Well Alta was having a 17% off sale and they lowered the price $699. Well the 17% off it ended up being $580. So I jumped on it. Well when I get the MINI from Orlando I will install it. Its going to be sweet.

 

I know what you mean about CHEAP, the Forge FMIC I had on order was damaged (at the warehouse), so I'm hunting for a quick replacement before our RMW tuning day in less than 2 weeks.
I'd hate giving Alta any more of my money after getting shafted w/ the exhaust, but that's almost disposable cheap.
Have you heard of any downsides/problems with the Alta FMIC ? I don't see any mounting tabs on it like the Forge unit (Forge uses oem mounts & an attachment to the bumper).

 

I believe with Alta's FMIC you have to do some trimming to the inside of your bumper because of fitment issues. Another R56 owner in our Mini club has this unit and the pipes coming off the intercooler weren't long enough! He had to muscle the rubber hoses onto the intercooler and barely got it to fit. He definitely should have returned it. Hearing this info got me over to the Helix FMIC and that fit perfect on my Mini.

Crap like this has alienated me from Alta for the rest of my life. Why can't they get it right?!

 

Sorry Miss-post

 

I have their stealth intercooler. I think its one of their best products. You do have to trim a little, and the tubes are a ***** to get on. That was the only bad thing about it.

 

Notes on the Alta Intercooler:

• Had to trim both brackets that support the "radiator" base (behind the IC).
• Had to remove the tab that holds the air temp sensor and zip-tie the sensor to itself per Alta instructions. I now read about 2* high (compared to other MINIs on runs) as this puts it out of the airflow path
• Had a b!#&* of a time getting the hoses on. The flared/ribbed ports on the IC are too short. I had to bring the OEM hoses through the bumper opening and install the hose clamps on the foreward side of the bumper frame. (Aside: I was going to use the Alta hotside tube, but the one I received was about 1.5inches too short.)
• The IC is, in essence, structurally supported only by the hot and cold tubes

 

This is the type of stuff i'm talking about! We shouldn't have to deal with this crap.

 

The Helix one fits better right?

 

Maybe Alta will eventually get their ego in check & start developing V.2.0 of their various R56 products like they did for many of their R53 products. That or the competition is going to continue to leave them in the dark ages.

 

Yes!! Fits like a charm. Pop the stock IC out...slide the Helix one in...put the bumper back on and you're done!

I did have to move the temp sensor..but thats no big deal in my mind.

The Alta IC seems like an overpriced eBay intercooler to me...and I've been told by many that it is...not saying it doesn't work, cuz I'm sure it does...but the Helix stepped core design seems like a much better design to me and I know it is very well thought out. The IAT's I see in 115 degree AZ heat speak for themselves...

 

Well its too late they shipped it today. I might box it up and return it if it gets ridiculous.

 

Well if you get it to fit without any huge headaches, that's still a pretty good deal. We're not trying to make you feel bad or anything. A lot of us just get a bad taste in our mouth when Alta is mentioned.

 

I haven't had a problem with them yet. But I think that I am going to get an exhaust from someone else other than Alta. But other then minor fitment issues nothing is too wrong with their products.

 

Its not that hard to install honestly...I installed one on my Clubman S with minor trimming of the condenser clips and the plastic around the boost tubes themselves. After tightening everything down, i've had zero problems and drive very "spirited" LOL.

 

Trust me they will not accept the return if open the box and try any kind of install.

 

It took me about a month to get a CAI and rally lamps kit from them. I would call and they would lie to me and say it would ship within the following week. I avoided them and got an Invidia Catback (R53) and love it. Got it in 3 days and not a month! Although I do have to admit that i love the CAI from Alta.

 

- W00t -
Pete over at Minspeed has/had a couple Forge intercoolers left. Crisis and possible hasty purchase averted

 

Well the intercooler got here this morning. Waiting on the car to get here and I will have an install.

 

Hey can you measure the thickness of the core ?
After installing the Helix on Boomers car this weekend, I'm curious as to how thick the Alta can be and still clear the grill. The Helix intercooler was about as thick as you can get & still fit behind the grill, plus it has the stepped section to add a little extra. My Forge should be here on Thursday and I can give some comparison between it & the Helix.

 

The Alta intercooler was a real pain in the butt to install. The tubes being the real problem. You woundn't think it would be that hard to make something that fits. I hate half a$$ stuff. I got mine this last winter for $429.00. So it was definately worth it in the end, but needless to say I used quite a few colorful words on that install. Good luck with your install.

 

If you need any help Porthos give us a call!

 

why bother with all the trimming and adaption. I understand the Helix is pretty much plug and play without the draconian return policy. Performs better to boot. Seems a no brainer

 

That's for sure. Mine was so easy to install

 

Price is why I went with Alta. I got one for $200 less then the Helix one. I would have got the Helix one had the price not been almost $800. And I think that the Alta intercooler is about an inch and a half.

 

The core itself is 1.75