I just wanted to know if this intake is well sealed off from the engine bay without the lid when the hood is closed?

 

Without what lid? Please be more specific.

 

the box top lid which fits over it that you could of purchased as an extra from alta.

 

Actually, I thought you automatically get a deflector with the Alta v2 that forces the airflow directly into the front of the intercooler. It should block off the bottom section underneath to prevent air from coming up underneath, and the top portion should press up against the area directly behind the bonnet scoop.

 

you are misunderstanding me. Im referring to the CAI - cold air induction. Not the intercooler.

 

Yep sure am missing it. Went right by the CAI initials. DOH!

If there is enough rubber around the edge of the CAI compartment... it should press up against the bonnet and seal it off. If you want the most CAI-like design, go with the DDM or M7 (same difference). It re-uses the bottom half of the stock air box. It has two small holes... one for the brake master cylinder and one at the bottom beside the air box.

 

If you get the V2 airbox and want a box top let me know, I do have a few left around! The airbox with the rubber moulding around the top is very very close to sealing but doesnt touch tightly.

 

The Alta intake doesn't seal up perfectly to the hood, you have to add their box top lid to enclose it. But it still has a gap at the bottom by the map sensor. Check out the DDM intake it will enclose the filter completely at the top and bottom. Also it sits a little lower so you can clear many of the strut tower braces alot better. The box top lid alot of times hits on the strut bars.

 

i think with the alta cai, you cant use in CA, cause it wont pass smog...well i think thats right but not really sure, anyone here to back me up?

 

I just got alta's v2 and where is the gap at the bottom? it uses the stock bottom half and I don't see any gaps or openings.

you are right. alta isn't CARB legal here.

 

oh alright thanks hoonpv, what good cai's can you use in CA?

 

The first intake I had was JCW, then I had Craven, and I just ended up with Alta v2.

Honestly, for daily driving, I prefer the JCW. It's a solid product, OEM, and it's not too loud nor quiet.

However, if you really want to make your car scream and scare other people, then anything like Alta-style intake is your choice. One thing I can tell you is that Alta intake is cheaper than Craven, and it's of better quality and cleverer.

I know it's not CARB legal, but I can swap back my stock intake in less than 30 minutes so.. it doesn't really bother me... But yes, if a cop does pull you over and see under the hood, he might give you a fix-it ticket.

Go try the Alta-style intake. I never knew how loud my Cooper could be until i tried one.

 

alright i think thats what im going to do, just get the alta and change it out with the stock one thats on the car right now. i have fallen in love with the look of the alta. what about the m7 cai, worth it or no?

 

I've got the Alta V2, and I like the way it looks, but if I had it to do over again, I would probably go with the DDM simply because that is what Way recommends. When it comes to getting the most out of mods for the MINI, I trust his judgement over just about everything else.

 

IMO, the Alta-style intakes are basically the same when it comes to performance. So it's a matter of brand royalty and customer service for me.

M7 knows what they are doing for sure, but my encounter with Randy at M7 here wasn't so good thus I try to avoid their products like plague. I just bought a Simoto OCC just to avoid their occ actually

I've had minor issues with Alta, but they were very helpful, very informative, and right on schedule. Jarid at Alta hooked me up with a free intake-lid actually.

I just looked at the price of M7 intake and they are $249. and the alta intake is $169. Even if you source the Alta intake lid for like 30 bucks, it's still under $200.

I'd go with Alta. But I warn you, this thing is preeeeeeetty loud

 

thats why im pulling towards the alta so much. cause i want hear that lovely whine of the sc. My buddy drives a gt500 and im in love with that sound. SO im guessing the alta is the one that will get me a beast sc sound, and really why would people complain...haha only draw backs, having to swap it out when ever im in do for smog or what ever. thats why the m7 is nice and maybe the dinan, but havent read much about that one. anyone know much about it?

 

Go with the Alta...it is so sick...I have one and everytime I go thru the gears I smile ear to ear....

 

is the M7 almost as loud as the Alta?
What makes M7 better?

 

All the intakes available today have been on the market for many years and went through several iterations with minor changes here and there. The result? All of them have 95% same layout. (except oem JCW) It's just a sealed box with open cowl area with either foam/k&n cone type filter. M7 isn't any better than Alta, and vice versa. That's why I was recommending Alta, because it does the same thing as any other intake but you can save $50+ and it comes with silicon hose replacement.

M7 would certainly be as loud, and all the intakes whistle.
But since Alta comes with silicon hose, it might be a little bit louder.

 

AND adds a few more HP! There is power to be made by replacing the silicone hose. I wouldn't have believed it but before I worked here I came to an open house party here and they were doing dyno runs. I put my GP on the dyno, and Jeff said "hey why dont you swap out intakes?" At the time I wanted to keep my car as stock as possible so I said no thanks. He suggested that if I wanted to keep my box I could replace the OEM hose to add a few HP. I said heck if it doesnt add HP can I get it for free? Well I ended up purchasing the hose....