yup they have a "kit" that is only good for a few cleanings and costs alot!

 

$20 I think

 

The Alta or Webb (or any foam filter for that matter) can be cleaned with a light oil cutting solvent. You can get UNI filter oil at any of your local bike shops. Just call around and ask. Online, the UNI kit that comes with a cleaner and oil costs around $13.

 

v1 and v2 are different in color only. alta used to make everything in silver, they went with black and started calling everything v2.

if you are worried about engine wear, try not to lose any sleep over it. I ran my last car 140,000 miles with an open air gauze filter, and never had any engine troubles. just keep clean whatever filter you use. K&N would be out of business by now if their product damaged people's cars like a few individuals claim.

personally i dont believe the claims that you will harm your engine. the filters are designed to allow more air through while continuing to stop dirt particles. air molecules are smaller than potentially damaging dirt particles. so as long as the filter is cleaned and oiled properly....it just doesnt really add up. but its one of those things that will be debated forever.

 

Honestly, I felt like you did about K&N filters until recently. I've used a couple of them in NA motors and I didn't notice any dust accumulation on the clean side of the intake tract. I have been using a K&N drop in filter in my MCS for the past 25k miles. Recently, I noticed some dirt on the intercooler inlet horn while cleaning it. While the dirty side of the filter is very dirty, the clean side wasn't very red. The supercharger seems to have sucked it dry.

I'm now in the process of installing a Webb Sportbox and I'll keep tabs on how well the 2 stage foam filter does.

 

To really know how well the filter is working, you need to get a used oil analysis done.

 

Well, here's my story....

I installed the DDM CAI yesterday. Prior to install, I was averaging 31mpg per tank (70-mile round-trip to work, mostly highway), as measured by my ScanGuageII. I ran the same stretch of highway today (plus some) and saw 26 mpg where I used to see 30+. "Oh crap!" says I.

Now, I'm worried about the wisdom of this little project. I will pay attention through my next 2 or 3 tanks, at least, before I draw any conclusions.

In the meantime, I would appreciate your thoughts on whether a CAI could be forcing THAT much more air into the engine, to neccessitate THAT much more gas.

 

I saw a little drop in mileage as well after installing my intake. Not quite that much though. I think the main thing is more air=more fuel needed to keep the A/F ratio the same. You could try resetting the ECU by disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a couple minutes.

 

Most folks see a drop because the start putting there foot in it more. If you see an appreciable loss in mpg after installation, just be sure everything is back together properly, tight clamps etc. Even a HEAVILY over oiled filter shouldn't cause any issue with MPG. wilhemlh: keep us posted!

 

I've had a cold air intake for the last 4.5 years in my MCS.
Started with a Madness filter (K&N like cone filter) then switched to Alta V.1 with silicone hose.

Any change in mpg is not due to the air filter, it's due to how and where you drive. Just be easy on the gas and don't drive like you're on the track and you'll be fine. My last mpg check was 29.4 but I can get 22 mpg if I want to with quick starts and fast cornering. Sure it's fun but you end up using up more gas if you enjoy yourself too much.

It's easy to install and perhaps there is a little dirt that might work through the foam filter but I clean and reoil (motorcycle spray oil for foam filters) mine every 6 months.

Also if concerned about the wear on the engine, there's an easy fix for that. Just change the oil more frequently, then any old oil is replaced and engine wear is minimized. A lot will depend on where you drive- the environment- is it dirty- and how you drive.

 

Dont let the naw sayers deture you from how you want your MINI to be! With all my NOT recomended parts I have installed I get better gas milage then stock and will murder MCS's with all the "usual" bolt ons.

My advise is; have FUN with your MINI! dont be worried about what others have done, so much as make your car run better and look better to YOU!!! theres nothing wrong with that!

 

Now I have a little more time to think about this....

I've been trying to come up with reasons for the mileage drop. Here's my list so far:
1) The first drive after the install, I was wearing very different footwear from normal, with a thicker, hard sole. Perhaps I was pressing the pedal farther down than I could tell by feel?
2) This is the first time I've swapped air filters, and at 35,000 miles, it was dirty. I also remember that when I first had the car, I got only 25mpg to a tank. I had always assumed it was because I was horrible at driving stick. Could it actually have been the air filter all along, and that after two years it had become so dirty as to restrict airflow and, to maintain A/F ratio, cause the ECU to restrict the input of gas?

Am I grasping at straws here?

Anyway, I just filled up today, and will let you know how far it takes me.

 

One seems pretty likely, number two doesn't seem quite as likely but who knows, there's quirks with some cars.

In theory cooler intake air would decrease mileage but with the intercooler and supercharger acting on the intake air temps I wouldn't think any change would be measurable so any increase or decrease would be attributed to a change in driving habits, a change in the effectiveness of the airfilter (such as the dirty one mentioned above) or another modification done at the same time.