Hey all, so I am planning on big upgrades for my 04 MCS including intake and exhaust headers. I recently purchased the racing dynamics headers but without the sport cat I think, I will provide a link to the exact page where I purchased from. I haven't installed it yet though. The two sensors is stuck on I have no idea how to remove them so I might just drop it off at my mechanic to tell him to remove the two sensors for me and I do the rest.

With that being said, does anyone have any tips or headsup about the headers? Opinions, or preferred brands? If you have installed any *exhaust headers* did you feel any difference? And does it boost low-end torque or high-end torque?
Thanks
Thomas

2004 R53 MCS
JCW 380cc Injectors; 2.5" Alta Cat Back Exhaust; 17% Alta SC Pulley Reduction; 2% Alta Crankshaft Pulley Reduction; MSD Coils and Wires; Alta Cold Air Intake; Racing Dynamics Intercooler; Short-throwshifter.

 

4-2-1 headers are supposed to be better for low end and OBX, a SuperSprint knockoff, used to be the budget bargain. Now the the OBX price is a lot higher than before. Summit sells a version, possibly the same OBX header rebranded as XForce for about $200 which is about what the OBX was priced at around 10 years ago. They are both designed to use the OEM cat. Search the forum for OBX header for more info. Someone here recently got the XForce and had some info/feedback in their build thread, but I don’t remember which one.

 

The headers that I purchased are actually 4-1. And I have read that it allows for more airflow with the 4-1 setup. Never heard 4-2-1 is good. But im guessing it is good only for mini coopers, is that why? And what is OBX?

 

AFAIK, 4-2-1 is usually better on the low end, and 4-1 for top end/track use, and not just on MINI’s. 4-2-1 seems better for a street/daily driver and 4-1 for a track car. OBX is a brand name. It was a copy of the expensive SuperSprint 4-2-1 for only about 30% of the price. The OBX has gone up in price and they seem harder to get. If you change your mind about a 4-2-1, the XForce looks like the best deal right now.

 

My prior experiences with tubular headers had been on American V8 engines, i.e. '68 Camaro 350cc (Hooker equal length), '91 Mustang 5.0L and '90 Big Bronco 5.8L (both JBA "shorty" style). "Shorty" non-equal length headers are generally preferred for much easier installation and better low end torque whereas long tube equal length headers for top-end peak horsepower.

Since the R53 W11 s-charged engine is relatively new to me, determining what was installed on mine when new in early 2006 is still ongoing. From that prior experience, I'd "assume" a 4-2-1 tubular design would be better for street use than a 4-1 style, however that's what mine has as shown fairly well from underneath in post #47 of my (sig) thread topic. Uncertain what brand but appears similar if not same Milltek version still available now. A question on what's available now also brings the question what was available back then with no Chinese knockoffs likely in the mix at that time.

If serious about going this route, I'd consider the Milltek despite high cost. Perhaps ask Way Cooper, since I believe his shop has installed many of these. Milltek's is 4-1 although his website product page description states (in part): "...The primary pipes are longer than the stock manifold to improve low end torque and make more power..." suggests perhaps no street use advantage with 4-2-1 style. Also noting, expect higher total dbA with a tubular header than stock with or without aftermarket cat-back.
Milltek R53 Header Manifold pipe from WMW
Milltek UK R53 Product Website