Hey NAM!

It's getting to be time to replace my exhaust that is cracking at the welds, it is some type of aftermarket the PO put on after the OEM JCW exhaust was damaged in a small rear end collision.

My thoughts are installing a header and having a local custom exhaust shop bend me a single sided system from there back. The guy at the exhaust shop says he stocks aftermarket catalytic converters ("$200 installed, flow good and guaranteed to keep the light off") so I don't think I need to spend the money on a header that includes the cat (like to spend as much money locally as possible).

My questions are:

• What's the best header for the price?? Who has installed the Megan header and what are your thoughts/ experience? The flex coupler seems very short and wonder if this would be a lot of strain on the system with engine movement. Are there any other "best bang for the buck" headers out there (I knew this car had problems when I bought it but this thing has been a bigger money pit than anticipated), I have even been slightly tempted by some of the silly cheap ebay headers but have some concerns about fitment and longevity (happy to listen to people's budget header horror stories).
• Any advice on custom single sided exhaust systems? Pipe size, resonator, muffler choice etc. I'm most concerned with highway drone but did really like the pop/ cackle the from the exhaust on first r53. I like the idea of a single sided system for a little weight but it only seems the Ireland Engineering system is the only left available anymore and there hasn't been the best reviews on them recently. Since this shop does all the custom work on the hot rods in the area and has done some pretty decent work for me in the past I have faith he can make something fit pretty nicely.

Thanks for the advice and happy motoring!

 

I had this same question last year.

i ended up getting a scorpion 4-2-1 header. I love it ! Plus it comes with an extra bung for your A/F ratio sensor. Good luck.

 

+1 on a 4-2-1 design unless the car is on the track a lot. The Scorpion is similar to a SuperSprint, but with the added benefit of the extra bung to install an AFR sensor.

If those are too much, there are almost carbon copies of the SuperSprint for a lot less money, but they’ve been known to have some fitment issues during installation.

 

Yeah my preference would be for mid-range torque so agree 4-2-1 would be preferred...from what I saw the SuperSprint and Scorpion are based out of UK without any US distributors listed. All of the US based Mini performance sites only listed the 4-1's that I found...

There are a few 4-2-1 designs listed on ebay (in the reasonable price range ~$400) but none are show with flex pipes :( Not sure if it would be suffiicent to install a flex pipe after the first flange (has to be better than nothing) and then a cat....

 

The Scorpion and SuperSprint should both be available from ECS Tuning. They are a sponsor here and you can PM them to check availability and the option of just the header alone if using a stock cat. Like a SuperSprint, most of the eBay clones use an exhaust donut for movement instead of a flex section.

Also, check with them to make sure the Scorpion has the extra bung for the Wideband AFR section as that might be something Orranje in the UK had Scorpion add for them.

 

Ahh good call on ECS, have ordered from them in the past but didn't even think to check them....however the SuperSprint is more than I paid for the car and the Scorpion is backordered with no ETA :(

 

I went super budget, and bought an Xforce header. Had to piece everything together, and have it put together at the exhaust shop. Cost me less than $250 all in. To be fair the guy is a local and charged $60 to cut the cat and weld it up. I plan to go back for v-bands make the cat removable for meets or what have you. I've logged around 5k miles and couldn't be happier. Check my build thread if you want to see pictures.

 

Not sure about the fit and quality, but the Xforce looks to be another SuperSprint clone like the OBX and Becker. At that price (about the same as the OBX 15 years ago ) it’s probably the best bargain in an R53 header today if it’s the same, or better, than the OBX. I wonder if they’re all the same, just with different branding? The OBX and Becker were almost double the cost the last time I looked.

Did the Xforce have the same OBX install issue of the flange bolt interfering with a primary tube?

 

Not at all, I had zero issues getting it on. I was concerned about this myself. In the end I'm glad I rolled the dice. My worst case scenario I return it back to summit racing (about 1.5hrs drive).
I was wondering the same thing myself. I figured they're both made in china, and OBX was near impossible to find at the time. I happened to luck out my local Summit had one in stock.

 

Thanks Mini Devil, I'll take a look at your build thread when I get a chance quite busy today :( Did you have the shop mate it up to your existing cat/ exhaust or something new/ custom?

Is it kinda hard to tell from the picture on Summit's website but is the rear flange the type that allows some flex (round flange with spring bolts)?

I might a have a few more questions after I get a chance to read your thread but right off the top of my head....any chance you have a clip of the sound?

 

Do you or anyone else know why Summit lists these headers for 2004 to 2006 only? I did a real quick look at your build thread (not far enough in to read about the exhaust) but saw you mentioned yours is an 03. Mine is an 02 but at least a later 02 so I haven't run into any of the part issues associated with the very early cars...at least yet

 

Yep, we have the headers options here:

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2005-...rmance/Header/

 

I recently bought Megan dual mufflers system thru Ebay (made an offer which they met). Love the quality and sound. Nice low crackle and still able to hear the engine and radio.Had ir professionally installed for under $80.00.

 

I don't know why the part is listed that way. I see no reason why it wouldn't line-up properly. Had to remove the old cat and have it welded for installation (noise reasons).

Here is a link to what it sounds like. Even with headphones the clip won't do it justice. This is not my car, but it sounds almost identical (considerably better in person)

 

I had the OBX on my old R53 and thought highly of it for the price. I personally wouldn't pay big $$ for a header on this car. The gains just aren't there, and cost-effective options of reasonable quality exist.