I just saw this over at Randy's site - it's most impressive, but definitely out of my price range:

 

Does that mean we can fit a Cooper bonnet on the S and go stealth?

 

why?

 

>>Does that mean we can fit a Cooper bonnet on the S and go stealth?

sweet idea! but that would also mean no more magnaflow in my case...

 

>>
>>Does that mean we can fit a Cooper bonnet on the S and go stealth?
>>
>>why?
>>

to make it a sleeper
the only problem is that most non-MINI people don't know enough about the kar to know the difference between the Cooper"S" and the Cooper
besides: i've never been a sleeper guy, if ya got it....let em know it

_________________

 

besides retaining the two 180 degree bends (blower to snoot out and snoot in to manifold, this unit adds four more 90 degree bends plus another 180 degree flow direction change within the intercooler itself. Other than that, it is wild.

 

JLM,
So from a flow perspective is that "good or bad". I am thinking bad and there might be a pressure drop. Am I correct? But will the drop in Air intake temp make up for the pressure loss. i guess we will have to wait and see till testing is done.

 

Ahhhh... Maybe we can use the scoop now for additional ram air to the intake.

 

>>Ahhhh... Maybe we can use the scoop now for additional ram air to the intake.
>>
>>
>>

they have a Cowl scoop for that

 

Every 90degree turn is the equivalent of 5 feet of pipe from a flow perspective.

 

apparently the 30' hose equivalent and the spendy CF manifold were the trade off to simplify install.

If one wanted to do the extra labor, you could replace the stock 180 degee snoots with front directed 180's, use a straight flow through radiator and ditch the other six bends entirely, a' la Nuzzo

 

From a legal/safety point of view, Im not sure its legal to replace the "bumper beam" which this setup does... but it sure looks trick!

--
Cheese

 

Yes John, Nuzzo's IC caught my eye as well.

Very trick, and it worked, especially when the hoses stayed on. Well beyond my fab abilities but not for someone with a CNC machine and good aluminium welding skills. I'll help!

With every day that passes of cold weather and excessive wheel spin in 3 gears with the 19, I am become more convinced that something like this is the next mod (after the LSD).

 

>>they have a Cowl scoop for that<<

Gotta link to that scoop?

 

Hmm I know a guy who could make me an intercooler like that. But I have heard Rumore of a more efficient top mount that is in the works also.

Unfortunately with my changes in Jobs I will not be able to drive my mini as much as I do now .

 

I hope that’s a turbo application because if its a Supercharger namely the factory one it would be a huge waste of your boost. Although its pretty I must admit the design seems very poor with those bends.

If you had this I hope you’re pushing 25 PSI all the way to the intake manifold.

I tested and tried the Alta intercooler and lost 3-5 PSI but gained efficiency which equals 0 in most cases. Randy or ALTA both have failed to advertise this fact or admit it.

It seems with larger intercoolers or water to air there is always a drawback. Thats almost true about any mod though.

 

Willis,

I haven't reported the 3-5psi loss because I, or any of the other cars I have sent the unit to with boost guages, have seen it. The most loss I've seen is 1psi, but with the increase in temp efficiency, it is more than made up for. I've done track testing, and constant gradient climb testing with outlet temps on the intercooler and boost levels measured to determine the effectiveness of the unit.

The front mount is in the testing phase, and the psi drop with a 15% pulley is just under 1psi when compared to the stock unit under full boost. More testing is going to be done before the unit is offered, but it has potential for certain, especially for a track car.

The distance isn't quite the factor that folks seem to be making it. There are some efficiency losses, but they are made up for if the intake temps are made low enough. Take a look at some of the other front mounts in use on other makes. Some have quite a large distance for the flow path to follow, but still make a significant jump in efficiency. We are seeing huge drops across the cooler in temp and only small drops in pressure - a good sign and one that warrants continued testing on the unit.

This isn't for everyone, and is a design study right now, but without testing such products, you just don't get to the really good stuff. It isn't offered right now, and may never be offered, but will be thoroughly tested. If it works, I'll post why I think it does and offer it for sale. If it doesn't, I'll post why I think it doesn't, and someone else may offer it for sale . The bottom line is that it is a direction I'm willing to research, and wanted to share with folks on my forum in a topic where customers were pushing for info.

I hope that helps!

Randy

 

Randy,

I asked you this in another post, what type of boost gague are you running and where are you connecting it. Maybe you can share?

I am running about 10-11PSI with intake, exhuast, 15% pulley and head and alta intercooler.
I also have had turbo'd cars Subaru's in the past that loose 4-6PSI when adding all that piping for a front mount. I had hoped that the Alta intercooler would be different because its still top mount.

I am not trying to start a pissing match here but I dont agree with the efficiency vs loss of pressure your claiming in this application. I tested the Alta for about 4 weeks this summer on the track in california and didnt get any of those results your stating. I will agree that the efficiency is far better but at the cost of your boost which really gained you nothing. In my book there are far better mods to do for the money like the head. I would be interested in hearing from some of your other customers who have also purchased the Alta Intercooler with a typical non electric mechanical boost gague connected to the tee under the intake manifold.

 

Willis,

No problem - no pissing match at all :smile: .

I have used the Fluke thermocouple right after the intercooler in the boot for outlet temp and a tee in the boost line under the intercooler with an Autometer guage.

I'd be interested to gather the info you have - as it is at sea level. I am curious to compare notes.

I'm off to Florida for the next pulley party tomorrow morning, but give me call when you get a chance sometime next week so I can get that info. I appreciate your help and input!

Randy
720-841-1002

 

I prefer the regular Cooper bonnet to the S withthe scoop. I think the scoop looks silly but i didn't have a choice if I wanted the supercharger. I'd love to have a regular style bonnet. it looks more retro, which is my favorite attribute of the MINI.

 

One option is to stuff a couple of oval HID driving lights into the now useless scoop with a nice aerodynamic blown lucite cover and ditch the drag of the conventional driving lights. Kinda like that April 1 press release announcing a cyclops fog light that was powerful enough to burn off the fog over 200 feet in front of the car!

 

>>Willis,>>The distance isn't quite the factor that folks seem to be making it. There are some efficiency losses, but they are made up for if the intake temps are made low enough.

>>Randy

Randy:

What are the actual intake temps that you are seeing at the track, with and without this setup?

 

>>>>they have a Cowl scoop for that<<
>>
>>Gotta link to that scoop?
>>
>>

you really don't need a scoop, the air is already deflected into that area through the honeycomb. just find a way for air to make it past the plastic shroud and you're rockin'

p.s. while doing that mod, it does make the supercharger whine louder. In my case, i like it!