for those of you who have the one ball mod that did it yourself...is there anything tricky about it? a buddy who of mine who knows how to weld is going to help me, but he's never worked on a mini before. is there anything we need to be aware of? sorry if this is posted somewhere else, but I'm on my phone and don't have the time to be able to search....thanks!mike

 

Not much reason to DIY.
I would not be very hard with the equipment, but for about $50 why do it yourself. Take it to a shop and get it done in about 20 mins.

 

You would need a tubing bender, unless you bought the $125 () piece of connecting pipe from one of our vendors. Mostly just exhaust shops have those.

 

It's tight unless you have a lift. I have the minspeed tube and a local shop installed it for $60 Canadian. It took about 40 minutes making sure it is centered. He also put some exhaust cement and spot welded the joints to help the clamps. I think it is do-able. Just measure twice and cut once.

Good Luck and I am sure that you will love the sound, and feel as if the car has a slightly deeper exhale esp.on the first 2 gears. It felt lighter too.

 

we have access to a full auto shop at school. and last time I checked they have a mandrel bender...if that's what you're talking about

 

im sorry to be half-off topic. but i really was thinking about doin this mod.
BUT i dont want my exhaust sound to get a LOT louder..i really can't tell from the video clips. or at least it's hard to tell. but does it get real loud on the highway?
do some of you guys that have the oneball mod regret it at times cause it's too loud?
(before this i had a civic with a fart cannon..i had a resonator put in to quiet it down. but it was still LOUD)
thanks in advance. oh and sorry to jack your thread littlecs.

 

oh don't even worry about it! there's a reason these things are a PUBLIC forum! hahha I dunno about ypum but I have a friend who has an extra stock exhaust for the R53 so I'm all lined up to put it back to factory if I ever do. I'm sure you can find someone similar in the market place forums for real cheap if you do end up regretting it.

 

Minjae,

No it is not loud at all on hi-way. I would say about +15% on idle, 25% cruising, and +45% on full throttle vs stock 2-*****.

 

Mike: If you want to have your exhaust system to be all stainless steel, I recommend getting the connecting piece from a vendor like MyMini (Florida) for $135. Otherwise you will probably have to do it in mild (rust) steel. Most exhaust shops can not bend stainless steel tubing on their existing machines successfully. The MyMini tube went on with ease with a perfect fit so there should be no labor (except yours) involved.

 

Another option
http://www.myminiparts.com/proddetai...prod=MRE&cat=7

 

I agree with this assessment. You can hardly hear the exhaust during normal driving. However... the gurgling when you get off the gas increased for me a ton! Maybe 300%.

Here's my video when hard on the gas.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...10190252&hl=en

fc

 

With this kit it looks like all you need a a hack-saw and a wrench

 

^ and duct tape . . . or as noted before, pay $50, have a shop do the same thing, and spend the extra $75 on another mod.

 

I did the one-ball myself. I didn't even lift the car at all. It was a pain! But I did it. I used the Minspeed tubing. The car should come like this from the factory! Lots more popping when I lift off the pedal.

Ken

 

I've said it numerous times - while you can go to Midas type place to make something up the Minspeed/mymini pipe while 125 bucks is SS, mandrel bent and SS clamps. If you want to do it yourself this piece fits perfectly - two cuts, insert 1-ball pipe, Line it all up, clamp it up and drive off. No rattles.

Whatever the Midas type place comes up with it will generally not be as nice. Purely luck of the draw of the talent at the Midas type place.

On another note if at some point you want to go to a catback, this pipe will sell. I later opted for a catback and sold the pipe for 65 bucks and it sold in two minutes.

 

I had read of the pipe kit, and was envisioning a complete run from the cat, with flange and hangers welded on, and the proper bend to mate up with the muffler. That would be worth $125. Not this 2 angled pieces of SS welded together and a couple of clamps. That is worth maybe $50.
Sorry, I'll spend the $45 for a local job.
It won't be SS, but really, does it matter over the next 4-5 years?

 

My opinion has always been do it once and do it right.

I would do SS

you may be ok for the next 4-5, but is it worth the chance?

IMHO no

 

+1

I'd also go with the SS as well. It's nice not to even think about the exhaust possibly rotting out.

 

[quote=3cocinas;1549455]Not this 2 angled pieces of SS welded together and a couple of clamps. That is worth maybe $50.
Sorry, I'll spend the $45 for a local job.
/quote]

Look again.

1) not SS welded together - MANDREL bent.
2) those "couple of clamps" are SS clamps that when clamped keep yr pipes round as opposed to the cheapies that deforms the pipes original roundness. They cost 12-18 a piece.

As I said before it is all a matter of who makes your 1-ball pipe, I've seen some nice ones done for cheap and i've see some crap ones not worth a buck. If you really want to save money - you can pick-up from pep boys the corrigated exhaust pipe.

 

+2 - I have NEVER had any regrets doing something right the first time. Spend the extra time and the extra couple of bucks, do the job right and never look back. Minspeed is selling a quality product, equal to the quality and engineering of the MINI... Install the Minspeed one ball, and know it's done right!!! Just my 2¢...

 

That sure looks like a welded piece to me. Not saying it's not a quality part, just that I don't think it is worth anywhere near what they are asking for it. YMMV.

 

Yep. my bigger problem is the DIY job and the risk. How many hours does it take to install that clamp? It seems you have to remove the entire catback muffler to cut it?

Also, without a lift or ramps, this job is hard and dangerous.

This was the first time for my muffler guy. (Sunnyoaks Muffler if you live in the SJ, Bay Area). He did a fine job!!

Such a great mod!! I used the extra money to buy those overpriced muffler tips!

fc

 

I got mine from Minspeed too and there was no weld at all. It was a SS 2.5" pipe and drawn slimmer to 2.25" on the other end to fit the center pipe. I wish I could send photos but I cannot re-size my photos smaller to fit in my gallery. It came with 2 SS T-bend clamps.

 

Thanks guys!
Just placed my order for the minspeed pipe

How long did it take for shipping? Can't WAIT to get it on, heh heh

 

I could be the cheapest SOB on the planet so having a local shop that has done lots of work for me in the past was the option I went with. 5% the cost of a Exhaust system and sounds great I couldn't be happier, I can't handle a loud system because I put a ton of km/miles on my S, it has a perfect exhaust note now. 3 thumbs up.