I was reading Milltek review that Randy posted. WOW!!! :smile:

At first I was considering Borla, but now there's a new contender. It would be sweet to match it with Milltek header.

What's your opinion on Milltek?

 

What's the advantage of additional torque vs. other exhaust like Magnaflow, which currently has the "most" hp?

 

>>what's the advantage of additional torque vs. other exhaust like Magnaflow that has most hp?

Here is the deal on HP and torque.
Added HP is usually at the high end of the rpm band mostly near the redline as in the case of the Milltek. So if you are not interested in top end power and driving at or above 6000 rpm then forget HP claims and focus on torque. On the track with long straightaways or in the dessert then HP is good.

Added torque helps you all the time from as low down as about 2500 rpm and then builds higher and faster after about 4000 rpm on up to 6000 rpm then tapers down a bit. Since most of us do drive in the 3000 to 6000 rpm range this is the most useful gauge of added zip when we drive. You will feel like you have a bit more power at hand. Max torque is about 5000 rpm for the Milltek.

Magnaflow has more HP (maybe) but also less torque and louder exhaust note. Milltek is quiet but powerful. Magnaflow has the flaring trumpet tailpipe tips while Milltek has the slash tips like the JCW kit. In fact I wonder what is the merit to swapping out the JCW kit exhaust for a Milltek cat-back with Milltek header- that might be really good since the JCW exhaust is restrictive. You're not adding loudness as it remains quiet even with the header but you do gain a flow through free breathing exhaust that can growl when you want. Meanwhile, sell/store the JCW kit exhaust- it's still nice.

So who is the Milltek Cat-back not for? People that want a loud exhaust might not like the Milltek and it doesn't seem that adding a header increases the loudness much- same with the JCW kit exhaust (stays relatively quiet). Or those that want a different tip design might look elsewhere. Finally it weighs about 31 pounds which is lighter than stock but still 10 pounds heavier than Quicksilver and similar single muffler designs. Quicksilver is a little louder, about the same on HP and less (about 5 ft lbs) on torque. $799.

How about UUC vs Milltek? UUC cost alot more at $875 and does look nicer (but it is under your MINI), is a bit louder and does drone a little at about 3000 rpm. UUC has 7 HP and 7 ft lb torque gains which is less on HP and less on torque than the Milltek but it is close. Fitment is better/excellent on the Milltek. Either will work with the Milltek header.

Lots of great choices now. Thank you Randy Webb and Milltek.

 

looks like I have found what I have been waiting for!!

All I need now is $$$ after Randy does my pulley this December...let's see $100/month...7 months...more or less my...BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!

 

I think that the Milltek exhaust will be my next mod. Great hp and tourqe numbers and not too loud at the same time! Exactly what I was waiting for, even the tips look great, and for $700, seems like a no brainer

Cheers

 

sulli,

how do you like the Pilo intake? I'm getting it with the pulley in a few weeks.

 

ZAKdog

I love the Pilo intake. I got it for $125 from that one week sale from Outmotoring a few months ago. The green filter is great, and the heat shield is really nice and fit perfectly. It also came with a complete cleaning kit too. I don't think that you can go wrong with it. As for the Milltek, I will be working a lot of overtime for the next few months, so I can pay for this sucka. I too plan to get the pulley first though.

 

Thank you, MINIhune for your explanation! Torque is probably more useful for everyday driving. Looks like Milltek is the winner!! :smile:

 

I'm interested! Randy, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd imagine such a thing would have to go through Stratmosphere. Aren't they Milltek's US distributer?

 

ZAKdog,
I too have and LOVE the Pilo intake! So your gonna be at the PP in Deerfield this december? If so I look forward to meeting you and all the other MINI folks that show up.

 

>>I'm interested! Randy, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd imagine such a thing would have to go through Stratmosphere. Aren't they Milltek's US distributer?

Actually, Webb Motorsports had a direct hand in the design of the new unit, so we will be supplying it as well as Stratmosphere. We are working on an exclusive deal right now.

I have already sold the first allotment of 8, but we're trying to get the next 25 air freighted to avoid a three week wait for a container to arrive form the UK.

I have already started the list, and have 17 sold to date. Act now to reserve your spot (in best used car salesman voice)!

As a bonus, we are offering the Milltek header and cat-back at $100 off the normal price of the two together.

Hope that helps!

Randy

 

Man, this does sound great! I've got a JCW equipped MCS on order, so naturally I'd like to hear a comparitive review- is this system that much better than the Works exhaust? I'm also very interested in their header, but my service manager isn't completely sure about warranty issues and a header, since any heat-related mishaps from an aftermarket header would obviously not be covered. I'm hoping JCW will put out a warranty approved header of their own down the road that will stack up to the Milltek.

 

davecsumini, do you realize with all this talk about this exhaust, you're the only one calling the Milltek "Milltech"???

 

>>davecsumini, do you realize with all this talk about this exhaust, you're the only one calling the Milltek "Milltech"??? Thanks for pointing it out! That's what happens after staying up all night!

 

Randy, could you post inside and outside sound bites of the milltek system. I like the factory exhaust sound but would welcome the extra torque and weight savings the aftermarket exhaust offers. If I like the sound I'm ready to buy.
Thanx.

 

WOW, very nicely finished (and probably nice sounding ) exhaust. It looks a lot like the JCW!

 

For what it's worth I have this exhaust on my GTI and the sound is great. It's not loud at all, but yet still noticeable and it's not annoying inside the car.

When I get my MCS this exhaust will be what I put on it.

 

Nice summary minihune. It's worth noting that the Milltek goes for $695 from Randy.

 

Cool, I wonder what kind of gains actual customers will see.

 

I too would like to hear inside and outside soundbites. I was going for the Borla, but now I'm thinking about the Milltek! Any pics or tips on installation would be appreciated as I'm probably going to install the unit myself.......Thanks!

 

ahhh the sarcasm of andy you gotta love it.

You guys remember when the first results were posted on the magnaflow? I do. It said 10-15 hp. And the Quicksilver 9-13 or something, i forget exactly. And that was from a very respected person around here and someone that has helped me out in the past but........the only numbers i have seen from a "regular joe" was 5.3hp from the magnaflow. While vendors may be telling us the truth about which exhausts are the best, the numbers seem a little skewed probably to get our juices flowing and to get our wallets out. Just my opinion though.

 

>>Your actually gains will depend on your set up- that is why there is a range of HP gains.

>>You guys remember when the first results were posted on the magnaflow? I do. It said 10-15 hp. And the Quicksilver 9-13 or something, i forget exactly. And that was from a very respected person around here and someone that has helped me out in the past but........the only numbers i have seen from a "regular joe" was 5.3hp from the magnaflow. While vendors may be telling us the truth about which exhausts are the best, the numbers seem a little skewed probably to get our juices flowing and to get our wallets out. Just my opinion though.

These days Randy Webb has adjusted the expected HP gains to reflect the average modded MCS (intake, ECU, pulley) when reporting numbers. So currently Magnaflow is about 9-10 HP, Quicksilver about 8-9 HP but those don't get much more than about 5 ft lbs of torque gain. The higher HP gains were for a stock MCS. And remember that these peak HP numbers are seen near redline.

 

I didn't forget. The magnaflow was listed at 12-15 (18HP with an intake!

From what I've heard from another well-respected source, all the aftermarket exhausts for the MCS give pretty much the same power - all within a couple of horses. So you should get one that sounds the most to your liking.

 

My 2 cents. :smile:

Pick one that...... U LIKE!!!!!!

ROFL :smile:

ROFL

Peace,
D

 

Could a few ponies between various exhaust systems make that much difference in real life driving? I know some people would pay hundreds for a nominal hp gain. :smile: