The aftermarket exhaust rattles against it and it drive me nuts.

 

I could never really figure out the real purpose of that plate. I think it's just a stiffener for the body since it's pretty rigid/heavy but it's also held on with little 10mm bolts. You can't just space it down a few mm with washers to clear the new exhaust?

 

I'll second that idea.
I think running without the plate could put a lot of strain on the flex pipe and cause it to fail.

 

It also has 2 exhaust hangers attached to it. They're fairly important in the long run.

 

Dang. That's a good idea.

Only one of the hangers engages the plate properly. The other hanger is attached to the pipe, but, it's too high to engage the plate.

So, I have something try and I'll let you know if it works.

Thanks for the idea......

 

I would try bending the arms on the aftermarket pipe to set straight on the hanger rubber like factory and bend them up to keep the exhaust from clanging.

The plate is a support and function of those hangers also to take the weight off of the flex pipe a bet a bit, and keep it straight. I have seen pressure pop the weld on the flex pipe to Cat. And then it rattles. Good aftermarket pipes / exhausts don't have to be modded that much. Should fit very close to stock. Also make sure the rubber mounts are not bad or sagging, that makes factory exhaust sit lower in the middle.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51717037919/ R50 R52 R53



and

Exhaust Hanger Mid Pipe - Priced Each x 2 R52 Cooper S / JCW // R53 Ciooper S /JCW

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/18101174146/




R50 R52 Cooper ( NON S )

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/18100392258/

Good luck.

 

I think this is the problem. The exhaust system looks and feels like junk.......

 

Hopefully a JCW exhaust comes to you this holiday.

 

Pretty sure I found the rattles.

Are the hangers supposed to be this long?

 

Well, the washers worked! I also shortened the hangers because they were banging into the side of the exhaust recess.

Rattle gone, but, I'd sure like to put one of those shiny ECSTUNING JCW systems on it...........

Do forum members get 50% OFF?

BWAAAAAAAAAAAA!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!