I cannot get over the cost associated with the MCS header.... I guess I am having trouble justifying the cost for an exhaust component with cat. I come from the Honda scene (old school 4th Gen Civics) where you could pick up a header for $3-500, and a replacement "high-flow" cat for $150...

A Catalytic Converter is just charcoal correct? Why does someone want to charge $1000 for one? I hope this is not a "MINI/BMW" thing either... This is beyond me...

I hope to assign a mission to the MINI manufacturers... Can someone build a header that produces a gain but come in two pieces that costs $500-700? (e.g. the manifold AND catalytic converter) Multiple pieces should be fine, look at the Borla cat back unit, it has many pieces and it works great!

My biggest concern lies with the one piece header should the CHARCOAL catalytic converter go south... Why not make a two piece where people can put on a straight pipe for track days? At least have the ability to swap the CC or straight pipe in and out... You can make the argument that, "Yeah the catalytic converter is an exhaust piece that controls emissions..." blah blah, but aftermarket companies make cheaper alternatives that work! Even if the $100 CC lasts you 3-5 years... you are still ahead of the game!

What is everyone's consensus on this? Any thoughts? Perhaps I am still stuck in the old days!

Cheers to all!

 

Pilo Racing is preparing an all stainless two piece header with CAT for around $500 or so. also there is GT Tuning in the UK that has had a two piece for almost 2 years now, but it's pricey

 

It's not charcoal.
Here's a good read me

I like to 2 piece idea but the sticker to that is; Will there be spare parts and how much will they be in 3-5 years? Or do you step up and buy a spare up front?

 

Doesn't megan racing through Pilo have a one-piece exhaust header with cat for like $400? [EDIT] I guess they're still working on it. They've been working on it for quite awhile now.

 

Charcoal.

 

I've been hearing that rumor for a looooooooooooooooooooong time now

 

True, where will the parts be in a few years, similar to the likes of a Big Brake Kit. (e.g. rotor size/replacement, pads etc).

But there has to be a way to make this item more affordable... I cannot figure out why MINI/BMW (or Daimler-Chrysler) created this unit in a single piece. Would substituting in a mass-produced CC into the MINI header design work? Therefore eliminating the concern of the manufacturer's CC design (and R&D costs). I should probably crawl under the car to find out how much space there is to actually work with... but I was just thinking outloud.

 

Why don't you just buy the Supersprint header from Promini for $619. And then have some flanges welded on a Magnaflow high-flow cat? They are not expensive. That's what I might do for now until I decide what to do with my motor setup.

 

I took my Jackson racing header and added the stock cat to it with a little creative welding. The stock cat is really not that bad and it's still legal. There are a number of cats out there ,one in particular, that burn up in a few months as they have snuck ob-1 units into the mix and they don't last.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Are you referring to the Magnaflow or did I misinterpret the hint.

 

Close LOL. Pm me , Randy

 

Now that is a name I have not heard of in some time! Jackson Racing... He bought a twin carb setup off of my brother's '78 Civic (RS motor setup) to "test"...

Yeah, but then you kind of have a kit, no? A piece of here, a piece from there... I will look into the Supersprint header, but for whatever reason, I was or have never been a big fan of SS products!

 

Jackson Racing actually owns Moss Mini or at least did when i was working with them in 02. My system is really easy . One Header, last pipe cut to accept stock cat, Borla Race exhaust with resonator removed for my listening enjoyment

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

You better not talk that way about Supersprint! To tell you the truth, their products were kick-*** in the past, but are starting to decline recently due to over-production. But, I'm still game. Boy, are they expensive though! Close to $4,000 for my 3-Series exhaust setup (that I am GOING TO GET)......You know, in the FUUUUTURE.

 

You can still live in the old days via OBX. You can pick up the OBX header for 200 bucks and re-use the stock cat or after market cat that bolts on making it a two piece.

 

What Bahamabart said.
My setup
OBX stainless header $187.00 delivered.
Magnaflow high flow stainless cat 94136 2.5" $65.00 delivered.
Misc nuts, flanges, gaskets, slip connectors $20.00
Total $272.00. A two piece stainless header/cat for under $300.00!
Option- ceramic coat header $133.00.

 

Ditto what OutbackBob said about what I said.

8,000 on OBX header using stock cat = total cost 300.00

Want another old style bargain - OBX exhaust (299).

Header 300 (w/ install) and exhaust 350 (w/install) = 650.00 <----- the price of many JUST catback systems. It is a full sport tone !!!!

 

Where can someone purchase the OBX header? Any retailers? I briefly tried looking on the Internet but came up empty...

 

try http://www.sparktecmotorsports.com/ that's where I got mine and had no problems. They're also an e-bay seller and I've seen the OBX exhaust system there but not on their site....
Bob

 

EBAY for one

 

sparktecmotorsport.com for header has a lower shipping price but is the same person as Ebay.
I've only seen the exhaust on Ebay same guy.

 

Okay, thanks for the feedback to all... I am a bit interested to say the least... I already have a Milltek catback so all I need to do is focus on the header piece...

Header (http://www.sparktecmotorsports.com/h10350s.html) $175

Cat (http://www.car-sound.com/catalog/universal/941.aspx) $____ ($65?)

We only have a single O2 sensor? Cool...

How about connecting everything? Header to the cat, and cat to the catback exhaust?

What is the sound change like? Estimated hp increase on the dyno/buttmeter?

Thanks again!

 

Actually, there are two O2 sensors on the car. One is located in the collector of the header and the other is on the cat. That way the OBD is reading before and after the cat. If you look at the factory header the first reading is taken right after the pre-cat & before the cat while the other is after the converter so the relationship between the two is maintained with the aftermarket header.

 

Yup, I looked closer at some pics to figure out where they are... Found both!

 

There are several threads on the OBX header install.
I recommend fitting it up off the car to get the lengths right.
My install
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=60572