I really love my Alta Sportone exhaust, but I had a tremendous difficulty keeping the exhaust tips from sliding one way or the other and melting my rear valance. After many adjustments and a lot of head scratching, I decided to shim my exhaust where I wanted it, then MIG welded a steel rod to both of the rear exhaust brackets. Now the system is centered, and it doesn't slide the the left or right. It seems to be holding up quite well.

I recommend that Alta should include an adjustable bracket brace in each of their exhaust kits.

Mike

 

They should know better!
I recently put a Milltech catback on and the tips are bracketed together...great fitment...hopefully you like your Alta.

 

I do like the Alta. It does sound nice and is well-constructed; but if I had to do this all over again, I would consider purchasing something else -- perhaps a Borla or Militek.

Mike

 

I think I understand what you've done here. I don't think it's the same problem I had when I was installing mine. I had to debate between a crooked exhaust and one that seemed 1–1 1/2" lower than it should have been. I was finally able to manage a compromise that I'm pretty happy with.

 

I think our problem is/was similar. My exhaust also appears somewhat crooked when viewed from above. The right tip stuck back about 1/4" more than the left one. I also had to lower the exhaust because that seemed to be the only thing that would keep it from sliding left or right (too far one way or the other and the valance would melt).

The bracket that I welded onto my exhaust allowed me to raise the exhaust a little higher (where I think it should be) and it also stays centered. As I mentioned previously, this fix is so easy -- Alta could easily include a clamp on brace with the kits they sell.

Mike

 

Ah, I see. Well, perhaps I'll give that a shot next time I'm under the car.
Cheers.

 

MightyMike: Thank you for your purchase and the post here (and elsewhere on NAM as well). I'm sorry you experienced difficulty with the alignment. I appreciate the solution you created, but I am concerned about the root cause. I can appreciate that you are an intelligent person and that you tightened the hardware, so something else must be amiss. (My wife has an 06 Chili Red as well and I don't have this issue with her car and haven't welded anything on it.) I wonder if the supplied hardware was off or something. Regardless, if we can help you in any way PLEASE let me know.

Also, I am going to show your solution to product development and see if it can be incorporated in the production kits.

Again, thank you!

 

I installed a Remus in mine. No fitment issues, looks sweet and sounds awesome.

...Les

 

Uh, think we mentioned this issue way back at the beginning... What it comes down to is something we've seen ad nauseum on these cars - lack of consistency from MINI. It causes problems with production aftermarket bits.

I think the solution Mike came up with is a great idea! Hopefully it can be incorporated to help out the fitment on this single sided system (it would certainly give Alta a leg up on competition with other single sided systems to have one that fits!).

Good job Mike .

Randy

 

Adam,

I'm not sure why I couldn't get the exhaust system aligned. I installed it and thought everything was okay. On a trip to Kansas City I noticed on a stop that my exhaust had shifted to the right (partially melting my valance). After making a couple of adjustments I got it centered, but the tips hung down too low. I thought it looked like crap, so I crawled under again and made a couple more adjustments (raising the exhaust) and next thing you know, it kept shifting to the left!

I crawled under one more time and studied the movement of the exhaust system on the Alta hangers. I soon realized that all I needed to do was adjust the system where I wanted it, then I welded the bracket in place. Immediately, I noticed that my problem was solved. After moving the exhaust to the right or left, it automatically centered.

To date, my system remains centered and I haven't experienced any problems whatsoever. See photo...



Thanks,
Mike

 

I like your Remus exhaust. A few years back I installed one on my BMW 318is. It was well-constructed and sounded nice.

Mike

 

I just spent allot of money to have the Mini dealer put the alta exhaust on my car and it too shifts and hangs to the drivers side.. I am not a welder or a shop owner - how do we get this fixed or achieved by the shops???? Melting the valience is not a good thing for exhaust sales.

 

Green Iguana: Thank you for yoru purchase and an excellent point. The difficulty we have here is that we can't duplicate the problem on our own shop cars. It stands to reason that there may be some unwritten procedure for tightening the clamps, bolts etc. that haven't been fully explained in the instructions. No one (including myself) wants an exhaust that melts, touches or rattles. It is interesting that the REMUS in the photos above is clearly over to the right side. Jeff in our tech and R&D dept. is looking to see if there is a retrofit arm, similar to that above to remedy any clients that do have issues. As always, feel free to contact me off the board for more immediate reply.

Thanks again!

 

it's all about minipulating the hanger hardware. i turned the hangers so the tips couldn't move and low and behold no further problems . and yes i am pretty happy with myself. ha!

 

your backup light is crooked?

 

lolz.

 

my buddy has alta system and has same problem. Shaking and Melting.

 

I was under my car last weekend trying to fix a rattle and I think I understand better what MightyMike is talking about, and it sound like a good fix. Unfortunately, I don't know how to weld and my dad thought I was being too **** to have it fixed, but maybe I can get him to change his mind next weekend.

 

i had the ALTA exhaust problem too, but mine wasn't melting. my problem was allignment, and that caused another problem: rattling at idle. after a week and a half of driving with it, i went back to stock. when i took it off, i found that the rattle had etched 3 little marks into the exhaust itself! i am debating putting it back on later, but when i do, i will probably take it to a place and have them weld a bracket like the one above.

 

minimic: CAll US! Can't help you if you don't call! We want to help you be completely happy with your system. We also have some additional solutions for you as well. Thanks for your business, your post and your interest!

 

wow, i just saw this post. i haven't been on here in years. i have been debating putting it back on or selling it. i will call you if i decide to put it back on to see what 'other options' you say you have.