I know I have copied and pasted the same thing in two of my other threads but I decided to start a fresh thread just to discuss this exhaust.

I did not have a camera to document the entire install but I must say that the entire thing was very straightforward. The Mina exhaust slips right into the factory midpipe/resonator at the rear axle and all you need to do is tighten a clamp and hook the exhaust onto the rubber supports.

Now for sound. When the car is wide open, I must say the car resembles the sound of an Audi RS4 or a V8 AMG Mercedes. The exhaust noise as a whole is not loud and obtrusive. To the untrained ear, it might sound like the exhaust came from the factory (Mercedes AMG/Audi RS4). However, coming from the factory Jaguar exhaust, it is a world of difference.

Now for the one thing that irks me. at about 1700-2300 rpm, the exhaust drones a bit. What is really unfortunate is that the motor sits between that range under normal cruising so it might become annoying. It may take me some time to get used to, and I hope I do learn to get used to it. However, this is my initial impression...between the RPM range stated above, it drones a little too much.

Overall, the sound is amazing.

So power...Mina claims a 10-12 HP increase. Do I feel a difference? I really can't say I do...however the throttle response does seem to be a bit better. The tranny also seems to bang off shifts faster...

So am I happy and would I recommend this system?

Yes.

Pictures and video coming soon!

 

When I had an Arden system fitted to my 4.2 XJR the first thing I noticed was how easily the engine revved.
I also got a couple more MPG out of it.

 

I'm looking at the same exhaust system for my '06, but going to add the cold-air intake and supercharger pulley as well. Let's see some pics when you get a chance.

 

What about cutting out the resonator? That should help out also, but will make the car drone even more.

 

Hello guys. Sorry for the delay but I have been very busy the past few days. Attached are some before and after photos of the exhaust. I will take video when I can and I will try and get some better pictures of the car with the exhaust.

On a side note, I drove over 500 miles in the past two days....the exhaust "drone", or tone, has grown on me and is definitely less annoying than it used to be...at least to me.

Thoughts?

 

I put the Mina exhaust on my 04 XJ8 and the sound is very minimal at cruising speeds, but when you get down on it, it growls. Not annoying at all

 

Thanks for sharing the info and pics. When i get mine i will also attempt to my own install , sounds simple of enough.

 

I took mine to a local muffler shop. $100 and 30 minutes later I was all set. Well worth it to me!!

 

Yes I was able to hear/ride in an XJ8 that had the exhaust installed. Compared to my XJR, the XJ8 is a little quieter and I don't believe I noticed any drone. However, whatever that "drone" may have been to me a few days earlier, I can honestly say I no longer notice it.

The overall tone is great! I will try and get an audio/video clip up as soon as I can. Bear with me!

 

Ok guys...here is a little teaser video I shot last night. I will have more video coming soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeLg3fusO4Q

 

lol someone was having some fun

I drove an XJR before with the paramount exhaust and while it def sounded great, it was far too noisy overall to me when you wanted to just cruise

 

Haha you gotta have fun while you drive! Here are some more pictures. I am almost done creating a video...one more day...

 

Sweet pics! Hows the cabin noise?

 

Patrickw813, I curious was there a slight weight savings on installing the new system opposed to the Factory system. I love reducing weight when ever i can on the XJR.

 

Hey guys sorry for the delayed response.

The cabin noise is minimal...the only thing that might be annoying is some drone between 1700rpm-2200rpm. Other than that, it is only barely noticeable. When you are wide open, you definitely hear the V8 instead of just the supercharger.

As for weight, the Mina system did feel a little lighter than the factory parts but I did not weigh them to confirm.

Now here is the full video of the exhaust. Some parts of the video are louder than others for some odd reason...I rendered the sound with the same gain all across the board...odd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTavSby9cZY

Here is a little outline of the video:

Start-up and Rev
Open air WOT pull away
Tunnel Pulls
Burn the tires
In-car WOT

Hope you like it!

 

patrickw813,

When you ordered the system did you have to wait for the exhaust to be made or do they have them in stock ready to ship?

Thanks,

Mat

 

I went to their shop since I am local and they already had a finished system ready for me to take home. I believe they have around 10 kits ready to ship out at any given time.

 

Thanks,

Im thinking about ordering one this week!

Mat

 

Keep us updated on this!

Ever since I have gotten my exhaust, it has grown on me more and more. Apparently it sounds like "an Audi RS4 or some other German V8".

Perfect...considering the car was basically silent from the factory.

 

Will Do!

I actually just got the car back from the body shop where I had them paint and install the mina gallery lip spoiler that I got for my birthday. I cant believe how amazing it looks and how much of a difference it makes on the look of the car. As soon as I wash the car this weekend i'l take some pics and post them up. As for the exhaust i'm ordering it on monday without a doubt!

Mat