So I'm currently saving up some cash to have a custom 3" catback made. And I was wondering exactly how many of you here on NAM have 3" exhausts, custom or not (WEBB, Alta). So, if you have a 3" exhaust chime in about performance, sound, and oh yeah, some pics.

Looking forward to seeing what you all have.

 

So, should we all just start posting?

It may not be a bad idea to get all of them in here with sound clips and pics...

 

I have the Webb 3" prototype. Right now it's just 3" pipe. I took the plate out so that its running un-muffled. Its stupid loud. I have a stock header, but its really a surprise I haven't gotten pulled over. Performance, I can tell the difference between when the plate is in and when the plate is out. Torque takes a hair longer to come on at low RPM with the plate out, but at higher RPM it flows like a champ. Plate in, the torque comes on a little sooner and it doesn't flow quite as well at high RPM. I think there might be a picture or two in my gallery, I could be wrong. I can post a link to YouTube later of a soundclip.

 

It's almost your one year anniversary. Man, that was a fun install... You going to be at AMVIV this year?

I will post some shots of mine tonight.

-Brian

 

After a year I have finally embraced the loudness/rattle. I don't think I am going to make it out this year, although I would love to. I know I wouldn't be able to come and just look, I would want to buy something or track the car again or something that would drain me even more financially. I did have a great time last year and look forward to AMVIV 2008.

Are you still running the same one you were at AMVIV? I thought you'd fixed the muffler problem. I can't wait to hear what this thing sounds like when it's healthy.

 

Thats to bad. I hear the track this year is going to be really nice.

I dropped the Prototype Webb exhaust for a 3" straight pipe (battery box=gone). A lot lighter... A lot louder... But it sounds great. Not too bad with the stock header on it though. It doesn't hurt at least...

-Brian

 

Webb prototype here!
purchased from oasisT.
I started from plate out.. and I am not probably returning to closed position in unless I get electric cutouts. or when my mother comes to visit me :impatient.

The only problem I have is that its loud sometimes.. A bit of weird rattle when accelerating, hot-idle. (suspecting gaskets but will see..)

I always liked the thought of going straight pipes. What does it take to chop off the battery box?

 

That's what I was going for lol..

 

'

I will try to get some pics and some videos if i can borrow a digital camera from my friend..

 

I'll compile some pics and the videos here tonight then.

 

I first got my 3" exhaust system (Gintani 4-2-1 header and cat-back) about 11 months ago. Performance was really impressive and the car felt very strong. However, the sound level inside the car was unacceptable ---. At AMVIV-3, I unintentionally set off most of the car alarm systems in the garage at the Palace Station hotel!

Well, it's taken quite some time, but I now have the same 3" header, but with a custom Burns Stainless cat-back by CPR Fabrication in Costa Mesa, CA. While the sound level is still "authoritative", it is much less than the previous version, and the perceived power and strength have improved.

My original p/p head was just replaced with a stage II head from FTR. Yes, I still have the Schrick camshaft. Final ECU tuning should be about 2-3 weeks from now. With that said, the car is now much stronger than before. When I get the dyno data, I shall post them here. Also, when the car is next on a lift, I'll take some pics of one beautiful exhaust system. Those who have seen the exhaust were mightily impressed.

I won't discuss costs, but the type of work done on my car is definitely not for the budget-minded modifier. Neither will I engage in a cost-benefit analysis. Suffice it to say, there's a group of MINI people (? nuts) who make these kinds of mods because they can and want to do so.

BTW, I plan to be at AMVIV-4, and interested folks will be able to see and hear my car...

 

What Burns mufflers are you using? And how many? Still trying to think of a 3" system that will provide considerable increase in power but not be waaaaaaaay too loud.

EDIT: Can you take a sound, or video, clip please? Thanks.

 

I can testify! Weiss' car is effin' loud. I have the Magnaflow CBE and it is tame compared to the Webb running straight-pipe setup. But it's nice cause when you lift all the hoodlums in the area run fo' cover as they think someone is poppin' a few rounds off at them. hehehe!

 

check out the pics on my other install thread. good top end power from this set up. yes it's loud but no rattles at all.

 

Immediately behind the cat are two 17" long 4.5" o.d./3" i.d. mufflers in series, and after the Y split, each side has a 12" (?) long, 4.5" o.d./2.5" i.d. repackable muffler. I think that is correct, but I'll need to check for sure. Of course, a pic would tell all, but that will have to wait until the next time the car is up on the rack.

I would very much like to do an audio and video. The audio will be for the exhaust and the neat supercharger whine, while the video will be to show a multitude of gauges and the radar detector . After the ECU tune, I hope to link up with someone who has the proper recording equipment.

Thanks for the interest,

 

Thanks for the response. I don't think I want to use 4 mufflers for mine. Did you just use 4 mufflers to quiet down the exhaust or did it perform better that way?

Within the next 2 weeks I'm just going to get straight pipes and then a month or 2 after that probably 2 Burns 3" mufflers in series.

 

MAN

I was going to just live with the drone but I just wanna see how the others are doing with drones from 3inch exhausts.

Mine is Webb in open position.. I love the sound but the drone is unbearable.

Suggestions?!

 

Thats the problem with 3". The drone is really hard to get rid of. Maybe try another resonator...

-Brian

 

Ah.. so everyone is having some problems with their exhaust droning eh?
It gives me headach....

Oh BTW, do bad gaskets increase droning? I think my gasket is kinda boo-boo. (weird metallic rattle often at idle, 2000rpm+ ..)

 

And do you recommend certain type of resonator that will fit / replace the webb system? ( i don't know the diameters of the exhaust.. )

 

One of the local So cal club members tried a 3" ex , the Webb i believe , and lost some HP from his former dyno run. He may be selling it . He is a SCMM member I and there were a few postings so you can check there if interested. From what I can see the 1.6 motor really doesnt need much more than 2.5 if it is laid out rite. Now for my 454 chevy ,3 " all the way

 

The two in-series mufflers take the place of one long resonator. To build a long muffler/resonator would have been even more pricey; also, the shorter mufflers were already available. The long length up front was to quiet things down a bit, and that was accomplished. However, I still have that "drone", but much less than before. The rear mufflers added a small bit of "quietude", but there was a noticable subjective increase in performance. With that said, I still back off on the gas when I'm near a police car or when my radar detector gives me a "ka" reading---.There's no question that a straight through system (sans mufflers) is great for performance, but the noise is intolerable. In fact, the decibel reading might be too high even for some tracks, e.g., Laguna Seca.

What to do, vis-a-vis, exhaust is a tough decision, and seems to be a function of intended use, tolerance of altered sound quality and levels, and budget. With that said, IMO, if one has gone to the expense of a p/p head and a new camshaft, then a new exhaust sytem (header to the exhaust tips) with a larger i.d. (e.g., 2.5 to 3.0") is the way to go. If the new sound properties are objectionable and not easily modifiable, then don't do the head and camshaft. The same holds if the added cost of the exhaust system is not in the budget.

One of the important lessons that I have learned over the past 4.5 years of owning/modifying my Mini is that each area (e.g., drivetrain, suspension, etc.) represents a system, and that components therein must be in balance or complement each other. Sometimes a modification that seems to be good on paper (advertising) is actually counterproductive, and rather than being additive or synergistic, may actually have a negative effect. Message: Be sure to do your due diligence, and caveat emptor!

Just my $1.00

Good luck

 

Bad operator then. There is no question 3" makes power.

As for the resonator question, I don't have any in mind as I have not personally experimented with them. The one on the Webb is large, so maybe a smaller(in diam.) further down the line. Maybe right before the flange to y-split. Take a look at Burns products(if you have lots of $$$$ to spend), or you can call Random Technology who built the first couple systems. They should give you a good suggestion. The rattling is most likely the muffler. All of the first gen ones had problems with baffling coming loose. A leaking gasket will cause a "putt putt" sound at idle. It will also make the volume a little louder, But shouldn't cause a rattle.

-Brian

 

From when the MCS had a RWM prototype on it, prior to it blowing up in Cali.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91af9vyL6Wk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDrA2PCnkhU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHA7MnKBhSw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-93sYRqyFeg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-La15bfvtEs

The videos don't do it justice btw....at WOT it sounded like a jet engine...sooooo awesome.

 

Ahhh... I remember that sound. You guys should have seen the faces of the people at Pueblo(our local track) the first time we took my car out. It really did sound like a jet engine. Woooooosh.... POP. After my first session everyone came over to the car (back when it had an interior and no cage) and asked, what does that thing have in it?

-Brian