North American Motoring :: Product and Vendor Reviews - Craven Speed CAI

Register

Forgot Password?

Welcome to North American Motoring !

Welcome to North American Motoring,

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

Home · Search · Member List · Register

Home » Products » Under the Bonnet » Intake components » MINI Cooper S

Craven Speed Craven Speed CAI

Reviews	Views	Date of last review
5	38200	8/29/2011

Recommended By	Average Price	Average Rating
100% of reviewers	None indicated	8.4

supersize	supersize

Description:	The Craven Speed CAI evolved. The updated version of our intake, addresses all the improvements that customers wanted to see while maintaining the highest level of performance for this type of mod. This CAI replaces the entire OEM intake, from top to bottom, and includes a lifetime filter from Uni. The smoked top has been secured to the box but can still be quickly opened. The battery terminal clamps to the side to prevent any rattles, and the price is better.
Keywords:	Cold Air Intake Craven Speed Filter box sound power
Web site:	http://www.cravenspeed.com/products/...ir-Intake.html

Author

gnatster
6th Gear

Registered: January 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 3946

Review Date: 11/1/2007

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 8

Pros:	Mostly intelligent design and function
Cons:	The way the top is designed to stay on is questionable

Let me start off by stating I don't there is much of a performance difference between the various aftermarket CAI's.

I looked at every CAI this is why I chose the Cravenspeed

-Simple Design, the main box is cut and folded from a single sheet of Stainless Steel, industrial elegance.
-Plexiglass? Cover, I can see into the box to easily determine when the filter element needs cleaning.
-Good Fit, installs easily and fits the space. No trimming required for an upper strut bar.
-Cleanable foam filter, the debate over foam and paper will never end. I like foam because I can clean it. No tossing paper filters into a landfill, no trees are killed so I can maintain the filter.

Some things are not all rosy that why it rates an 8
-The cover slips off when on the track. The design for retaining the cover is flawed. The weatherstripping along the cowl divider is used to keep the cover in place. The cover is routed to sit in the box slightly. However on track the cover was able to move around since in time the weatherstripping losses some grip on the cowl from having to move it aside to reach the filter. I've never had it slip off while driving on the street, only on the track.

Another slight flaw is the way the postive jump start terminal is held in place. It does not hang as well as it does on the OEM box making it look slightly askew. Not an functional problem but one thats more aesthetic.

All in all a solid unit

Click here to Send this user a Private Message

Mintendo DS
2nd Gear

Registered: January 2008
Location: Hellam, PA
Posts: 55

Review Date: 7/18/2008

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10

Pros:	Great sound, Plexiglass top, "Ram Air" option
Cons:	none

First off, the people at Craven Speed are just great. Very personable, and easy to work with.(by email and phone) Better yet they have a great product to sell.
The "Return of the CAI" is Craven's newest version of they're Cold Air Intake. Any problems anyone has had with the earlier versions, have been taken care of.(plexi-top, jump start terminal) The top can now be screwed down to insure it won't slip off, and the jump start terminal can also be screwed tight to keep the OEM look and maintain a secure fit. The entire factory air box is removed to install the CAI, which leaves the front air scoop(NOT the hood scoop) open to make your own "Ram Air" system. Craven already realizing this, cut a 2 3/4'' inch tab in the front of the air box, that can be punched out to make way for your homemade intake tube, pipe, PVC, what ever works.
Over all I am very happy with the Craven Speed CAI. For the quicker throttle response and power gain through out the RPMs, sound, smart design, and great looks. And lets not forget one other perk, wonderful customer service.

cmr076
2nd Gear

Registered: May 2008
Location: Gwynedd Valley, PA
Posts: 122

Review Date: 7/22/2008

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10

Pros:	sounds amazing, good power gains (so it seems)
Cons:	none

the best part of this product was the tech support i got from craven! they took my calls and patiently answered my questions (and even followed up the next day to make sure everything was ok) one of the best companies i have ever dealt with!

Sgt.Pepper1313
Neutral

Registered: March 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 4

Review Date: 6/8/2011

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9

Pros:	Bigger air intake, great sounds, clear top, looks nice
Cons:	would have been nice if it came with pipe for front air scoop

Easy install. I have no experience with under bonnet installation and this was a very easy DIY. After installing I went for a drive. First off I noticed that there was a cool sound and it seemed that the engine was pulling in a lot more air which helps with fuel efficiency and hp. Overall I am very happy and would highly recommend craven speed CAI

panaphobic
2nd Gear

Registered: November 2008
Posts: 138

Review Date: 8/29/2011

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 5

Pros:	Its probably one of the best CAI units available as it is cost effective and has the option for creating a custom front intake, as in the picture
Cons:	The instructions were terrible. Might as well throw them out! I was missing screws. I had to notch out a section of it to make it fit properly around the brake cylinder.

All in all, it really is a great product.

I had issues with installation, and just building the box itself.

I had to notch the box just to fit properly:

I never heard of anyone else having to do the same thing so it could have been just my MINI.

I was missing bolts and nuts and had to search my shop for something to work properly. I didn't bother calling because it would take a week for the replacement parts to arrive and I have more than enough spare parts in my shop to find replacements.

I spent over an hour trying to get the box together and find the missing bolts and nuts in my shop. And then another hour trying to make it fit properly without having to notch it, then ending up having to notch it. After it was built and installed, I couldn't complain about it at all. I just wish Craven Speed would make the "additional hose" since it's nearly impossible to find something to work right for it for the front intake hose option they advertise.

All in all, for the price, you won't be let down. I'm sure I was one of the few who had any kind of issues with it. Honestly, the issues I had weren't big issues at all, well for me that is.

It sounds very nice and does a great job. There are no real differences between CAI's and you won't see a noticeable gain in HP from any brand. It just helps improve the air flow, and will add a few horses to your MINI, you just won't notice it. What you will notice it the sound of the bypass valve and the sound of the supercharger whinning, especially under bridges and overpasses, which can easily make you "think" you are feeling a difference, when you are really just hearing a difference

Statistics
Users	111,738
Products	445
Reviews	978
Views	7,744,056

Random Products - MINI Cooper S

DDMWorks R53 Cold Air Intake
WayMotorWorks

Way Motor Works Ported and Polished Intake Manifolds
WayMotorWorks

Most Viewed
Way Motor Works	112,675
Alta Performance Col...	103,355
Cooper Flags	97,560
Coast to Coast USA	97,139
Burger Motorsports	96,528
Out Motoring MINI Af...	95,774
Cooper Gear	94,304
American Mini Mates	93,227
ALTA MINI Performanc...	92,569
brownflyer	91,016
Coopersport.com	79,856
Aesthetic Creations	78,467
Pilo Racing Mini Coo...	74,606
Whalen Machine	69,317
MINCORSA	66,954
Do It Yourself Hot A...	66,250
Palo Uber Mini	59,842
Helix Minisports Hel...	53,395
DDMWorks R56 Race In...	49,053
DDMWorks R56 Street ...	48,269
Craven Speed	47,629
Palo Uber CARBON FIB...	47,510
AutumnRiders	46,425
Euro Styles East	46,263
Mini Works	46,129