I decided to treat my Cooper to an aftermarket intake today, most would refer to it as a Cold Air Intake but I honetly don't see it getting any cooler air at present than the stock intake did, but it will allow for a much smoother, less resistant airflow. The main reason I did it though and let's be honest here.... was to dress up my Cooper as it really does deserve it. All that being said I own a 2005 R50 Cooper, has the CVT on the W10 motor so I know there wont be any big gains.. I just feel my little Coop' deserved it. The Intake was a universal kit off amazon and much trimming had to be done to this so called universal fit to make it fit. In the end I love how it turned out. I'll share the install video here if someone can recommend a thread where it'll be seen.

 

A true CAI gives decent gains on the R50 because the stock intake is pretty restrictive. I don’t know how well that one would do though.

 

For sure the stock intake is a lot more restrictive than the new setup. I really haven't opened it up aside from a simple drive to the store and back to really tell. There's always tomorrow.

 

Isn't that an air filter ?
The "intake" is the hard parts downstream of the filter. Throttle body, and intake manifold.
If the filter is the "intake" what do you call the..."intake" manifold ?

Mike

 

Try to fit a filter which is as big as it allows in that space. Also would help if you could help to feed the cold air in that space.

Idea! Fitting a Mini Cooper S bonnet and redirecting air from the hood scoop directly to the pod air filter.

 

Haven't worked much on R50s, have you? I'd say the intake is what pulls air into the engine, even including the parts upstream of the airbox since there are a bunch of resonators. He's removed more than half of the stock intake tract length.

 

When I had my R50, I put an aFe "cold air" intake in. It has a shroud that blocks off some of the area around the filter and made a good seal on the bonnet as well. It was what I called a cold-ish air intake. When at full chat it sounded awesome! The mic is under the bonnet next the the ECU. Get that car near redline and take in the incredible intake sounds. Very old school sounding in my opinion.


Post up the video here. Should get a few views. I didn't remove much other than the factory air box, the inlet from the radiator holder was intact and directed truer cold air onto the filter.

 

I have a DDM on my R50.

 

Same. I like that it still pulls cold air from the snorkel.

 

That DDM intake looks good

 

SO now having it installed and having gone for a drive I do think there is a notable difference, especially being able to hear it breathe now, such a fun little car to work on. Next step I think would be like suggested and make a shroud to seperate where the filter resides from the rest of the engine bay, I'd love to relocate the battery to the back and have a lot more room to work with but for now I'm quite happy with my results.

 

The aFe I had looked exactly like the DDM but had a cone filter instead of the foam cylinder filter.

Nice work! After watching your video, I am glad that I spent a little more on the aFe. Very simple install, no trimming of anything, took all of 15 min. the kit even came with a zip-tie to hold the wiring harness that is normally stuck to the air box. My wife was so shocked at how little time it took she was concerned that I messed it up.

You will love the sound when the revs hit 3500 and up!

 

Induction "roar" is a cool addictive sound :D

 

Yeah. The DDM has an almost growl sound from the resonance. If you believe the dyno charts from Way, it also gives a nice midrange boost, too. The stock intake is so labyrinthine that I can’t imagine not getting an improvement from removing the stock setup.