Aside from a CEL and that catless is a no no

Is there any mechanical issues that can arise from being catless?

I ask because I took my car in for some wiring harness that had to be replaced along with a coolant temp. sensor recall and got the call that it was all buttoned up today.

But then I'm told that there is some issue that the catless DP is causing???
I did the install and everything went smooth, no issues at all. I've had it on the car for a few thousand miles and there was never a hiccup.

What could this guy possibly being talking about? What issue could he possibly be talking about aside from the two I mentioned above.
He told me it was a long and complicated explanation so he would tell me in person when I pick up the car tomorrow morning.

Is this some sorta bluff to try and scare me or can a catless DP present some mechanical issue?

I'd appreciate everyones feedback on this and possibly some opinions as to whether its BS or not.

Because I honestly can not think of what problem it can cause.
I'd like to get some more knowledge on this so I can hold my own in case these guys try to pull a fast one.

 

I just had my 2012 MCS in for an oil change at the MINI dealership last weekend. The technician tried to tell me that the catless downpipe can cause you to blow out your turbo because the turbo "needs backpressure", which I felt was bull****.... I've been working on and with cars/engines/transmissions/forced induction for about 10 years and I've never heard anything like that.

But, being diligent, I shot an email to Way @ Way Motor Works and told him exactly what I was told. He confirmed that I was correct, a catless DP should not cause any issues to an otherwise properly functioning engine. The turbo does not need backpressure. He said he has seen and installed a bunch of catless pipes on a bunch of minis and has never seen an issue caused by them. That being said, I hold Way's opinion in high regard because the man stands by his work. He wouldn't steer anyone in the MINI community in the wrong direction.

I'd be polite to the people at the shop when you go to pick it up. Just listen to what they have to say and remember it. If you want to forward it to Way and get his opinion yourself, I'm sure he'd be glad to answer any questions for you. Other than that, I wouldn't worry about it. As a matter of fact, I'm not worrying about it right now on my own vehicle!

 

M is a most powerful letter... I lover M.

If you are going to seriously mod.... then mod. The SA will never understand.

Good luck.

 

It can cause you to run lean due to the increased scavenging effects, the ECU should be able to adapt the A/F ratio if it needs to. Other then the issues associated with running lean you should be fine.

 

I monitored the A/F ratio way before I went catless then after, there is nothing out of whack there. So that's out of the question. I went catless pretty much after the break-in period so if I've been running lean for 20k miles I would think something would have failed at this point....I don't baby the car by any means. But it's something they might bring up. Thanks for the fact


Melangall:
While I totally agree with what you say, I'm not going to let them try and feed me some BS story and try and give me issues when there was no problem to begin with.


Tony:
I might actually take up your suggestions and message Way tomorrow after I hear the story they're going to give me. I am now running his catless DP on my 2012 R58S, so I'm positive I'll get the same response you did from him.



I'll see what these Mini techs have to say and post what they say if anyone cares to know.

 

Please do, I'd be interested to know what they tell you.

Something I forgot to mention in my story... The technician is the one that told me this stuff, not the service writer. He told me this while we were both standing inside the dealership within earshot of writers and the manager. I think the tech was under the same assumption that it could possibly running lean if the ECU wasn't tuned (must not have noticed it was tuned).

But then he actually left a note on my dashboard telling me to contact Way Motor Works, that they would be able to help modify the car in the safest way.

I think the technician wasn't trying to be smug, I think he was just genuinely concerned about me modding the car the right way.

 

Turbos do NOT need back pressure. The opposite is true. Peak power is function of how quickly the engine can breathe in fresh air and exhale exhaust gases. Turbos facilitate that process by using turbines to pull air in (compression) and push gases out (exhaust) as fast and forcefully as possible.

Back pressure on the exhaust side makes it harder to push the gases out. The turbo has to work harder to compensate. A freer-flowing exhaust makes it easier for the exhaust side of the turbo to do its job.

 

+1

 

Okay so the tech turned out to be very cool about everything.

The advisor who called was the one who was all serious about it...he must void lots of warranties ha.

So on to the tech, he complimented me on how the car sounds and says its damn fast up top, but gutless down low....(I need a tune I know =[ ).
Then he goes and tells me to either put the stock back on to get some back pressure to get that torque back or just tune it.

Can you believe that....he told me to get it tuned lol, I freakin love this guy! LOL

I asked what about tuning and warranty, he explains that 99% of the cars they service are because of low oil which causes the damage....hence the many issues we see on this forum and leaky temp. sensors and so on. He says the cars can leak a lot from all different places.
As long as the tune isn't insane crazy and within the parameters that the car can handle, everything should be A OK.

Basically keep tabs on oil consumption, and change it every 5k miles....he says the 10k changes are absolutely ridiculous.

He reiterated everything many of us already know.

So everything turned out fairly well, thank goodness.
Then we ended up talking about diesel trucks haha, what a morning.

 

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

Looks like you found yourself in roughly the same boat I did. Welcome. Haha

 

How does the tech know that "it's damn fast up top"?

 

I let him drive it haha.

All the techs came out and said it sounds amazing and that it turns heads.
Most likely turns heads because it looks weird lol.

I was told I'm the only Coupé they've seen that's been modded since they came out.

So a very pleasant visit indeed!

 

NewCooperFanatics - "I was told I'm the only Coupé they've seen that's been modded since they came out."

We need pics please.

 

Oh there's nothing that's been visually done aside from the plastidip on the exterior chrome pieces and RS door pulls and carbon fiber shifter.

They were talking about the DP, catback, intercooler.

I had Rota Slipstreams for a bit but it looked way too rice for my taste.

This is what it looks like as of now....can't decide on any aftermarket wheels at this point.





Nothing special

 

Looks great. Nice !

We have the factory front rings. If you ever change out and want a little gloss black.




OEM wheels don't look bad at all, looks like you have black conical R121 wheels or R133 JCW V spokes .

R112 look really good:


Very nice mods.

Do you have a forge intercooler?

 

Yes I have the the R121....I really like the R112's, wish the car came with those lol

But the R121's will have to do. The one thing I don't like is how the offset is so high. It'd be nice if they were lower offset so the wheels and tires matched the width of the car and not look 'sucked in'....if that makes any sense lol.

Yup, Forge all the way!

I might consider getting those rings, it hasn't even been a year and the plastidip is already looking weathered on mine. And I gave those suckers a few good coats too. It's not something I want to keep reapplying.

You guys should come out with some all black door handle overlays! I had dipped the handles too but it didn't last due to the almost constant contact with people's hands having to open the door haha.

 

Yes,

R112 are very nice.



Forge on for R56 Cooper S. We carry forge and can get there stuff. Let us know if you want to add anything in the future.

Very nice



U could black jack the door handles. We don't have any black ones at these point.

I guess the closest would be checkered, there used to be Black Jack door handles but they are now NLA. But those were for R50 - R56 MINI.

 

That's the Forge unit I have right now.

I'll most likely order the Black rings, upper and lower grill trim and black scuttles.
I want to eliminate anything that has plasti on it.
Yes it looks good, but it bugs the heck out of me when I see it start to peel.

And thanks for the compliment on the car!

 

It's looks like the Coupe twin to my Hardtop!!! Haha! Awesome! I had my wheels dipped at first but I didn't like how they looked. Might leave it how it is now (and save for the gloss black light rings and grill surround)