after all the "standard" mods, (pulley, cia, catback) is it worth the money to add a header?

 

in a word...... yes

especially if you are planning a head at some point (more words)

 

In a word, maybe.

I put the Milltek header on my first MCS (which like my second one, has the Milltek exhaust), and aside from having to replace it twice, I can't say it made much - if any - performance difference. Oh yeah, it was louder.

SpiderX has recommended a header from someone who's doing them for the M62s. After talking with him, and with the builder, I've elected to try it, partly because the builder seems to understand the relevant issues as we've come to learn them, he has a lot of experience, and he's local. It will replace a ceramic coated OEM MCS header. I do already have a head, exhaust, etc...

Will report after installation.

Of course, SpiderX will get the glory or the gloom ...

 

After the CAI/Pulley and Exhaust - there are various mods worth looking at if you seek more out of your car, those being (in no particular order) - header,
head, & ecu program. Each have different price points and different per pony/dollar contribution.

A header will add a few ponies and several lbs of TQ. While you will feel a TQ gain, its not like adding a pulley effect. Having said this, I think a header is worth adding at the right price point. There are two headers available for about 200 bucks (OBX & Megan) which will require a little CAT work and install costs. All in you can get this done for about 400 - 450 bucks.

In my case I added a OBX header and recycled the stock CAT and am delighted with the positive results for the money spent.

I think for most this is all you need to spend and get header benefit. Now if you are building a race car or are in extreme HP/TQ quest then these proabably won't do it but others make such headers.

In closing - header up

 

It works on my car.....

 

pictures tried to upload and they won't

 

Have you addressed handling and braking issues? The MINI seems to respond well to suspension mods. Without a well thought out system approach to engine mods, you'll probably end up with lots of money spent and marginal gains (180-200 whp).
Light wheels, good rubber, and maybe SS brake lines will be money well spent, if you have to spend money. Camber plates and adjustable control arms will allow you to adjust camber and toe front and rear.
I've spent a lot of $$$s and must put the latter mods high on my list of those giving good returns in smiles per miles.

cheers,

 

Agreed 100% on the suspension mods first, compared to a header purchase without a head installed.

Don't know about the necessity for SS brake lines, unless it's tracked consistently, but everything else for sure .

 

I don't disagree but interpreted his question as being specific to engine mods.

 

100% Yes.

But, you need to buy the right Head.

Longboard

 

One thing to keep in mind that from what I've read here and other places is that a header is most effective at the upper RPM ranges. If you spend a lot of time at ~4,500-5,000 RPM and higher, you may see more differences than if you spend most of your driving time at lower RPM's.

 

thanks for all the comments, everyone is helpful. dr phil, suspension & brakes were the first things i did, along with wheels & tires.

 

I totally agree, Bart--and this was posted in the performance forum not the handling one, so I did go OT. But my post was intended to make a more general point, that I have come to appreciate only in the last 6 months thanks to the many threads on this forum, that headers, like the one I have on my car, really add very little to the enjoyment of driving my car without being integrated into a system approach to engine performance improvement. The OP seemed to be at the stage we find many who join NAM, with the "standard mods" and wondering where to go next. Unfortunately, I am of the opinion nowdays, that after a pulley (and even that's debatable now that 17 and 19 % pulleys are being used successfully) there's very few engine mods that are "no brainers" without really taking a systems approach. OTOH, suspension and brake mods, if considered, are relatively easy to do, offer good returns, and will be sitting in waiting for all those huge HP gains once they arrive.

Anyway, that's where I'm at these days. Back to polishing...

 

I have the poor man's header on my car, stock manifold with the pre-cat removed.
This is what's inside the pre-cat...

image courtesy of willy69

I did notice a nice difference after it was done. I don't see how the car runs at all with that thing in there.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=64493

 

Hey Joaquin -

Any performance gain with the pre-cat removed from the stock manifold? I, too, am a poor man looking for some option here. I have an extra stock manifold (bought it for when my stock one goes bad from track use - heat).

mb

 

This very same person will be installing the very same style header the week after AMVIV on my car along with a new Unichip tuned for the car.

Some dyno runs have found some breathing issues as well as some things that the stock map just can't handle.
An ECU upgrade is always recommended with mods as your stock ecu wasn't designed with the things the car is doing now in mind.

good luck!

chris

 

I haven't been back on the dyno since that mod, Marc. I will be heading up there soon, i'll let you know.

 

My car is running great with the stock ECU (231whp) "thanks" to my new head.

Before the new head the car labored at tip in and pinged under load. Not any more. The car idles smooth as silk and runs incredible all the way to red line.

I will say that tuning my car will add HP and TQ but to say it's "always recommended" is just not true. I could absolutely leave my car the way it is and be completely happy with it. It runs smother now then when it was stock.

When you start adding 16% + pulleys combined with underdrive pulleys, you really start to screw with the stock ECU. At this point you have to tune.

Longboard

 

Valid point - fair reminder to us all that if your going to increase ponies you should not over look balancing the car out in the suspension, tires & brake departments. The stock car has pretty good harmony and maintanting that harmony while taking it to the next level - really lets the car shine and increases driving pleasure.

A "system approach to engine develop" will yield better results than taking the single "which is best" component approach. If I had to do it over, I would have planned my cars development more as opposed to the "whats next "approach.

so what ya polishing ?

 

This refers to my sometimes-quote here on NAM that my approach to modding my MINI is akin to "polishing a turd"--a saying my father used to describe improvements at the margins at best, and of dubious value most often. I love my little MINI-turd, though!!

 

That must be one shiney turd by now!

How about a pic

Come guys chime in - who would like to see Phil's shiney turd ?

 

Umm, no thanks. Shiny or otherwise.