I searched on this forum about the stock R53 exhaust system but found none. Has anyone taken out the first muffler and just used the last muffler? If so, was there any improvement in sound, hoursepower, or performance? Inquiring minds want to know.

Search one ball

+1 one ball mod. cheap improvement that many have done.

I searched one ball and was redirected back to my own thread. I guess the term needs to be refined to search.

Scroll down a bit and you get this: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-ball-mod.html

Also, a better way to search is to type this into Google:
"one ball" site:www.northamericanmotoring.com

The term site:www.northamericanmotoring.com limits your Google search to this site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNEaykpiKZg

click the link this will give you an idea on sound. As far as performance it should have a little better flow. I plan on doing this mod but im also going to replace the stock muffler with a magnaflow 11366 muffler!

Entry #1 in this informative exhaust sticky is about the stupidly-named* one-ball mod:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...clips-etc.html

I just had mine done about a week ago. It's a touch louder, and the ECU-controlled "popping" is a touch more pronounced, but I can't tell that it did anything to the throttle response or power band. Still, it was strangely worth the C$155 I paid at my favourite neighbourhood mechanic's shack...

*The only thing harder to punch into the the search function and get decent results is Nu Finish wax!

Found the thread and plan to do the mod later this week. Thanks. End of thread.

i had taken out the first muffler and it didnt really sound much different other than it popped alot more so i ended up taking out both mufflers and added a resonator and it sounds really good now. i hope this helps at all

To anyone who has already had their MINI one balled...will it pass smog? I'm thinking about having it done but I live in the amazingly mod friendly state of California and would prefer to not have my MINI impounded.

I would avoid it in Cali. I had a smog test done here in MD, but they are not as strict as you are in Cali.

My one-balled 04 MCS passed smog with flying colors. AND with a 15% pulley.

Jim

Jim, do you live in CA by chance? I dont think it should be a problem since you arent really messing with any of the emission aspects of the exhaust just making it a tad louder.

Considering his info states that he is in the SF Bay area, I am going to have to guess yes.

In California, a "cat back" is legal. Changing out the stock header and cat is a no-no.
Cheers!

I've been wondering: To get this done, should I just call and schedule an appointment with a local shop, show 'em the digrams and the pictures, and let him sort it out? Or is there a "guide" I haven't seen?

Also, what sort of piping do I need? I believe 2.5" steel, but I could be wrong?

Thanks for any clarification.

ANY half-decent shop should know how to remove and bypass a resonator, and bend custom tubing for the job. My shop is only barely half-decent, and they had no trouble whatsoever.