The Short: Can I drive the MCS without the Ram air pipe?



The Long:

So I was installing my brand spankin' new Version II Alta Intake today, I got it all in and took it for a ride. WOW!!! AMAZING SOUND! I am absolutely in love.


However, I was noticing a strange noise that kept coming back, so I figured I did something wrong. I opened the bonnet when I got back in the garage, and noticed that the clamp which held the alta silicone tube onto the filter holder thing (whatever it is called ) had come undone. I think I had put too much of the silicone tube on the throttle body side, and did not leave enough for the top side, thus, it was slipping off. Slightly depressed, but still happy from the test drive, I proceeded to remove the ram air pipe so I could adjust the silicone tubing. I get it out fine, and I adjust the tubing, and when I was putting the ram air pipe back in, I broke it . The long skinny piece that seems to be there for no apparent reason...yea, I broke it off.


Ok, so that's my story and now I have a question. Obviously with out the ram air pipe no air is being fed into the intake...is it safe to drive the car like this? I need to go to the local MINI shop to see if they have an extra one (I will probably just pay them to finish the install too because I am sick of dealing with it).

 

just get some Al tape and cover up the thing you broke off. Then put the rest back in. The channels to nowhere are ressonance chambers that dampen out specific frequencies. Of course, this is if I understand your original post properly...

Matt

 

I think I'm understanding this correctly, but I'm not super familiar with the Alta intake. (I have the Helix) However, I assume they are similiar in the fact that you needed to put a hole in the sheilding between the old intake and the cowel area, right?

You mention how you think the intake is not getting any air... but the intake should be grabbing lots of air from the driver side cowel. Do what the good Dr. says to do. Just wrap that baby up in Al tape. Driving without it won't hurt your engine, you'll just be sucking in more hot air from the engine bay until you can patch it up.

 

Thanks for the help guys! I did exactly that...I ended up wrapping the thing I broke in some tape and just installed it like that until I can get a replacement. I actually just stopped by one of the local MINI shops, and they told me the pipe I broke actually wasn't even necessary because enough air was provided from the driver side cowel. I am also happy I went to the MINI shop here because they told me my right strut mount was broken

 

The biggest effect that pipe has with a CAI is keeping dust from blowing aorund the engine. it is a PITA to put in so unless I feel like delaing with it, if it has to come out for something it stays out, so I've been w/out one since the insulation testing this summer no issues just dust on my ALTA tube.

 

 

that piece?

 

I think he's talking about the OEM air intake duct, the one coming from the radiator support, that goes to the CAIs bottom. Correct me if I'm worng .

 

Chuckt, that is the piece I am talking about (the OEM piece).


I took the technical term "ram air pipe" from one of the writeups on this board, but perhaps that is not the proper term.


But anyways, it is good to know it is not too important. I am going to leave it in with the tape, for now.


Thanks for the help guys.