I have a 2012 Mini Cooper S N18 Engine. Tonight I jacked the car up and started to remove the top heat shield and the heat shield surrounding the downpipe cat.

1. Let's just say I have no idea how you get the 4 10mm bolts out. I ended up using a 3/8 air ratchet. I had to lay on the bottom and have a helper feed it through the top and help align the socket to the bolt. It's a total nightmare. 3 were ok to remove however the last remaining one up top on the drivers side is just miserable.

So anyhow, I have a new clamp and gasket coming in a day or 2. ECU has been tuned with a Manic Stage 2 and the DP is a catless from Mario as well.

What are people doing about installing the heat shield back in the car? Can I just use some header wrap and call it a day? I will put the heat shield back up on the top. But I am seriously dreading trying to get that BS back up in the car?


Any Suggestions. I am moving to Idaho in ADA county and I am wondering if I will fail emissions because of the catless DP - I will leave the secondary CAT in place, so hope it passes.

 

Service mode makes the task much easier

 

For those who are using an aftermarket downpipe with cat (Milltek):
Would a heat shield or wrap around the cat get it to warm up faster and avoid a CEL?

Sorry for the slight thread-jack but it is at least related to the OP.

 

i use my modded r56 s without any heat shield, just wrap and turbo blanket

 

 

I had a CNT catless downpipe (garbage) before shifting to Mario's catless DP.

Both were wrapped with Titanium exhaust wrap and the lower heat shield was never re-installed. I have had zero heat related issues, the wrap keeps all of the heat inside where it belongs.

It looks like the emissions test in your county is run through the OBDII without actually testing the exhaust emissions. Since the second cat is not monitored, you could remove that and the Manic tune should pass the OBDII test. There are more than a few threads here about that. Or you can keep your stock DP and swap it out for the test.

2013 Cooper S, Manic stage 2.

 

Does the secondary cat need to be removed?

If you didn't re-install the lower heat shield, what did you do with the upper heat shield? it uses 3 bolts into the lower heat shield to tie that whole assembly together.

Where did you get your wrap?

I would prefer not to swap DP every year. IT's a biotch! LOL

Mario's PIPE is killer can vouch for that.

 

Got the wrap on amazon. DEI Titanium exhaust wrap. I bought a 2"x50' roll and had more than enough. You could probably get away with a 15' roll.

The three 10mm bolts for the upper heat shield are secured to the head of the motor.

 

LMAO - I can't even order that from Amazon. It won't ship to my CA address - Wonder why I am moving Jeez!!!

 

As a former resident of the People's Republic, I feel your pain lol.

 

 

I have only down pipe on my Clubman with Manic Stage 2 - OEM down pipe back exhaust. Been running this way since... April-ish last year?

 

 

I can't imagine it is all that much, maybe 10 or so? I really have no clue, though.

 

If you decide on putting the HS back in:

*put the top 3 bolts for the HS back in once its installed
*put 1 of the passenger side bolts (that you can reach) back in

...thats it! IF it rattles (which it shouldnt if you tightened up those 4) just grab the HS from the lower-drivers side and bend it out towards the tire ~1/4" .. its enough not to make contact with the block mounts and it still covers the coolant hoses and such in that area from heat.

 

I have Mario Down pipe as well. I just order heat wrap for it and I'm going yo get a turbo blanket so I can just remove the heatshiled all together. Check ebay for turbo blanket. I forgot the name of the company but they seem to have good products for a good price. I'm going to try one myself. The company is out of the UK I think.

 

I run stage 2 with just a catless DP. Remember you can upgrade to stage 2, and only have to pay the differance with manic tunes, plus shipping.

As for the OP question. I was able to get all 4 bolts back in. I believe i used a 1\4 inch drive small ratchet with extension, from under the car. (it was a while ago)

 

 

Is it safe to wrap a catted downpipe? I've read other non Mini related discussions about it theorizing that doing do would ruin the cat from the inside because if the extra heat.