im wondering which exhaust system gives the most hp gains and is STREET LEGAL...and also...are there any other body kits for the cooper other than the one that mini offers? keep the BASE cooper in mind for both questions...thank you for your time and hope to get replies soon

 

Welcome to MCO, mek-alpha!!!!

I just had the Helix exhaust installed on my Cooper a couple of days ago. Grassroots Motorsports magazine did an independant dyno in February on several of the aftermarket exhausts and this one gave the most HP gains.

Helix13 exhaust

 

Most hp, the Helix. There are other factors though, depending on what you want from a system. Feel free to contact me to discuss all of the possibilities for the Cooper. There is a lot of stuff on the market, but I do think the Helix is one of the best.

Randy
720-841-1002
randy@mini-motorsport.com

 

I've had my Remus for almost 10,000 miles now and have been totally happy with it. I've found it's got a great throaty sound while having no highway drone. For instance it's not as raspy as the Rogue but seems to have a more refined sound instead. You can read more and hear it here:

bridger.us/mini/exhaust/

If my memory serves me correctly Randy at Mini Motorsports stocks the Remus as well as the others - he'd be the man to ask.

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what about the London Stainless Header with Cat? looks pricey enough to have the best hp gain

 

hey HARMINI...
got any pics of your new exhaust yet?
i'd like to see a better photo than the one on the helix site!
thanks!

 

mmm nvm just realized that that exhaust system wasnt street legal...scratch that last question

 

i think it is legal!.....you may want to call randy for the info!

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mek-alpha, FYI another Cooper exhaust thread with lots of good info here.

 

Our Cat back Cooper system was also tested by Grassroots Motorsports, and finished 2nd on the horsepower test, but had the best torque curve where most of the driving is done. GRM chose to leave our system on their project car....

Exhaust tone is very aggressive, but can be toned down for the long drives using our 'quiet tip'.

Our Cooper Cat Back went on sale last summer and is one of our best sellers.

Contact me at kens@minimania.com if you have any questions.

 

follow this link for a little movie clip (2.6mb) from our scottish borders rin on sunday
my car, the blue one first through the water splash is running a pipercross pk222 induction kit, and cat back HKS super drager exhaust. Thats me you hear going up the hill out of camera shot through 2 hairpins as the second car goes through the water.

Mr HKS makes exceedingly nice pipes!

(thanks to Calum for the video)
Scottish borders water splash movie (quicktime)
GErry

 

Our's is considered one of the quiter exhausts on the market - but comes alive when you are under WOT (wide open throttle). The RSpeed Mini Cooper Performance Exhaust System is 100% stainless steel and is a direct bolt on with all hardware. It also weighs only 24lbs.

See the video of our new exhaust HERE.

Our dyno is HERE as well.


-Peter/Rspeed Mini

 

Hey, my first post on MCO! (I've been a RoadFly poster for over a year (as minimadman) and lurking here just as long)

I've now owned the stock exhaust plus a Rogue, a Helix, and now an RSpeed.

I bought the Rogue while going crazy waiting for my MC to arrive, but I liked the car so well stock that I left the Rogue in the box for a while. Just as I was about to install it GRM finally published their shoot-out results and I drove up to Helix and had them install theirs instead. The Rogue is still unused, in the box...anyone interested?

The Helix is an excellent exhaust. It looks great, adds ooomph, and a lot of sound. I know, "a lot of sound" is all in the ear of the beholder. It's a potent, throaty sound - which I liked very much - but too many decibels for me. I got used to the volume in the cockpit - was about to upgrade my sound system to compensate a bit. Unfortunately, whenever I'd open it up on the road a few too many heads would turn for my own good. I live in a small town with only one (yes, that's 1) MINI and a memorable front plate (ZIPPY) and the local police were starting to pay too much attention to my driving habits.

I hunted the web for a few weeks for a replacement and almost ordered a QuickSilver, but then found the RSpeed. I ordered it and had it in hand in (I think) just 2 days! I pulled the Helix and installed the RSpeed myself.

It's been a month and I'm VERY happy with the result. It fits well, looks good, and the sound is like Peter (TheBluePotato) described it. At idle it's mellow compared to the others I've heard and it surprises bystanders when you step on it. The volume level increases with engine speed (duh) but it's also not loud as others at high revs. The fun comes from the pedal - in other words, spirited driving SOUNDS like spirited driving!

As for performance, I think the RSpeed does better than even the Helix. RSpeed's advertised (dynoed) peak is lower than that published by GRM for the Helix, but check the delta - the amount of increase. GRM gave baseline numbers so you can calculate the increase for the Helix - compare that to the increase from baseline for the RSpeed and I think the RSpeed wins...at least that's the way I remember it. Also, it feels to me like the RSpeed makes a noticeable increase in ooomph at the low end - launch from dead stop is much easier now and the car is definitely more responsive at lower speeds.

I'm keeping the RSpeed! Hmm, I guess that means I have a spare Helix exhaust as well...

 

First, kurvhugr a warm welcome to MCO!

Second, thanks for that comparo! I've been eyeing up the RSpeed for months now, and just haven't heard many others give their opinions on it.

I would still love to see/hear it in person alongside the Helix - but I think you're pushing me much closer to sticking with my first instinct on the RSpeed!

 

My vote for RSpeed as well. Here is a Vid of my car at an autocross with the just installed RSpeed. After the car goes out of camera shoot the next exhaust sound is an E36 M3 (as the MINI finishes the course). RSpeed's customer service is the best of any buisness I've dealt with in the last year.
Exhaust Note

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<IMG SRC="http://www.teambodega.com/autoxgalle....jpg"> MC IB/W Sport, Premium, SSR Comps
If you can't go fast with 90 hp 900 won't help you!

 

Cool video! Thanks for posting! It's unfortunate, however, that there was a bit of wind noise that somewhat interfered with the sound of the exhaust.

...hmmmm.... That M3 exhaust sure is nice!

 

Just thought I'd throw in some props for the Borla. I've had it on my car for a month now, and am really loving it. The note is nice and deep, but not too loud on the highway, and not obnoxious in town, either. It's constructed of 100% stainless (as is the RSpeed), and you get a million-mile warranty. Also, the tip looks great! I've been meaning to post pics, but we haven't had a sunny day in what seems like forever in Boston. I don't know if it's been proven to yield as much gain as the Helix or Magnaflow, but with the Cooper you're really only talking about 5 hp or so anyway, so for me that was a secondary consideration.

To be fair, I was basically sold on the RSpeed until a local race shop put the Borla on sale for a great price.

 

ok so im guessing that the helix has the most hp gains while the rspeed has a nice sound...but id like some more info about the borla and magnaflow
thanx again guys...you guys helped a LOT :smile:

 

I think, in general, that the HP figures for the Cooper exhausts are not as well established as those for the S, since there are simply fewer people buying them, dynoing them, etc. One thing I can say for Borla is that their reputation for quality is rock-solid, especially in the last 10 years or so, and I have every confidence that my warranty will be there if I need it down the road. Being new to this whole scene, I don't know how these other companies stack up in comparison in this respect. Not that I've heard any negatives, but just something to consider. I would give Randy a call if you're comparing between systems. Most people here (except kurvhugr!!!) are just going to give you glowing reviews of what they have on their car, or subjective opinions on noise level and note.

 

I think the system you need depends a lot on what you want. The Helix is one of my favorites - I like the RSpeed as well.

The RSpeed does make a bit less power, but it is negligable. If you want a sporty sound, with a tip that actually looks like you have made a change to the exhaust, the Helix is my pick. If you are the subtle type, I highly recommend the RSpeed unit. There is something for everyone in the exhaust world for the Cooper, the unfortunate part is that MINI didn't screw up with the stock system like they did on the S, so the gains aren't near as significant with Cooper systems.

Give me a call, and I'd be happy to cover all the pros and cons of each system.

Randy
720-841-1002

 

I just got the magnaflow installed on mine. I am picking it up tomm so Ill let you know and also Ill be taking pics of my new car to post on here.

 

Kurvhugr,
I've been eyeing both the Rspeed & the Helix systems. Thanks for sharing your first hand experiences with both, your comparison is very helpful. :smile:

 

Hey, what about the MINI sport exhaust from the 2003 accessories brochure? Other than being overpriced at $675, it would be dealer installed and be covered under warranty. But what about horsepower and torque improvements?

 

rfibanez has the Magnaflow on a Cooper.

A quote from an unrelated thread:

rfibanez: I've never heard the Magnaflow on the S so I wouldnt know if my Magnaflow is as loud. My guess is no its not as loud but I could be wrong. The Magnaflow for the cooper (non S) sounds great! Its not too loud at all but it is a lot louder then stock. It has a really nice growl at full throttle too and on the freeway you can still listen to the radio and talk normally. I also have an intake so that also makes it a little louder. I think the magnaflow is great and I can really feel the extra power in the mid range.

 

I just got some info on the Stebro. They claim +8hp and the full cat-back is $515 + shipping. Anyone have experience with the Stebro?

Robb