I have been switching between my Alta CAI and the stock airbox on my R56 for the last 20000 miles now and I can definitely tell the differences between them both.

However, I am now at the point where I really want to make the hood scoop functional and the DDM RIS looks like a great way to achieve this.

I would like to hear from owners of this intake system what they think of it. If anyone has a scangauge also, I would be interested to know the difference between intake and ambient temps. I am also interested to hear what kind of noise this intake makes too. It is certainly more closed than my Alta, but I do like to have some noise. The Alta may be a little too noisy at times.

I was also considering just making something similar of my own that 'guides' cool air from the scoop towards the Alta open intake. Has anyone done this?

 

I own it. There is nothing quite like it except the M7 Super AGS system. The scoop is built very well and you won't get close to making anything similar that works as good to slam air down into the airbox.

You will still hear the factory diverter valve working and a good amount of induction noise from the turbo. To me, the system makes the most sense out of any intake out on the market, especially when I'm barelling down the track or on the highway. There are probably going to be a lot of fanboys coming on this discussion raving about the Defenders of Speed cowl induction system, but cold rammed air from the outside of the bonnet definitely trumps cowl air. I've had the system on my car for 33,000 miles and have had no issues with it. What's also nice about it is that it uses a standard K&N oiled filter and DOES NOT get rid of the factory cold air syphon tube.

Ditch the Alta system and get on board. Never buy their second rate crap for the R56 again.

 

its a great system, but I dont think you can force air past the turbo faster than it spins. So you will be keeping a good suply of air, but I dont believe you can RAM it past the turbo and force it any faster than its already going in.

But it is a great system.

 

There is no such thing as a "ram air" system for a turbo charged car. You are correct chakraj as the turbo is going to suck in only as much air as it can take. Ladybug-S did you take out the black hood scoop grille? While driving there is plenty of fresh air coming into the engine bay thru the scoop area. Also dont forget your turbo is going to heat up the incoming air a bunch so IMO a more efficient intercooler is very important.

 

I went from a Street to a RIS, there is a noticeable difference between the full open and the enclosed RIS. The greatest i noticed is at highway speeds, pickup is much more responsive when passing. I wrapped the front section with reflective tape, area just above the turbo, and it doesn't heat quite as much.

Amount of noise is roughly the same as the Street, so I would guess it's close to the ALTA.

 

For street use, does it have adequate pathways for rain and snow?

Your boost is still limited to what the engine can withstand. You shove in more air, the ECU will back off the advance to save it. That does NOT mean you can't get gains, it means you need a tune to do so. Same with the Alta or any other. The intake may be slightly restrictive, but that is to keep it low mass, high velocity and let the turbo overcome it. Fine for street performance. Full race, well that's another ball game. If I was determined to do something on the intake, I guess a more effective IC.

How about a DIY? Just a duct on the bottom of the hood to feed cooler air to an exposed element like the Alta?

 

The compressor of the turbo works by producing a pressure ratio across it. Higher pressure on the inlet side means it is easier to make desired boost on the outlet side. It does not mean you will go above desired ECU-controlled boost, just that it could be reached a bit more quickly and the turbo will not have to work as hard to reach it.

Edit:
To the OP, I do not have this intake and can offer no opinion on how well it works. I'm just clarifying how a difference in pressure (or the reduction of pressure drop in the pre-turbo intake system) is seen by the compressor of the turbo.

 

Just put one on my '12 after talking with Chad at Detroit Tunes. This intake ROCKS. I'm keeping an eye on the DDMWorks kits, since the pressure box on the one I mounted was made for a "11, so not an exact fit. Still, airflow is great, sound is right there, but for the '12, I had to get some plastic mounts to attach the scoop, since it doesn't come with a firepad under the hood.

 

The system works great. The gain is noticeable. The sound makes driving more fun! If you have the funds I say go for it... If you don't it's worth the wait... Save up.

Skchroac- my kit came with the plastic clips to mount so that's probably something they added. I bought it directly from their website and now they have a 2010+ option.

Modifying the box is eh but not rocket science. Overall I'm very happy with it and I recommend it to all!

 

You don't "ram air" a turbo.

I am that DoS guy... The DoS CAI also retains the factory cold air siphon tube. I considered the DDM Race intake but preferred the DoS for a variety of issues.

If you do go DDM Race, consider the Hood Scoop Grill from Mini-Fini:

http://www.minifini.com/ShopDetail.aspx?id=64

Cheers

 

all here say good things about it but are there any downsides to it?

 

you must really want an answer.. LOL

price... dv noise... incorrect installation/fit will result in you slamming into a wall or tree :P

 

dv noise?
how can it be installed incorrectly?

 

dump valve... the hisss, it gets annoying after a year.

If you don't have the vacuum tube correctly and it breaks while you're on the freeway. You lose most of your brake assist.

 

Thanx my friend, a few questions...
1. dump valve is the same things as bov?
2. i want my R56 to generate a specific sound (frrrrrrr) thats generated from a Forge BOV ( ) do you think this can be achieved or the DDM RIS installation might not allow it?
3. What does the brake assist have to do with the vacuum tube?

 

1. dump valve, recirculation valve... it's not really a BOV.

2. The sound in that vid sounds too much like compressor surge, especially w/ the way he's driving. I think it sounds silly, but it's not my car and to each his own. No, a RIS won't give that to you. You'll get more of a hissing.. psss'ing.

3. the vacuum tube gives your brakes the assist. Go ahead and disconnect it (i don't think you get a CEL) and try to use the brake. In a safe place that is. :P

 

I like that hissing/pissing sound. I purposely peak/accel. just to get that noise. Meh,....the poor man's version of dragster noise.

 

You'd have to be pretty dense to install incorrectly. Though, I have seen some pictures of people with the RIS installed that didn't follow DDM's direction of changing the vacuum tube out.

 

Not dense.. some people think it's easy and just skim directions.

 

This happened to me with my setup, I had to get a thicker walled vacuum line so i didn't lose brakes again. Other than that, great intake system. I have driven the car hard in the cold weather and immediately after I can feel my metal inlet pipe is cold to the touch.

i also just made some great numbers on the dyno with it, although the ram air effect isn't as great on the dyno

 

Also, if anyone is interested as to how the car sounds with the RIS, I made a little video. Most of the videos I saw on YouTube were from the exterior, so here's an idea of how it will sound inside the car.

This was with the windows down and under my carport, so a little louder than it is typically on the road.