First off, there are no threads that address what I'm about to ask, so don't immediately think this is just another guy asking what to buy for his car (I've worn out the Search button).

I was wondering if anyone has ran the DDMWorks Street Intake or any other CAI besides ALTA or DIY custom-built? The reason I ask is because I would like to buy a CAI (as opposed to building my own) but I can't justify dropping $289 for ALTA's. DDMWorks street intake is $189 ($100 cheaper!!) which is why I want to know if anyone has used it. I really can't see how ALTA's piece could be $100 better (but if you disagree, pleas let me know why). Any other reasonable (under $200) CAI on the market? Thanks for your help.

 

I understand your concerns about the price on the ALTA. But I think there are MANY members of this section of NAM that will completely agree that the price is justified by the level of service, product quality, warranty, performance and bling. I won't go into a long winded explanation of the kit as I think you are an educated person that has already done some research.

If me or my staff can help in anyway with the purchase before or after, just let me know. If you choose to go another route that is a-ok as well. I never want to push a client into something that isn't ideal for them.

Good luck and enjoy the power!

 

Adam,
I totally believe you that the quality/warranty/performance are all top-notch, but I'm a college student and I just can't afford an almost $300 part right now. But, if you want to PM me and say you'll sell it to me for $189, I promise I won't tell anyone.

 

+1

 

Man, I thought the Alta CAI seemed cheap compared to the M7 option.

 

I could buy my girlfriend a diamond ring for cheaper than the M7 AGS-R. That's not a very good comparison. I'm just shocked that there's not more on the market yet. Where are CravenSpeed, Helix, Mini Madness, RMW, and Webb on a product like this? Isn't this something that should've come out 6 months ago from all of them?

BTW, I'm still interested if anyone has any experience with the DDMWorks or any other CAI.

 

I think you're barking up the wrong tree. M7 intake has lots of crap attached to it, DDMworks has a nice stainless box around it. Those wont be cheap, nor is the alta. The alta intake is really good.

Only way to get it cheap is DIY.

And $1k will get you a really crappy diamond ring....
$189 will get you a not so great intake. Everything is relative.

 

Whoooa, Nelly. Calm down. However, I beg to differ. I highly doubt that $189 will get you a "not so great" intake, I simply haven't jumped on it because I would like to get some confirmation of this from anyone who may have purchased it. The fact of the matter is, the $80 DIY intakes probably perform just as well as any marketed intake, and the fitment/reliability is probably just as good as long as care is taken to buy good quality and proper fitting components. For me though, convenience is worth $100 extra, which is why I'm considering the DDMWorks. Secondly, you can get an AEM CAI for just about any other common tuner car for less than $175, and I think we can all agree that they're not crappy. Lastly, "really crappy diamond ring" is most definitely a relative term, as I'm sure Kobe Bryant's wife would think a $20,000 ring was crappy. However, a 1 minute search on Tiffany&Co's website (which I believe we all know is not a crappy brand) will reveal multiple diamond rings for under $1000.

...Now that I read that before hitting "submit", I realize that it sounds really bitchy. That's not supposed to be a heated paragraph, sorry it sounds that way. I wrote it with a smile on my face.

 

I know this is the R56 forum but since you asked for some feed back on a DDM product,i thought i'd chime in, I bought the DDM over a year ago for my 03s and i'm totally happy with the install (myself) and performance,i already had the Craven 15% pulley,cold plugs and Borla catback and this really brought everything together,including a great sound.I highly recomend it and Dave is a super guy to deal with,he even called a couple of weeks later to see if there were any problems and to see if i like it.
Bill

 

diamonds are bad. go fast parts good.

 

Toeout Perfromance offers Altas R56 for 269.99. Thats a good price. Im not familiar with the other brand you listed, but in the end you get what you pay for. I feel that for 270 dollars you wont find one better, just wish it was a enclosed unit....ie....seperated from the engine bays atmosphere

 

One thing I have wondered about the "enclosed" systems is the allegation that they are "seperated from the engine bays atmosphere" as stated in the previous post. Unless they have ducting to an outside air source, I would think the box enclosure would only act to limit breatability of the intake. As ALTA stated so well on the DIY thread, the engine bay temp in the back with the scoop opened up is actually less than the stock airbox temp with the scoop closed from the factory.

I willnot put an enclosure around my CAI until someone can provide a reliable cold air ducting solution that beats an open hood scoop.

 

What about DDM's Ram air scoop? Or do you mean something else?

 

Just a point to consider, when I looked at the products available this is the reason I choose to use Alta's

First, they provided a huge amount of data, and solid evidence their products did what they claimed, they also provided evidence that they developed alternative versions of their products. They showed the well researched, tested product was what they claimed.

Second, these guys from Alta are all over this board, looking to help and checking in on their customers at all hours of the day and night. That is true customer support and care.

These being the case, Alta products alone will be all that ever goes on my car.

 

The DDM ram air is the solution I am talking about. If you are going to enclose the intake filter, it must have a source for the cold air to flow to the filter. Otherwise, the enclosure only serves to prevent fre-flow of air. It may be there to block engine heat, but at the sacrifice of airflow. The DDM kit that funnels open scoop air to the intake box is a good solution.

th3118's solution of opening the scoop and leaving the bottom of the stock air box is another reasonable solution based on ALTA's air temp numbers which, if taken as accurate, means an enclosure is not necessary in the R56 if you open the scoop.

 

my MCSa doesn't have the senor...does the alta come with the connector?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=13&fg=20&hl=2

it's MCSa 2007 Hong Kong version....

 

I believe your talking about the MAF, which is only present in the USA (correction?). No, the Alta intake won't come with one. I'm not sure if Alta makes an intake to fit a non-MAF MINI, but I'm sure you could just buy like a 3" long piece of silicone to make up the difference if you already bought the intake.

 

This is a mass air car, and it has a map sensor, it meters how much air is going in. I don't know if subarus are speed density (no mass air but it knows meters IAT and density to get an approximation based on the tuning its given) but that would explain the need for tuning.

 

i have been happy with both DDM and Alta products that i have purchased (thought neither were for a R56)

 

Just build your own, Buy either a 2.75" inch elbow in aluminium or silicone and buy either a K&N filter with a 2.75" flange or the Perrin foam filter with a 2.75" intake flange and some clamps and your ready to go, Dont overthink the whole "Cold air kit" thing Its an elbow and a quality filter. 100.00 and your done.

 

Can you provide a link where to get the actual filter and the actual silicone elbow? Also where do you get the clamps and what size should they be? $100 seems a good price to pay for parts for a CAI

Thanks

 

http://www.siliconeintakes.com/
I haven't tried their filters but the elbows and clamps are great.

 

For CAI purposes, silicone hose and fittings are an over-kill. They are for high pressure applications downstream of the turbo compressor. All you need for the intake is rubber and a good seal at the joints. I haven't found a good supplier of rubber fittings but have found basic radiator hose works O.K. What you need is:
1. A 1.75" I.D. elbow (to connect to the turbo inlet)*
2. A 1.75" x 2.75" I.D. reducer (to expand up to the MAF sensor size)
3. Enough 2.75" I.D. hose to get to the MAF sensor
then a connection to your after -market filter ( you can go either straight in or mount it on an elbow)
* You'll need to make a tap in this elbow for the crankcase vent off the valve cover.

 

But it has a map sensor also.... If you're given a mass air voltage (which DOES NOT CHANGE with the intake, if more air goes in IT IS METERED) and a map sensor voltage, which is density, your ecu knows what to do with it. Its just like if you are on the highway getting air forced into the filter and you get more air into the mass air, it will METER the air. It will NOT go into a lean condition or do anything. This is why you have mass air, map sensor, IAT, and so on. Bottom line, it changes nothing about the efficiency of the engine or any crucial details. The engine still meters every bit of air going in. ECUs aren't a mysterious voodoo device, its pretty simple.

 

I am unsure what Motodude is talking about, All you need is a 2.75 elbow that will go from the air flow meter to the air filter of your choice. If you look at most cold air kits available for R56's they consist of an elbow,clamps,A Perrin style filter or K&N, and clamps. Some come with a mounting/heat shield like the K&N kits. I built mine using a cold air kit for a Mid 90's Acura "Which uses 2.5 air intake tube" and cutting the elbow to the length I wanted and attaching the filter. No magic.. Just me being Cheap.