Drivetrain (Cooper S) MINI Cooper S (R53) intakes, exhausts, pulleys, headers, throttle bodies, and any other modifications to the Cooper S drivetrain.

Drivetrain DIY Cold Air Intake

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Old Jan 23, 2006 | 09:07 AM
  #1  
sanddan's Avatar
sanddan
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From: Portland Oregon
DIY Cold Air Intake

This is a good DIY project if you have some basic tools and want to give it a go. I did this several years ago after reading a similar how-to that Dan Pilo wrote.

I started by mocking up the heatshield using thin cardboard. I used modeling clay to determine the height that the heatshield needed to be.



I made a second cardboard mockup to check the fit of the final design. Once I was happy with the fit, I made a master template to make it easier to transfer the outline.



I used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade to cut the basic shape. I then drilled the mounting holes and the hole for the intake tube as it's a lot easier to do this on flat material.

The next step is to bend the flat sheet to it's final shape. I used 2 pieces of angle iron and a shop vise to make the bends.




This shows the final shape.



Here's a group photo.



The hole for the intake tube will vary depending on the size tube and filter you use. The stock rubber tube will accept a 2 5/8" OD tube. If you are using a Alta silicone tube you can use a 2 3/4" OD tube. I used a 2 3/4" OD by 2 1/2" ID aluminum tube with one end machined down to 2 5/8" to maximize airflow.

Here is a drawing of the flat pattern for the heatshield.



This was a fun project to do. My costs were as follows.

Aluminum sheetmetal $0
Aluminum tubing (2') $40
Rubber seal (20') $20
K&N filter $60
Total cost $120

Saved $80 over typical intake. I sold several heatshields to cover the material costs so it really only cost me some of my time.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2006 | 10:03 AM
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Bahamabart's Avatar
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NICE

Nothing like rolling up one's sleeves. I especially like the made a few extras and re-cooped my costs .

Thanks for sharing
 
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Old Jan 23, 2006 | 12:49 PM
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Thanks Bahamabart.
 
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Old Aug 8, 2009 | 03:45 AM
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GREAT!!! Hate 'off the shelf' stuff (except of hard-core tech stuff)! Maust have, must make!
 
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 06:34 PM
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From: Ft Lauderale
What software did you use to make the drawing? Is there any way you could let us download a PDF or similar?
 
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 07:13 PM
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From: Rowland Heights, CA
Originally Posted by FL_blue_MINI
What software did you use to make the drawing? Is there any way you could let us download a PDF or similar?
looks like it's made in Auto CAD to me
 
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 07:14 PM
  #7  
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From: Rowland Heights, CA
oh by the way, that's an amazing job!
 
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by FL_blue_MINI
What software did you use to make the drawing? Is there any way you could let us download a PDF or similar?
Hi,
I just 'threw it' in the Corel and it is more than enougth to have a accurate drawing.
 
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Old Aug 10, 2009 | 12:47 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by sanddan
Hi sanddan,
Any chance to tell us the exact position and diameter of the hole? Everything is so precise so...
TNXaLOT!
 
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