I didn't stand and watch the whole time... but they cut out the old... and in with the new. The work was done by muffler shop there. They provided the straight pipe... he flaired out the ends, then clamped them in place... a very nice job first class job!

The sound is so sweet! I love it!

 

ciao resenator my mini sounds like a modena, well almost

 

Has anyone had it w/o the resonator for a logn time/many miles?

I am wondering since BMWs I've heard of with the resonator removed have tended to drone over time and that is one thing I don't want - I hate the droning at speed

 

Ouch. They have to cut the JCW exhaust? I was thinking of doing this but assumed it could be done via swapping parts rather than cutting.

 

Yes, they have to cut it. Because the resonator is big round can - in line with some long sections of pipe. Bare in mind - MY exhaust is the JCW... I believe the standard resonator on an "S" is in a different place. So yes, a little scarry on a JCW exhaust... but for the power increase and mileage improvement... THAT was worth it for me. And those were two benefits I didn't even know I was getting (at the time I did it mainly for the sound).

 

Hi Guys,

From the tittle i can see that this discussion is all abt JCW exhaust. I was thinking of doing this mod to the stock muffler... what difference will it make?

 

First let me say that I LOVE my JCW set-up... but let me add that I have the full JCW Kit. I love the JCW muffler (now that it's a one-baller - resonator removed). However, I am not sure of the price difference (because my exhust came with the whole engine kit) - BUT if I was doing it all over again - let say JUST an exhust system... I would probably go with the Borla. I love the deeper sound.

The difference between the stock muffler and an aftermarket, is sound and performance. How much on either? That's subjective. All I can attest to is that I got a dramatic performance and mileage increase by modifing my JCW exhust... and it's louder and better sounding now.

 

BAsically you removed the resonator and weld the sensors back to the straight pipe?

 

Yes, basically. The resonator is towards the front (on a JCW)... it's removed and replaced with a straight piece of pipe. Read page one of this tread for more.

 

Thankz. I'll think about it. Some people told me not do it... they are not why but they were saying that it will effect the system somehow... im not too sure. The resonator is somehow a good thing to have... correct me if im wrong. TQ

 

The "resonator" mainly is for sound... think about it... resonator --- resonate. But it does effect the back pressure too. That must be why I have the big power performance increase.

That said, I am new at this. My mod was only done about 3 weeks ago. Others on here have done the same mod years ago with no problems. Time will tell.

 

Yes... i believe that's right. I'll do more research and ask my dealer if this will void the warranty. Do you think so?

 

All I can attest to is that I got a dramatic performance and mileage increase by modifing my JCW exhust... and it's louder and better sounding now.[/QUOTE

It's been about 10 days since i had the resonator removed now, I ve noticed that since the car is louder (in a good way, noticable only with the window down) below 4000 rpm, I don t rev the engine up as much. before I used to shift beyond the 4500 rpm for the air intake flap to open and produce the nice "screaming" sound. This early shifting maybe a big part in getting better gas mileage. As for increased performance frankly I havn t noticed any improvment at all, and according to steve's exhaust guy "since the resonator is a straight thru part with no flow restriction removing it doesn t improve the air flow" therefor no performance increase, and in all fairness for the little money spent you didn t excpect your car to sound like an italian exotic and gain 10 hp either!

 

I disagree with steve's exhaust guy... the resonator is BIGGER than a straight through pipe. Did you see the size of it? There is some restriction going on in there... it might not be much. But if it makes it louder (by removing it) then to get that added loudness SOMETHING has moved out of the way to allow the sound to pass through. So if the sound passes through louder - then that must mean more air passes through too! Thus my experience of MORE power.

But again... my experince is on an 05 MCS JCW... so I assume others are making the same comparison. Results may vary. Still my happiest, cheapest mod yet!

 

So, no-one has had this long term yet that can tell me if it develops a drone? Also, any reason this could effect smog testing? I'm not about just making it louder but any perf gains might entice me as long as it does not drone (or is obnoxiously loud)

 

My mod has only been in about a month - so I can't speak to long term. I would doubt there would be any effect on smog testing. It will be quite a few years before that will be required (unless I sell it - which I won't).

What does a "drone" sound like? I'm not sure I know. By all means it is not obnoxiously loud. In fact, I drive with the back seats folded down all the time... just so I can hear the sound better. With the seats and windows up it's not that loud. However, my son was outside the car this morning while I was backing up... and he made the comment that "it's so loud outside, very loud" he said.

 

A drone, well sounds like droning - a distinct humming sound at speed vs just a throaty sound with throttle. I've heard some otherwise nice BMWs drone with "race" exhausts and/or with the resonator removed depending on the set-up. I like a good sounding exhaust at WOT (or at least a good amount of throttle application) but do not want a droney headache machine while cruising :smile:

 

Okay, now I think I know what you mean. Well, I don't think it sounds that way now... I guess time will tell.

 

Minimonkey,

Perhaps you should record a sound clip of your exhaust and let us all hear it...

 

So, I have a 2006 factory MCS JCW (20,000 mi or so) with the stock JCW exhaust system. I have always liked the throaty, but somewhat understated sound. Particularly the soft burble when letting off the gas at my son's school drop off area in the morning. He likes to impress his friends, who all arrive in some version of an SUV, Porsche or BMW. Why is that kids prefer the Cooper over a $95,000 M6?

Problem is that it seems to be getting louder, not significantly, but more than I care for. But its not like there is a leak or something, just the same throaty, burbling sound, only louder.

Any ideas on what is going on? Car is still under the extended maintenance program, but I don't like bringing it in. The dealer always gives me a new just a cooper with an auto trans. I hate to drive those cars. Don't even seem like distant relations to mine.

Cheers

 

ok so I just got my resonator taken out and replaced with a pipe as well! sounds great and a touch louder which is very nice! but.... now when I let off the gas the same burble is there but sometimes it sounds a little tinny or like something is partially loose or something along those lines... anyone have any ideas?

 

also I was under my car today looking at the exhaust and noticed something very odd... right before the exhaust pipes split into the 2 mufflers it goes from the pipe and pinched for about 2 inches then goes back to being round again then V's off into the 2 mufflers. Anyone know why it does this or what point it serves besides restricting the flow?

 

You could have a heat shield hitting the exhaust.
However, when I removed my JCW resonator, I had a ricey/tinny sound with the deacceleration burble which I did not like. I liked the loudness level but not the snap/crackle/pop. I ended up replacing the JCW exhaust.

The constricted section of pipe is there for the convertible which must have some extra brace in that location. When I removed the resonator I also replaced that section of constricted pipe with a straight pipe.

 

I think it might be part of the muffler itself with some of the pieces inside that have partially come loose and are vibrating against the walls of the muffler itself with more back pressure as a result of taking the resonator off but maybe I'm wrong...

 

You might need to jack one side of the car, put on jack stands, have someone rev the engine while you are under the car listening for the noise. You can also hit the various shields to see if that is the noise you hear. If you think it is a muffler you can use a long screwdirver to listen for the noise. Put the tip of the screwdriver on a suspect part and your ear on the end of the handle. Move the screwdriver to various parts to isolate the source of the noise.