Stock header had dual 400 cell ceramic catalytic converters positioned in series, in addition to a less than efficient 4 to 1 collector. The Milltek features larger diameter and longer primaries, a better designed 4 to 1 collector, a freer flowing catalytic converter that still meets emission requirements and has a 2.5 inch exit (stock is 2in.). When I first put this in, I was still running the stock exhaust. The car didn't sound much different at idle, or low RPMs... but at 4.5k RPM & above, the Mini's engine sounded giant! What I noticed most was that the engine felt like it wasn't having to work as hard to run at the same speed as with the stock header. In addition, the engine just felt stronger at freeway speeds. Now with the MTH ECU program, full advantage is taken with the reduced back pressure of this header.
Sock