originally, andy (and macncheese) used a kn ru1520 but now it sounds like the KN RU 1550 model fits the best.
you'll need a torx driver set, the filter, an oil breather, and that's about it.

get the entire airbox assembly (including tubing that leads to it) out of there.

take out the air scoop from behind the upper grill that feeds the airbox (through tubes) fresh air by picking at tabs, and plucking it out.

now, fit the kn1550 onto the throttle body, clamp it down, and plug in the oil breather onto the exposed valve (that originally plugged into the rubber hosing) (oh, and you can also thread an elbow valve into the kn, but oil breather is easier, or you can plug it into an oil catch can), and you are all set. uh.. i personally took off the top AND bottom part of the airbox cause it gave me more room for other things, though it is a pain to unhook the ecu and blah blah. get some good velcro and secure it down and zip ties help too.

look for pics on the first page of the thread.

source for kn filters (though they are slow, cause they have to get it from kn): http://www.ajusa.com

they are cheap, and shipping and handling is free. just slow (like 8 business days)

 

Hey Bisch,

Are you using the Alta Catch Can, or some other ingenious incarnation ?

BB

 

In the FWIW department. I have the BMP and have measured the distance between the element and bulkhead and there's room for a larger filter. What's more, AFE (which makes the element that BMP ships with) sells larger universal filteres.

They're at: www.afefilters.com

--Jeff

ps: I can't find my measurements so I'll have to repeat them.

 

Jinubob81,

Thanks for the summary write-up. With Randy Webb coming by the area in about a month, I was going to have him do an Alta CAI install. Now I'm seriously rethinking my decision. This solution is no where near as "pretty" as the Alta, but it looks like the numbers are there to support better performance. BTW, where did you buy the elbow valve for the breather, and where would you recommend threading it onto the KN.

Kudos to Cheese and Andy ! Outstanding idea/implementation.

BB

 

Right now I just slapped on a breather filter. I was working on a really cool catch can last year, but I got too busy with other stuff. I actually have a couple usable prototypes, but I didn't bother finding them. They are aluminum tanks...I have a bunch of material to make them, I just don't have time.

 

its going to be EITHER a oil breather (dont spend more than 4 dollars for one at the local auto parts store, or auto dept at walmart or something) or you can buy an elbow valve, thread a hole at the bottom of the kn (on the rubber gasket) and plug it all in.

I went the oil breather route because it is less work. Yes, I too am lazy.

 

Here's the pics of my HAI install with the RU-1550. Fits snugly and only touches the bonnet lightly (see center pic)

You can also see the clamp screw in the side view. The flange is longer on one side than the other, but snugs up okay. I think the 10' offset may help with it sitting without interference. It does sit down on the throttle body in the front.

 

minimad looks great to me. i think i'm canceling my Alta CAI order in the morning!!


Minimad, bob or bisch----is the filter with the orange thing the breather filter and do you have a part number/maker/place to buy??

lastly, is the filter fairly jiggle-proof (doesn't want to pop off if you bump it) i live on a dirt road and drive on less than smooth paved roads most of the time.

thanks all

PS - has anybody tried the 1540-- at 6" i would think that might eliminate the rubbing issue on the bonnet liner. Granted, slightly less surface area--but i would think still better than a CAI

 

Since the HAI touches the underside of the hood padding, unless your hood flies off that filter isn't going anywhere.

 

basically, anything that looks like its got some cotton filling and a plastic housing with a nipple at the other end, will be good enough to shove into the exposed line. err... at least, i hope so.

...right?

 

In looking at all the pictures on this, why not just use a Cooper CAI?

I've got an RSpeed CAI installed on my Cooper and it appears that would fit on an S also. Made some modifications to it also last night for better fitment. Was having a problem with it rubbing the liner no matter where it was rotated to. So I flipped the fitting around and had to drill a new hole for the emissions hose and plug the original one. Fitment is much better and the filter is located closer to the original air box intake. Also modded a piece to the original air box intake fitting to turn the air up into the filter. Need to post some pics on this!

BTW, does anyone know what the intake hose on a Cooper also feeds? Went to remove the old airbox intake hose and found it feed down behind the radiator to something else also beyond the port for the old airbox.

-Laclede

 

You can pick up some pretty slick breathers with the money saved from NOPI.

 

Pretty sure that it goes onto the resonator box.

 

A guys, just realized today that you/I should take caution with how much preasure/downforce your hood linings are putting on the filter and throttle body, the intake runner that the throttle body is bolted to is pretty thin and seems it would not be that hard to crack by putting to much preasure on. Theres a little support, but you never know.
I want to do this myself and sell the other two intakes I have, but I'm still thinking.
anyhow take care.

 

Solution:

Remove the hood liner. No rub.

 

I was pondering....

is there a dyno yet ? ive decided to join the temporary HAI club...

is anybody running an aftermarket Enlarged Throttle Body with the HAI?
i wonder what would happen....

on another note, ive got some interesting ducting ideas.... pics to follow shortly...

 

I installed the KN 1550 last night. What is everyones opinion on leaving the bottom of the original airbox in place? It looks like Andy has left his in place, and it would seem that it might shield some heat from the exhaust by being left in place. Any thoughts?My initial feeling is that this set-up works just fine. I drove through some rain on my initial test drive, and, just like Andy, had no water under the hood until I opened it up to look! I need to fit a better breather, the wal-mart $2.17 one was the wrong size, and it popped off.
Intstall was pretty straight forward, I refered to Randy Webb's how to on the Alta intake to take things apart - many thanks. Having someone's prior experience to go by saves time and angst when pulling on plastic bits. The K&N almost went on by itself, and fit right down over the throttle body. Just need to be sure that the clamp (supplied with the filter) is positioned to grip the mouth of the throttle body. With the snorkel scoop removed, tightening the clamp is easy.
I was losing traction in the rain, so a little hard to tell, but response seemed improved ( I had the stock airbox, no CAI), it felt very strong. More testing today.

 

macncheese says you can use the stock top of the airbox too, that the filter nestles into the original outlet, but I haven't tried it myself. It looks like the bottom of the airbox is used to hold the ECU so I didn't try to remove it.

 

You can remove all of that crappa and fabricate a simple bracket to hold the ECU. One of my major issues is that the air being introduced into the engine compartment has nowhere to go. Remove the box and the associated ducting from the OEM intake, trash/bend some of the heat shields and you go a long way toward providing air flow.

Does the HAI then really become a CAI?

 

blue,
why not just ditch the liner and add traditional aft facing scoop/louvers about half or 2/3 the way back on the hood (before the windshield high pressure starts). you could tuft the hood to be sure you're not too far aft.

 

What I think might help is a BIG STI style scoop. Not pretty but more air is what the doctor ordered. The only thing out there is that grossly overpriced scoop lip addition. But you still need somewhere for the hot air to exit.

 

A guys, wondering if the ECU gets hot or warm while the car is running under normal operation. When I put in my Alta CAI, I remember one side of the ECU being all aluminum, I thought it was a heat sink. There were also little vents in the plastic casing for ECU that led to the intake box, making me think it was designed to help cool the ECU. Anyone know?

 

I put my 1550 on friday and drove 800 miles to NY and back with no issues and a big smile while passing V8s on the NY thruway and Mass Pike.

I did notice that my thermostat is running about a needle-width cooler than before.-i used to run exactly at the midpoint and now just below.-i have no idea why.

I like hearing the SC spoolup as i pull away from toll booths it makes the folks in minivans look around

i found a breather at my local Autozone and squeezed that on.
the neck on the intake look like it needs to be about 3/8 in. longer to fit really well, but i got it clamped down and it doesn't look like its going anywhere.

Great mod overall, $35.41 for the K&N filter $9.99 for the breather filter --a whole lot cheaper than the Alta CAI i bought (and sold new in the box!)

Kudos to Andy for being a pioneer in the mod field.--Thank you all for help and post support.

 

Just a little update on my HAI. It has been on for a week or so, and I think the ECU has adapted a little to it. Seems to be smoothing out the throttle response, just as I had hoped. With the 19% pulley I have had good torque and power, just not as smooth as I would like. The pulley was my only change. Now with the HAI, the engine doesn't seem to have the 'choppyness' it did before. Thanks Guys!

 

Just to clarrify, nobody's having any problems with water or anything of that nature? I like the idea of this mod over the Alta because the Alta requires you to cut away some of the plastic behind the stock airbox. I'd like to be able to return my MINI to stock condition if needed. The extra HP is also nice .