This is a two part question. If you had a choice between changing the exhaust or air intake on a cooper, which one would you choose and why?

 

I'd say cat-back exhaust: you'll get a few more ponies, and better sound quality

The Helix13 is the loudest, the Milltek is the smoothest/refined, and the Borla is somewhere in between.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

I would change the exhaust system to get more air out and to get that deeper exhaust note that is more befitting of my Cooper. I think it's one of the better modifications that could be done to the car. It's also one of the more expensive modifications and it's the most rewarding.

It will also force you to drive with the windows down.

 

What do you think of the remus exhaust

 

I personally have a problem with the design. I can't imagine how the two streams meeting each other in the middle is a good thing - unless there's a divider in there, then the flow angle is still not right.

It's cheap though, which is probably why you're considering it.

 

would you recommend the supersprint

 

The intake upgrade is less costly and easier to install yourself but the gains are rather limited. Some intakes give slightly more intake noise.

Bigger real gains and louder exhaust note can be had with many of the cat-back exhausts (that would get my vote for an upgrade).

Common choices for the MC are Milltek, Rspeed, Borla, and helix13 (loudest of the bunch). Most offer about the same HP gains within a few HP. Differences are appearance/tips and loudness.

The supersprint for the MC comes in two pieces if you want the entire cat-back exhaust. Promini.com has both the "Street" and "Sport" versions for $472 and $400 respectively. The difference is that the Street version has the centerpipe resonator and the Sport doesn't. I'd expect the Sport to be louder.
Retail prices are listed at $903-$1108!

Remus is OK, you'll need to cut your stock exhaust to fit it in. Lower price than the other cat-backs.

 

If you care about parking lot racing...

In SCCA Solo II STOCK classes, you are allowed to change the exhaust cat back, but you are NOT allowed to change the intake air box.

In the club I run in, you get 1 point for each. 3 points moves you out of stock.

JD

 

Definitely the exhaust. Intake on a MC, id just keep it stock. :smile:

 

But if it were an MCS would one favor intake modifications over exhaust? I'm being lazy by not going through the forum files (but they go back pages and pages of thread titles). Thanks.

 

That's a GREAT way to get people to help you...

 

Point taken. Yet is honesty no longer the best policy? If ever? I was merely stating the obvious because just about every MINI question has been posted and answered before on NAM. I really did try searching the archives. Perhaps I have not figured out the quick search method. And if there isn't one it's fine with me because this site works so well in just about every other way. However I cannot ignore the existence of that gigantic repository of questions, answers, humor and innuendo. Thanks for the constructive admonishment.