So I've been watching videos on youtube of people that did the mod. Some sound awesome, but other sound like crap. It's usually the 05-06 ones that sound better. The 02-04 ones sound somewhat farty and more aggressive, and the 05-06 ones sound more deeper toned and clean, with more rasp and pop. Is there a difference in the exhaust systems between the years that would make them sound different? I know the stock exhausts get more pop for the later years, but is it that much different after the one ball mod? From what I'm hearing it doesn't really sound too great. But my stock exhaust sounds like a struggling bumble bee, and I need more music from my little motor. If anyone has a comparison video or another with good sound quality, please post the link to it or post the video on here. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the mod and the 02-04 vs 05-06 sound difference after the mod is done. Maybe I'm just hearing things, or maybe some people had some crappy welding done. Thanks to all who post If I can get some good sound videos I might just do the mod soon.

 

it could also be the difference of having a resonator or not

 

The "one ball mod" is just that Salty, removal of the resonator.

The part number for the exhaust has gone thru a gamut of supersessions so
hard to say, but maybe different vendors were used which could also mean a difference in the quality of material used.

It was my first step in modding the exhaust, and while it's great for removing a rusty old resonator ( the R53 resonators tend to decompose first ) actual performance gains didn't come until I added the JCW exhaust with no center pipe ( JCW resonator ) and actually feel increased exhuast flow/torque.

It was at that point I decided never to go back to a one ball mod, then JCW, then tried Magnaflow and now ALTA.

 

i thought the one ball was to remove one of the mufflers....

theres no resonator in the mid pipe on stock exhaust?

 

Yes the right-side one. Many refer to it as resonator.

 

That's because it is a resonator....lol.

If you follow the path of the exhaust you will under stand.

The resonator was put to the rear for weight distribution...

 

 

Thanks for the replies! So is it worth it or not really? Everything I've read says people love it. I just want a clean and deep tone out of it, without spending a ton of money.

 

Well, you get a bit more sound and it pops louder when you lift your foot off the throttle. I liked it for the time it lasted (did the one ball as the resonator was rusting, then later on, the muffler that was in a similar shape ended up leaking in the middle).

 

Warning: exhaust sound is Addictive.
I started 1-ball too and liked it due to slightly deeper sound and some burble enhancement but wanted to bark more after a year.

 

I didn't like the one-ball mod on my '03 MCS. To my ear, it was a bit raspy & I got additional vibration when the AC was on. I went and had a tiny glass pack put in behind the cat & that helped a little. I replaced the exhaust soon after that.

 

See, that's what I'm worried about. Most people say they love it, but some say it gets a little raspy. I noticed the older r53's are a bit more raspy in the youtube videos. If I can try it out and then put it back to stock, I'll do the mod. But I don't wanna go hack at it and not be able to fix it. I went through that with my jeep, haha. Exhaust is not something to experiment with unless you have the resources to fix it.

 

Maybe it just depends on the mileage of the exhaust at the time if it gets raspy or not, dunno.

My MINI had 43K at the time the OBM was done, tone was deeper and pops increased so a cool mod for 50 - 60 bucks. Added bonus is that it take 30lbs off the **** of the car for benefits of weight reduction.

I did something different than most though. I continued to use the hanging point on the pass side to keep the exhaust hanging straight, and provide some added support and stiffness to the system.

We took a 16" length ( appx ) of 1/4 inch round stock and fabricated a hook of sorts which was welded to the pipe drawing in the system nice and tight. One ball mods can leave the tips off center from the rear of the car looking kinda cheezy.

Here is where we attached the round stock then poked the J hook through one of the hanging rubber donuts on pass side.

This photo / instructions will help you.

 

Thanks man! That's really helpful. I'll have to do that to keep it straight.

 

careful with the one ball.... your gunna want more sound later haha... i went straight to magnaflow, now im going racing header catless

 

Haha, I know. I was borderline going catless on my jeep. That would've been loud as hell.I had half an exhaust on it for the longest time. I had a cherry bomb extreme right after the cat and a side pipe. It's basically a flowmaster 10, it has 1 baffle. Then I got tired of it being so loud so I got the tailpipe modded to fit and it was much better. Still pretty loud tho. The mini I don't want super loud, but loud enough that I can hear it with the windows up and the heat on. It's getting colder now and I wanna be able to hear it without freezing my *** off.

 

I like how my one ball turned out. Only spent like 40 bucks for a shop to cut and weld. Turned out nice.

 

I think I'm gonna do it. Just don't know when yet.

 

How is everyone getting this done for so cheap? I went to 5 different places today. The cheapest place wanted $150. This most expensive wanted $225. They all said it would be nearly impossible to weld the top of the 90 pipe once it was fitted.

How did everyone else get theirs done? Was it welded? Clamped? All the muffler shops tell me it's going to be a really tough job...

 

it should only be about $10 for piping, then 1/2 - 1 hour of labor....

normally welded, sounds like you dont have very experianced exhaust welders in your area

 

I can kinda see what they are saying tho. Each of them put my car up in the air and we looked underneath. It would be tough to weld the top of the pipe once it's fitted because there is barely any room. That was all their main complaint.

Looks like I'll have to learn how to weld and do it myself haha probably would be better than them.

 

I say continue to ask around and speak with independent shops not the big chains as you will get a better price.

The shop that did mine was done very fast. The guy knew what he was doing and didn't mess around. He had my mini in the air, the complete exhaust system dropped from the cat back, cut, welded, installed. I think it was like 45 bucks. And it sounds great.

 

3 out of the 5 shops I went to were independent. None of them suggested dropping the pipe and welding it. All of them wanted to leave it up and try to fit/weld...

 

I just know the work I had done they dropped the exhaust and welded it and installed it.. He was dead on. Then again the same shop does a lot of race boats.