Just had my upper cat split at the weld seam all the way around. Looking for options other than the $1400 OEM part. DEC makes a $520 unit. Anyone replaced the stock part with a performance header/cat that doesn't throw codes?

I was half tempted to weld it back together, but I don't really want to do this twice.

2005 Cooper S
104,000 miles

 

hmm. I thought, if i remember correctly, that a CAT was covered with some ridiculous warranty, something like 10 years? call and ask Mini about it before you spend a dime, you might save a grand!

 

yeah, checked with the dealer. Warantee is 8yr/80K. I have 104K. Bummer...

 

A few years ago I bought an OBX off ebay for $125, had it ceramic coated for $100. I then bought a $50 used stock header with cat and had the cat cut off and attached to adapter with the OBX. It's worked great for 25K miles and no codes, for less than $300. This may be the exception, I've heard of people with bad welds on the OBX but mine is fine.

 

I have a Mynes V2 with a stock cat fabricated to work with it. Not a code in over a year with awesome sound and performance.

 

I went with Milltek header/catback. High quality, perfect fit but it
is not a cheap solution. (Header @ $1100, Cat-back @ $900.)
No codes.

 

I've read about the Mynes headers. Anyone know where to get one? I can't seem to find a website for them.

 

http://mynesperformance.com/

 

RMW street header!

 

+1 for the OBX paired with a stock cat. Be aware that many shops will not cut a stock cat off and weld it to an aftermarket header, apparently it's illegal? Who knew lol I sure didn't. I was also running a test pipe for a while and that is very illegal as well, but for obvious reasons.

Anyways, 30K Miles, No codes and no cracks... I wrapped it with header wrap, which does indeed make a difference in power. A hotter exhaust flows faster.

Although when I got it one of the bolt holes on the flange just did not line up, I had to elongate it about 1/8" with a file. Huge pain in the a**, thank god for inspection mirrors or I would still be trying to fit it. But hey, you get what you pay for right?

 

I had a Rmw Street header with 0 problems upgraded to a race header.
my original street header is still running great on another car.

 

I have an plugged upper cat and we are thinking about bypassing it but were worried about it throwing codes. this thread was encouraging about it not throwing codes, but what do you mean by OBX?

 

OBX is a manufacturer of a header that you can buy for these cars. It's cheap, about the same quality as Megan racing if you are familiar with them.

 

 

Wow, thread revival. Yes, OBX is a brand. Cheap ebay stuff. However, it's 3 years later and another 50k miles later and my header is still functioning great, never a code. So $$$ well spent not cheap in my case. I am going to upgrade to an RMW header just haven't decided which one.

 

OBX changed their design and constricted the primaries on the new design, so if you're looking for performance, go another way. First, you can easily weld the case of the stock cat which will buy you a couple of years. If performance is your goal, the RMW street header is a good bet. The Milltek uses the HJS cat which is the best performance cat available and will last longer than the other aftermarket catalytic converters.

 

Hi all, just needed any advice i have a similar issue and was looking for manifold options without spending 1k plus and preferably without welding. was looking at getting a full Malian system header cat and cat back. Anyone have any experience with the header itself. The exhaust does not seem to sound too bad and looks decent. Thanks!

 

Rmw or Scorpion

 

Eventually I will go scorpion, but $40 Got precat welded back together in 15 minutes and leak free at a muffler shop.
just don’t forget to address the reason it cracked to begin with ie motor mount.
I have an x force aka obx clone aka super sprint clone muffler brand new that came with the car sitting here… it wasn’t worth the effort to f with it.