12 replies to this topic

[Lewisf5755]

Hi I am new on here and have just purchased my second mini. It's a 1992 Mini Cooper spi. My exhaust seems to be hanging very low I have a manifold back exhaust system with a centre exit back box. The cat seems to catch everything along a slightly bumpy road. I am thinking of changing to a decat pipe. I know that this isn't MOT friendly for the age of the car but I can easily solve that. What I wanted to know is if it is safe to run this (on the ecu etc) I don't want to change it and have problems as the engine is running a treat. Can anybody help me on this?

Cheers

Lewis

[Anthony30]

Yes it's safe, but also a very silly idea. Your emissions will never pass an MOT test without the cat. Why go through all that hassle for 5 bhp at the very most?  

Edited by Anthony30, 10 July 2015 - 09:42 PM.

[Lewisf5755]

I wasn't wanting to do it for power gains just to stop the scraping underneath. Do you have any suggestions what else I can do?

[Carlos W]

Make sure the exhaust is mounted and connected properly

[nicklouse]

You might also find that the cat is required as part of the MOT. So church before you do anything.

[cambiker71]

How about getting somebody to fit the exhaust and cat correctly?
You'll need them to check that the engine mounts and tie bar bushes are in good order first, that'll stop any problems with the exhaust knocking on the floor once it's raised into position.

[Anthony30]

I wasn't wanting to do it for power gains just to stop the scraping underneath. Do you have any suggestions what else I can do?

My car is a mini thirty, 1989, so just before the rules changed. A catalytic converter was an optional extra though. So can't help with that particular problem. I would need to look at it on a 4 post ramp to give my opinion/solution.  Sowee.

[Steve220]

mine hangs low too (oo-er), it has a make shift bracket to hold it up. Can get a pic if you require.

[Lewisf5755]

Cheers for all the Responce. I might just simply change the system as it is looking rather old and corroded in places. If I was to buy a new exhaust system what would you recommend? Also is a 200 cell sports cat better than the original and also MOT friendly?

[Blatherskite]

mine hangs low too (oo-er), it has a make shift bracket to hold it up. Can get a pic if you require.

Ours was low too, but new rubber springs & knuckles fixed that.

[Swift_General]

Just a note on CAT removal and emissions re MOT as there does seem to be a few misconceptions out there.

You don't say when exactly your car was registered in 1992. If your mini was first used prior to 1st August 1992 then it will be tested under the old (non CAT) emissions rules that were introduced in 1986.

If it was first used from 1st August 1992 to 31st July 1995 then it will only have to pass a full CAT test if the engine is an exact match to one in a DVSA publication called 'In service exhaust emission standards for road vehicles' (18th edition). There are only 4 mini engines in there. These are:

Mini Model Code XN

1.3l Auto TBi Engine Code X Serial No 059845 onwards
1.3l Manual TBi Engine Code X Serial No 059822 onwards
1.3l TBi Engine Code Y Serial No 060488 onwards
1.3l MPi Engine Code Z

If there is a match then it will have to pass the vehicle specific CAT limits listed in said publication.

If your car does not EXACTLY MATCH any of the above then it's back to the pre CAT limits, even if your mini was first used 31st July 1995.

After that date then it's either a vehicle specific CAT test or if no match then default CAT limits apply.

Re CAT removal this is only a reason for failure of the MOT if the vehicle is subject to a full CAT test. Therefore just say for example you had a carb model fitted with a CAT, removing it should not be an issue for the MOT. Obviously though a vehicle subject to a full CAT test with CAT removed is likely to fail on emissions in any case.

Edited by Swift_General, 11 July 2015 - 08:15 AM.

[RooBoonix]

mine hangs low too (oo-er), it has a make shift bracket to hold it up. Can get a pic if you require.

Don't know about the OP but I wouldn't mind a picture. Mine hangs low, I'm thinking of making a supporting strap mounted with rubber bobbins through the floor but I wouldn't mind seeing other people's solutions


Cam.

[jamesmpi]

Does you car have an after market manifold? Or is it standard?
I had an an after market one where the y piece was pointing downwards thus forcing the rest of the system to hang lower. Might be worth a check