× 1-800-946-2642 Home My Account Social / Forum Articles Contact My Cart
Shop Now
Select Your Car Type Sale Items Clearance Items New Items
   Forum Width:     Forum Type: 

Found 22 Messages

Previous Set of Pages 1 | 2

 Posted: Apr 24, 2018 04:22PM
Total posts: 332
Last post: Sep 25, 2021
Member since:Jul 13, 2017
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Thanks very much jeg. I really appreciate your help and will definitely check it out. +1 jeg. Best regards, Darren

PS- sorry it took so long to reply. Prostate operation slowed me down since my post. Starting to feel better.

 Posted: Apr 24, 2018 03:29PM
 Edited:  Apr 24, 2018 03:33PM
jeg
Total posts: 7075
Last post: Nov 5, 2019
Member since:Apr 25, 2000
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Image Gallery
I asked Maniflow to make a twin-box system center-exit for me with a large rear box as used in their 2" competition system, but using 1.75" pipes instead.  It's now a part of their product assortment - p/n CLST001A.

It's fairly quiet but still gives a bit of that classic 'British' exhaust note.

It's definitely the best exhaust I've ever had - slightly quieter than the RC40 and still a free-flowing performance exhaust.

If interested, ask for part number. CLST001A for the complete kit containing 1.75" big-box rear box and centre exit front pipe with bullet-type silencer for twin box systems (LPB01B - Available as individual spare part for £38.50).

I can also recommend Maniflow's heavy-duty 'cotton reel' mountings for the rear silencer - they're really beefy and will probably last a lifetime.  And, as usual, use the competition center mounting (C-19G3257) as offered by our host.

If you really want to go wild, Maniflow make an E-type rear box with 4 chrome tips - I've never seen or heard one, but it looks rather unique.

The peasants are revolting...          

"Gone with the Wind" - a brief yet moving vignette concerning lactose intolerance

 Posted: Apr 18, 2018 07:09PM
Total posts: 332
Last post: Sep 25, 2021
Member since:Jul 13, 2017
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
In an effort to remember to mention all who have been kind enough to help me ( or kind enough to not harm me ) , I also thank FMix, Rosebud, h_Lankford, Dan ( twice :) , Don, Alex, b_artman, tothefloor, onetim, thank you all. Please beleave me that I am trying to fit in, have fun, and especially I like to make someone smile. That’s all. I’m not out to ruin things for anyone. I’m a bit surprised at how some only want to hurt me ; I want to hurt no-one. If I have posted too often, then please just let me know. Owning a Mini is a special thing that should bring joy to all of us who pursue this passion. I don’t like being hurt any more than anyone else. Tell me if I’m doing something wrong...I WILL HAPPILY oblige...but if you only have hurt for me, then please DONT READ MY POST, and more important, PRETENT I DONT EXHIST and chat with someone you like. I think that is fair. Am I wrong ? Let me know ( except thewerewolf and beakr because I only ignore you now...that means you can’t hurt me. Thank you to my Mini friends however few or many that is. But PLEASE don’t post on my thread if you only want to hurt me. With complete truth, and good wishes to alll the nice people, the people I have thanked, and those who I am having trouble remembering right now but who have helped me on my Mini journey, I thank you all. Mean spirited people, I only ask you to leave me alone. That’s not asking much by the way my father and late mother brought me up. Why hurt me ? Please just stop. Thank you all Darren.

 Posted: Apr 18, 2018 06:48PM
Total posts: 332
Last post: Sep 25, 2021
Member since:Jul 13, 2017
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Beakr, I tried to help you when you asked for help about the mover. I gave you all that I knew. Why are you so mean to me ? To you beakr, and anyone who doesn’t like me : I have only tried to get along and share our mutual luv for Minis. PLEASE , if you don’t like me, don’t reply. That’s not asking much. Thank you. From now on those who only want to hurt me ( I’m a nice person who tries to help anyone who wants it ) will simply be ignored. To my friends , who have helped me ( Don, Big Al, Spitz, malsal, Dan, Minerva, Deb and all the rest ) genuine thank you. I only come to brighten a sometimes dim day. I want to hurt no one, and if I have, I apologize with my heart and soul. But if you only want to hurt me, don’t. Ruin someone else’s day. Thanks and best regards to all who have helped this Mini lover, Darren.

 Posted: Apr 18, 2018 06:17PM
Total posts: 332
Last post: Sep 25, 2021
Member since:Jul 13, 2017
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
B c , I don’t know what I did to deserve the sh*t you keep throwing at me, and I don’t have anything against you, but PLEASE quite bullying me. Please DONT reply to my posts. I wish you well, but please leave me alone ! Thank you, Darren.

 Posted: Apr 18, 2018 12:44PM
 Edited:  Apr 20, 2018 07:12AM
Total posts: 3919
Last post: Oct 29, 2019
Member since:Oct 4, 2013
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

 Posted: Apr 18, 2018 12:06PM
Total posts: 22
Last post: Jun 22, 2018
Member since:Feb 5, 2018
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Just keep the mini already and just drive it. IIRC when the mini was delivered to you, it ran. You were in love with it and couldn't wait for it. Fact is however, that your car is literally 30 years old - it's not going to be perfect and new and you cant expect it to be either. If you wanted a new car, you should have bought a brand new honda civic. Repairing and fixing cars is an endless money pit. A mini takes that to a whole new level, perhaps way more than you are used to. I mean just compare the way the drum brakes are designed vs anything else. Every so often you are going to have to climb under the car and manually adjust the brakes. Would you have to do that on a chevy pickup that's 20 years older? no, because they are designed to be self-adjusting. The worst thing you can do is rip it all apart because it doesnt work like 100% perfectly. Just drive it as it is, and when the car literally breaks in half, then and only then replace that 1 piece. For now, tell the world to F off, because you are having the best time of your life. You drive a mini. 

I took my wife for a ride in the mini on sunday morning. I had just installed new HiLos on the back, and the car was maybe 2" off the ground. Anyways we scraped almost the whole way there (tires were rubbing on the body, and the fender flares) she thought it was completely ridiculous. We both had a solid laugh and after I adjusted the height again, we went out again. Is my new Ram truck a much nicer / smoother / comfortable ride. Hands down at least 10X smoother ride and its a 4x4 truck. But I would rather take the mini any day for the experience. 

Check out my To Do List. I've tried estimating costs / when I will actually get it completed. You can see I take lots of time off to just drive it rather than continue to spend retarded amounts of money. Some things may never happen, but this is the plan for now. (excel spreadsheet might offend ppl with my choice of words, whatever). 

https://1drv.ms/x/s!AopODwFS9S3XjyQ-cCGENXWeN3Pb

 Posted: Apr 18, 2018 07:18AM
Total posts: 332
Last post: Sep 25, 2021
Member since:Jul 13, 2017
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Hi everyone. Thank you all for you sound advice ( pun intended ). But the message is sincere. Thanks guys and gals ( I don’t think any gals responded, but I thank everyone ). Special thanks to Don for sending me a spirit lifting email. I’m going to take a break from my Mini for a while. My immediate family is going thru a crisis right now, so I have to focus on that. I may even have to sell my Mini. It’s eating up my money at a rapid pace, and I have to decide if I can afford to keep it. I’ve always wanted to own a little piece of land and the more I spend, the slimmer my chances of owning a small piece of PEI get. I’ll pop in and say hello , and let you all know what I decide when I make my decision. It will be a tough one ( decision ) no matter what I decide. Take good care my friends, Darren.

 Posted: Apr 17, 2018 03:53PM
Total posts: 169
Last post: Sep 18, 2020
Member since:Jan 28, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Maybe it is just me, but I don't think my Mini is loud at all.  And no, I am not hard of hearing.  I did the RC40 muffler with a selection of pipes to allow the cat delete, keep center exit, and keep just the original header off the block.  Down pipe and back is all new.  I saw Dan Moffet said the cast iron header is good at absorbing sound, so maybe that's why mine is quieter?  Driving on the freeway or around town isn't an issue, other than wind noise with window down.  My only other guesses would be because newer SPI vs older carb?  Maybe something to do with newer car having better sound dampening or the SPI motor running/sounding differently?? Or could be because I'm used to a loud Honda race exhaust and hard motor mounts so the Mini seems quiet in comparison.

 Posted: Apr 17, 2018 12:40PM
Total posts: 3345
Last post: Mar 8, 2024
Member since:Jul 20, 2002
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
 "I want a quiet Mini...a little raspiness is OK, but ideally I just want a quiet car."

Not sure if you are wanting a quiet car from the outside (for others like neighbors or for you driving).

I'll second the recommendation for earplugs as the cheap fix. And then if you want to spend some $$$, sound-deadening inside really does work well. But I still use ear-plugs for longer drives even with the sound-deadening.


 Posted: Apr 17, 2018 05:16AM
Total posts: 614
Last post: Sep 21, 2021
Member since:Jan 7, 2013
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Quote:
Originally Posted by Derwood
Thank you onetim , and thank you Minerva. I really appreciate your help with this matter. The bare truth is I’m getting worried about how much money I have already put into the car ( spare parts for brakes, parts to make it comply with MVI requirements in my province etc - likely near 1000£ so far with duty, taxes etc, and I haven’t even had a real drive in it yet. So in short, the route you went with Minerva ( sorry I don’t know your name to address you by other than Minerva....hopefully that doesn’t upset you ) seems like the route I want to go at this time. If I got 3 years out of it I would be happy. At least I’d be driving my Mini. I’ll say it again, b c was right, I was a fool to buy the car without seeing it. We’re you satisfied with replacing the system every 3 years, at least for a while Minerva ? Any more help is greatly appreciated folks. With thanks, Darren.
This is when I was living in St Johns and Halifax and driving year round. Under those conditions I got about 2-3 years before replacement and that was acceptable for a daily salt road driver.

If it's not Scottish....it's crap! (Cry of the Mini Tartan Owners' Clan)

 Posted: Apr 16, 2018 09:24PM
 Edited:  Apr 16, 2018 11:07PM
Total posts: 1368
Last post: Jul 20, 2023
Member since:Jul 15, 2008
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 117
WorkBench Posts: 1
US
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex

A Mini is not a quiet car - no arguments, no quibbles, they are not quiet...

Yup. My approach was to quiet the cabin as much as possible and let the exhaust note rip! Used Dynamat on the floor & interior firewall and zip ties, rubber insulators and other assorted buffers on cables and wires. Other than an occasional rattle and harmonic buzz, my environment is pretty quiet. I can't say the same for the for the general public. The stainless steel headers & pipe, a 14' Cherry Bomb resonator w/ an inverted megaphone tip tends to broadcast a loud but very British rasp and a nice burble when I lift. I get more smiles than middle fingers, so I figure at least some people get it. [sound_link]

 

Michael, Santa Barbara, CA

. . . the sled, not the flower

      Poser MotorSports

 Posted: Apr 16, 2018 12:38PM
Total posts: 2036
Last post: Mar 27, 2024
Member since:Aug 29, 2001
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Do not waste your money on a quieter exhaust system

My RC40 is loud, but I just wear noise-cancelling earphones.
Before those, I just used cheap regular earmuffs from Lowes, 
or you could use even cheaper earplugs

 Posted: Apr 16, 2018 12:06PM
Total posts: 332
Last post: Sep 25, 2021
Member since:Jul 13, 2017
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Thanks to the floor. My apologies to all who feel the same way. I’ll try to do better. For now I’ll summarize my efforts, but please let me say that , in a sense I brought my Mini problems on myself. I bought a Mini without viewing it. Big mistake, and I do deeply regret it. I took the sellers word to be honest, when it really wasn’t. Without wanting to sound like a whiner , I repartee buying it ( at the high price I paid - I’m getting very discouraged, and I’m realizing that my body isn’t as atrong as when I was a younger man. Aches after a day of working. Now...what I have done, aside from asking for help a lot of times. I’ve fixed my transmission trouble. Someone who owned my Mini in the past put a short shift kit on my car, but because one of the a studs that hold the top cap on was broken off , they repositioned the short shift cover but about 20 degrees from the correct position. This caused my shifter to bring with every movement because things weren’t correctly lined up. This took me several weeks to figure out. Next, I talked the carburetor , which would barely keep the car running, but certainly not well enough to be safe or useable. So I removed the carb ( HS4 with waxstat jet. My carb has air leaks from the spindles and so I am waiting for parts. To avoid further frustration I am strongly considering replacing the entire carb. If I was better at mechanics, I figure I could rebuild it, but after all the troubles I’ve had, I just want to bolt a good carb on , then fix my exhaust trouble, and then attempt to get my Mini through my local MVI. If I could be driving the car while awaiting parts I’d be a lot happier , but it’s not in good enough condition for that until I replace my carb and exhaust system. I may have missed some things, but as far as Ivan recall, all my questions dealt with these two troubles. I will try to give better feedback to my posts. At this time I’m only full of dispair. I am learning, but I have concluded that this will be my last classic car. You likely have read about my back troubles. Two accidents have left me with 4 compression fractured discs, so I am learning the difficult way that I can’t do a lot of things I used to do as if it were nothing. This is not me asking for sympathy. Just trying to explain, in part, why things are moving slowly. And my love for classic Minis, plus my past successes with three British sports cars, led me to think I could fix a Mini too. I hope that goes at least a small way to answering your questions ( and likely others too ). To wrap up, I’m discouraged and I didn’t get the “ jump in and drive “ car I was told I was buying. Now I’ve got far to much money invested ( sunk ? ) into my Mini to not see it through to a good running car. The classic Mini has always been my favourite car, so I thought I should get it off my bucket list. Respectfully, and with thanks for your candid reply, Darren.

 Posted: Apr 16, 2018 12:02PM
 Edited:  Apr 17, 2018 06:55AM
Total posts: 9528
Last post: Mar 27, 2024
Member since:Aug 14, 2002
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
CA
I have a single box RC40 in stainless and it is loud but only when working the engine hard. At idle it is reasonably quiet, about on par with an idling pick-up truck. At speed, the tailpipe noise is left behind but the noise coming up through the firewall and floor remain - this is sound coming through the pipe wall of the (non-stainless) header. As others will attest, cast iron exhaust manifolds absorb much of the sound coming out of the exhaust ports but tube type headers not nearly as much. Since I was ordering it in from the UK, shipping was a significant part of the cost, so I opted for stainless to maximize the life of the system.

Check also that your shop can supply and shape the right diameter of pipe. You don't want anything more than 1.75". Prior to my RC40 I had a centre-exit system on a custom bent pipe made up at our local Midas shop. They could swage ends etc to suit but did not have small enough bending mandrels to make smooth bends, so the bends were slightly distorted. Since I could not take the car to them, I had to map out the bends to clear the shifter etc. from under the car onto a strip of masonite, which provided a template for bending. Worked a charm.

Darren, As tothefloor suggests, you should hold off spending more cash. Get it running and tuned first - once tuned properly, it may be quieter than before. Then, you should ask the muffler shop if they could add a resonator or a quieter muffler before replacing the whole system.

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Apr 16, 2018 11:48AM
Total posts: 10232
Last post: Mar 26, 2024
Member since:Mar 24, 1999
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
GB

A Mini is not a quiet car - no arguments, no quibbles, they are not quiet - so unless you have an open pipe you may well be throwing money away.

Get quotes from you exhaust shop, I'd bet that it'll be a close run thing between an off the shelf existing Mini specific system (that fits and works) vs the cost of having a custom one made.
Stainless systems are inherently noisier than mild steel, the material has a ringing quality to it that adds zing to the noise.

If you're already running an LCB, the easiest change to make to quieten it down would be to source an MG Metro/carbed Cooper or SPi/MPi cast iron manifold and get a set of downpipes to suit - the difference in noise is very noticeable in the car.

 

 Posted: Apr 16, 2018 11:43AM
Total posts: 90
Last post: Jun 1, 2021
Member since:Jun 1, 2004
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
CA
Hind sight being what it is.. I should have priced out how much the local shop could have done for me in SS, instead of importing the regular steel maniflow system. Nothing against the maniflow as it is holding up well, but when I took the car in for a hanger adjustment, the shop manager said they could have made me a similar system in stainless in less time and money. 

___________________________________________________________

Building a Mini... the full time job

 Posted: Apr 16, 2018 11:19AM
Total posts: 664
Last post: Dec 31, 2021
Member since:Nov 1, 2012
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
When you start to worry about the money you spent maybe some things could be put off. I have a 2 box rc40 but I don't remember it being that quiet. But I like the car loud... I'm running a straight pipe with a supertrapp. I've been following most of your threads but a little more outcome at the end would be nice talking about what you've done

 Posted: Apr 16, 2018 11:00AM
Total posts: 332
Last post: Sep 25, 2021
Member since:Jul 13, 2017
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Thank you onetim , and thank you Minerva. I really appreciate your help with this matter. The bare truth is I’m getting worried about how much money I have already put into the car ( spare parts for brakes, parts to make it comply with MVI requirements in my province etc - likely near 1000£ so far with duty, taxes etc, and I haven’t even had a real drive in it yet. So in short, the route you went with Minerva ( sorry I don’t know your name to address you by other than Minerva....hopefully that doesn’t upset you ) seems like the route I want to go at this time. If I got 3 years out of it I would be happy. At least I’d be driving my Mini. I’ll say it again, b c was right, I was a fool to buy the car without seeing it. We’re you satisfied with replacing the system every 3 years, at least for a while Minerva ? Any more help is greatly appreciated folks. With thanks, Darren.

 Posted: Apr 16, 2018 10:47AM
Total posts: 614
Last post: Sep 21, 2021
Member since:Jan 7, 2013
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
I used to have Speedy Muffler make mine up with a standard replacement pipe bent to fit and off the shelf muffler.

If it's not Scottish....it's crap! (Cry of the Mini Tartan Owners' Clan)

Found 22 Messages

Previous Set of Pages 1 | 2