I just got my first Mini S (2003) and I love it!! I have been searching and reading about CAI's. It seems like the ALTA is the choice on here. I couldn't find much about the Craven Speed intake. I like the fact that there is a punch out on the box that allows you to add an intake hose from the front grille to directly feed the box and not just through the vents below the windshield. Does anyone have any feedback on this??

 

search... tons of threads on this exact thing

ddmworks intake is the same design, better build quality i think.

 

Unless I'm not using the search properly, I can't find many reviews of the Craven. I find plenty about the ALTA ddmworks, etc., can't find much about the craven. Like I mentioned, I don't see any others that have a seperate port for the intake from the front.

 

ok, most of them do away with the front intake tubing, the cravenspeed and DDMworks are the only two non OE intakes I know of that keep that.

you may want to look into DINAN's intake or geting a JCW intake too, they're great, mild, and should maintain that tube as well. or this one: http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f24/...-intake-10875/

also may want to look at this:
http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...read.php?t=700

if I had to do it all over again, i'd buy this one:
http://www.dinancars.com/store/produ...cat=762&page=1

just my .02

 

Guess I'll go with the ALTA

 

scottKP,
Do you live somewhere that does smog test and inspections. In California, there are very critical about non-stock air intake systems and they can fail a car with on open air cleaner, such as the Alta CAI. The JCW and Dinan are stock looking systems that will pass the inspection.

 

Scott, We recommend and use the DDMworks intake over all the others.

The hose you see on the craven intakes just replaces the stock inlet hose. If you look at your stock intake you'll see the stock inlet come from just above the radiator back to the airbox. All the intakes except the craven use that stock hose, that is where 99% of the air gets into the intake. The intakes really don't get their air from the cowl. The cowl below the windsheild is a low pressure area so air isn't being forced in there. Go with the DDM intake the fit, finish, and power is superior over the others.

 

Way knows what he's talking about. Take his advice.

Also, without any other mods, an intake just makes noise. but a great noise

 

I'm eventually going to do a pulley also, just want to do the intake first. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

I own the Alta V2 intake great item I love it to death it is loud but i very much likr the sound. the ddm has put out the most Gains from what I have read here on nam.

only thing I didn't like about the Alta is the silicone hose doesn't connect fully I had to trim half an inch off the tube.

there is quite a few choices depending on way ur looking for

 

I don't mind the sound, louder is better. No I don't have to worry about smog tests. If I'm going to pay $250 for an intake I would like to get one of the best which I have narrowed down to 3. The ALTA comes with a new hose from the box to intake, all the others use the stock. It's hard to pay for $250 for just a metal box and a filter and not get a new hose IMHO.

 

We recommend the ALTA CAI. Not only because we make it but because it fits, it functions and we have dyno proof it works.



The below dyno test is a bone stock Mini S with only a 15% Version 2.0 SCpulley installed. This shows the before and after with our Cold Airintake being installed.


The dyno graph below is our first test of the ALTA CAI on our firstMini Cooper S. No modifications other than the intake system. To thisday, no one has proven any other intake to make more Wheel HP.


Lots more dyno & product information HERE at ALTA Performance.

 

I disagree. I had a CAI on my car and took it off for a couple of days to re-oil it. On a favorite uphill S curve onramp there was a noticeable difference. With the CAI I not only felt the power, but the DSC would kick in. With the stock air filter, no joy. After re-installing the CAI - DSC activated again. Gotta love the scientific method.

 

Holy shnikeys, $169.00 for the Alta? Nice deal you have going there.

Pulled the trigger on that deal. Didn't see a way to specify what color hose though. I'd prefer red if possible since the car is CR/W.