I'm looking to dump my Moss air intake on my Cooper, and go with another aftermarket option, possibly the Mini Mania system which features a redesigned ram tube and reusable foam filter in the stock airbox. I'm just wondering if there's anything that I should consider differently going from Moss to another option versus going from stock to another option.

For example, I remember the stock tube connecting the airbox to the engine being very difficult to remove; how possible is it to reinstall? Would I be better off considering another intake that doesn't require the stock airbox?

I'm looking to do this for two reasons:

1. I recently had a very bad customer experience with Moss, despite being a consistent customer of theirs, and I will never purchase from them again. I'd like not to be promoting them by having their intake on my car. The details belong in another thread, which I haven't had the energy to write out yet.

2. I can't seem to find any definitive information on whether or not I should be cleaning the intake. Some have said that not cleaning it will lead to too much restriction; some have said that cleaning it will let particles into the engine. I'd rather have an intake that I feel more confident about the operation of.

Thanks for the help!

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I am assuming you have a K&N "style" intake/filter. K&N recommends
cleaning every 30 to 50K. I have heard that when the filters
(K&N) type when first installed they are less effecrtive at filtering
but I am not sure about particle sizew, etc.
I have a K&N on a BMW bike which I plan on looking at in 20K.

 

Yes, the K&N style. Less effective at filtering when first installed, so you get into quite a pickle once they start to accumulate debris, right? Do I want to keep letting my restriction increase, or do I want to let more particles into the engine by cleaning it? I don't like that choice. Wish I had read up just a bit more before buying it.
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"Air filters are not rated by micron size on an absolute basis. (See technical service bulletin 89-5R from the Filter Manufacturer's Council) The proper rating system for air filters is a testing procedure developed to measure the efficiency of the filtration media at varying micron sizes. We routinely subject a sample of our air filters to this testing procedure conducted by independent laboratories. The primary purpose of this testing is to ensure that our air filter designs meet or exceed automotive industry standards. These filtration tests are performed in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineer's (SAE) J726 testing procedure. The content of the test dust used in accordance with the testing procedure follows:
Particle Size in Microns % by Volume (+/- 3%)
<5.5 13
5.5 to 11 11
11 to 22 13
22 to 44 19
44 to 88 28
88 to 176 16
Our testing has demonstrated that on average, K&N air filters have an overall efficiency rating of between 97 and 99%. With proper cleaning K&N air filters will protect your engine for the life of your vehicle."
Chris,
That is from the K&N site. It shows it will filter down to 5.5 microns. A human hair
(any type ) is about 40 to 50 microns. Know all we need is someone who knows
what size particle could cause engine damage. I don't.

 

Thanks a lot, Mike. :smile: Good stuff. Regardless, I'm planning on getting rid of the Moss intake, but I would definitely consider the K&N or another cone-type intake if someone knowledgeable (or just really convincing!) happens to weigh in on your final point there.

 

Chris,
Just spent some time reading about air filters.
Do some googling and research! I may go back to
replacing the stock paper filter as needed. Some
diesels actually void their warranties if they use K&N!
Of course a diesel runs as if you have the throttle
full open all the time....something we never do.

 

I highly rec. the BMP/ProMINI intake. it is cone shaped with a heat shield and uses the stock tube to draw cold air from outside the engine.

people around here seem to love it. and reasonably priced if you are considering the K&N (same price, IIRC)

 

The composition of the particulates makes alot of diference, of course, and the worst would be something like a volcanic ash cloud (Mt. St.Helens, 1980 ... lots of engines in the NW were destroyed).
The worst of the silicate particles were less than 50 microns but few of those got down near the 1 micron size, though they were there! The smallest particles were the non-silicates including forms of sulfides and were generally less than 1 micron - these also included various metallic oxides that could be very abrasive; The smallest of the silicates seem to have done the most damage to rings and bores whereas the metalic oxides merely did a great polishing job.
Cars that needed to run without damage (like state troopers and fire engines) were outfitted with multi-stage canister filters whose main component was a K&N type oiled mesh.
In every-day conditions where your car is not subjected to ash clouds, the oiled mesh (wheather gauze or foam) is always going to be the top performer.
BTW - most filters still compare themselves to K&N ("we do a better job than k&n&quot which only goes to show that they are still the standard, and the one to beat.

 

Thanks, guys. So, has anyone actually reinstalled that rubber tube leading from the airbox to the engine? I know I'd have to get another metal band fastener, but can I get the tube back on there?