Is it worth upgrading to a new cat back system on my MCS if the stock exhaust does not have any leaks.

+ more torque and a little more exhaust note.

- $ and time to install for the above, no additional MPG.

Currently @ 40 K on my 2006 MCS.

 

Power wise probably not, if you will enjoy the sound yes. Mine leaked though.

 

At what mileage and how many years old did yours start to leak ???

 

can't say for sure it leaked when I bought it that was around 100k, and I bought it from a salt free state.

 

Don't buy an exhaust for power unless you need something higher flowing due to a BVH, header, or some other mod that's going to increase your intake volume. Buy them for the sound. You can't really quantify that since it's totally personal opinion as to how much you like the sound, so buy it if you really want a new sound, or don't buy it if not.

 

Hi MiniKar:

Here is a handy application guide that might help you find the right Cat Back. Please feel free to ask ANY questions:

http://new.minimania.com/MINI_Cooper...lication_Guide

You have several choices available to you, but the Quicksilver is one of the most popular:

http://new.minimania.com/part/NME112...uicksilver-R53

We also carry Borla, Remus and Mini Mania!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Hard to pass up the great deal now at ECS Tuning on Milltek exhausts.

From reading the replies, its a waste of money unless it needs changing.

Oh well. maybe in a few years down the road. . . . . .

 

there absolutely is hp gain from a catback, see here

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

 

Some of those numbers I find very hard to believe. 10hp from just an exhaust swap on a mini? Where did they get those numbers from? Did they test those exhausts on a stock MCS, or were those tests done on some super modded race MCS with header, cam, BBH, and who knows what else done to it?

From all of the stuff I have seen here over the last several years.....the before/after dyno numbers on a stock MCS don't show much hp gain at all when going to an aftermarket exhaust...maybe 1-2hp at best.

 

I dunno but my butt says I got that much from mine up top, the stock exhaust is pretty restrictive definitely more than 1-2 hp I would not even feel that

 

The funny thing about butt dyno's is that they typically get way out of calibration when that new mod you did (exhaust) makes the car louder. Everything seems like it makes more power when it's louder

 

funny thing about dyno's I linked, they show the gains it's pretty much a given the stock exhaust is pretty restrictive

 

A quality exhaust does make power, the Stratmosphere / Milltek systems net the best power and are an extremely clean install.

We've seen multiple cars with gains of 8-12 HP with the install of either a Milltek system or Stratmosphere.

 

Did those cars have lots of mods....or were they stock MCS?

 

Who says that an upgraded exhaust system does not produce power? I have a CAI, Milltek header and exhaust with a 15% pulley and pull away from my buddy's JCW R53. It irritates him to no end. (read not a public street/area)

I imagine the power gains will be greater when you have forced induction over NA.

While the sound is a great addition, I also chose the Milltek setup due to his quality and power increase.

I need to break out my dyno sheet to see what it said and what I had on the MINI at the time.

 

I'm sure the borla race adds a decent amount, typically the louder, less restrictive systems are going to get the gains up top with supporting mods like the pulley and intake. Might lose a little on the low end however. The sound is nice but if you system is in good condition you could always one ball it and cut the stock tips off and add some ecs swivel tips or something for a nicer look. Even for a system that adds power the cost to hp ratio isn't worth it.