Debating removing the secondary cat from my Clubman's exhaust but keeping the resonator. My main concern would be introducing drone. Im currently running Stage 2 with a Mariokart catless downpipe.

 

Being couped up seems to be really getting to you!

This might be the simplest solution:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-afe-part...-36319-rn~afe/

A second option, if it is still available, would be the earlier JCW front pipe:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...w/18308608933/

And, if you decide you want to go back to the stock pipe, just buy this to reconnect the pipe:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-rein-par...k0253141m~crp/

 

Funny enough Im at work and still my mind is wandering...

Would this work? https://www.ecstuning.com/b-milltek-...pe/msm322~mll/ Figured there would be cutting involved but nothing a clamp like the last link you sent wouldnt cure

 

Since that part is the front pipe from the full Milltek exhaust, not sure how or if it would connect to the OEM exhaust pipe.

You could always go have the cat removed from an exhaust shop, but the options I listed would allow you the freedom of reversal if you don't like the sound. I have also had visions down this path, if you hadn't deduced already. The difference being my car is an S, not a JCW.

 

Do you have any type of cat back? I dont remember if youre still running front cat or not either.

My exhaust is awesome with the MarioKart catless downpipe and JCW catback but after the X-brace making contact with the secondary cat, I figured why not just dump it. Mario said that I'd see a reduction in EGTs and it would only be 10% louder but I dont want that 10% to translate to any drone since I dont currently have any...

~$500 for a factory JCW front pipe is a little more than Id like to spend since an exhaust shop could cut that section out for less than $100. Of course if I have to go backwards after the fact.... bah!

Does a full Milltek resonated exhaust drone?

 

I have a Way Motors cat-less down pipe that was purchased used, coupled to my OEM unmolested S exhaust. I have toyed with getting a Magnaflow system, which replaces everything resonator back, and keeps the OEM cat front section.

The resonator on that JCW front pipe is big, and looks like it stretches far enough forward that it would also contact the x-brace.

I honestly think you best reversible option would be the AFE front pipe.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-afe-part...-36319-rn~afe/

 

Forgot about this one...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rev9-Stainl...EAAOSwlY5bxoJy

That's the Ebay version of the cat-less front pipe. If you go that route, I'd be interested in your opinions on quality of the product.

 

I swapped my S exhaust with a factory JCW, the factory JCW exhaust does not come with a secondary cat. I did not use the the resonator section of JCW exhaust and put a straight pipe from the flex coupling back to the muffler. It's sounds incredible and has zero drone. For what it's worth,prior to the JCW install, I had removed the secondary cat and resonator and replaced with a straight pipe the factory Cooper S muffler, sounded much better and with no drone but the Factory JCW muffler is the game changer for sure.

-Kevin

 

Are you still running an OEM down pipe?

 

.

 

Yes, I am

-Kevin

 

any sound clips?

 

Sorry I don't have any sound clips.

-Kevin

 

Here's a sound clip of mine when it was set up like that. It didn't drone too much until I put on a high flow downpipe, so I put the JCW resonator in.

 

This is exactly how my car sounds minus the pops, my '09 doesn't have those. My set up installed cost me $250 and has been the best bang for the buck to date.

-Kevin

 

That sounds awesome. I have an r55 so aftermarket options are limited for me, resonator and 2nd cat seem like obvious removals, but what about the mufflers at the tailpipe? Removing those will obviously increase the sound but will it introduce drone? And lastly, I feel like I know the answer here but removing the primary cat will throw a CEL. Can I code through bimmercode to ignore it? I will pay more for a catted downpipe if I must but I'm in a pretty strict inspection state (ny) so no matter what I do not want any CELs, still horrified from owning an older Audi.

I will confess to wanting an obnoxious exhaust with pops and bangs and flames. My buds all have exotics but as I'm the only one with a need for a daily I keep the mini. So if nothing else I want the little Brit to bark (I'm also a grown adult that never had the cash to tune his Honda as a teen and 20something, so I'm working though some issues haha)

 

Yes you will most likely get a cel from a catless DP. Mariokart says his downpipe won’t throw a cel, and it’s a damn nice downpipe, Ive installed several of them. The RPM tune will pass emissions, but that’s not what you asked!
don’t remove the muffler unless you want massive drone. Just cut out the second cat and resonator. Combined with a catless DP, you will gain a significant amount of volume, much louder pops and bangs, and little deeper tone.
mine is running like that right now and has been for a few years. I just found an exhaust guy who was willing to do it (not as easy). But for $100 he cut them out and welded in a new straight pipe in their place. So I’m basically straight piped with the factory muffler in the rear.

 

Removing the muffler would be and awful sonic experience. Coding out the CEL from having removed a catted downpipe will not net you an emission pass from testing, they stick an analyzer up your tail pipe and no amount of coding will negate those results.

-Kevin

 

It depends on the state. Here in WA, it was just simply plugging into the obd2 port. But now I don’t get tested anymore at all.

 

I just re-read through this thread after typing my notes below, so there will be some duplicate information...

I currently have Way Motors cat-less down pipe, OEM 2nd cat with OEM resonator, and two R55 JCW mufflers out back. If I was going to start over from stock, I would go with an Ebay cat-less down pipe, AFE 2nd cat mid pipe, and a Magnaflow exhaust, then get it tuned for the CEL.

Don't spend a lot on the down pipe if you're going to go cat-less. They are all pretty much the same. The AFE mid-pipe look to be built well, and it keep a cat in the system for some good juju. The Magnaflow exhaust, because I like the way they sound. (plus, made in the USA)

https://afepower.com/afe-power-47-46...er-replacement
https://www.magnaflow.com/products/1...tem?aces=67253

Definitely do not run straight pipes if you daily drive your car. The drone will get obnoxious fast.

 

I got my catless downpipe from alibaba.com 85 shipped, fit perfect. When I get there, I might just do the mid-pipe resonator delete and see how it sounds. Really been toying with keeping this a sleeper as much possible, and I want to see how a stage 2 sounds before I do it.

 

So long as there's no CEL I know plenty of shops that'll pass you. I've had failing O2 sensors in the past and got it done, but more I've NEVER seen a NYS mechanic put a probe up an exhaust

Thanks for the info, I'll take your advice makes sense. I'm close to getting ready for my ecu tune, so the final decisions are important!
do you have state inspections issues? (I see you're in nys) that's my only issue, I don't want a CEL (drives me mad) and I don't want annual inspection issues...I remember coding my audi and then driving 30-40 miles to get past the not ready to get my sticker

 

I had the same problem getting that secondary cat removed but when I showed the shop owner the factory JCW system diagram that doesn't have the second cat he agreed to cut it out for me. I told him if I order that JCW system from Mini, the installation procedure would require that the second cat and resonator to be removed. That component is basically an unregulated secondary catalytic converter and does not fall under the same emission guidelines as the primary.

-Kevin

 

I had no issue passing New York State emissions test this year. New York allows one “not ready” monitor, and mine is for the second O2 sensor.

 

Oh good to know I'm gonna start with the resonator and 2nd cat

I'll consider a catless DP eventually