I had a chance this evening to see, hear, and drive a Cooper with the Borla exhaust (many thanks, Kathryn!). I was really surprised at how mellow the sound was. Definitely noticeably deeper and throatier, but not obnoxious in the slightest. And the tip looks great! Now if only I can find some locals with the Helix and the RSpeed, I might actually be able to make up my mind...

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2003 Red/White Cooper - Brookline, MA

 

>>Thanks for the info Randy.
>>
>>>>This route will probably be a little louder than what's out there
>>
>>I've found reviews that claim the "street series" sound nearly stock until you push it. The sound supposedly a deep tone (rather than the leaf-blower sound) and does not drone. I'm comfortable with the reviews regarding sound--so far.
>>
>>>>that brings the stock system from 2" to 2.25"
>>
>>The pipe definately needs to be increased to mate up to a high flow exhaust. I may be misinformed, but I thought that increasing the pipe from the cat MAY reduce low end torque (if too large?)--and the MC definately lacks low end. Last thing I'd want to do is shift that torque curve any higher. Are there any undesired effects of a .25" increase? Any risk of gaining high end hp in exchange for sacrificing low end torque?
>>
>>>>The obvious drawback is that you become the R&D test pilot.
>>
>>That's part of the fun, right!?

If you go too large, you will definitely lose torque - the key word being too.

On the S, you need to increase it to 2.5", but the Cooper does best with the 2.25". If you went all the way to 2.5", you may make higher peak numbers, but you would probably lose some of the drivability.

Let me know what you end up with - sounds like fun!

Randy

 

Had the Borla exhaust installed on my car yesterday morning. I am LOVING it! Driving in the city is so much more enjoyable now, with something to listen to. It's a much deeper note than the stock system, but it sounds really good. I do hear the exhaust in the cabin on the highway, but I wouldn't call it a drone. It's not bothersome really, it just means that the radio has to be a wee bit louder. I noticed the power difference immediately in 3rd and 4th gears; the car really seems to WANT to accelerate.

FYI, the stock system is one piece all the way from the cat to the tip, but it does actually fit in the car. The passenger seatback has to be flipped all the way back (not forward). The headrest connection then becomes a good place to secure the exhaust with a zip tie. Back seats down, obviously.

P.S. Sorry Randy, but a local shop had a great sale on the Borla. I definitely owe you some business!

 

>>P.S. Sorry Randy, but a local shop had a great sale on the Borla. I definitely owe you some business!

No problem Chris! Glad to help.

 

Hey Chris,

Would you happen to have any sound clips comparing the different exhausts for the Cooper, as you have for the S? Those clips were terrific and really showed the differences between those systems.

 

>>Hey Chris,
>>
>>Would you happen to have any sound clips comparing the different exhausts for the Cooper, as you have for the S? Those clips were terrific and really showed the differences between those systems.

Sorry, but you must think I'm someone else! I've never had anything to do with sound clips for the S. Anyway, the only sound clips for the Cooper that I've found are Remus (Gabe Bridger's site), Rogue (on their website), and Helix (they e-mailed it to me).

 

Sorry Chris, I should have said Randy.

RSpeed has a clip also RSpeed Cooper Performance Exhaust video

 

Just installed the Rouge Enginnering exhaust from Geroge at Mini Madness. Wonderful install with this two piece system, much lighter (almost 11 pounds?) and love the baritone.

Kudo's to the engineers and thanks George for getting it to me in time for the AX ont he 23rd.

I'm rarin' to go racin.

Region50Augs

 

I actually don't even know what my weight savings is going from the stock to the Borla. I know there's some, because the stock system felt like an anchor when I was putting it in the car, but how much? Randy, it's not listed on your site, but do you know?

I can already feel the car beginning to adapt to the exhaust. Especially in third gear, I can really feel the extra pull and sense the whoosh (if you will) of the reduced resistance out the back. LOVING IT! I'm looking forward to the highway drive to my parents' house this weekend (to stash the stock system in their barn).

I roll down the windows when I get to my parking garage, too :smile:

 

Chris,

You save 9 lbs over the stock system with the Borla.

I love driving through tunnels in the mountains with the Magnaflow! Like the Porsche ad says - "And now, for your listening pleasure" .

Randy

 

Does anyone with the Cooper (not S) have the magnaflow? If you do, how do you like it? is it very loud? Can you feel anypower gains? Im thinking about getting the magnaflow for my cooper. thanks

 

What are the thoughts on the Remus dual exhaust, other than it's expensive($859) and probably heavier (extra pipe, muffler, tip) than stock? It would require cutting the rear valance, but it would look very cool and be very distinctive.

 

Now that some time has passed since this thread was started on exhaust options for the MC, I reread it and thought that there were many excellent points made.

As an update currently.
Rspeed has their cat-back exhaust on sale now for about $458
And K&N like Rspeed version of MC intake for CVT and 5 speed for $79.95 also on sale
Very good combo and worth a look.
Dyno numbers +4 HP and +3 ft lbs torque.
http://www.rspeed.net/mini/Specials.asp

Remus exhaust for the MC is in closeout at Mossmini
Single muffler system for $419
Dual muffler system for about $649
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=36724

Racing Dynamics Sport muffler for MC for $333.75 (cat back? Not sure-call them)
http://www.racdyn-usa.com/Merchant2/...gory_Code=mini

Lots of choices

 

>>
>>Racing Dynamics Sport muffler for MC for $333.75 (cat back? Not sure-call them)
>>http://www.racdyn-usa.com/Merchant2/...gory_Code=mini
>>
Someone told me the Racing Dynamics is a rebadged Remus....have a look, it looks like a Remus to me.

 

Hey Chris,

Do you have any clips of your Borla? Also, I don't remember, are you running the Moss intake on your beast? If you are, how do you like it?

Thanks,
Miles

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2002 Mini Cooper - LY/Y