Miltek downpipe

[superclaret]

Im new on here people, but was after some advice from people who have already gone down the tuning route on their MCS.

I've got a standard MCS. i've read up on the Milltek exhaust, but was wondering if its possible to fit the downpipe, but still keep the standard system? As the downpipe is the most restrictive part i wanted to do this 1st rather than just buy the entire system.

Anyone done this? Does it make a difference?

Cheers

[kevkbuk]

Yes you can, the Milltek has the same connection to the exhaust system as stock. All you need is a gasket and clamp which you can buy from your dealer.

I've had the downpipe fitted to my MCS with JCW Tuning Kit for almost a week now. It makes the exhaust louder, but not in an annoying way. It makes the sound slightly less deep, but now sounds more aggressive and certainly pops and burbles a lot more now.

After fitting I noticed a drop off in low end torque, but that seems to be disapearing as the car adjusts to the new part. I would guess low end torque is maybe 95% of what it was, but you have more further up the rev range starting near 3k. Overboost is more fun now too!

With this mod I think I'm happy with the exhaust sound of my MCS now, some will want something louder but it's fine for me. It doesn't drone at speed and is only really noticable when your pushing the car hard, and doesn't drown out the radio.

Plus the pops and burbles make it sound more like the prev gen MCS should you have owned one.

PS Forges intercooler muffler delete is a good cheap mod for the MCS too.

[superclaret]

Cheers. thanks for that,

Yeah sounds good does that, cos i really want to achieve a bit more of a raspy, popping sound similar to the old style MCS.

Nice recommendation on the FORGE deletion pipe too, cos i noticed that and like the idea of it. Is there increased turbo noise?

My MCS is only 4months old, so whats peoples views on a re-map? i'd like to do it, but concerned about the warranty obviously. Will it be detected easily by BMW if i have a fault?

[Japper]

As Kev says

I've had the Miltek DP fitted to my R56 MCS with JCW Tuning kit and it's just about perfect sound wise. It has lost a wee bit of torque low down, but boy does it rev out to redline with real ease now.

Shame you missed out on the group buy.


Kev,

Glad you're like it, and it seems you have the same opinion as me.

[kevkbuk]

There is a little increase in noise with the Forge pipe, not much though. I'm really not sure why BMW bothered to put the silencer in. I noticed the turbo spooled a bit quicker after installing it. Keep an eye one Ebay they sometimes come up pretty cheap brand new.

I was undecided about remaps hence why I got the JCW tuning kit, plus there weren't any reliable options back then. Mine is coming up for 2 years old so maybe next year...

You'll find tuners claiming their remaps are undetectable but that's bull. They likely won't be able to see it just by plugging in their diagnostic software, but should they suspect the car is modded and there are engine warranty issues they would likely go looking for it I think.

[kevkbuk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Glad you're like it, and it seems you have the same opinion as me.

Yer pretty much, meant to send you a PM but will post here instead.

It wasn't as raspy after the install as I expected from your comments and the sound hasn't changed a great deal in approx 300 miles, but apart from that yep I'm in agreement with you it's a good mod. I suspect a remap would be able to squeeze a bit more power from it though...

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by kevkbuk (original)

Yer pretty much, meant to send you a PM but will post here instead.

It wasn't as raspy after the install as I expected from your comments and the sound hasn't changed a great deal in approx 300 miles, but apart from that yep I'm in agreement with you it's a good mod. I suspect a remap would be able to squeeze a bit more power from it though...

Yeah, sometimes hard to describe correctly in words a 'sound'. Maybe more of a tinny burble than a true rasp, but mine has settled down fine.

[superclaret]

Japper & Kev,

Roughly what BHP are you running then with the JCW kit and other mods?

Im tempted by the JCW kit. Do you reckon its good value for money? were you pleased with the performance increase?

cheers

[kevkbuk]

Quote: Originally Posted by superclaret (original)

Japper & Kev,

Roughly what BHP are you running then with the JCW kit and other mods?

Im tempted by the JCW kit. Do you reckon its good value for money? were you pleased with the performance increase?

Hard to say, never tested it... The JCW tuning kit is rated at 192bhp, but stock MCSs generally dyno above stock numbers. Adding the downpipe likely adds 10bhp & 10lbfts torque, maybe more torque as torque steer has increased a bit on mine.

So somewhere in the ballpark of 200 - 210bhp as a guess.

The JCW tuning kit is good value assuming you want to keep the factory warranty. It's better than the figures would suggest and gives the stock MCS needed extra volume and character.

If your not fussed about the engine warranty then an aftermarket remap is better value.

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by superclaret (original)

Japper & Kev,

Roughly what BHP are you running then with the JCW kit and other mods?

Im tempted by the JCW kit. Do you reckon its good value for money? were you pleased with the performance increase?

cheers

I have a October 2007 R56 MCS with the JCW tuning kit and a ITG retro fit foam air filter, the car dyno'd at 208bhp and 300Nm running on Shell V Power petrol. The test was done at AMD in Essex who have a reliable rolling road.

Since then I've fitted the Milltek downpipe and the Factory Works turbo inlet pipe, all of which has made a big difference! And having made a "direct comparison" with a Factory Works car, my car is as quick, if not a bit quicker!

As for the bhp? Somewhere close to 220bhp, although this is still unsubstantiated untill I have the car tested again at AMD, just have to find the time!!!

In my opinion, if you already own an R56 MCS and don't want to trade it in to buy the new Factory Works car, then the JCW tuning kit is worth it and you keep your warranty.

P,

[popey]

Dont forget that a downpipe can void your warranty just like a remap can!

My advice would be if your going to get a 3rd party downpipe dont bother with the JCW Stage 1 Kit as the downpipe would void your warranty anyway

I would get:
Remap for about £350 (ish)
Downpipe for £450 (ish)

Above you have most of the effect of the JCW kit for less money (might not sound the same) and maybe more bhp. You could always add an alta induction kit too, the stage 1 kits doesnt bring much to the party.


Oh and with the extra BHP you will need better brakes.

[superclaret]

Re-map looks like a good option. Im always going to be swayed by the cost.

Even if i did go down the JCW kit route i'd only end up adding other mods such as the enlarged intercooler and milltek downpipe, so therefore voiding the warranty anyway.

Just a thought though? dont warranties cover like for like areas. Example if i replaced the whole exhaust system, then only my exhaust warranty would be void? Not the entire warranty on the engine

[popey]

If the engine went you would have to prove it wasnt caused my any mods.

[kevkbuk]

Quote: Originally Posted by popey (original)

Dont forget that a downpipe can void your warranty just like a remap can!

My advice would be if your going to get a 3rd party downpipe dont bother with the JCW Stage 1 Kit as the downpipe would void your warranty anyway

I would get:
Remap for about £350 (ish)
Downpipe for £450 (ish)

Above you have most of the effect of the JCW kit for less money (might not sound the same) and maybe more bhp. You could always add an alta induction kit too, the stage 1 kits doesnt bring much to the party.

Oh and with the extra BHP you will need better brakes.

The downpipe could void the warranty on the turbo maybe, but it's easily removed if need be. Not sure if it would be so easy to return a remap to stock, especially if you had big problems with it and/or the engine.

The JCW kit also provides a new exhaust manifold designed to withstand more heat, that I assume the factory car has also. Be warned an open air filter such as the Alta also looses low end torque, but not sure how this would play with the downpipe. I also found the turbo takes time to spool up again after gear changes, almost as if your introducing turbo lag whenever the blow off valve activates. (Note, mine was a DIY filter with cone element but essentially the same setup as the Alta unit) The blow off sound also gets boring pretty quick. I found the car performed much better with an ITG filter in place of the stock tuning kit cone filter.

You won't need better brakes with the increased power IMO, unless you plan to track it regularly then you'd want new brakes anyway. Mine have covered almost 30k miles and they work just fine.

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by superclaret (original)

Re-map looks like a good option. Im always going to be swayed by the cost.

Even if i did go down the JCW kit route i'd only end up adding other mods such as the enlarged intercooler and milltek downpipe, so therefore voiding the warranty anyway.

Just a thought though? dont warranties cover like for like areas. Example if i replaced the whole exhaust system, then only my exhaust warranty would be void? Not the entire warranty on the engine

The downpipe is a very easy bolt-on/bolt off part which is attached by six bolts. I've kept my original downpipe and paper airfilter so if I do have any warranty problems I can return the car back to the original spec' within an hour if I do break anything and the car has to go back to the stealership!

Regarding a bigger intercooler, I'm not sure how well the aftermarket ones fit? Mate of mine tried fitting the Alta one, it didn't fit his UK spec' car?

But if money wasn't a problem, I would buy a GP.

P.