Does anyone have either one of these or possibly had both? Anyone know what are the "real world" gains for each one? Anyone else can recommend another intake with better overall gains? Basically I'm asking whats the best bang for the buck for a 04 MCS? (I've been reading some intakes currently are not able to fit on 04 MCS's for some reason) Thanks for inputs!

 

Alta is the best..... not many will argue that.

 

For the MCS there are very many choices and lots to consider.
Webbmotorsports.com and Outmotoring.com sell a variety of intakes.
Helix13.com sells RDR (new) and K&N
Promini sells the BMP intake
MiniMania sells a variety.

Simple and cheap but not that much extra power and not that much intake sound-
Drop in filters- take you choice of foam, K&N or Green filters.

Cheap and good bang per buck- Pilo racing intake-similar design to the Rogue or Madness but costs less about $150.

Best power and one of the loudest! -Alta with hose, also costly at about $299

Newest- RDR looks good but not many independent reviews yet- ask Eric at Helix13.com on that one.

Best intake for a tower strut bar-the low profile BMP which is also loud but moderate power.

Any intake will do better when matched to a free flowing cat-back exhaust. Otherwise the benefits of air in are not fully exploited when air output is restricted.

 

I have the K&N typhoon... not sure if it fits '04 minis but helix has a dyno on their site claiming about 9hp. I doubt it's really 9hp but I did notice a slight improvement and about a 1-2mpg increase. The only real problem I have is the battery terminal sortof just hangs there since you have to modify the airbox.

 

In real world applications, you're probably not going to notice much of a difference
between the intakes. Stock vs aftermarket you'll notice considerable gains when
coupled with a free-flowing catback as minihune mentioned.

I just went with the Pilo intake (not about the price) and its golden. :smile:
Its well made. My battery terminal could not hook up to the pilo metal divider clip
either. I think my (+)cord is shorter than others..but I just 3M mounted the terminal
to the metal divider clip area and it's been on there without coming loose
since 2-3 months ago....so no probs there.

 

Hmm.. I'm putting a JCW exhaust on tonight.. is that not free-flowing enough to benefit..

I hope it is.. but either way.. that thing is PRETTY.

 

I have the Rogue, and like it. It increases the SC volume quite a bit, and I really think that it made a very slight noticable difference. However, with all of the recent experimentation going on with k&n filters fitted directly to the throttle body, I may have gone a different way had I known then what I do now.

It seems that the original plastic airbox may be the best and only TRUE cold air intake system. It is completely cut off from hot engine bay air, and plastic is a much better thermal insulation than any other material being used.

Had I not bought the Rogue, I would have looked for a k&n style filter element (oval 4.5x6x8 is about the right size, although careful measurement of the inside of the stock airbox is needed) to throw in the stock box. K&N list two sizes on their website which may fit inside the stock box. A short length of 2 1/4" silicone tubing and an aluminum sleeve would be all that would be required to connect it to the stock airstream, along w/ a couple of clamps. I may still decide to try this approach, I'm not sure yet.

If I were to go this route, I would also consider the cowl modification- but I would make sure I could find a suitable larger rubber grommet to connect the airbox side to the windshield vent side to maintain a truely airtight connection.

Sorry if I got a bit off topic.

-joe

 

i see people like the alta a lot, but what kind of modifications you have to do to the engine bay for the alta to be installed? The rogue looks easy to install, but i keep seeing a lot of positive comments about the alta.

 

No modifications at all, its easy to install and IMHO the best intake out there. BTW, no real benefit in getting the Optional Hose($60.00) unless you plan on getting a larger throttle body.

 

The "real" benefit with the Alta hose is only seen if you purchase the red one. Because, as we all know,

"Red Makes Things Go Faster"

 

i would check out the thread on "hot air intake" and see what some of the real technical type folks have come up with, including boost levels etc.

 

The Hot air intake has to be the best bang for the buck. I have one on order. The filter is KN-RU1520. the Max Velocity looks good also and is not overpriced like all the others.