We all know the benefits of an low restriction intake (real or percieved), but what about getting air to the intake? The factory set-up has the air entering above the radiator and taking a very convoluted path to the filter. The intake opening is above (and behind) the grille, so air just kind of meanders around until getting sucked in.
My thought is to create some sort of ram effect, forcing cooler air in to the filter chamber. First idea is some sort of duct behind the grille, but I'm not sure about blocking a portion of the radiator. Seems like it would get enough airflow from the remainder of the grille and through the lower grille as well. I'm thinking NACA duct with the outlet pointing towards the intake opening in the radiator support. Second idea is removing the piece of foam rubber between the radiator and support. There seems to be a good sized gap there, right in line with the position of the filter.
Anyone done this, or know of something already made, so I don't go reinventing the wheel?
Thoughts? Insults?

 

You mean like this?


Click here. <http://www.weapon-r.com/store/agora....ppinc=search2#>

 

Yeah, kinda-sorta, but I don't see that system as workable for the MINI. Where would you mount the intake scoop; it looks huge!

 

See other photos in gallery.

I opened up the grill and this ducts / directs the air to the intake duct

 

Oh, so when you said "something already made" you meant made for the MC....

I'm thinking about the same sort of project but obviously haven't made much progress yet.

 

those eyes are SCHWEET! Me wanty

 

After looking at that web site does any body have the Dragon Air filter it bolts onto?

Art

 

FWIW I recall conversations like this on other cars/BMWs and the conclusion was that the only way a true ram effect could take place passively was at extremely high speeds, not street speeds, no matter how the air path was configured. On top of the speed needed to 'ram' the air sufficiently to make a true ram air effect difference were issues with turbulence, etc. In the end it was concluded that the best that could be done for a street car was simply to get the most coldest air in via the intake at all speeds (ne way is with the intake getting air from down low) - of course all intakes worked best when the car was moving simply because the air was cooler then vs standing still or even on the dyno typically.

 

Right, but I ignore the word "ram" ..... and I start at the other end anyway.

Want to worry about turbulence, etc? Then focus on the throttle body side of the intake stream after the filter. I figure you can be as careful as you like on the other side, but the filter will still undo any sort of laminar (whatever) flow anyway so why worry about anything other than volume?

So, I want a low restriction, high flow filter. I can't prove it'll help, but (as long as it removes all the harmful stuff) I'm sure it can't hurt. I think it'll help so I'm willing to go to the trouble to at least try it. Since I want good flow from there on in, I need a better pipe from the filter to the throttle body and a better throttle body.

Now for the other side of the filter. I want the inbound air to arrive as cold as the season allows (whatever the season). Unfortunately, except for OEM style panel replacements that use the stock box and other bits, there aren't a lot of good, high flow intakes that are fully enclosed so they get all their air from outside the engine bay.

Okay, a better panel filter in the stock box is better than an OEM panel filter in the stock box. But can't the stock box and the plumbing in and out be improved upon? Once again, I can't guarantee it'll help, but (as long as I don't design something worse) I figure it won't hurt either.

The Mini Mania, PiperCross Viper, Green Twister, Monster Force (and there are others) all reuse one or more stock parts, and the Monster Force type isn't actually fed exclusively non-engine bay air. Others are wide open to warm/hot under hood air. Even the ProMini, though it's fed air through the stock intake snorkle, uses an open ended canister.

I don't personally mind that the inbound side won't produce a true "ram" effect, but it should at least flow as much air as the filter can handle and the engine can possibly use, so it needs to have a good size opening and a nice wide tube from there to the filter box or canister or whatever. If the inbound side can flow more air than the engine can use, it'll always flow enough.

Can I buy a kit that does everything I want? I don't think so, but I can buy bits and pieces and fashion something. Am I sure it'll work well in the end? No, but I'll still have fun doing it. To me the hardest part is figuring out where to source a sufficient supply of cold air.

Wow, what a ramble. Do I win the "stating the obvious" prize? Oh well, for what it's worth.....

 

If you don't have factory fog lamps, isn't there a vent in that hole? Could you use the driver's side fog lamp hole as another place to draw cold air from?

I'm not sure if it would be possible, or worthwhile, given the bumper and other things in the way. Probably wouldn't help much, if at all... and would require some cutting.

Ehhh, nevermind!

 

I think I've read about folks using those openings for ducting for brake cooling.

 

kurvhugr, we're definitely thinking along the same lines. An open element filter (K&N, etc) is only going to suck in the air that is available to it, so make that air as cold as possible. Biggest concern is when funneling air like that, not to pick up any water.
Perhaps an underbody intake scoop with the ducting pointed up, so that water can't climb up to the filter? Have to look into that.

 

Has anyone ever rigged up a CAI that involves cooling the air via the air conditioning system? I'm envisioning a second A/C (condensor? evaporator? not enough of an A/C guy to know the difference) somewhere in the intake air stream.

 

Of the top of my head, since running A/C consensor takes power, it would most likely negate, or even exceed the perceived gain.

 

and that is that more air means you can add more gas and use it. So the energy balance equation also has the chemical energy released from burning more gas.

The early Ford Lightning truck had a manifold that used the A/C as a coolant for short bursts. Don't know if it was released, or just for the concept, but it was good for about 40+ HP on the car (5.4 L supercharged V-8)

Matt