Alta Performance - Downpipe w/ Dual Catalysts

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Downpipe w/ Dual Catalysts
AMP-EXT-140

Gain 10-12 WHP on top of your ALTA 3" Catback Exhaust

Install Difficulty Rating

The ALTA performance R56 downpipe assembly is the perfect compliment to your ALTA R56 catback exhaust. This system combines to make an ALTA 3" Turbo back exhaust system. The ALTA Downpipe adds 10-12 Wheel HP to you ALTA Catback exhaust. Easy to install with simple hand tools, requires no permanent modifications to any OEM components. Attaches ONLY to the ALTA exhaust system (AMP-EXT-130) using high tech V-band flanges and clamps.

Like the catback by itself adding the downpipe and midpipe netted very good gains. We gained more than 20WHP and20ft-lbs which is awesome considering the car still runs the same boost levels during these runs. Besides the HP we gained during the runs, one thing we noticed was while the car was in its holding pattern on the dyno, it was getting 7psi of boost now, not the 4-5. This is also seen on the graphs by the huge 40ft-lbs gained at 2000 rpm!

Below is graph of stock car and the same car with the Complete ALTA turboback installed. This is both the downpipe and catback exhaust together.

Above graph shows averaged runs with the 3" ALTA Downpipe and Catback Exhaust, making a turboback system.

Due to widely varying ECU's, operating parameters with-in these ECU's, and atmospheric conditions, we can not guarantee that the ALTA downpipe will operate in a "Check Engine Light" free state. If your ALTA downpipe causes a "Check Engine Light", please contact us with the actual "Check Engine Light" code and we will send you a potential fix. This fix is also not guaranteed to work. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

3" 304SS tubing

304SS is known to be the standard in all high quality exhaust systems. 304SS provides high corrosion resistance, and excellent for extreme heat up to 1800 degrees. This is also what all of our Mufflers are made of inside and out. Where many other manufactures use 409SS (will rust over time and is what most OEMS use) the added expense of the 304SS is well worth the long lasting high polish, and long term durability.

We picked 3"18G tubing as this extra large diameter is the perfect size for optimum flow while keeping the exhaust note to a reasonable level. As will all turbo engines, the larger tubing allows the turbo to spool up quicker providing a power gain across the RPM band. Many are used to normally aspirated engines where larger tubing sacrifices low end power for top end power. On turbo cars this is not the case.

V-Bands

This item puts the ALTA exhaust in a completely different league compared to other Mini Cooper Exhausts. The High tech v-band is a perfect exhaust connection. They are designed to hold hundereds of pounds of pressure and do so with no gasket! This connection allows for a precise repeatable joint with the ability to rotate each joining connection. This allows for easy installation, and adjustments in the system.

Spun Metallic Substrate Catalytic Converter

The ALTA R56 Downpipes utilize 2 catalytic converters, just like the OEM parts. This makes for a 49 state legal exhaust system. The cats are a high quality 200 cell per inch, metallic core. One item that sets us above the rest is we use a special cat. The front catalytic converter has 2 times the amount of coating on the substrate to combat any possible CEL. While adding significant cost to our system, this ensures that the check engine light will not ever come on.

A 5 year/50,000 mile warranty, which follows the needs of aftermarket replacement converters is included. The body of the cat is fully polished 304SS, with the EPA code left visible. This code is required for certification during emissions testing. The converter is designed to exceed the needs of the Mini Cooper 1.6L engine.
The ALTA Performance™ header can be a legal replacement in most states no requiring CARB approval. (Check local emission laws for restriction sin your area.)

The catalytic converter is manufactured using a unique spinning process. The metallic catalyst substrate is held in the middle, and the body is literally spun around it. This provides a weld free, tightly held substrate that will never come loose!

The metallic substrate itself is a very important feature to not leave out. Most converters sold utilize a ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate is constructed with much thicker walled cells compared to the metallic type. This added thickness creates friction, and in turn extra heat. This causes the catalyst to run at very high temps, and can cause the converter to meltdown! Our metallic catalyst runs cool and strong in any situation!

Proper placement of the converter is crucial for proper operation and legality. We place the converter in the same location as in the OEM header. This allows for proper clearance to the body and reduces backpressure from improper location.

Additional O2 Sensor Bung

With the growing number of tuners and DIYers out there, we have added an extra O2 sensor bung. This allows for a tuner, or a dyno shop to easiiy install a Wide Band O2 sensor into the exhaust stream. With the growing number Wide band 02 Sensor gauges available to the end user, this makes for a very easy install of your gauge. Included with the system is a bung plug to keep it sealed until the sensor needs to be installed.

All these features, and when combined with our catback, only a 1/2 pound weight gain, even with larger piping!