Well I finally installed the Madness Intake this morning. Had almost NONE of the required tools but a quick trip to the local hardware store and $8 later, I was back in my driveway ready to give it a go. To say it's an easy install is an understatement. This is the first ANYTHING I've ever done with a car besides changing a tire. It took me...ready for this...it only took me 12 minutes. I couldn't believe it. Nice install. Nice quality and finish.

First Impressions...

1) Power increase? Some. I find that the very low RPMs such as starting from a standstill or taking a corner very slow in second seems noticeably smoother. At WOT, there is a definite "extra punch" so to speak. Everything else is normal. Seems best at higher RPMs at full throttle and at higher speeds.

2) Noise. At WOT and mid to high RPMs, there is a definite increase in the supercharge whine but I found it to be moderate at best. Actually, anything less than full throttle and I don't think there's any difference. I might have to do Randy's mini-motorsport airbox mod just to get even more whine (which I love!). Hmmm....more tools...

3) Fuel Economy. Probably the biggest difference I noticed out of power, noise and fuel would have to be the fuel economy. I drove around most of the day and noticed a very definite increase in fuel economy. I drove all over the place today. When I drove like my typical daily driving (a little highway, some traffic, a lot of main streets and side roads) I averaged around 26MPG! I usually avg around 22-23! Then on a mostly highway 40 minute trip this evening, I averaged 33 mpg with A LOT of heafvy acceleration and cruising speeds in the 70-90mph range! SO from a ONE DAY observation, I seemed to have gained a FEW MPG!!!

Overall, for ~ $260 which includes the intake, shipping and the tools (as I had none but your basic screwdriver) and under 15minutes of my time, I seemed to have gained the avg 7-9 HP, possibly gained a few MPG AND slightly increased the cool whine of the supercharger. What a FANTASTIC UPGRADE. Oh - plus the intake looks incredible under the hood.

Now I'm really dying for more...exhaust or pulley...not sure which is next. I may go pulley and wait for the UCC as I'd love to keep the dual tips and from what I've seen and heard from clips, I REALLY love the looks and sound. If it wasn't for the warranty issue, I'd have the pulley already. Let's see....at 10,250 miles, my warranty is almost 1/4 up anyway. Hmmm....

Oh yeah - special thanks to Randy @ MINI-Motorsport.

 

Thanks for the info - I'm getting this from randy also, but think I will do the airbox mod right from the start. mckinneymini has the moded box and intake and I think it added 2-3 more hp on top of the intake.

The intake and a set of the KW springs and I should be all set, until.......

 

I found that the airbox mod adds a good deal of noise to the intake system. To describe it, there is a increase in supercharger whine, all throttle ranges, but espically WOT. In addition to supercharger whine, a suction vaccume can be clearly heard outside the car when the gas is hit, easy to notice this by opening the door, and with the car in neutral, punch the gas for a second, and hear the music.
The third aspect is the whisteling that can be heard, found when accelerating, and then lifting the throttle as to continue accelerating, but less quickly, around 2500-3500 RPM. I love the difference the airbox mod made, but if you dislike added auditory elements, dont do it!.

 

Like mini-matt said, I did Randy's mod and love everything about it. It even beats HK sound IMHO as well as adding seat of pants FX!

 

>>Thanks for the info - I'm getting this from randy also, but think I will do the airbox mod right from the start. mckinneymini has the moded box and intake and I think it added 2-3 more hp on top of the intake.
>>
>>The intake and a set of the KW springs and I should be all set, until.......

wat is the airbox mod? do u buy something?

 

Take a look at the how-tos stapled to the top of the Performance Mods forum (the forum you are currently in).

Randy

 

Good 4u Greatgro :smile:
Now the obsession...... really begins :smile:
Welcome to the darkside ......:smile:

Peace,
D

 

>>Good 4u Greatgro :smile:
>>Now the obsession...... really begins :smile:
>>Welcome to the darkside ......:smile:
>>
>>Peace,
>>D


You said it, Dennis. I'm dying to try out exhausts!!! I'm going to meet up with Morales this weekend and have him take me for a spin with his Magnaflowed MINI. This way I'll get to hear it at all speeds and RPMs. I wish the UCC was out b/c it might not be so hard of a decision. But if I can tolerate the Magnaflow, I might go for it. It is inexpensive, gives the most power and has dual tips AND is available NOW!!! The UCC looks great and if it doesn't drone and gives decent power the $$$ isn't really a concern - it'll be worth it. But I'm not sure I want to wait 2 or 3 more months for that one.

But you are so right. I want to mod my MINI every weekend now!!!!

 

greatgro,

Not to complicate your choice, but the UUC won't be 2-3 months, more like 2-3 weeks at most.

I called UUC today to talk it over with Rob, but they are swamped and he didn't get a chance to get back with me today. I should know more tomorrow.

Randy

 

the plot......thickens :smile:

greatro sings.....

tomorrow...tomorrow......randy will know more ...tomorrow ...rofl

peace,
d