Are the OBX headers available from a "real" retailer other than through eBay? Or are there any retailers that sell another brand 4-2-1 header for MINIs at a reasonable price?

It isn't that I don't trust eBay per se - I buy via auctions there regularly, have a PayPal account, all that jazz.

My issue is that I've read of too many quality issues regarding the inaccurate tube locations on the exhaust flange. So I'm skittish regarding buying one via eBay because I've found less leverage in dealing with suppliers when buying via auction. I want to deal directly with the retailer, know their physical address ahead of time, have a good understanding regarding the return/replacement policy, etc. And I want the leverage of using a credit card and being able to contest the charge if I can't get a proper part and/or refund.

So again, any reasonable options here?

 

they are a real shop in SF, I think.... The eBay store is just to move more stuff.

But what do you expect for a header that is less than half the price of the competition?

Matt

 

I'll check them out, thanks.

And with regards to price, I expect the maximum quality and value I can find. $200-$300 for a quality 4-2-1 header is common for other cars and it should be for the MINI as well. You don't get what you don't ask for.

And I must add that the accepted norm of $700 and up for a MINI header is, in my opinon, a poor value at best and a ripoff at worst.

Point in fact, the two OBX headers I've seen were of solid quality from a welding / material / general workmanship standpoint. One, however, had the #2 and #3 cylinder exhaust tubes poorly placed. The units are made in China and I can't imagine that spending an extra 15 minutes getting the alignment right would cost that much.

 

and the two issues I ran into were one bolt needed to be changed to a stud (For the very reason you list) and that we had to loosen the sub-frame to get it in...

But the thing works, and yes Mini parts are a bit extreem in price.....

Matt

 

There is this thread going on right now about headers and OBX: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=72787

 

Moss MINI has a Jackson Racing Race Header for $399.00 with no CAT.
All stainless, TIG welded, Made in USA. Jackson has a great rep in the superbike world, they know how to build headers.
www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=39045&SortOrder=1
Adapteing a CAT isn't/shouldn't be a big deal.

 

The only thing I don't like about the Jackson is that pre-cat O2 is only reading the two cylinders that dump into the bottom pipe...

they should have put the bung right above the second flange, where the two pipes come together.

 

eww...that design looks a lil funky...

 

The OEM O2 lead might not be long enough to reach that far down.
Honestly though it shouldn't make any difference..

It's a nice piece. If it came with a cat I might get it.
I emailed them months ago asking about them selling it with a cat. At that time they were thinking about it.
I just asked again.
Wouldn't hurt if they got a few more queries Hint hint

 

The 2 piece design is pretty common really. It being a 4-2-1 piece is what had me interested when it was introduced.

 

I got mine at Sparktec. It was a bit cheaper than e-bay. Took a while to ship, though.

 

What has been your experience with your OBX?
Fit, finish, performance impression
Dealing with a distributor probably allowed you recourse if the fit wasn't right for a return/replacement, is that correct?

 

Thanks for the info on the Jackson header and the lead on Sparktec (found their site at http://www.sparktecmotorsports.com).

Nice to know there are some options out there.

I too am interested in anything anyone has to say regarding their personal epxerience with any of the 4-2-1 headers.

 

I did a write up on the Megan Racing header, it is $199 and bolts right up. I added a random tech cat and was still under $500

 

Just to follow up on this, here's the response I received...

So, with a quality cat you're pushing $600.

 

I've had the OBX with stock cat for a bit less than 1 year. The increased low end torque is a definite improvement. Not earth shattering, but worth the $. I'm no expert on welds, but it certainly looks well put together. I haven't had any problems with it. Helix installed it for me, and they had to drill out 2 of the bolt holes and use studs instead. The pipes matched up well with the head, but the angle between them and the flange makes it impossible to get a bolt with a head in there, in one or two places. I did some hand sanding on the pipe -flange area before it was installed, as far as I could, and Eric says, Hmm, they're putting these together better these days. I said, no, I smoothed that out.

The upstream O2 sensor is in a different location than stock, and the wires got smashed from a heat shield, which triggered a CEL. Bending the shield out of the way fixed it. I also got a little squeek from the graphite donut gasket movement, but some never-seize on the gasket stopped this.

Some folks have gotten OBXs without the hardware like the donut gasket, which apparently can be hard to obtain. I've never dealt with Sparktec before or since, but I can only assume they would be easier to work with in such a situation than an e-bay seller.

 

Hi,

I have had it for about a year and finally put it on about 7 months back. I sure wish I had put it on the first day I received it now. I love it. Maybe I'm the lucky one but the welds were percent and the flange matched up perfectly with the stock header . When it arrived everything was it the box. It took me about 1 1/2 hours to take the old one off and put the OBX on. I had no bolt problems at all. I feel guilty after reading some of the problems others have had. I did the whole install in my garage with just two jack stands up front.


The low end pickup was great and the added sound combined with my Milltek makes me smile.

Hope this helps.

LongBoard

 

mmmmm.....low end torque....mmmmm