Today I took the Countryman to my preferred exhaust shop 100 miles away in Victorville, CA, and left extremely happy.

Howard (a family friend) has been doing this stuff for 36 years, so the drive out to Victorville was well worth it. It's CAT back, 3" pipe, (not sure I want to go non CARB yet) and Magnaflow which makes a nice throaty sound.

I've noticed the improved turbo response right away, Turbo's don't like back pressure and they really benefit from a less restrictive exhaust...the stock set up (pics below) is soooooooo restrictive.

Below are some photos.

ETA: Here's the sound video link, let me know your thoughts!


http://youtu.be/XT-30CjzWdQ





Trashed it...

 

Very Nice!!

Really clean install...much better looking underneath than my Magnaflow exhaust. Did not know they made a muffler with an intake on one side and dual exhaust on the other. Mine has the intake on one side with exhaust on both sides like the kit Magnaflow shows. But I'm sure they sound/perform pretty much the same. Well worth the drive.

Hey got any friends in NorCal? Between your sound system and exhaust I wish I had friends like that.

 

Hehe...thanks. I will probably be ordering those LED's you mentioned next.

 

Nice install ! But made another observation.

The original system was closer to the bumper and ran from left to right.

Your current system is fore and aft placement and you have no heat shielding above that area where it is now.

 

Good call. I will have to check it out. Hmm...I wonder if I can move the stock shield back?

 

As someone who has only purchased pre-packaged exhausts for his cars, are these "custom" exhausts about the same price, more expensive or even much more expensive than going to a good muffler shop and having an exhaust system put on with whichever brand of cans you decide?

Michael

 

That's a good question. How much was that setup if you don't mind us asking? Very clean install/fabrication. Is there any droning? Also did your installer cut anything or did the fabrication bolt directly to the end of the downpipe? Would it be possible to put up a video?

 

Looks clean!

I have the a Akrapovic DP, JCW Midpipe (with all resonators cut out), and a JCW backbox... I'd love to see how the sound compares!



Kyle

 

nice install. i like the idea of a straight through muffler though I have two comments:

1. if you can't move the heat shield, you can maybe get some foil-faced adhesive fiberglass sheet (thermo tec) or try their exhaust shield product: http://www.thermotec.com/products/16...at-shield.html

2. I like quiet and would personally have put two mufflers with the reverse "Y" on the center pipe before the mufflers

that said, I'm sure yours is a vast improvement in sound and performance

 

Hey 1bigpea,
They make an exhaust wrap tape that works as a heat shield. Here is an example: http://www.summitracing.com/search/P.../Exhaust-Wrap/

Hey pyrrhusmj & Weare138,
I went to my local muffler shop and had them install mine. The muffler and install was about $250 but the ceramic coated tips were another $90 on top of that so I spent about $340 for everything. Less than half the cost of the kit that Magnaflow sells. Here my post for my install: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3442429

No drone when traveling at the same speed and deeper exhaust note...sounds great when in sport mode.

 

Congratz on ur new exhaust!!! How do u like the sound? Any drones?

 

Thanks! Nope, no droning. I like the sound a lot, Its got a nice deep tone to it.

 

Thanks Sdubya!

 

Thanks, I'll check that out later this week. I plan on driving it most of the day Thursday so I'll check and see how hot it's getting. Not sure yet if I'll use the tape or the actual shield material yet.

 

My exhaust sits about half under the heat shield - half not and I've had no issues with heat build up. Unless you sit at idle a lot thus letting the heat build up you should be okay.

 

Hey Kyle, your ride sounds awesome! I went from the CAT back so it's not quite as loud as yours, but I still might have the catalytic scraped or complete removed, not sure yet . I'll get some sound video up sometime soon to compare but mine sounds a little deeper of a note. I wanted to stay CARB compliant for now, but that might change down the road.

Oh, I stumbled across your website, cool stuff man!!

 

Thanks! Can't wait to hear the sound of yours!

Kyle

 

Had a chance to take a video of the sound. Check it out, let me know what you all think!

http://youtu.be/XT-30CjzWdQ

ETA: I can't get it to embed for some reason.

 

Sounds awesome!!!! Is that with sports button?

 

Thanks!!

Nope....I didn't think to turn it on. But when driving with sport mode on it definitely pops more.

 

Sounds a lot more muffled than mine... Could have to do with the downpipe... I really do like the sound, it's a lot quieter but still retains all the good sounds that I like. It's a great choice for someone looking for great sound for every day use. My car, according to some (mom *cough cough*), is unbearably loud... This seems like a great solution for some people.

Love it, and great choice!
Kyle

 

Thanks, much appreciated. I too love unbearably loud, someday I might do the down pipe, your exhaust sounds sick.

 

Good looking exhaust, 1bigpea. What size tips are those? I really like the look of them.

I am getting a custom exhaust installed in the near future; I'm going with a 3" pipe as well. I'm going with a shop Farzaan recommended. Farzaan is a great guy, btw.

 

Hey, thanks a lot Hujan, much appreciated. I am almost positive they are 4" tips, they really do fill out the space.

Glad to hear you you're going to do the exhaust. It's such a noticeable difference over stock, as mentioned a lot less restrictive for the turbo. With a tune it's a must I think.

Farzaan is definitely a cool dude, I'm glad you got in touch with him!!

 

It's starting to break in a bit now...getting louder.

Cold start up is awesome and it's a deeper tone when above 45mph.