Reading every post ......still haven't seen anything that sets it apart (besides a claim of a smoother intake path) from the HAI. Smaller filter and more expensive. Don't see the benefit per $ as being worth it. I am waiting for more info before jumping on the "best thing since sliced bread" bandwagon.

 

Did you only dyno after the AGS or did you also have one before. With no other changes, the net would give you a number for the AGS...

 

Eric_Rowland,

No we did not do that on my car, but that is being done on another car just for the purposes you are interested in.

Bill

 

CooperSS,

Does AGS accept other type of air filters? Can I use Alta filter with AGS?

 

I just got back in town and I can take care of this question. Our filter was especially designed for that space and is the only one that will fit. It is the largest filter that can be put in that spot despite others guess work to the contrary.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Thank you Randy

I realizing that it's hard to visualize how the AGS is designed, and the purpose
of our specific filter/ dimensions. The filter it self was not only designed to
filter out dust and grit, but the size of the filter and it's cavity is part of the
design, allowing an amazing throttle response that's not there with a regular
design. We also looked at different materials in the filter element, and the look
of the testing rigs filter element with foam was scary.....so no foam in the AGS.


Peter
Team M7
562-608-8123

 

since every pull is different, it talks more than one to tell. And more than one car, and more than one set of mods..... Anyway, it looks like we're on our way to see SOME numbers, and that's better than we've had yet.

Matt

 

Of course - that's why I said 'a' number and not 'the' number. YMMV on any mod, and nobody can be expected to test every combo (and if they did, it would still vary based on run #, temp and airflow.) 'A' number on 'a' car is better than no numbers on any car (but don't tell Andy that )...

speaking of numbers, 458.

 

Guess I'm being defensive of foam here, but your statement is quite a sweeping generalization against foam filters. How about some data or elaboration to back it up...
-Barry

 

Good Morning Barry....

As we where looking for a filter media to fit and work with the AGS, all the different materials where considered. One of the companys we looked at has
a very extensive test lab with some amazing equipment allowing them to test flow, particle intrusion in parts per million etc. The foam element did not do
very well at all, and that is what I based my statement on......

I realize that a lab enviroment is not the same as driving on the streets
of chicago or Detroit, but change that enviroment to Phoenix, Palm Springs
or even Los Angeles and particle intrusion can be more of a problem as
the dust levels are quite high.

Peter
Team M7
562-608-8123

 

What is the problem that foam filter would cause to the engine if the dust got in there? I want to know for a fact, so I can ditch my Alta and go with something else.

 

Whose foam filter did you test, and what does 'not well at all' mean? How many PPM vs. paper, etc.? If you've got the results, surely you can post them.

 

Please understand that I do not wan't to name names, but the filter that was tested is "not" used in any Mini Cooper application. Filters do differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, so my statement was only reflecting my particular findings with that filter.

peter
Team M7
562-608-8123

 

This is kinda old news though, isn't it guys?
It's been said that "Paper Filters" do the best filtering, but restrict flow the most.
Cotton filters like k&n flow better than Paper, almost as well as foam and do good job of filtering.
Foam filters flow the same as Cotton except better in higher rpm, but do not filter as well. Also, flow rate doesn't suffer when foam get's dirty.


I put my k&n filter back on for AMVIV and the trips we took afterwards all over the dessert.
Before AMVIV I took the stock header off my car so I could replace it with a stock header minus the Pre-cat that I just had done.
My stock header was on the car for 55,000+ miles and when I got it off, I quickly noticed this slight build up of some gritty stuff around pipe openings. I wondered what it could be and became suspect of my foam filter because of what I remembered reading before on the site. I might be trippin and maybe the grit is normal, but I figured since I'm going AGS anyway, use the k&n while I wait for piece of mind.

James

 

Premature wear or scratches to the cylinder is the worst thing I believe.

 

I have a hard time imagining that some specks of foam are going to hold up against the cylinder walls under intense pressure, and comubstion...and then on top of that actually "scratch" a cylinder wall. Sand? Possibly. I've seen spark plugs fall apart, and crumble into cylinders and simply become pulverized into soot, and not do any damage to the piston, rings, or walls. This was on a Mazda 626...but reguardless...I'd need you to prove something like that before throwing it out randomly on a web forum...

 

Yeah, I was not implicating that the Foam would fall apart and mess things up. I'm thinking alot of dust, like when your chasing buddies thru the twisties out on dusty roads and such.

Premature wear worries me most. I'm doing enough wear on the chase, don't want to be worrying about filtration.

 

alright I ditch my Alta now and back to my BMP. thanks ya'll

 

If the BMP filter size is the same as MiniMania's, it will fit in place of the Alta filter, a little tight, but fits.

james

 

Ahhhhhh....that makes more sense

 

I thought I read earlier that the testing apparatus mentioned is owned by the filter manufacturer, no? I'd bet an oiled foam manufacturer could prove the exact opposite! In fact, I've seen it before. Just because a manufacturer claims it, doesnt make it the gospel

That said, I have no preference in the cotton versus foam debate. A high quality filter of either style is adequate. The filter design is way more important than the filtering media anyway.

 

I am still waiting for a pic of this intake system. 19 pages now and still no visuals

 

From post 295 on March 6



From post 429 on April 2

 

I guess my first question is was/were the foam filter(s) oiled in the test? Two-stage foam or only a single layer? There are many different types of foam. What was the particle size distribution of the filtrate? W/o knowing what was tested and under what exact conditions any result is just anecdotal entertainment and suspect...

 

Though I am somewhat new to this forum, I do have a rather intimate relationship to an air filter manufacturer.

It is one that does not currently offer any type of filter for a Mini, so I do not have a "dog in this fight".

I would just like to pass on some general words about filter testing, as I have personally been involved in many such tests.

The words are that unless a filter is tested in an independent lab to recognized ISO or SAE norms, it is no more valid a test than some of these dyno tests you hear about that show incredible numbers for the latest air intake, cat back exhaust etc.

I could show a dirty rag to be the world's best filter ...... if I am allowed to manipulate the parameters of the test.

For what it is worth,