The mod is a catback and it is very hard to decide based on YouTube videos. They don't capture the sound the way I hear a modified car on the street. I could decide if I heard it in person. I've narrowed my sights down to the Invidia N1 and the Milltek non resonated for both. Can I meet someone who has one of these installed on an r53? I live outside philly near KOP. Maybe at a meet for mini owners, although I can't find any meets from using Google and I'm not on facebook.

Today I joined PillyMini but I can't make their next meet (bummer).

 

If you want to get rid of the JCW exhaust let me know . Unfortunately I dont have an aftermarket exhaust

 

Wish you were in Atlanta as we have customers that have both, but the customer that has the invidia just called because it has failed and can't get it warrantied. So for sure this is just another reason I would recommend a Milltek. The non res sounds similar to the Invidia and I think you would be happy with it as it is the only one we recommend anymore.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/millte...w-exhaust.html

 

I removed the JCW exhaust system from my 05 JCW and installed the Milteck. Mine has the third muffler. I wouldn't mind it being a little louder, but it IS louder than the JCW system.
BUT...beware, it leaned my system out to the point of there being NO exhaust residue in the tips, which to me...is on the ragged edge of being too lean.

With the JCW system, I could clean the interior of the tips, and within about 25 or 30 miles, the tips were black.
With the Miltek system, I can drive 150 freeway miles and there is only a "slight" hint of residue. That's a big step in leaning the system.

The Miltek system did get rid of a notable flat spot in the power (torque) curve just over 3000 rpm, which is a good thing. And, although I didn't actually measure it, the Miltek system is notably lighter than the JCW system.

Per the above info, I also bought the Miltek header. I opened the flange to match the JCW head exhaust port, or gasket size..! BUT, I expect it to lean the system even more so that even if it doesn't make it too lean as far as the computer goes, I want to be able to have the computer mapping altered to make up for the higher exhaust flow...so the header is sitting in the garage for now.

I also like the Irland Engineering system. It's only got "one" muffler and is light. You can get it with or without the primary muffler (glasspack).
But again, I'm afraid it will lean my system too far without adding more fuel.

Mike

 

I'm running a JCW exhaust without the resonator. It is a little louder than it was before, but not nearly loud enough for my taste. I made a video of the exhaust, but the quality isn't great. I suspect if you're looking at non-resonated exhausts, this won't be loud enough for your taste either.

Be careful about volume, there's some wind noise.



The only reason I haven't swapped to an aftermarket exhaust is price. $800-$900 for an exhaust is absurd, I've been waiting for a deal on a used exhaust. I want to get one of the UK ebay vendors to ship a Hornet exhaust here.

 

Have you considered the Borla Sport exhaust, very DEEP throaty note..No droning.

 

I like how this sounds once he opens the valve - 2.5" magnaflow muffler and 2.5" vibrant (presumably the UltraQuiet) resonator. Should sound similar with a single outlet / run as well. No need to add more weight to the car if unnecessary.

 

An exhaust mod can change the character of a car. I remember how I felt over 40 years ago after putting headers on my 67 camaro. With a JCW exhaust on the car now I am wanting a noticeable change, and hopeing an aftermarket without a resonator will do it for me. I don't want catless or a high flow cat that won't pass inspection here in Pennsylvania. I'm just a bit impatient on which of the 2 choices since the milltek is on sale at Emnotek and ECStuning with free shipping.

 

Aftermarket cats will pass PA inspection as long as they don't throw engine codes.

No cats will pass inspection if you know.

I agree, exhaust notes are one of the things I enjoy most about all vehicles. I think my F250 is the only vehicle I've owned with an unmodified exhaust because it's a beater truck and I'm not going to spend unnecessary money on it. When the 20 year old factory installed exhaust finally fails inspection, I'll just run Flowmaster and make my own exhaust that comes out in front of the rear wheel.

 

I was curious about the end of that last sentence. Is that why the web site says call about the Stratmosphere catback? I did consider it until I came across info on it's weight, (60lb).

 

I made my decision and bought the invidia n1.

 

Nice choice. What made you decide this over the other options?

 

I always thought that was a really good sounding exhaust. Sound is similar to the exhaust I ran on my Miata.

 

I bought the Miltek non resonated and love it. Then I added the Miltek header with the cat attached. I like the exhaust so well I bought another one for my second MCS.

 

It was mostly the construction with the flanges instead of slip joints. I didn't hear the n1 or milltek (my two choices) in person and couldn't decide based on YouTube videos so I went with the construction to decide. I think the comments I've read about the milltek tips needing adjustments to look centered was also a part of my decision. I'm going to buy hanger pliers and hope the fasteners break loose. The car has 70,000+ miles and it's an 06.


https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/g/album/15618668

 

My son installed a RoadsterSport 4 on his NA miata. (with the Helmholtz resonater) and it sounds great.
I hope the invidia n1 sounds as good as that does on my R53.

 

I ran an un-resonated Roadstersport 3 on my NA, still believe that is the best sounding Miata exhaust available.

 

sounds like a solid choice sir. Use plenty of silicone spray in the fasteners and rubber mounts.

lets hear a video once you get it!

 

I haven't forgotten your request for a taste of what it sounds like. The jcw is still on the car and we are going to record that sound for comparison. The invidia waits patiently in the box on the dining room floor. It won't be long (I hope).