few HP, but I would not highly recommend it. It, to me, sounds QUITE tinny and unrefined. It's a little louder cause a resonator is removed, but that just makes the sound a lot less appealing. It's definately not a 'sound' mod, that's for sure.

I did the this mod and im liking it very much. I love how the exhaust sounds. I can have have it recorded but I don't know how to post it here.. anybody can guide me?

Love to hear how yours one ball eshaust sound...... Any one here at NAM can you please help Detonics upload his sound file.

I've had it for a while and it isn't the throatiest-sounding mod, it is cheap, lighter than stock, and is less restrictive than stock.

andy, do you know how can i post the clips here?

I did the one ball and for the $ am very pleased with the results. The part cost me 125.00 with clamps and installed for 25.00.

The car is just a tad louder then stock (most noticeable in first), no resonance inside the car and I found that it complimented the CAI. Its really not fare to compare it to a full cat back system - like borla, miltek, ect..... = $$$$$$

Whats the worse thing about the one-ball you don't new sexy tips.

I did it because the cost of the fore mentioned was just way out of line. There are some new systems out there in the 500 buck range that are worth looking at which were not available when I did mine.

What's your worst case scenario you spend 150 bucks like I did and decide you want more HP or sound? its not a major $ commitment! There are some new systems out there in the 500 buck range that are worth looking at.

i'm stuck between going with a cat back system or adding a header to the one-ball. If ANYONE has done header with one ball - drop me a line.

bahamabart

yeah, me too!

Got the one ball exhaust done to my MCS today and see if I would like it or not. Let see how it go. Anyway the Muffler shop that did my one ball exhaust gave me an estimate for a custom exhaust on the Magnaflow with [font=Arial]100% stainless construction (2.5" pipes) for only $300 install. If I didn’t like my on ball exhaust then I have other option to go on. For $300 install I don’t think anyone can beat that.
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an exhaust is CHEAP!

SS Pipe, Muffler, Tip, Flange, some bends.... done!
Add a resonator to get fancy!

Bahamabart,
My OBX is here, but I'm getting the magnaflow cat (found one with bungs for $60 shipped to my door!!!!), and will be doing a 2.5" bastard cooper (I already have the rear lower valence) and will be adding the header and ditching the one-ball all at the same time...... So no review of header with one ball.

Personally, with the low cost of the shop built exhaust (do cat-back with mild steel for even LESS!!!!), but ~$260 for the header and cat, and ~$300 for the cat back, that's the WHOLE exhaust system for the less than the cost of the Borla Sport!!!!!


And for those that don't like the sound of the one ball, with the MTH set for fast RPM drops, you'd be suprised at the spit and burble I'm getting now. Remember tune has a lot to do with exhaust note....

But if you look at $/per hp, the one-ball isn't all that bad, and you drop 20 lbs... I've been very happy. (and I only paid $90!)

Matt

The concern is not really with the relative cost (which varies from shop to shop).
I did look into doing a custom exhaust myself.

The problem is given any custom design you are still working with the basic MINI engine design limitations, exhaust manifold and headers which may hinder any significant gains you might be trying for beyond that which has already been achieved by commercial cat back exhaust systems out there (albeit for more $$ which includes a warranty).

So there is no guarantee that any custom exhaust design will perform as well as you would like it to. Exhaust companies do alot of testing to ensure results and provide for consistency. With a custom exhaust you may need to do some fine tuning for sound levels, droning, and for power as measured by some dyno testing. Or you can just drive what you have.

Yes you may be right but this shop will copy the design from the Magnaflow itself and they will also order the Manaflow muffler to build the exhasut system. That is way below the market price. Which is only $300 install.

Oh, I misunderstood.

You mean the shop will build you a copy of the Magnaflow exhaust for cheap.
There are still some seams and mandrel bends to consider and hopefully all the individual parts are equal or better spec than the parts used for the commercially available product.

Otherwise you should be good to go. Let us know if you get the real Magnaflow roar.
That exhaust note is not there by mistake- it takes some effort to get it like that.
Personally, it's a pretty good loudness albeit louder than most MINI exhausts.

Same goes here... there is an exhaust shop who can copy the Magnaflow system, mandrel bend and stainless steel all the way from the front. Cost only like $260...good eh?

Hey Detonics, is that $260 install?

Im afraid so.... YES.

To those who wants the one-ball clip.. I have no idea to post it here unless I have a link to the other website. So the best solution is to send the clip personally by e-mail. Let me know your emails so I can send it at once........

TQ

With the Magnaflow copy, what are you doing for the backbox with the mufflers and tips?Just wondering because I just bought the back box off Ebay and am going to have a shop bend me a pipe from the OE header to the rear portion.

As for me, they copy the patern but using their own manufactured muffler and yes, they copy the tip too....