9 replies to this topic

[Benga]

Hello,

Need to replace the everything from the flexihose backwards on our 99 John Cooper LE as its blowing from the backbox, the hose has split and the guys at the garage suggested that it might be worth replacing the cat at the same time (if nothing else it will be the only rusty bit, but at 13 years old its probably on its way out as it was getting closer to the immersion limits the MOT).

Thought it might be worth looking in to aftermarket, possibly stainless steel, options. It has to be side exit and look as standard as possible (twin exit has been veto'd by the other half - well it is her car ;) ) If it would make the car run better then so much the better. She really likes the look of the current tailpipe but I think its just a nice chrome tip on the peashooter exhaust.

I've got a quote for a standard fit, but the guy that owns the garage said if I took what ever backbox I wanted in he'd fit it.

Any suggestions or feedback much appreciated. No idea what I'm looking for!

[Cooperman]

You would not want a twin exit as it would mean you would lose power and use more fuel as it is inefficient.
Best exhaust system would be an RC40, twin-box, 1.75" dia., side exit. You could fit an LCB exhaust manifold, or not, as you wish. You just need to specify which manifold you nhave when buying the system.

[R1minimagic]

I have a recently new RC40 side exit for MPi and Spi (cat back) and also a lot of catalysts, PM me if interested!

[Benga]

Thanks for the info!

Will an RC40 backbox give us much improvement over the standard exhaust? And is there much difference between the mild and stainless steel versions? The standard box lasted 13 years - how much longer does a stainless one last for?! :)

@Cooperman - Is this the one you mean? http://www.minispare...id=37904&title= I got a bit lost when it stated talking in codes for other bits! Will I need to order any other bits for the garage to fit it?

Sorry for all the questions - had Mini's for years but only just getting in to trying to do bits for myself so its all a bit new.

Thanks again for your help.

[R1minimagic]

If your car has a catalyst you dont really need a twin box as the catalyst itself acts as a silencer!

[Jake Didsbury]

RC40, I would deffinatley recommend. I fitted one last year, the 1.75" internal diameter stainless one, I think it has like a 1.75" diameter from the cat to the back box then a 2.75" diameter from the backbox to the exit with a radius'd edge, looks great, sounds awsome, sounds even better if you remove the cat and put a de-cat pipe in, thats what I did. Thats up to you though (or your other half as a may be) I also noticed a slight power increase with it on, an then even more with the de-cat pipe fitted. Its fairly quiet on tick over an cruising with a constant throttle imput, but when you accellerate or rev the engine it sounds awsome!

Jake

Edited by Jake Didsbury, 12 January 2012 - 08:49 PM.

[nev_payne]

Can't commment on the RC40, but I went from a 3" Cat-back Playmini single silencer to a 2" Playmini. The difference is most certainly noticeable. Still have a lovely deep grunt, but not nearly as much power loss from little or no back pressure. Bottom line, you can have lots of noise or a Mini that actually gets somewhere.

Edited by nev_payne, 12 January 2012 - 09:01 PM.

[Benga]

Thats brilliant guys - thank you.

One final request - anyone got pics of one fitted? Google hasn't turned up much.

Cheers!

[Benga]

After all that events conspired against me and we've ended up with the standard exhaust Oh well - at least I can get home!

Thanks for all your help and advice - Definitely going to get something a little more sporty when I can justify changing the backbox.

[Cooperman]

A" tail pipe will certainly lose a few bhp. The end pipe diameter needs to be the same diameter, ideally 1.75" internal, from front to final exit point. This gives the correct exit velocity for the exhaust gas. A larger exit pipe slows down the gas flow and causes a higher back-pressure which is less efficient.