I recently bought a very clean 1 owner (Puerto Rico, interestingly) 2007 R56 which I'm still reviewing for soundness. One element that has me confused is this, the previous owner removed the stock airbox and fitted an ALTA cone filter directly to the MAF and intake tube. It isn't hard-mounted and the stock air intake is still run to the grill. Anyone else have this, and any thoughts as to whether it is ok to continue to use? ALTA will sell me a hardware-only kit for $210, just trying to figure out if it's worth it or not...

 

I'd say put a stock airbox back on it

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I had a similar setup for the last 4 years except that I attached the Alta filter to a silicone elbow and then to the MAF. I also left the bottom half of the stock airbox in place. It worked great, no problems except that I didn't secure it well so the filter itself rubbed against the bottom airbox and wore a hole in it. Instead of replacing it, I just bought an AEM CAI which I just finished installing about 10 minutes ago.

 

the only benifit would probably be looks. cold air intakes dont really add performance, they are more for noise. So getting the hardware kit from alta would just clean it up and make it look a little nicer.

 

+1. The only intake kit that truely improved on the stock system is the JCW Stage 1 conical filter kit. Just an opinion but I feel pretty strongly about it as I tried K&N, DDM works RIS, Defenders of speed, before I simply went to the stock stage 1 box.

 

Get rid of that thing. Great hot air intake the previous owner installed!

 

Hmm, I can't find a JCW stage 1 with the searches I've tried, where did you source yours minimechusa?

 

http://www.waymotorworks.com/jcw-int...6-r55-r57.html

 

I got mine from a friend who had the JCW tuning kit and sold his car for a true JCW. Dealerships have them but Way Motor Works is the cheapest easiest place to get them

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I actually agree. I watched a episode of Mighty car Mods on Youtube where they did a mythbuster episode on cold air intakes and it actually showed that the stock boxes with a clean air filter give the most performance benifit. Cold air intakes simply look cool and add more noise to the turbo spooling. on some cases they actually decrease the performance. I have actually considered going to a JCW box myself.

 

Let us know what you think of the aem, it's on my wishlist

 

It's nice. Build quality is very good. I got it because I needed a new filter and thought what the heck, I'll just get a whole new system. I can't really tell a performance difference going from an open filter DIY CAI to this. I mean, as usual, I THINK there's a difference every once in awhile, but I'm pretty sure it's the same. I was also interested in the heat shield because my hood scoop is starting to look a little suspect. Overall, no complaints. Got exactly what I wanted/expected out of it.