I finally gave up on WMS (I ordered and paid for the HDI back in April, but I still don't have it!) - so I called Dave this morning and ordered from him! Seems like a great guy to do business with - and someone that actually answers the phone

I had the Alta on my last MINI, so I'm really looking forward to the HDI - sounds like it is even better.

Thanks Dave (and Peter too!) for giving us options. I spent over $4000 with WMS on my last MINI, but with the poor customer service - I'm glad I've found vendors who can provide the products!

 

Maybe i'm just lost, but it looks like all the stuff on their site is for a Miata? Am I missing something, or is the box the same for the MCS? I like the Miata box with the emblem on it

 

They have not posted the HDI on their site yet..... busy with the 62 kit........ but you can call Dave at the number posted or call M7......

 

Ahh, that's probably why!

 

got ours in today. coated it with ThermoTec inside and out, then did a few topcoats with a semi-gloss black. Install was a bit involved....mostly to get the cowl piece out. one note - the ecu harness has a rubber grommet attached - the cut out in the HDI isn't big enough for it to slot in properly.

First impression.......definitely more power. I was chirping tires coming out of tight corners and the car has LSD One odd thing...the car didn't have the exhaust 'burble' before the HDI. It does after. Weird. It did it at idle even.

 

Congrats on you new intake...... I really like this piece

 

to compare, it's about as quiet as the Dinan we have on the cabrio, but feels like it makes considerably more power. Always a good thing.

 

Very cool

 

what is ThermoTec? how does it look? where can i buy it? how is it applied?

thanks

 

Any DDM showing or HDI's available at MITM???

 

I'm sure some HDIs will be on some cars but as for a showing by DDM ...Dave has his hands full getting this kit done as well as other projects..... I am trying to Make Nashville on the 28th of Aug for MTTS

 

it's a spray-on barrier coating. summitracing.com sells it for about $7/can (one is plenty). It's available in copper, black or grey. We had some black left from the header install on my Subaru. It dries a uniform flat black - we topcoated it with a semi-flat rattle can paint just to give it a bit more protection from install scratches (though this was overkill). I'll take pics and post soon - it really makes the HDI look OEM (I painted some hardware red to match the theme on my car - not digging it at all, so I hesitate to post the current pics).

I drove the car to work this morning.....20 miles adn about 80F ambient. Once I got to work, I popped the hood. The rear 2/3 of the HDI was cool to the touch, not even warm. Only the LF corner near the motor was warm, and only barely so. Not sure how this compares to a plain SS HDI, but the thermal coating can't hurt (I asked Dave from DDM when I ordered and he said 'go for it!').

One concern with the install though - the included SS clamp isn't notched to match the factory tube. No big deal....just torque it down right? Well...it slipped off this morning....seems the wee bit of oil (from the filter) I used to help stretch it over the HDI outlet isn't a good idea. Of course, I don't have a flathead in the car.

 

Nice post...thanks for the info

 

The Thermo-tec spray product is a high temp sealant/paint.

Is there an implication that it is keeping the HDI cooler?
Or am I misunderstanding something?

 

not definitively, but one things for sure....it's not make it hotter. We did it purely for cosmetics and any (possible) benefit in isolating the intake charge from radiant heat. SS is still metal....not as good as molded thermoplastic composite for heat rejection, no matter what any manufacturer says.

 

I wouldnt buy the HDI if I was you guys.

Also, the reason why alot of you guys who ordered the HDI from WMS never received them was because DDM withheld giving them to Webb, making WMS look bad.

I want to re-assure EVERYONE here, that the HDI you see in this thread, (see posted pictures in previous pages), the HDI in THAT form, and AS SOLD by DDM is a Webb Motorsports Design. Don't believe anything else you hear or read, because that is a fact.

I have SEEN DDM's "design", the filter element was about 4 inches shorter, and the airbox capacity was way smaller, and it was vastly improved by Randy at WMS, and he worked with DDM to optimize it for the MINI, and they screw him completely.

If anyone here knows Randy, they know very well that
1. He is an honest guy, an honest hard working guy.
2. When you mess with him, he will be back with a beat down.

Hence the reason for this post. The beatdown. Randy is working on an airbox, (I was with him yesterday when he was working on the protoype). Quite frankly, the guy is a genius at engineering (too bad he trusts "business" people), anyway I digress, he is an engineering GENIUS, and whats coming very soon will blow EVERY OTHER MINI INTAKE out of the water. In fact, for those of you who didnt trade their Alta for a HDI, I guarantee you will be trading it out for this one.

WMS is trying to get the prototype finished this week, and even though it isnt my place to say, but I'm guessing they will probably try to get it into production for late August or early to mid September. SO WAIT FOR IT.

Hopefully, he will dedicate it to the people who screwed him over. Because, it's "just business"..... right guys?

 

I appreciate your loyalty to Randy and I wish him well on his new design but there is a whole different side to this story which is better not aired in a public forum.....

 

I know both sides to the story. Trust me. I've heard them both. And I am definitely not airing the details here, but one thing I will continue to ascertain is the HDI is, and always will be a WMS design. I have seen proof, via communication channels, how DDM were asking WMS how certain parts to the box should be specd.

Also, not related, but does DDM even have a MINI?? (I'm genuinely curious)

 

Dave is aware of your post and will comment later.....

 

It's not me this time

 

Thanks camelpilot - I was on the big blue yesterday and was trying to compose something along those lines...

 

See ya on the 20th???

 

I've tried to order twice from Randy and come up short both times in getting back at me in a timely fashion (a topic for other threads, not this one). I called Dave and he picked up and we talked for ten minutes. I don't care who's right or wrong but I know who's earned my business (don't make me work hard to spend my money!!).

One bit of feedback on the design - the metal tab that holds the battery connections needs to be tightened up - the box just rattles around. I'll bend it in a vise to get it to push the box against the HDI for stability when I remove the hardware to paint black.

Since someone asked...pics of our coated HDI (ignore the red nonsense...it's getting refinished tonight, though it does serve to help to make the product standout from an otherwise OEM look):

 

Looking forward to hearing/seeing this!

It's amazing how things can get twisted around.

BTW, Bob, I went by DDM today and was going to get you some updated pics, however, he still has the car apart. I figure you know what that looks like.
Dave is a super nice guy..... he took an hour to chat with me about all kinds of stuff - including things not associated with MINIs. I'm just adding my voice to the praises of DDM Works.

PS the pics of the black DHI look good.

 

Maybe he can also comment on the M62 kit while he is at it