For next mod on the mini i want to get the most power for my $. I looked into catbacks and wasnt impressed with the gains it seems like 1,000 waisted dollars just for the sound :/. Would headers give me more power gains than a catback would? Im also worryed about smog is it a visual fail or does it show up on the test? Is there any legal way of putting headers on? And whats your guys opion on my next mod. Ps i plan on getting an RMW tune after i get all the mods i want done.

 

A Header with the OEM CAT would be your best as far as performance gain, passing smog & no codes.
Don't let the hype & banter fool you, the "performance" difference between OEM CAT, High Flow & Catless are little or none without "Major" mods, may even hurt you, and the extra pack pressure of a CAT will actually increase your low end & torque, which is what most people really like as far as "seat-of-the-pants" driving expierience.

 

Thats what i figured would be the case. Any suggestions on a good header? And so the header is smog legal? Or is that only certain ones ? Also would I be able to only install a Head or would i have to get new injectors too ?

 

The CAT is what makes you smog legal, not the header.
With a BVH:
RMW Shorty or Mynes V2
Without a BVH:
OBX, Milltek or most any other, my opinion is choose by design first, for example, flex basket or flex at the flange, bolt on CAT or weld on & so on.

 

Thank you i dont think im going to do a big valve head yet i might as well get a better cam and bigger injectors if im going that route and all that adds up quick. Right now im running a 15% pully and alta CAI if i add a header do you think an exhaust would be of any benifit after the fact? Or just leave it at that then tune it ?

 

Sorry, caught me at the end of my day earlier, honestly a good exhaust may benefit you more than the header with your current mods, the factory manifold/header isn't really that bad, and if you do exhaust first, you can always add the header after the cam, and you also may have a better idea of how much further you're going to go with your mods to decide on a header.

As far as exhaust goes, that'll have to be a question for someone else, only used the JCW myself.

 

Why not do both???? I have the 200.00 eBay header and love it. I also have an exhaust and love it. You can get a good exhaust made locally for a fraction of the cost of a BOXED one. Just have the exhaust shop cut your CAT off of the OEM header and weld it into a new TEST pipe setup. That way if you decide you want a bit more flow you can use the test pipe that came with the NEW header. when it's time so SMOG test put the cat back in. I don't see why you couldn't get both for your $1000.00. OR LESS

 

How are your performance gains? If there are simular gains to a more expensive header i would be ok with it as far as catback goes i would want to go with a miltek just for the sound purposes anyways even if it was more expemsive than an ebay catback. Does anyone on here have the one ball mod? Thats still legal right? Do you like it?

 

Yes a header, if seen by the person doing the smog check, is an automatic fail.

To my knowledge it does not show up in the test and in some cases the car might even test cleaner than stock.

Currently there are no smog legal headers that I know of for California.

This year, when I'm not sure, the tests will be different than before, no longer using the tail pipe test, but the 'visual' will still apply.

Do a search for the words 'carb smog' and you will find a few threads discussing California smog rules.

Hope this helps...

 

Thank you well to even see the headers they would have to bend back my heat shield which they probaly do but the milktek headers i was looking at look stock so would they even know aftermarket if they saw it?

 

Sorry man forgot all about CA, but yes the inspector would have to be pretty savy to be able to tell from the top.

 

That works for me thanks anyone else here have headers?