I bought my 03 MCS with the Dinan CAI, and I cannot figure out how to get the filter out. I made a similar post in another part of the forum, but after lookin a bit more I feel it's better to be here. Can anybody help me out? I want to check it and replace it if needed. I have no clue when it was last replaced.

 

The filters can be bought from dinian still....
But waymotorworks does have a cleanable K&N for gen1 that fits...sized as an copy of the green dinian....is actually cheaper than the replacement....
The filter is in the stock airbox....
You just need to remove some of the rubber gasket's material/trim/chafe strip that is run by the plastic intake tube near the drivers window...it is metal backed, and will be put back when you are done. When the rubber is removed...just open the stock airbox....they do tend to warp a bit...but no worries...remember the filter is connected to the cars intake by a tube...so just try to get it back together pretty close, but perfect is not needed like with a panel filter.

 

Dude, thanks so much. I wasn't sure how far to dig into it to get to the filter. On my next free day I'll take it apart and inspect it. I didn't even realize this thing had an intake when I bought it, it looks like it belongs there from the factory.

 

I like the fact it is a TRUE cold air intake....
Heck it has the extra cowl tube added....much like the JCW...one improvement is it is always open...on the JCW there is a vacuum controlled flapper door that most folks remove...thereby copying the basic operation of what we have!! The plastic insulates it from heat...nice big filter, protected from weather and heat, and a BIT of sc whine when your foot is down, but easy to a he with for highway cruising!! Imo , a true quality piece.... Just as good as the OEM JCW!!

 

I absolutely love it! I love the little bit of sound, it's not overpowering at all. And I like the fact that it is a true CAI, not just a filter sticking in the engine compartment like some people try to pass off as a CAI.

 

Check this out

 

Yeah, I've seen that before.

 

Braminator.. I have to disagree with the testing in that video though. A few things struck me..

1. That pipe wasn't mandrel bent so it was slowing down the air
2. Intakes really only matter at higher speeds where the air is getting rammed in (I always noticed it on my motorcycle)
3. The wrong length/diameter setup can cause the torque/HP to raise or lower at various RPMS

In my K20 Civic I used to own.. Simply the right intake was a huge difference. I'm not saying its as big of a difference on the Mini but it can help. And who doesn't love the sound!

Intake always > than No Intake IMHO

 

Also to add....
The mini ALREADY has a CAI....just the issue is volume due to restrictions in the tiny intake tube that goes to the radiator area....and the few tiny drain holes in the bottom of the box for water.....
Adding a better filter, and a second way for cool air to enter the box (like the JCW and Dinian) does add a bit of HP.....
The extra sound is the bonus.... Worth it on its own....
Tests on one car...especially with a TEN FOOT PIPE attached seem kinda self serving.... Self fulfilling prophecy maybe.....know any car with an intake LONGER THAN OUR CAR?! LOL. you can't tell me the length of a Pipe that long does nothing....

 

Just for reference, MCM does some funny ****. They did another segment on cone filters vs flat filters also, and confirmed on a few cars that cone filters are no better ("short ram" vs stock intake). This wasn't as in depth as a test as the other segment, and they also said it may vary between cars. I believe an intake will add hp depending on the car and if it's done right, with external air and the proper shielding.

 

Anyone know where I can get a Dinan CAI nowadays? Seems like they're harder to come by now. Sorry for thread jacking!

 

You might find a used one someplace.....maybe one that got stripped off a wrecked car?
I Dinan stopped making r53 parts years ago....sold-out of most of the remaining stock a few years ago...

 

No problem for the jack, haha. I don't mind. Good luck finding one, I heard the same thing Zippy said. They're real hard to find now.