Cold Air Intake Recommendation for R53 S
 

Hey Everyone,

This would be my second modification for my car. I've already got the 15% m7 pulley. Now I'm thinking about getting a cold air intake put in. Because there are so many brands out there. I would really love your recommendation. I want something that good me some really good noise but power.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

Noise adds power. :wink:
Lots o' threads on this one. They're all within a stones throw.
JCW and Dinan look most OEM. DDM and others now enclose their CAIs.

I've used Madness and Dinan. Can't say I feel the difference between those two, but the CAI definitely adds power over the OEM intake. The difference was noticeable on my favorite uphill, twisting onramp.

It's pretty agreed that the alta cai is the loudest, I just love the noise it makes when I step on the throttle :wink:

But the search button up there is your friend, lots of info about all the cai on this forum, just gotta do a quick search...

I would go with an enclosed system, like DDM.
If system is "open", where is CAI?
The air intake is from the engine compartment which is not "cold".
The DDM extends into the cowl.
This allows air from outside the car to be used as the supply air inlet.
The outside temp. is certainly cooler that the engine compartment.
It is a true CAI.

Personally I am thinking about installing the JCW CAI in my MCS. I have a magnaflow catback exhaust right now and I am afraid anything other than the JCW CAI might be too loud. My MINI is already loud because of the exhaust.

The Alta comes with a top, if you want it. I have an Alta and could not be happier!

I've used and installed every intake you can imagine and found the DDM intake to be the best. I recommend it over all the others.

Is there a negative effect on mileage when a CAI is used?

Or is that just a Gen2 issue?

Thanks,

Les

Does anyone know where to find a Dinan intake? I'd love to buy one, but they're sold out and won't be making any more. Thanks.

I have the Magnaflow and Alta CAI. The CAI does increase sound under WOT (which I like) but isn't that loud under normal driving. Of course, that depends on your definition of NORMAL.:lol:

A CAI will not decrease ur fuel economy (if anything it would increase it)
The thing is that when you have a CAI you r more inclined to driving a bit on the heavier side therefore having a negative effect on ur mpg

The sound of my supercharger has a negative impact on my mpg. :nod:

LOL...well said. I find that to be so true :thumbsup: Check out the Dave F hybrid intake. Great performance/sound. http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ht=dave&page=2

Any more info on that intake? Does he still make them?

As far as I know he is still producing these. Here is a link for info :
http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f608...s-airbox-2826/ If you look in the vender section on minitorque.com you can find the group buy link.

I just checked, here is the link for the Dave F Hybrid February build: http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f607...-2011-a-16863/

Thanks.

Going off the subject a little(Without hijacking)...What would you all consider to be a heat sink CAI, or Short Ram Intake...I have the K&N Typhoon on an '06 R53, and the ScanGaugeII, and the normal air inlet temp is around +7-10 degrees above ambient air temp... Please take into consideration that I live in South Texas, and here in February it's a "chilly" 90 outside. During the dawn/dusk, or just plain at night it's about +5 from the ambient air temp.
Thanks all
-K

EDIT:
These temps are all while going at highway speed, and been running at such speed for quite awhile, otherwise the air inlet temps are way higher(city/stop-go).

Those inlet temps are post supercharger ans IC, thus they will be higher than ambient. The closer you get to ambient the better the IC is working.

......and to Vollgas The Alta and most other CAI do not need the top as they seal up against the bonnet when closed. No need to get a box, just make sure you open up the cowl area behind the filter.

So I just finished installing my JCW CAI this past weekend with the cowl flap open 100% of the time. I also installed the MINI Madness Hi-Flow Intake Filter. I do love the new noise in the cabin when I step on the throttle. I can feel a bit of a difference in power. It isn't overwhelming but the stock filter was nasty and probably hadn't been changed since the car left the factory floor. So the combo of the new JCW CAI and the filter did make a difference, at least to my ears. :thumbsup:

Checkmate - how do you get those "club" logos? Just curious

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...pic90104_8.gif

Sadly, I think Checkmate went away after a disasterous tuning issue.
You can right click the image then copy/paste if you see one in a sig that you like.
Someone created one years ago and they proliferated.

Have you seen the M7 design? Im generally not a fan of their parts. But the cowl mod looks promising. I can't tell if the DDM does the same thing.

Yes M7 stole the design from DDM as M7 use to sell the DDM back in 2005 and they both are open to the cowl. Ironic they say it's the original on their website when that isn't 1% true. The DDM is the original as it was designed right here in Atlanta back in 2004. It is all stainless, even if you get it in black, so it won't rust over time. It also fits exact everytime and the lid fits and seals as it uses 6 screws for it. They both have a foam Uni filter, but the M7 one is too long and just crushes against the brake booster so they wear out faster.
With the DDM if you want it quiet you can also reinstall the plastic fire wall part to the cowl.
Go with the real deal original DDMworks.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/ddm-in...per-s-r53.html

Thanks Way! You're always helpful instead of pissed off people are asking questions... that's why I send you my $$$