I guess, in a way, this is another "What's the best intake?) thread. I dyno tested several different intakes on my 2003 JCW 210 kit, many years ago, including the JCW and the Madness and the Madness came out on top over the JCW by a little and with more area under the curve. I now have access to a dirt cheap, NIB, Alta. Does anyone here have any direct experience with the Alta and either the JCW or Madness? Needless to say Alta's web site says it's the best and has Dyno charts. Not so much just looking to get the maximum peak horsepower but the most power under the curve as I plan on returning to autocrossing in STX again.

 

I run the Mini Madness CAI on my R53 and love it. To get the most of it you must also buy the cowl panel that includes a larger opening on the backside (below the windshield cowl). That allows it to draw a larger volume of cool air from the outside and also provides a much clearer and louder supercharger sound under WOT.

 

I ran a stock airbox for 10 years on my first R53 and my second R53 came with an alta airbox on it. I'm not super impressed with the alta intake if I'm honest. It seems pretty open to the engine bay, and the foam filter has a tendency to crumble and disintegrate. I put a K&N filter on just so I didn't have to worry about the foam filter coming apart on me. I would go with the JCW or the DDM intake if I was buying one, but I don't have any dynos or direct comparison experience, just observations.

 

As you found dyno testing the intakes make power on the R53. We have done several dyno tests and dyno days and found the DDMworks by far was the best. The alta does well, but rub on the wiring harness and isn't sealed on the top so in real non dyno use it will have higher intake temps than the DDM.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/ddm-in...per-s-r53.html

If you still have the JCW and not wanting to go to the DDM. I'd just save your money and go back to the JCW.

 

Why do Mini owners call these "air filters"..."intakes"? Not to be confused with "intake manifolds"..! What do you call the "intake" manifold ?
They are just filters (open cotton or foam) in some cases and "air cleaner or filter assemblies" (stock, JCW, etc.) in other cases.

Mike

 

That's literally how people call them everywhere, doesn't matter if it's a MINI forum or not. Not sure what the problem is when everyone knows that if you don't specify manifold, you're talking about the air box.