My local muffler shop could build me a custom exhaust for around 300.00 dollars. It will be mandrel bent with a magna flow or borla muffler, using one muffler. What do you guys think of this. Or should i save up a bit more and get a borla race? Also what size piping should i use, and should i keep the stock cat? Thanks

Sami

 

Save your money for a mandrel bent stainless steel system.
You will only get maybe 5 years out of it and it may not be as good as the stock system.
I bought a used Magnaflow for that kind of money.

 

Two of my Mini friends have custom system built up for their Mini and resulted in two unique looks and sound. One used a single large Borla muffler and the other used an unknown CF flow through muffler. Both have a large single large exhaust. I had my Borla race modified as well by replacing the main pipe with 2.5" SS, exchanged front resonator and custom exhaust tips. All three of us used the same shop that routinely builds custom headers/exhaust systems for race cars. Conclusion? Building a custom exhaust system is not difficult as long as you use a reputable shop that has quality experience building exhausts for performance cars. Stay away from Midas type places. Asides from saving money, we also ended up with one of a kind, quality built systems than sounds unlike anyone else's off the shelf set:smile: Check out the sound clips below my sig. The actual note is lower than recorded. Very different from a stock Borla Race

 

I didn't hear him say that it wasn't going to be stainless.

Anyway, a one muffler system is going to be QUITE loud. If that's what you want, then go for it. As far as size, I would go at least 2.5".

 

The only problem with building your own - is that you don't know what you will end up with. There is a science to this! Beter off going with something that is tried and tested.

you can buy a OBX exhaust on ebay for 299.00

I'm running it - summary
its on the louder side,
not a true cat back,
stainless steel,
nicely made and hangs nicely.

 

None of us are using muffler only. A front resonator is necessary. If you don't have any experience with exhaust systems, then I wouldn't waste the time playing around. We knew pretty much what plus what would end up with what we wanted:smile:

 

I built one using no mufflers, and it isn't that loud.

http://www.teammightyminiz.com/users/will/driveby.MPG

Of course, I used some secret ingredients, but the sound is most excellent.