I just installed the Alta intake and silicone tube in my otherwise stock 2003 MCS. The install took me about an hour and a half, but I was going very slowly and being very careful as this was my first mod, and first time working on the car.

The install went smoothly. The only tricky part was maneuvering the ram air tube back into the airbox, but it just took a couple of minutes.

After installing it, I cleaned up my tools and turned on the car. No problems. I took it for a spin and couldn't believe how LOUD it was. With the stock intake I could only really hear the supercharger at 4k and above under WOT, but with the Alta intake it really screams at just about any RPM. To accompany the new found wail of the supercharger is the typical suction sound of an aftermarket intake. Unfortunately, I, too, experience the dreaded whistle sound at certain throttle positions. Who cares, though.

As for performance, not a big difference. I think the primal roar from the supercharger makes you feel like the car is faster, but I couldn't tell a huge difference from the seat of my pants. The difference is there, but definitely no more than 2 or 3 hp. Certainly not the claimed 10 hp.

Overall, I am very happy with the product and will continue to buy from Alta. It isn't fun having to wait 8 days for UPS ground to make its way from Oregon to my doorstep, but you really can't beat Alta's customer service and craftsmanship.

Pros:
Very simple to install
Very high quality fit/finish
Attractive design
AWESOME sound from supercharger, and typical suction sound
Very slight increase in power

Cons:
Mediocre instructions. Would have loved pictures to go along with each step.
Didn't feel like it added the claimed 10-15whp

 

Glad you like it....I went with the Dinan CAI because I did not want the dreaded whistle...and a tad bit less noise.....(I wish I could have gone with the ALTA, but I bet my wife would have hated it!!).. is it just at 3300 RPM or so at partial throttle? Or is it everywhere....I have been deabting putting on a Alta/Samco intake hose on my car, and I kind of wonder if the corrugations on the intake is what helps to soften/eliminate the whistle. I can sometimes hear a very slight whistle sound on mine....if you listen with the windows closed, radio off etc....So my gut instinct says that we all have it, but the Alta just muffles it less!!! Any thoughts?

 

I have the ALTA and I love it. I did not go with the silicon tubing, and it definitely wines like a ****. I don't know why people complain so much though (here we go, lol) I like it. Look the reason that the car comes with such a restrictive intake is to muffle engine noise. You want the power back, you need to sacrifice. I'll take a loud engine over a loud exhaust anyday. ok, it's just my 2c though.

 

Haven't driven it enough to know exactly where it is, but it's pretty noticeable, and you hear it pretty often.

I actually noticed it with my stock intake, but always assumed it was a bearing or something up in the engine. Now it's just WAY more pronounced.

 

Alright I take back what I said about the power. Over the course of the day, I've put about 50 or 60 miles on the new intake and it seems my ECU is learning. Really should have reset it from the start, but I like the way the throttle response is right now so I didn't want to touch it.

Anyway, there is DEFINITELY a significant improvement in power, especially in the upper rpms (5000-7000). It feels like a good 5% more power, but who knows.

 

good write up thanks for the info.. as a new soon to be mini owner it is nice to hear reviews of the things i want.

 

Just bought a 02 MCS and am looking to increase performance and mpg if possible. Have you noticed any increases in mileage with this installed? (I'm sure prob not, since its prob makes it harder to keep of the gas!)

Glad to hear you are more impressed with it after some ecu learning!

 

My MPG has gone down. But that is because I keep getting on the pedal to hear the sweet sound it makes.

However, i researched this too and the consensus is that the intake increases mileage by about 1 mpg.