Hello everyone I am sure that someone has already talked about this --but I could not find the discussion so here it goes -- I have a 2007 S and wanted to put in a new Exhaust system -- is the JCW a good one? I like the sound of it or would the Borla etc... get me better performance-- need help in deciding....


Thanks in advance....

 

Lots of good info on this subject over in the drive train modification forum here https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-cooper-s-16/

 

kleege,

Exhausts are somewhat subjective. They have been discussed at length as noted.

If your going for pure sound, Borla, Alta, DDM are great exhausts. I do not have personal experience other than listening to them at various events.

It appears Exhaust Depot is making a sound tunable exhaust that looks very interesting and is similar but (louder) to the 09 JCW factory exhaust, in the wild configuration.

He provides for a resonator or bypass pipe, read this threads via the search function.

Alta makes very nice product, they have a 3" stealth that looks very good.

Stratmosphere (sp) is making a nice exhaust.

If your going for power, you will need to do a updated downpipe and open up the exhaust. The jury is out if you need a 3", 2.5 or 2.75 pipe with our turbo R56.

I'm looking at options myself, but for now the stock exhaust is fine, but I will upgrade before I get a custom tune.

 

Keep in mind the Alta, Borla, & possibly the DDM, require you to hack up your stock exhaust. The Stratmosphere & Exhaust Depot systems are true bolt-on and can be put back to stock. Alta's 3" is a tight fit at best, the 2.5 - 2.75" systems offer a lot more clearance. You'll find lots of reviews in the Drivetrain section.

 

I installed Alta's turbo-back exhaust system on my '07 MCS without having to hack up my stock exhaust. Simply unbolt the downpipe at the turbo and bolt on the new system. No hacksaw or cutoff wheel needed . Now my complete stock exhaust is hanging in my garage so I can reinstall it when I sell the car.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

That's what I did at first as well, but the CEL light meant warranty/service nightmares at my local dealer and a 6 month+ runaround from Alta. Now they have a disclaimer on their site saying it's normal to get CEL's, so future buyers are SOL.

Until you're out of warranty or don't care about taking your car in to the dealer, I'd stick with a bolt-on cat-back.

 

The Borla system for the R56 is designed to maintain the stock 'emissions related' components. This is why it requires 'hacking' into the stock 'B' pipe - this allows you to keep the secondary cat. This is a true 'cat back' exhaust system.

If you live in an area where they have strict emissions testing (like we do here in Cali), Borla is a very safe bet.

Borla offers a deeper tone without interior 'resonance', a nice bump in performance, and a million mile warranty!

 

Another thing to consider is what are you looking for out of the exhaust? A nice throaty sound, or pure power gains?

I'm personally after some power gains so after seeing the RMW tune results (on a stock R56) posted up on the drivetrain mod forum, I wonder if I should even replace my stock exhaust. I can't wait to see some tune results/data from a modded R56 (exhaust, CAI, tubes, etc). Until then, my wallet is staying closed.

 

Well this is great info -- thank you all so much -- what about the JCW exhaust -- do you think having the dealer put that on would give me a little more power -- I love the sound -- any ideas.... as to my intention -- I do want power gains -- and just a touch more sound --

thanks

 

I don't think the JCW exhaust will give you any more power unless you do the complete kit with the JCW tune. I would strongly consider the complete kit.

 

Well I currently have the Alta Cold Air intake and the Turbo Muffler delete-- that only leaves the exhust and the chip reprograming right -- cause I dont want the JCW airbox.... or am I missing something?