I know there are header threads......

not only do I want to read a discussion of 4:1 or 4:2:1 but who has the best quality...... who has measured power increase...... why is this or that the best and what were the criteria for your choice..... did you just buy on price or did you do homework, money not the first criteria? I have an opportunity to make a change and I would like to get the benefit of others experience

 

that reads a post like this and innocently wonders why 1) the person wants the "benefit of others experience" and not once says "please"? I mean they want someone who's taken their time and energy to research what header is best for whatever application and why, but don't even have the courtesy to pay the minimal written thanks for all their hard work. I just find that incredibly arrogant and selfish. Personally I prefer to answer questions when the asker has at least done some of their own work and seems to appreciate it and acknowledge the well done work of others.

 

I bought the Megan on price alone. It cost $200 and works (allows exhaust gases to escape the engine). I think that really well designed and built headers with fancy cats are over-priced, but would install one if possible.

cheers,

 

I understand where you are coming from, but look at the number of posts SpiderX has and what he has done for the MINI community as a whole. He is usually courteous in his requests, but if you take a look at current threads you will understand that he is justifiably frustrated with his Milltek header after several replacements. He just wants to drive his car now, as I'm sure anyone would.

In answer to your question Bob, I have personally had a Milltek and a GTT manifold. They are not worth the trouble they introduce (as you are finding) and the power gains are minimal. They add alot more noise though. The CAT is always the problem with these supposedly 'race spec' items, lol. That and the poorly positioned flexi joints.

If I were you, hae a look at the JCW item. Pricey and quite restrictive, but you won't experience the problems you are now, so long as you monitor the EGTs. In an earlier thread, you said that Josh likes to keep temps around 1300deg C...that's way hot TBH. With the 62 and head mods you have, I would expect closer to 1000-1100 deg C.

Here's a link. The flexi location is perfect. This was run on their Lysholm/custom 285cBHP MCS as Le Mans last year. I have seen the race engines and big blower and it is a twinscrew...guess JCW got there first some time ago

http://www.johncooper.co.uk/JohnCoop...FExhaust+Kits/

Call/email them to check for availability.

Alternaticely, run a stock manifold for a while?

Cheers,

Henry

P.S. I haven't driven my car for 1 whole year next Friday, so there is always someone worse off than you

 

I'm shopping for a header as well.

Currently, I've ceramic coated my OEM header, outside only.

Although I have the Milltek catback, I'm almost certainly getting the GT Tuning header.

One of the main reasons is that it has a removable cat section, which allows three things:

(1) I can ceramic coat the entire inside as well as the outside, for better heat reduction as well as exhaust scavenging.

(2) If the cat does fail, you can simply install another, no welding and no header removal.

(3) For track days, I could drop in the straight pipe, thereby easily making a temporary change.

I had two Milltek headers fail (actually the cats) on my previous car. Claims that they've fixed it not withstanding, I decided not to order it on the new car.

Of course the GT piece also has the other usual performance claims, which I generally believe.

But GT does seem to have some well thought out pieces, including some of the tensioning devices and pulleys for the belt. When I order the header, I'm gonna get those as well. Designed to make the car more reliable, at least from a belt standpoint.

Their out of the box thinking seems to backed with a pretty conservative style, so I'm probably gonna pull the triggger on it.

 

Bob, if you're in a spot, I took my new header off at 1400 miles and replaced it with my other header (from my first car), which I'd ceramic coated.

You're welcome to borrow it for a bit. It's right here in one of my warehouses up here on GA 400.

If it'll help, give me a call at my office number 770 --- 2095.

 

You make a good point.....but.... if you look at my history on this site you will see that I have thanked people publically many, many times for their contributions..... you will also see that I have given unselfishly the benefit of all the mods on my car and posted videos of the development as well as commentary on new products... additionally, I have answered hundreds of PMs and talked on the phone with many of the members who ask my opinion of this or that mod, not becase i am some guru... but more likely because I am a common guy trying to have fun by moding and motoring..... I have to clear out my PM file very often for all the correspondence..... rarely do i contact people for advice privately..... I like to get these discussions going for the benefit of many..... i have already had several conversations with members about this topic and have a pretty good idea of which way i want to go... but with all my mods etc if i still have these questions I think that there are others that could benefit and would like thenm as well..... you will also find that most of the threads I start have a very high posts to them.....so for you to take me to task on this I find interesting to say the least.....I hope I have not offended anyone...... there is a very regular cast of characters that know me and i would hope that they have taken no offense..... I must however remember that this is a world wide site and that this possibility always exist..... my manners could have been better on this occassion.... no offense meant nor taken

 

fred, that is the first time i've seen any substance behind your posts. Well done.

Bob, those who actually read your posts and follow your efforts know that you meant no offense, and we know you've experienced quite a bit of frustration. that's the price of the modding game, as i'm sure you know :(

Lets just say that the MINI modding world would be a different place without Bob's efforts

 

Dude,

1) SpiderX just put it out straight forward. He was not rude, nor arrogant or selfish. 2) SpiderX is a top contributor to this Board from which many have benifited from his wealth of knowledge and sharing of his cars development.

But PLEASE do share your personal header knowledge with us.

 

Spider, http://outmotoring.com/megan_racing_...er_header.html I would agree with Gandini on this one. The fit, finish & quality is there ( more so than the OBX IMO ). They do work well! If you are looking for some bigger numbers take a look at the MTH, it's the best I've seen, also very $$$. Supercoopers sugestion is also a good one.
4 -1, 4-2-1, is realy a taste thing. If I could get exactly what I want, it would be a 180o 4-1 with as high flow cat I could find & retain the flex for the fitment & engine movement. This type of header would require some reconfigure, PS res, header tank, new heat shield..... just some of the reasons you don't see 1.

 

Don't worry Bob.
We know Fred as a real PITA on another forum as well
If he bothered to take the time to know you through your posts and contributions here he may not have posted this "opinion piece".
Yet based on my experience he'd have still had something impolite to contribute

 

i don't think i've read one post that's been non-derogatory. That's gotta be some sort of record.

 

"kurvhugr .... Steve,........ has graciously donated a brand new Meghan to the project....... actually a very small amount of $ will change hands..... so not to mix my threads up but for now we are going to put on the Meghan..... a very special thanks to Steve......aka kurvhugr

 

is it the 2 piece Megan that Pilo Racing supposedly helped develop ? are you going to be using a cat? let us know about the fit and quality ok

 

It is the two piece...... the cat issue has not been decided..... our friend Dave Emanuel from Random Technologies makes a nice cat..... maybe we will give him a call..... you know me.... I'll post all I can come up with....

 

Bob, you're awesome!

 

SpiderX: The Megan with a RT cat could be just the ticket. I hope you share your impressions openly with us, as most of us can separate the "I got it for real cheap" from the "I owe it to you all to tell the truth." And I know you're capable of making the distinction. I'd particularly like you to take note of under-bonnet temps and heat radiation from the header, and if you wrap it, or coat it with ceramic. I'd also like you to pay attention to the flex joint, if you don't mind.
Cheers, and good luck.

 

discodan - thanks

The flex joint is what gave up on the Milltek...... it started to shed and threw crap into the cat which made it die.....

I hope the new Milltek is worth the $ it costs..... but right now I am totally open minded......

So far the Milltek (this will be my third) has been "less than satisfactory"... the guys rom Stratmosphere have been great but their hands are tied...

I will keep you all posted

 

lighten up dude it's bye now a given with most that all advice and knowledge given is appreciated. some of these guys no doubt have been corresponding for some time and have dispenced with alot of the formallities that seem to have you in a twist . again ;it's a given thx .

 

man i had zero problems with my alta. i know the primaries arent exactly the same length (at least they don't seem to be ) but it's a killer header. and quality was beautiful .

 

I'll check it out....it has not gotten much reaction on the board so far...so I have not looked at it.... thanks for the post

 

Happy to help get the M62 project back on track.

Hey Bob - I shipped it this afternoon - I'll send you and Dave a tracking number when I get a chance.

 

Thanks Steve..... I really appreciate you generosity

 

Ah the beauty of the First Generation NEW MINI. Cooper and S use the same exhaust header. Won't be like that come 07 model year, thanks to the turbo.

 

I have been happy with my OBX as I stated in your other header thread. But, it has no flex joint and you have to use a donut gasket, which in your case, might be a good idea...