Has anyone tried or installed this air intake? How difficult was it to install and what difference did it make interms of performance and otherwise? Is it worth upgrading?

 

I assume you are talking about the Cooper system, right?

This is the system that makes the most power so far of the Cooper intakes. It is the most comprehensive system for the Cooper out there. The system replaces the entire stock intake system, and provides cooler air. The only drawback to this system is the cost. It's $329 which is more than most of the S systems out.

It is also a little more complicated to install, but shouldn't be a problem for any shadetree mechanic. It's straightforward, comes with instructions, and shouldn't take more than an hour to install.

Here is a photo of the system:



I have these in stock.

Randy
randy@mini-motorsport.com
720-841-1002

 

Thanks Randy, you're the best!

 

I have one installed on my MC...

here's my 2 cents :

It's CURRENTLY the best cold air intake available for the MINI (non S). However... I thought it was overpriced, bought it anyway. About 2 months later, I still think it was overpriced. But the short story is that it is an improvement over the stock airbox. If I had more patience, I would have waited for the next generation / version.
It does NOT add 12 HP -- so don't expect it. And hardly any change in engine sound. Does not seem to really have any effect/improvement on off-the-line 1st gear acceleration. Mid-range acceleration in 2nd & 3rd gear are slightly improved.
The main drawback/issue I found with it is that while it eliminates the airbox and does improve airflow, you can tell just by looking at it that it still is not a straight shot from the air inlet throught the cone filter to the throttle body. Eliminating one of the two big S-curves would probably help a lot. On the plus side, my MC engine runs cooler with this intake.

The other big problem is that the MC does NOT have a Mass Air sensor (my Service mechanic confirmed this). This means that even though you are getting more air to the motor, it is not adding more fuel appropriately to keep the a/f mixture right at all times (primarily noticeable at Idle rpms). So it won't idle as smoothly as with the stock airbox. This would be true of any more efficient intake - so don't hold it against the viper...

To sum it up: I like it, but it's overpriced and could use some flow re-design (which you could do yourself).

 

John, judging by your comments, the only advantage is the drop in temperature. Do I understand you right that you believe it doesn't give improved performance or noticable HP increase. Does the rougher ideling worry you? Would you do it again(let's say if it was half the price)?

 

Thanks for the input, John W! I would be interested to hear all of your thoughts on the Viper. I PM'd you.

Like I said, it's the best system on the market so far. We are also working with Green Filter to provide a new system for the Cooper that replaces the entire factory set up like the Viper does. We'll see what that does on a dyno.

I have heard the system, and I think it does make the car sound meaner.

I'd be interested to hear more about the dyno results they had down in FL. If you aren't getting any power from the intake, is it all in the exhaust? The Rogue is an efficient exhaust, but I don't even think they are claiming 15 hp.

The ECU has to make adjustments for different air densities, that's where you will see the compensation for more air. If it didn't, our cars up here in Denver would be way too rich! As the altitude is increased, the air density is decreased, therefore, the fuel must also be reduced to compensate.

Randy

 

I'll just respond here, instead of PM'ing.
I agree that the Viper is the best CAI system avail for the MC right now -- and don't get me wrong, I like it! I'll keep it in until I find something better.

I'm sure that it does add a few HP, but I didn't dyno before, just after with RE exhaust & Viper intake installed. Between the two, I estimate that there was about a 8-9 hp increase. Since I didn't do a 'before' dyno, I'm using as my baseline the 122 hp reported by GRM (and other mags) for the stock MC.

(Also, I think it's probably quite difficult to get reliable dyno numbers for an Intake change alone -- you just can't simulate standing still how much air really gets pushed into the intake on a moving car at speed)

I guess the main thing I'm judging the Viper by is the immediate changes I noticed after switching to the Rogue exhaust. I was impressed right away with the improved performance.. When I added the Viper a month later, the mid-range acceleration between say 20-55 mph did improve somewhat I think -- it just wasn't nearly as dramatic a change as the exhaust.

Reiner,
I'm not really concerned about the rougher/lower idling. My MINI mechanic assured me that it would not harm the engine in the slightest. I brought it in for Service because a couple of other people had reported (and posted on MCO) similar issues on stock MCs that were diagnosed to be faulty throttle bodies. My MINI mechanic said mine was fine. He also said that the performance/accel of my MC was noticeably better that the many others he has test-driven Plus he said he had done several mods on his own car (not a MINI) and the "check engine" light stays on most of the time. Mine lights up briefly every once in a while if I let the RPMs drop too low before the engine warms up, which of course takes only about 5 minutes.

Randy,
good point about the different air densities at diff altitudes. I'll ask my mechanic about that next time I bring it in for service. You're right that the ECU must adjust itself somehow.. however, he specifically said that there is not a Mass Air sensor in the MINI. But now I'm wondering if Maybe the battery needs to be disconnected & reconnected to reset the air/fuel map after making a modification like this ?

 

Question for someone in the biz-- any idea why Pipercross didn't make an intake for the Cooper S?

 

>>Question for someone in the biz-- any idea why Pipercross didn't make an intake for the Cooper S?

*** IFAD award (Idiot For A Day). My bad; it appears Pipercross DOES make an MCS intake, just seems not as many people use it as Rogue and BMP.

 

I have one of the only units in the US. It appears that Pipercross was a little behind in the US market. I have one in stock now though. They are here, and should be available on short notice for the foreseeable future. Take a look in the Cooper S filter thread.

Randy
randy@mini-motorsport.com