NM Community;

Since it appears there are no CAIs for the newer 05 MC's (non S), will probably go panel filter route...

Anyone out there have any experience with the Alta foam ? Does the foam deteriorate over time ?

Anyone ever compare the Alta and K&N ??

Thanks in advance.....

 

I haven't tried either the Alta or K & N drop in filter, but I have tried a foam drop-in from Moss and a pipercross induction kit which is foam, and a green twister CAI system. I tested all three with multiple pocket dyno runs and the foam panel filter consistently turned better numbers that either cone type filter.

I stayed with he pipercross because even though the drop in showed better hp numbers, the pipercross didn't choke as much as the drop-in at higher rpm's.

I may go back to the drop in because my MTH upgrade took care of the high rpm airflow issues

 

Check out this link. It`s strictly a filter test which should be adequate for which panel filter to choose.
Tormod

 

I have K&N panel filters that I did not notice any different with the performance. I first got the K&N panel for my honda accord that I felt the extra power from the car. I thought I may have similar result if I add the K&N to my MINI. But I could not feel any different.

BTW, I have 2003 CVT.

UltraMINI

 

[font='Times New Roman']I’ve had an Alta foam filter in my 04 MC for about 2 months. Alta claims 3hp gain, not something that you "seat of your pants" dyno can feel. The only thing that I can tell is a slight increase in throttle response. Was it worth the $45 with the cleaning kit? Kind of. I just want to get 115 hp on the street, so I guess I'm .6 hp closer to my goal[/font]!

 

It's an air filter, people. How much difference would you expect to see from a different brand of air filter? :impatient

If you get 1% more power at high RPM, you will be doing well from changing the air filter.

Oh, and BTW, you won't get as effective filtering of airborne particles...

 

It totally depends on the car. I had an '02 Audi A4 that the stock airbox/fitler flowed more air than the car could use so going to a higher flow filter would do nothing. The MINI is the opposite. It isn't getting the flow it needs. A foam air filter such as the Alta will increase the flow, and it filters the air far better than stock, mainly due to the characteristics of the dense foam and oil suspension it carries. In my ex-Ducati I used a foam in-airbox filter over the two velocity stacks and after removal to clean, there was never any evidence of dirt. As with the Audi, my in-box JHP aftermarket foam airfilter for the Ducati added a zero net HP increase, but the cleaner air was worth it. BTW, the Ducati filter was $125. Isn't the MINI wonderful!

 

Read this link for a test of filtering effectiveness.

 

Thanks for posting that. As the author said, it is not as scientific as it could have been, nonetheless it doesn't refute what I had read and had suspected: for a street application the filter should be chosen for filtration ability rather than flow.

That being said, I'm still looking for a CAI because I want to hear some whine just for fun, but I will look for one with a fiber element rather than the oiled foam element.

 

Now HERE's an air filter!



http://www.rpmsportscars.com/door26.htm

 

Or four . Damn, ITB's are sexy.

 

www.MYMINIparts.com has a CAI for non-s

 

Those Myminiparts have some nice stuff!

 

From the board, I've learned there are a few good shops with really good people. I'm fortunate that the MYMINI shop is near me which has given me the opportunity to get to know Peter. Good guy, MINI enthustiast first and lots of fun to work with modding your MINI.