I have been doing some searching on the forums and i cant seem to get an exact answer for which intake system is generally liked best.

Alta CAi
alta cai is a good intake however the no closed boxed does not offer pressurized air from the cowl below. Also one benefit is the silicone intake tube (more flow), 199.99

alta cai/no hose- still good intake, but again lacking pressurized cold air from the cowl. benift, only 150.

ddm cai- features enclosed box (pressurized) however no new intake tube. Similar to m7s cold air intake. Also features a large fliter allowing more air to flow through. 249.99

m7 cai- m7 cold air intake resembles the ddm intake, featuring a large filiter, enclosed box allowing pressurized cool cowl air, however no new intake tube. 249.99

Dinan cai- Utilizes a plastic box which in terms in materials has the best possible resistance to heat transfer.Resembles the jcw intake, however does not use a flap, (has a large opening in the top for fresh ram cowl air. ) Also new filter. 180.00




My question is which one of these intakes is best. Does the silicone intake tube actually make a large improvment, or is that just for show?

 

wow where can you find a alta intake for 199??

most of these intakes do the same job. if you looking for a HP difference, you won't find much of a difference, maybe 1 HP to 2 HP at the most. the factor that makes them different from each other is mostly the sound they make when driven. most people go with the alta because it opens up the scream of the supercharger. others even customize their own intake. all in all, when it comes to power, it's all the same. it's mostly for show and for sound differences.

 

You might also want to look at a Dinan CAI. It has a closed box and is rated very high. I have had one on my 06' R53 since almost day one and it has served me well.

 

MrCooperS: +1

I have the Alta and like it a lot, gives some additional supercharger whine but isn't obnoxious at all EXCEPT... a little... when the boost valve j-u-s-t cracks open and I get a very soft whistle; sounds almost like a vacuum leak. It's actually a great audible reminder when I'm dropping below 25MPG according to the computer...

I don't know about the benefit of the silicone hose except for bling, if anything it's a small enough difference to be within the tolerances of any chassis dyno that tried to measure it.

If I were to do it again it'd be closed box, though the "box top" is the hood itself on some intakes.

 

I call it the audible fun indicator

 

lol the audible fun factor. o u can get the alta intake on the alta site for 199.99 with the hose, and 150 without the hose.

 

Doesn´t anyone use the standard JCW CAI? It´s been said it´s the best, although a little bit up on the price scale when comparing to others.

 

Personally I'm a huge fan of the ALTA V2. That was the first thing I did to my car and I coudldn't imagine driving without it. The sound it makes when I shift is amazing. Like someone else said it really amplifies the supercharger as well when you get up there.

My vote is for the ALTA V2. The difference in power gains between the open and closed top is negligible and the ALTA gives you something sweet to look at.

 

Anyone running an alta hose with a ULTRIK box K&N filter?

 

i personally have the Helix kit with a Samco intake tube and love it! I may replace the Helix soon with the Voltage kit.

 

I have the alta, sounds good, gave a lil bit more noticable power, and opened up my redline, before my cars limiter would kick in at like 400 rpm before the actual redline and would throw a check engine code.

Alta also sells a top or cap to their box seperately which would prevent heat from the engine to, and is supposed to make the air only coming from the cowl only.

 

I have an Alta with the cap, it was on sale as a special for $10 (and still maybe). It is good, but the fitment is a little tough. I think the hose does almost\as much as the filter for the reduction of desruptive air flow.

Pat

 

The standard Alta intake box seals against the under hood insulation. The box top simply adds some bling.

And they all will take air from the cowl area if the back panel is removed (except for OEM/JCW/Dinan) and they all still utilize the postive pressure inlet from the grill.

 

PS if y'all want some box tops I have some in the garage sale area for 20 bucks each!
PPS the intakes are on sale for 167.99!

 

Anyone have anything on Craven Speed's CAI?

 

+1

 

I have a JCW CAI installed on my 05 MCSa and I love it. Some people do get a bit weirded out that the JCW Intake has a flap but there is a flap "mod" where you can leave it open. Usually the flap opens at around 3500 RPM but with the flap open all the time I usually felt the air rushing in at around 2500 RPM. Of course this is all before I got my exhaust installed.

All in all great intake. It is a bit pricey but prices have been dropping and JCW Intake seems to be competitively priced now a days. Just make sure you also buy the reusable filter, the stock JCW paper filter is just crummy.

 

JCW.

 

Go for the ALTA. It's affordable, well made and screams like a wounded banshee when you really open it up. My 12 year old son loves it. The wife however, gives me stink eye every time I wind it up over 5000. However, her girlfriends all love it.

Documented power gains? When you are having this much fun, who cares…

 

so anyone knows where can i get the good deal for ALTA CAI? I try to add this as my first mod of my 03 R53

 

I got a great price at the NAM Marketplace on a used Webb CAI, with the ram air intake. I added gold foil heat shield material to lower temps at the box and for eye appeal.

I love the way it sounds, nice suction/growl/whistle on acceleration, but humble at cruise.

 

I've got a brand new one that was a display unit, never installed you can have for $150. Just call us.
WAY
317.201.8670

 

I just put in the K&N Typhoon CAI and I like it so far. Plus the red looks sweet (69-2021TR)

 

Craven Speed Rocks

 

that is what the whistle sound is!!!! man i was going nuts trying to figure out where the leak was.....