After hour of playing with both the BMC and Piper Viper cold air boxes, I have come up with the following.

1. The BMC is to BIG!
2. The BMC is to BIG!
3. The BMC is to BIG!

I hope this explains the problem. There is no way to install the BMC using quality hose on a Mini Cooper (NON-SUPERCHARGED). It does work, however no better than the Viper.

After using the after market boxes, I can not drive without one. It does make a big difference. I do question the hooking up the cold air hose to the stock intake. By the time you make all the bends and now have much more exposure to heat soak through, I question if you really gain much?

I hooked up the viper to the stock hose, left the intake side opened. This seemed to run fine cold or hot. I also remove the stock intake scoop to allow cool air in while driven.

Although in my opinion the Viper is over priced, it is the better choice on the Mini.

I also recommend that you upgrade the hose. The Hose Man in Southern California sells awsome 2.5" Flexible intake hose for $ 3.50 a foot. It is much better than anything I have seen with any intake kit or at any auto parts store.
The Mini Engine Compartment is very small, cheap hose breaks down easy and tears. The hose that come with the Viper has small holes in it and unravels to easy when you cut it. The BMC comes with 3" hose that is a pain to bend. Spend a little more money on good hoses and you will save a lot of time.


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CHRIS

 

>>Although in my opinion the Viper is over priced, it is the better choice on the Mini.<<

Thanks for posting your observations! By the way, check this Vendor Announcement - the Piper Viper is now reduced to $285. Still somewhat expensive, but much more in line with the others.

 

I'll let you know if there is anything to be done to address this issue. I'm still looking to get the BMC on a test car this week. The Green Fliters Twister seems to be in a constant state of delay, but we are trying hard to get one here as well.

We'll take lots of pics to show the install, and do a how-to to clear up fitment issues if at all possible.

Randy

PS: Thanks for your input CSP4!