Drivetrain (Cooper S) MINI Cooper S (R53) intakes, exhausts, pulleys, headers, throttle bodies, and any other modifications to the Cooper S drivetrain.

Drivetrain M7 vs Alta intake

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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 09:53 AM
  #1  
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M7 vs Alta intake

hello!

i just got the one-ball exhaust mod done and ordered the jcw black matte grill. the next mod is an intake. i am stuck between these two but i am open to suggestions. i have searched the forums and most get alta. is it really the best? i like m7 because of the closed off design plus i can get it stainless vs plain black. what are your thoughts?
 
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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by stxmini
hello!

i just got the one-ball exhaust mod done and ordered the jcw black matte grill. the next mod is an intake. i am stuck between these two but i am open to suggestions. i have searched the forums and most get alta. is it really the best? i like m7 because of the closed off design plus i can get it stainless vs plain black. what are your thoughts?
My thought is that if you're doing it for the sound then either one is fine. If you're doing it for performance, there are probably better ways to spend that $$. My $.02
 
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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 10:44 AM
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Way Motor Works carries the DDMWorks intake that also comes in stainless or black. I bought mine from WMW this Spring & absolutely love the sound. I've read some reviews saying that the Alta is uber loud, which may be what you're looking for, but if not you might consider the DDMW or M7.
 
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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 11:28 AM
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thanks! this is exactly the feedback i was looking for. i am not looking for loud. mostly performance and a little more sound out of the supercharger.

autoxjohn - what do you have in mind for performance mods? pulley?
 
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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 11:36 AM
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I chose the Alta, and would again if I had to do it again. I've been running mine since I had ~30,000 miles on the car (currently over 282,000) and the sound is addicting. My dad is running the M7 one on his car (which I have been driving lately) and the sound just isn't there.

It is just personal preference, they both preform well.

Nik
 
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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 11:38 AM
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wow 282,000 miles! that is encouraging. i plan on keeping mine for a long time. i love this car. makes me smile everything i get in.
 
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 11:04 AM
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yea, if you haven't put on a pulley yet, I would go that route vice an intake right out the gate. You will feel the pulley and it will add to the supercharger sound.

I currently have an Alta with silicone hose and box top, I do love the WOT sound, just be prepared for the whistle that most intakes cause, it can be annoying!
 
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 11:15 AM
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i am definitely doing the pulley upgrade; however, that is not something i can install myself (at least i don't think so). i will have that done in a couple of months when i am back in houston. as far as the intake is concerned i just pulled the trigger on the m7 stainless steel. should be here next week.

thank you all for your input and suggestions.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2012 | 12:24 PM
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I got the alta w/ the top cover. I wanted the "stock" look and the top seals off some of the hot air. The suction is loud but i dont think I can live without it now . The sound is just awesome!!!!
 
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Old Jul 30, 2012 | 09:38 AM
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+1 for Alta...

-Jorge
 
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Old Aug 1, 2012 | 03:55 AM
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alta seems to be the most popular and the loudest. personally i think the ddm works looks the best

edit: just saw your post saying you bought one already. congrats
 
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Old Aug 2, 2012 | 09:36 AM
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thanks guys for all your input. m7 intake should be here monday. cant wait!
 
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Old Aug 6, 2012 | 11:29 AM
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update:

the m7 cai is great. not too loud just enough sound so you know its there. ofcourse it gets louder in the upper revs which is a good thing. as far as performance goes. it smoothed out the idle and it seems to rev quicker. but, that could also be attributed to the dirty cheap fram filter i replaced.

thanks again for all your help!
 
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Old Aug 6, 2012 | 11:52 AM
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I love my DDMWorks. For upgrades, I think pulley and rear sway bar are biggest bang for the buck. Sway bar is not difficult to install. Also, if you don't have the strut braces yet, get them!!
 
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Old Aug 6, 2012 | 04:23 PM
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strut braces are next on the list. i am looking at m7 or dinan but will start another thread on that
 
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 06:31 PM
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For future reference I would recommend getting the DDM intake, been using them for years with no issue, they make the biggest power you can make with an intake and fit much better than the Alta. I personally use the DDM on my street car and race car so we know it works.
The M7 was a copy of the DDM but doesn't fit as nice as the original DDM.
 
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 07:28 PM
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DoS.... True cold air and mega turbo sound!

Plus... Clint is a joy to work with!
 
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Melangell
DoS.... True cold air and mega turbo sound!

Plus... Clint is a joy to work with!

This is the first Gen MINI section, no DOS intake for it.
 
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 07:35 PM
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Ahh, hells Way, my bad! Got a question not having to do with intakes... Megans vs BC coil overs... Same company? BC's better? My next upgrade.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2012 | 08:18 AM
  #20  
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+1 Alta
 
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Old Aug 30, 2012 | 07:43 PM
  #21  
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+1 for the DDMWorks CAI.
 
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Old Sep 3, 2012 | 01:43 PM
  #22  
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Did the Alta, and I would do it again and again. Fit was absolutely perfect, install was a breeze (great instructions). Oh, and yeah, the SC is pretty audible now! :-D

 

Last edited by MCS 5; Sep 3, 2012 at 01:48 PM. Reason: Added picture
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