From the top, the heat shields block any view. To get flagged, they'd have to go under the car, or put you on a lift.

Matt

 

Hello 04SDmini

of all the headers have seen out there,
the Larini picture below, look the most factory like
It does have the two locations for the 02 sensors

 

so it would have to get very dirty to look OEM.... I know! Stamp Mini all over it!

Matt

 

Maybe it needs a mini sticker

 

Hey guys I just thought you would like to know I found out yesterday that my pilo/megan race header has a leak in it. It's the first version header the one with the long flex pipe in it, any ways that flex part is now leaking and sounds horrible . I just emailed Pilo and am now waiting for a reply. Also it's only been on around 2500 miles. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

A "showdown" dyno and road test as closely controlled as possible between the following headers comparing results with and without catback systems and with and without ported head; all other mods /conditions frem aining equal. And have a panel of judges respected in the Mini community to oversee all the testing:
> bone stock OEM
> JCW
> Dinan
> Milltek
> Larini
> Alta
> OE with pre-cat "removed"
> any other "street legal" (TUV approved would be Okay with me) headers
clearly displaying all of the following statistics for all test systems:
> HP through entire rpm range
> interior and exterior dB
> torque through entire rpm range
> scientifically recorded sound clips
ONLY REASON I CAN THINK THAT the manufacturers aren't doing it themselves -- not even in smaller scale -- is that it just isn't that impressive bang-for-the-buck improvement!!

Manufacturers -- prove me wrong... I dare you!!!

 

It's a biatch to compare something as simple as air fliters! And headers are even harder. and then there's the fact that the results will be much different given a car with and without a ported head, for example.

Sorry.

Matt

 

I have the Jackson racing header modified by the addition of the stock cat. There will be no smog issues .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

my poitn exactly. Mini works, etc vendors pay attention. obx = $200.. and u get the same results. aftermarket cats can even be purchased and included and the total cost will still be way lower than $1000+

 

Just as an FYI, the new Alta headers are out right now, these are brand new -- available with or without a cat.

They are priced well-above the $200 offerings mentioned earlier.

If anyone is interested, PM me for pricing I have both models (catted and catless) in stock.



There is a lot of R&D behind these, typical of Alta -- very nice piece.

 

I'm running the OBX header coated inside and out with Jet-Hot and a magnaflow 2.5" cat all for under $450[IMG]images/smilies/thumb-up.gif[/IMG] Just remember to clear out the holes of the coating before installation or you'll end up doing it 2x

 

Drop USD $1,275 then you can spoil yourself with the Hamann manifold...

Sorry, I have only got pictures of the wrapped manifold. However, if you'd bleed another $2,200 or $2,500 you can have the CAT pipe and the muffler as well...

 

I agree with you guys that $1000 bucks is a lot of dough for a header,

However lets be real,

You cannot compare my larini header to the OBX with the factory cat.

Our manufacturer Larini, did not gave us any printed material, but he assured us that on the dyno there was an increase in both HP and Torque.

And I agree with Dr Obnxs, it will be almost impossible to test all headers, unless someone has them all available and installs them on the same car, the same day, running on the same dyno.

Now to defend the manufacturers, at least the reputable ones, they will not bring to the market a product that they will not believe in, or proved to not be worth it, they have a reputation, too much too loose.

And as some of you said the market for headers for the mini is just to small.

I can guarantee you, that the Larini header might be expensive, but it is by far the best header available at this time.

Victor

 

No offense meant, but this just sounds wrong. What basis do you have for that guarantee, then?

By the way, you seem to be the only vendor who actively advertises their product offerings in related NAM threads, if you hadn't noticed... It's kind of getting tired. Again, no offense- just an FYI. Good luck with your entry into the market.

 

Got a taker on the Alta header dyno.

 

DUZ header uses thinner material so it is not durable.

Header was broken after drove on truck.
Probably this user is using inefficient exhaust pipe so exhaust gas won’t come out smoothly.

 

No, that's just the risk you run when you decide to build/install a system without any flex joints.

 

I could be totally off base, but it looks to my eye like this MINI owner cooked his cat, then kept driving till the canister blew apart. If true he might've baked his valves too. Just amazing that the cat should look so mangled! I can (only assume) that the heat & pressure in front of this mess is more of the root cause for failure. Further speculation... cat failure precipitated by some serious & LOUD backfire. I just can't see how driving it onto a truck could do this.

 

wooow
Thanks for your explanation.
This user didn't realize what is the problem.

 

I have a Miltek with the Milltek catback and I like the sound and power...... for the 62 I am getting a custom unit....... for the M45 I like the sound of the Milltek

 

That is one complicated exhaust system.

 

Complicated? It comes with a map. I think. It must. Right?
What do you think 1 of those bad boys cost? 1 pipe through 2 mufflers, then splits into 2 pipes into 1 muffler into 2 exhaust pipes, lots of nice bends... Whoa... A picture IS worth a 1000 words. We got da proof....

 

The Celtic Knot design.

 

It's a three-ball.

 

And as Lance Armstrong proves, all you need is one ball! That sucker must weigh a ton unless it's titanium... Yeh, I want one of those!
Or not.