Nice audio. That sounds very close to mine after installing the RR catless downpipe and leaving the resonator in place.

I am interested in understanding how much volume you hear when you are traveling in, let's say, 3rd gear at 2K rpm and you punch it.

When I do this, the sound at the rear muffler is loud and "raspy", kinda like "brrrraaaaapp".

Before things warm up, it makes this sound just under normal acceleration leaving my neighborhood -I'm pretty certain this is not appreciated at 6:30am. Oh Well !!!

 

Thanks. Now we need some on the move. Oh, for more of a Ninja look--paint the back of the muffler with black grille spray paint. Nick

 

great vid. it sounds awesome

 

 

yeah... the black out process is on going... but the the exhaust tips is actually the one thing i don't mind chrome.

I tried to get some clips from inside on the way home from work, but didn't have a way to attach the camera for a good shot. I'll work on trying to get some "on the go" tomorrow

it does sound awesome. very stoked on this mod and so inexpensive and quick!

 

So if I take mine to a local shop they'll basically cut out the resonator and replace with straight pipe?

How much should this cost? Is this something a Midas can handle?

 

Yeah, any muffler shop will be able to do it. Takes about 10-15 minutes to do. I had mine done at Meineke, cost will vary. I was charged a lot, but i couldnt find any cheaper options here in Jersey. Most people on the forum said it cost between 40-60 bucks.

Keep in mind though that it will void the exhaust portion of your warranty.

 

Hey Dez--a closer read please. My suggestion was to paint the back of the muffler. I made no mention of the tail pipes. The chrome --or whatever the pipes are made of remain--no painting. Now, I know you got the picture. Nick

 

Got some clips from inside on the way to work this morning... hope to get something cut down and posted this evening...

Sorry I mis-read your suggestion Nick.

 

ok sorry for the shaky cam... i gotta get a better rig for inside. The first clip is pretty long but has some good audio pre-warmed up and post warmed up. Once its warm it pretty much burbles on every shift. Its sounds much meaner with the windows down, but the wind noise is too much for my lil cam and it just drowns everything else out... The second is stopped with the windows down.

in cabin 1 driving
in cabin 2 parked windows down

trying to get all these video clips is really making me think about adding a GoPro cam to my mod list

 

Dez,
Super job. Thanks. No contest here--but I think--to my ears--mine sounds louder. Of course I am getting around 20 MPG--because I am always hammering it--which makes it louder--again, to me.
Appreciate you taking the time to do this. I don't think it will scare away other JCW owners from doing the mod. Nick

 

haha maybe we should pull out the decibel reader... jk

 

I failed to mention what a beautiful area you live in. Next video do some real JCW HAMMERING

 

Ha, now DoubleNick you've set me on a task... NEW non-shaky (hopefully) JCW HAMMERING vid coming soon....

And yes I am fortunate to live in a very beautiful area... with some amazing canyon twisties in my back yard...

That driveway down to the PCH is actually where I work

 

I haven't had a chance to watch the videos, because it's Websensed at work, but I would love to live in Santa Monica haha.

 

Wow, I really need to get this done.

+1 on the area you live in! Seems awesome!

 

I think I'm on board. It sounds like this will add that little missing piece. The exhaust is almost perfect but just not quite.

I am a bit nervous about how this will effect the life of the exhaust system. I just have to wonder how vulnerable these types of welds are to cracking.

 

My friend, if they crack--they can be re-welded very cheaply. Relax, have some fun--get it done. Cheapest and best mod I have done--and less than $50. I hate to think of the money I have spent on exhaust systems in just the last 20 yrs on my old 5.0 Mustang, Z28 Camarro, '01 Vette, my '05 MCS and my '09 135. Hey the 135 system was a $1,000 and the car still sounded kind of timid. My JCW now sounds like it should--a MINI on steroids. Nick

 

Is everyone going with a galvanized replacement? Would stainless add significant cost to this mod and would a local Meineke even have SS?

 

My local Meineke didn't have SS, they said most people don't request it so they don't keep it in stock. I just went with what they had, Galvanized I think.

 

The factory system is all stainless correct? Are there any issues in welding galvanized parts to SS parts? Does anyone remember the diameter of the stock tubing?

 

My shop didn't have staineless, it would be more expensive. I can only report that after over 6 weeks and 800+ miles everything seems to be holding together. If that is a major concern, I would think they could order a SS pipe the size you would need to replace the resonator. Go ahead, live dangerously get the galvanized.

 

Getting mine done as I type this post! Super stoked!

 

you're gonna love it!

 

I can now confirm this is a fantastic mod. Thanks everyone!