I recently purchased my Alta Cai and the first night I got my 07 MCS I put it on. I have heard claims on NAM of the intake producing the BOV sound, but with past filters and intakes, I thought that this claim was not going to be everything it was cracked up to be.

First, I must say that the installation was a snap. 1-2-3. The tubes and clamps all fit well and man it looks nice.

I picked up the car around 4p.m. on Wednesday night, was done with my MA, Mark Smith, at 6p.m. Then went to dinner and returned at 8p.m. From there I brought it home, to work, and to show my friends and was back home by 2a.m. When I finally got home from everything and got settled in, I figured why the hell not, lets install this thing. Unfortunately, after all my hard work I was unable to take it out the garage because my parents rooms sits right above it and I did not want to wake them with the garage, slamming doors, engine start up, etc.

This morning before I woke up, my father took it to get pastries and coffee for Thanksgiving morning. When he got back, he asked me, "Did you do something to the car?" I said yeah I installed a CAI last night and he said, "Wow, that is one of the smoothest , most aggressive sounding CAI's I have ever heard! It gave the car a little kick in the a$$ too!" So immediately I ran outside, pajamas and all, and tried it out.

If you were ever considering a BOV for your car because like me, you love the sound, I strongly suggest you reconsider. Just get the Alta CAI and you will be VERY, VERY pleased. With windows down especially, you can clearly hear it suck in the air, feel the extra little boost it gives you, and it finishes off smooth and sporty with the BOV sound: PSsssssHHHhhh. Man, I was totally impressed.

On the flip side, most people have said that they do not like the loud sound of the pshhhh as you let off the gas. So I tried it out by driving the car regularly, as in not trying to 'get on it' and I must say it was very subtle and a few times I even had to roll the windows down just to make sure it was still making the noise. It was so quite. Also, a few presses of the volume makes it totally silent to the passengers inside.

All in all, this product from Alta has blown me away and I really cant be happier. They are a great company, full of friendly, honest people and repeat business is deff. in the near future. Thanks for reading and I hope I could clear up any questions people might have had, as I did.

StevieC

 

That's an awesome write up. I'm getting the Alta cai and boost tube upgrade for xmas. Let me know when you get your inlet hose in. I have a homemade intake with the alta turbo inlet hose. I've noticed an improvement with the hose.I'm debating whether or not the homemade intake made a difference or i was jumping on it to here the psshhhtt. I have had a KN filter off the maf changed it to a 90 degree elbow(had scoop unblocked with both setups). But yea let me know.

 

Thank you! I will most deff. let you know how my inlet tube goes. I cant wait, I spoke with the nice people at North American Motorsports two days ago and they told me it would ship friday, so early next week I should see it. I uploaded a clip of it onto youtube, but I just did it so I dont know when it will show up. Type in "2007 R56 Alta Cai" in the search bar and it will pop up, eventually haha. Take care! Sounds like your having a Merry Christmas!

StevieC

 

well put....it is a very nice mod....gotta love the sound!!!

 

You must be a teenager, that would be the only way you would do something like that so early in the morning (this comes from personal experience, i am 17). Good to hear (haha, pun) that you like it.

Out of curiosity, which dealership did you get your mini from?

 

I just turned 20 a couple weeks ago, but yeah I usually do not fall asleep until at least 2a.m. Getting my MINI was an exceptional day so I figured I might as well spend the time on it, haha. To answer your question, I got it from MINI of Fairfield County in Stamford, CT. They are AWESOME PEOPLE AT THAT DEALERSHIP!! Highly recommend anyone from CT to buy from there. Mark Smith is my MA, and he has been so great to me. I love people who are passionate about what they do, its nice that I got fortunate enough to be helped by Mark. I noticed you are from CT, where did you get yours?

 

I've got one of these waiting to be fitted to my Cooper S, I'm in the UK and i believe that i will be one of the first to get one! Sourcing it through Lohen over here. Was hopping to get it by the end of the week but Alta didn't send through the aluminum tube that fills the gap were the MAF should be. So hopefully by the end of next week ill be as happy as dtsoccer6! You americans and thanks giving are slowing the process down!

 

I can't wait for mine. I was going to order it when I ordered my boost tubes and turbo inlet tube, but I think my girl will be getting me the CAI as one of my X-Mas gifts, so I have a little (difficult) wait ahead of me.

 

in performance only fools are suckers for sound...

 

Perhaps some punctuation would have helped this make sense? I have no idea what that meant...

 

you don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK?
geeze, I bet you don't celebrate the 4th of July either.



p.s. hopefully I'll have an Alta CAI incoming very soon

Thanks for the review dtsoccer - your comments about how quite it is if you don't get on it convinced me. The S.O. would not appreciate the lovely turbo sounds when she is in the MINI.

 

Hey not a problem Motormouth, happy to help, thats why I did this thread in the first place.

Example: This morning my brother wanted to hear the sound of the intake. He's 14, so to him the PsssSssHhhhHhH was really cool, and he enjoyed it very much every time I let off the gas, as did I!

Later, my mother and I took a trip to mall which was a good 30 minutes away and not once did she ever complain about the car or ask questions about the noise. Why? Because with the windows closed and the volume on, its silent. The windows closed and us chatting to each other, its silent. However, I opened the window to get some fresh air and there it was... PsSsssHhHhhh haha. I really love this mod! I can not wait for the inlet tube, I think I'm even going to go big and purchase the boost tubes as well. Take care!

My youtube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9vhGa6jCYU

StevieC

 

Hey,

Mine was bought at mini of Fairfield county as well, really nice place. It's actually really close to me, i am about 30 minutes from it if I95 doesnt have much traffic (rarely the case).

Just listened to your youtube vid. Man that sounds really sweet.

 

Thanks Some Guy, yeah MINI of Fairfield County is a few towns over from me in Norwalk and I agree, its a really nice place with really nice people.

Thanks for checking the vid, I'm going to post more with each mod I do. Keep people who are wondering updated.

StevieC

 

Thanks guys! Glad everything is a-ok with the new ride! Gotta pat you on the back for the time frame from delivery to mod! YE HAA you are as bad as me!!!!!!

On the european deliveries. We have no created a NEW Euro Spec Part number for the intakes. (This will prevent hardware from being anticipated in Eu shipments that isn't there.) So Lohen should have more corrected intakes ASAP. If not phone me!

Thanks again folks for the support!

 

wow man, congrats on the ride and good job on the mod. the day i get the intake (already got the mini) im also going to be installing it - i can only hope i get to do it at 2am hahaha

 

haha i know, my excitement was overwhelming! I went ahead and ordered the inlet tube and boost tubes and that will probably be it for now, as it will start snowing soon and the higher performance stuff I will wait until spring time.

 

nice...those are on my wish list right now...sort of need to get the money for them before i can order them...thats how the world works right? hahahh

cant wait to hear how it all goes with all that stuff.

 

Placed my order for one today =)

Thanks Adam and John!

 

Thanks to MotorMouth (and everyone else) for the biz-e-ness!

 

Just installed my Alta CAI today and I am very happy with it. Like it was stated before, the install was very simple. It does make a BOV-like sound and it is not annoying at all. I'm still in the process of breaking in my MCS so I took it easy and haven't really pushed the car. I can't wait for the boost tubes and intake tube to come! for ALTA!!!

 

GREAT now I'm going to spend MORE MONEY.....gosh

 

hahaha well dont worry about it, its money well spent! im still waiting for boost tubes/inlet tube to come in. Anybody know about a possibly ship date? When i spoke with North American Motorsports they told me Alta was going to send everything either last friday or early this week, but i have not gotten any shipping notice from them? I cant wait anymore! lol

 

got mine today and installed it!

you forgot to mention the sound of it over 4k rpm.. The whine from the turbo is pretty incredible between 4-6k rpm.

The sucking noise if you really press on the pedal sounds pretty unreal in the 2-4k range.

I wouldn't say you have to roll down the windows to hear it during gentle driving though. Just don't have the radio on and on any gear shift above 2.5k rpm you'll be able to clearly hear it. Over 3k and you can't miss it.

Now I just can't wait for the ECU!

 

ahhhhh your so lucky. I am still in my break in period and have yet to push the car over 4k! I cant wait, probably by next week! Glad to hear you love it, still waiting for my boost tubes/inlet tube :(