For those of you that have purchased the Quicksilver or those who know about the system, what do you think? Louder than stock? Power increase? Fit and finish? One of our board members was nice enough to let me hear his Magnaflow and at first I thought it sounded great but upon futher thought, its just to loud for everyday use. So I am trying to find an alternative. The Borla has to many pieces, Rogue doesn,t look right but interested in hearing anyone that has one. Any advice will be helpful. The stock exhaust doesn,t sound to bad once the engine warms up, but want it a little more throaty.

 

I've had the qs eshaust about 2 months.It is a bit too loud for my elderly ears;I've even installed b-quiet sound deadening mats in trunk and under the rear seat.
There is a power gain at the top end.If you check MCSHP,you'll find the claimed gain about the same as the Magnaflow.
The constuction is beautiful,the weight savings might make it the prefered exhaust,and I love the look of the single tailpipe.
I installed it myself about 2 hours on a lift with a helper.My dealer says it's a 2-3 hr job.These guys who do it themselves on creepers are tougher than me.If you're doing the install,do it as soon as possible.The newer and cleaner the existing exhaust,the easier the removal.
If you want the sound and Hp gain of an aftermarket exhaust,the qs is the right choice.

 

My QS is on order but from reading the threads on it at MCO:
1. Definitely louder than stock, louder than borla too. Not as loud as Magnaflow.
2. Definitely a power increase, more than borla but less than Magnaflow.
3. Fit and finish-very good. London Stainless makes quality systems. However RandyBMC tells me that because of the one muffler design and center final tailpipe outlet, hanging the exhaust evenly can be tricky. Maybe even darn right frustrating.
4. Alternatives- limited.
Borla has lots of pieces- difficult to get a tight air seal sometimes. Relatively quiet compared to the others but still much better than stock (quiet). Gives some power.
UUC- coming soon but still not here. RandyBMC will test it once he gets it in about 2 weeks. Looks great. Uncertain price, weight, power, sound. UUC makes quality stuff, there is a nice matching 6 speed shift lever for $99.
John Cooper Works exhaust system-very nice looking, louder than stock, some power,it is the only aftermarket system that comes with factory warranty support but costs $5500 (Oh yeah, and you get some other upgrades for the same package price)
Magnaflow- the king of MCS exhausts, great sound but very loud, the most power but may be prone to droning, moderate price. Excellent quality, easy to install. Big trumpet like double exhaust tips.

I think QS has the longest warranty at 25 years.

Here is the general info link for QS
http://www.racecar.co.uk/quicksilvermini/
and pictures and info for the cooper S:
http://www.racecar.co.uk/quicksilver...inicoopers.htm
The video
http://www.racecar.co.uk/quicksilvermini/video.htm

Something to remember, I think that once the exhaust is installed it may take some time for the noise to even out. Heat from using the car will help to burn material in the muffler that will mellow out the exhaust note. usually over time the sound gets better. Most of the systems do not drone- mostly it is the Magnaflow that is associated with this and some people think it has to do with environmental or driving factors, not only that some drivers just hear the droning sound more easily or maybe tolerate it less.

Personally I heard the Magnaflow and it sounded really good to me. I like the borla sound (some people say it is raspy) also but it is not as loud or as low a note as the magnaflow.

Best part about the QS is that it weighs 23 pounds- super light which is a plus. Some people like the singly exhaust tip-an alternative tip will be out soon and can be fitted onto older systems.

Good luck


_________________
ALOHA

 

I rode in a local owner's car (thanks 8ball!) to answer just that question, and I was pleasantly surprised. We did a back-to-back comparison b/w his car and mine. Cabin noise at idle and mild acceleration is better--a throatier, deeper sound--but not intrusive in the least. At WOT it makes beautiful sounds, but again not obnoxious.

One thing I'd like to point out is that the sound was very different from the videos. The videos leave the impression that there's a tinny overtone, and maybe a *blatt* sound. Kind of raspy if you know what I mean. It wasn't at all the case in person. Just a deeper, mellower tone that strikes a nice balance.

I'm sold.

Jeff

ps: I'm mid-30s, w/two kids for reference purposes. I want *nice* sound. Not *loud* sound.

 

I have a QS in the mail now. Can't wait. Friedduck and 8ball - how many other Atlantans are on the forum? Anyone headed up to Road Atlanta June 27-29 for the ALMS Grand Prix. We should make it an event.

Wes

 

Asenna-
This question has been asked many many times in the past-
Try doing a search for QS and you will pull up threads like:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...amp;topic=6804

They discuss at length about the QS drone and some fixes
Pay attention to the comments by MCSHP at the end of the thread on page 4.
Our perception of the loudness of any aftermarket exhaust is highly subjective.
And it is true that the video segments are not always accurate.

 

And I found this good thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...amp;topic=5456
See the 12th post on page 1 by D-mini-ero where he got a reply by the people that make the QS about what they had intended the QS to be. He claims about 8 hp added and about a 21 pound weight difference from stock.

 

QS install tip:
Don't completely tighten everything until you center the tip.Have someone hold the tip in place while you give all bolts the last tighten.

 

mikehome1-
Thanks for the "TIP" ha!

 

minihune,

Thanks for that breakdown I havent kept up with the exhausts and its nice to have a summary or what fits where. makes deciding easier.

 

Richmds,

Are you the same guy from the matrixowners board. i saw there was a guy on there with the same name.

 

Hi there. I've had a QS installed for a few months now. I love it (minus the tip!).

It is louder than stock. When I first started up with it installed it was louder than I thought it would be. But I really like how it sounds.

I installed right around the end of the break-in period. So, I didn't get to do any seat of the pants measurements. It is fast, though.

Installing was very straight-forward. The most difficult part is holding up the new exhaust while trying to get the hangers in the bushings. I had bend out one of the pipe couplings on the QS because they wouldn't fit together. That wasn't too difficult though.

Hope this helps. I have some pictures of the QS installed in the gallery somewhere. Not sure what page it's on now. Sorry.

Owen

 

Quicksilver's website says you can order the system with the single oval tip, or with a dual round tip. Why does everyone who sell the QS system in the states have the oval tip? Or can I order the dual tip from someone here in the states?

Thanks

Tom

_________________
Jet Black/Jet Black Cooper S

 

Have a Rogue Engineering exhaust on Mini Cooper, currently mated to stock exhaust system downstream of CAT. Perfect out of the box fit-up, uses existing hangers, took less than 1 hour to do rip-out and install. Awaiting arrival and installation of Quicksilver replacement header with Metallic Cat, entire exhaust system will then be after-market. Purchased entire system from Mini-Madness in Portland Oregon, have gotten great service. Great sounding system, not ratty at RPM, no droning at constant RPM, sales and service folks at Northwest Mini described it as "healthy" sounding. Hard to differentiate between stock system and Rogue System visually, no massive tail-pipe extention or muffler slung under the air dam, free-flow muffer is hidden by rear air dam. Only real visual difference is tail-piece, the beer-can look is gone, extends about 2" past air dam with nice angle cut-off towards ground, negative is that it is slightly off-centered in exhaust cut-out, haven't had a chance to ajust rear hanger which will probably resolve. SS sytem is well manufactured, will last forever, good welds and workmanship.
When researching various systems was looking for performance vs sound, am 59 years old, not interested in loud, insterested in sound and performance, am very pleased, have recieved no negative comments on system. System meets both of my expectations, sure new header will add greatly to performance, need to make these little engines breatheeeeee.

Spike :smile:

 

If you are interested in pics of the QS with dual tip,
timcuculic posted a short review with pics on the UUC tread right now.
Take a look- very nice for QS and good review as well.