It is Easter so don't have much time to go into the details of the nightmare so far in doing the boost tube kit install from ALTA but suffice to say after spending over an hour on the hot side and an hour just getting the OEM cold side (piece that attaches to intake manifold) out I cannot for the life of me get the new ALTA piece on.

Any little or BIG tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated as I only have a couple of hours in the morning to get it together to go to work (which is a new job I have been at for a few weeks so no time off !!)

Oh, and wtf is a bent AWL

Many thanks in advance to everyone

Here are the ALTA instructions (which actually mislabel the cold-side boost tube picture as the hot side - bottom right photo)
http://www.altaminiperformance.com/s.../ampeng350.pdf

 

Sorry you are having problems. It certainly seems from your post that you are beyond frustrated and as a result that can certainly make ANY installation more difficult.

I have stickied at the top of the drivetrain Cooper S forums a TON of how-tos using my personal experience on the ALTA Products. I welcome you to use them in the future. But the link you want is below:

CLICK HERE!

Sorry about the photo being mis-labelled but I can try to have that fixed asap. Simple mistake and the photo still depicts the information needed. (Not making excuses it is still an error on our part.)

A bent awl CLICK HERE for a ton of them, or some refer to it as a radiator hose removal tool are simply net metal instruments that help bend and stretch hoses for installation or removal.

You may also want to use some lubricant or soap on the ends of the hoses if need be to help slip them on.

Thanks again for the purchase. Let me know how I can help further!

 

Problem is a pure "no room" scenario.

From what you said in the PM it seems mine is a more tight fit than normal.

Problem is compounded by not being able to see what your doing down there as your hands get in the way. Have a multitude of cuts on the hands now
Will try again tomorrow morning.

I guess I was mostly asking for some tips on how you maybe angle it in or something as it is so damn tight, and the piece that used to go off to the noisemaker is just a PITA as it sticks out in the worst place possible..... told ya you should have deleted it (see other thread)

Will call in the AM if I run into any more trouble but wanted to make sure the semi-casual installers out there didn't make the same mistake and think that his was a simple install like a CAI etc

 

had to remove the noisemaker altogether as well as disconnect the cold air intake when installed on my car to make room

 

cool, thanks...yes I also removed the noisemaker (permanently) and temp removed CAI.

 

Again, sorry you are having problems. I agree there are things about the install that are difficult. But having the right tools helps. I just did a set on Lloyd yesterday myself at home. Took about 30 minutes to do both sides. But I have a few bent awls that make it a bit easier. Also, knowing where the fastener is for the IC muffler helps as well.

I found it easiest to remove the screw from up above. I loosened and moved the expansion tank, then reached down from above. Move the rad hose out of the way and then loosened the screw with a torx25 screw driver. Worked like a charm!

Good luck and keep me posted!

 

So I tried again this morning... there was zero (technically minus I guess) clearance for that piece that sticks out and normally goes to the noisemaker. On my car it wouldn't go past the intake manifold in the area where one of the mounting holes for the OEM intake is.

I therefore removed the plug/blank (that ALTA kindly supplied) and tried again.... WOW ...now I could squeeze it into place and the bottom piece of the boost tube slid onto the intake manifold with a bit of persuasion.

I then reinstalled the plug/blank back into the hole, which took a while as the pipe touches both the engine intake manifold and the firewall.

Anyway...all done....intake pipe went on without any real drama and a quick run seems to indicate all fine.

Will post a pic later

 

All is good and here are some pics.

The first pic shows the screw that you have to try to remove before the hot side pipe can come out. (yes, there are a lot of pipes in the way)

The 2nd pic shows the cold side pipe that attches to the intake manifold. Arrowed is the section that is "wedged" between the manifold and firewall. No vibration that I can here as it is wedged VERY tight.

 

THANKS for the updated pics etc. That screw can be a bugger, but in your photo you removed the catch tank, etc. and that makes it a world easier installation.

Thanks again for the business and the patience!

 

I just did the boost tubes tonight... I totally feel your pain. I did the cold side first thinking it would be the easiest... so wrong LOL! It's just such tight space to work with! The hot side was much easier =)

 

Yeah we should really yell at MINI to have them make us all more room!