I've been skimming through the forums about exhaust mods.

Every few months I get an itch to buy a new exhaust and every few months I talk myself out of it. Well, the itch has come back. I'm hoping to learn all I can and make my decision now, then talk myself out of it. That way, the next time I get the itch, I'll already have my mind set and I'll just go buy it. That way the itch won't have a chance to subside .

Right now I have a JCW kit installed. However, the exhaust just isn't loud enough for me. (Coming from a Chevy Tahoe with a true dual Flowmaster setup). I've listened to a few clips throughout the forum of the different exhausts and their competitors. I've limited it down to Borla or Maganflow. I like the sort of "throaty" sound that these offer as well as performance gain/look.

So here is the ultimate question, and I'm hoping people who have these exhausts will chime in. From listening to the sound clips, I've noticed two things.
1) The Maganflow seems to sound louder than the Borla. (I like)
2) The magnaflow seems like it does away with the back pressure "popping" sound. (I will miss this)

Borla doesn't sound as loud as the Magna but it still has that back pressure "popping" sound.

I basically would like to know if I'm correct in the two things that I have mentioned. Is Magna the louder of the two and does magna lose the back pressure/popping sound?

Also, Is there a big difference between these two aftermarkets and the JCW exhaust?

 

Had 2 different Magnaflow systems. It pops plenty. Popping is not due to back pressure though.

I've heard both systems wide open on dynos. The Magnaflow sounds better IMO.

 

Magnaflow pops just fine for the MCS.

JCW is quiet. You could try removing just the resonator right after the cat and see if that helps any. Put a straight pipe to replace it.

For the Borla there are two varieties for the MCS.
The street version is quiet.
But the Race version is pretty good and while not as loud as the Magnaflow it's a good choice as an incremental improvement over the JCW without commiting to the next level in loudness.

And before you make up your mind take a listen to an MCS with Milltek and with the new M7 exhaust.

 

I have the Magna

My observations:
-Much louder than stock and WOT.
-Not too much drone on the highway.
-Does still have a lot of "pop" when you lift the throttle.
-When you are really on it, the SC whine is still louder than the exhaust

I would buy the Magna again in a second. I was concerned it would be too loud when I did spring for it, but I couldn't resist as I got a great price used. It really isn't too loud especially compared to what is offered for other cars like RICERS and dubs.

Oh, if you have a 05-06 car you will need to customize the inside hangers on both mufflers to make it fit. I did it with an acetylene torch and they turned 90 degrees easily. It was just a bit of a struggle to get it mounted up under the car. Definitley a 2 person job.

 

I was listening to a few sound clips and watched a few vids about the M7. It definitely sounds nice. I wish there was a side-by-side comparison of the M7 to the Magna.

Minihune, have you heard both of them? Would you be able to describe the differences? And no funny stuff like "The magna sounds like 'brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr' and the M7 sounds like 'BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR'"

 

Have you considered the M7?

-Cody

Edit* Nice timing Thadeus!

 

I have heard JCW, UUC, Borla street and Race, Milltek, Quicksilver, and Magnaflow. No M7 yet for me in person.

Give Randy or Peter at M7 a call or email and ask them to compare the M7 to Magnaflow. I think Magnaflow is louder. M7 reminds me more of UUC based on the clip I heard but it is always best to hear it in person.

 

Magna Flow. Put mine on 1 month after getting my '05 MCS in 8/04. I love it. I came from a C5 Vette with the SLP Loudmouth exhaust (straight pipes). So I like loud. Drone--slight(sometimes)--doesn't bother me on highway.
I like the trumpets and love how the "chrome colored" mufflers look from the rear. Oh, add an Alta CAI. I call it a harmonic convergence. Rarely listen to tunes--probably because I couldn't hear them .

 

After having 5 exhausts on my car I am safe to say that I prefered the Borla Race Exhaust above the rest.

High quality unit with great tips!

 

Remove the front resonator from your car and get a header. The car will sound better than what your looking at and perform better. I have the Miltek header with the resonator removed and the sound is much better and you keep the burble you want. The header alone makes a big difference in the JCW exhaust.

TRY IT

 

In hindsight, I wished I would've gone this way and kept the JCW tips ........but I have the Borla Race and love it. I also like the fact that the cans are smaller than the JCW and you don't see them from the rear. Don't recall having to bend the hangers to fit. IF.....When I put a header on it will be REALLY loud.

 

milltek + header

 

I too thought the JCW exhaust too quiet. If you go to the JCW web site, there is a video clip there where Michael Cooper explained his reasoning in that he wanted to extra HP from a better catback but to not sound like a boy racer.

There is a thread on MINI2 where one person put the stock JCW on the dyno followed by the Borla Race and the Borla Race got 2 additional HP at the wheels.

I heard the Magnaflow and was not impressed. Thought the Quicksilver was better but we settle on the Borla Race (aggresive) and the wife is happy.

It really is not all that loud.

Loud is an Elise with a stage 2 exhaust on it!

 

ive got the borla sport.

didnt like it for the first month (sounded great outside, bit of droan inside).

i added the borla venturis + the exhaust is broken in now and I Love the sound

Deep rumble, lots of pops and burbles.

 

The borla race version does sound good. But if you want a good, throaty exhaust with nice loud "backfires" get the M7 with 1 resonator. I have that on my car and it's almost too loud.. but fun! :-)

 

Does anyone here live on Long Island AND own an M7 or Maganflow exhaust?

I'd be very interested to meet up and hear what it sounds like.

Let me know!

 

I have a Milltek on my JCW. clip

It does sound nicer. I saw minihune's comment and grabbed my digital point and shoot camera which does video. Not the best things for sound.

 

I spoke with Peter at M7 to ask him if was seeing increases in HP and/or torque over thre stock JCW steup, which I also have. He said everyone is experiencing much better performance. I plan on buying the M7 exhaust once I recover from my purchase of the DFIC. In fact I can hardly wait.

Call Peter at M7 - he is always willing to talk with his customers and wants to make sure you are happy before, during and after your purchase.

 

I think I have decided on the M7. Still waiting to hear back from the M7 guys, but from what I've read it's the one for me.

So the next logical question would be, is it bolt on or do I need a welder for the install?

I haven't had a chance to crawl up under there to see how the JCW is attached, but I'm going to go with that it's a bolt on.

Even if the answer to my question is bolt on, would I still require a welder for the hangers?

 

Peter at M7 will definately know what's necessary and I remember that he said it was totally customer installed - but even easier if you can borrow someone's car lift.
I don't plan on having anyone but myself install my exhaust from M7 when it comes.

Good luck!!!!