Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of replacing my one-ball modded exhaust with a JCW rear section. Cutting the midpipe halfway and mounting the JCW silencer to that. Basically a non-resonated JCW cat back exhaust.
I'm curious how it sounds compared to the one-ball mod, has anyone done this exact same switch?

After I did the one-ball mod some years ago, I really liked the more pronounced pops and mild increase of volume. Definitely don't want to lose the pops.

How are the pops of a non-resonated JCW cat back compared to a one-ball mod?
And, how does it compare volume wise? I don't want to increase it so much that I can't have a conversation while driving for example, but some more sound/volume is fine. Would like some more sound during acceleration, and some more pops when releasing of the gas.

2005 R53 (stock other than the one-ball)

Thanks!

 

What do you guys think of the JCW rear section compared to the oneball mod?

Thanks !

 

That is how its installed at the dealer when you added the JCW kit. I had the one ball and then had the dealer add the JCW rear section. Nice pops and bangs sounds clean. I like it!

 

how do you like it compared to the one ball? Is there a huge difference in volume, sound and tone?

 

My perspectives...

Replaced OEM cat-back with JCW rear section on former 2013 R56 and really liked it. Considered doing same with current R53 but total of costs dissuaded. Chose the Milltek resonated, then swapped to non-res pipe and back to resonated. Currently have resonated installed as preferred for old-man noise levels, however combo of aftermarket 4-1 header and high flow cat presses the res silencer can up against tunnel heat shielding. Less exhaust dBA heard but annoying resonance vibrations transmitted into cab at specific rpm range has me preparing to swap back to the louder non-res pipe. Go figure - no free lunch...

The YouTube video compilation (18 mins long) posted earlier this year compares several, including JCW, Milltek and the 1-ball mod. Optional configurations (such as Milltek's res vs non-res) aren't indicated on tested vehicles, so comparisons somewhat compromised. IMO, Milltek produces the best mainstream aftermarket exhaust, however if cost isn't a big factor and if noise suppression is primary objective, OEM JCW trumps...

 

I'm also interested in this comparison. How are the pops/bangs and volume between the JCW rear section and the one ball?

 

Pops and bangs is all you'll get from a rear section exhaust. Your performance increase is practically zero - money not well spent.

 

Interesting. It’s the exact opposite on the r50. IIRC, GRM dynoed something like a 4-5 peak hp and torque gain from a Milltek cat-back, with decent low and midrange gains as well.

 

I think you just proved my point. 4-5 hp max is not going to be a noticeable gain, especially when compared to the cost ($750). At the high end, that works out to approx. $150 per horsepower.

 

It’s pretty significant when the car only dynos at 100 hp to the wheels, so no, I didn’t prove your point. My recollection is that they knocked a half-second off the 0-60. Obviously it was a sample size of one with the runs on different days, so not exactly the most scientific, but still, the difference is there. Making power on a tiny SOHC NA engine without variable valve timing isn't cheap. The r50 cat-back is more like $500, btw.

I also don't know how the Milltek cat-back performs on the R53, which is why I said your statement was "interesting."

 

it's a noticeable bump in power and sound in my experience

 

I really like my Milltek exhaust, really sounds amazing and not the annoying ricey sound. Only gripe is the pain it’s been to keep it centered. I gave away the JCW exhaust when installed. No one wanted the header so I cut it up and threw in the trash. I’m switching out my cerakoted Milltek header soon for an RMW header.