Xray'dit_Mini - that looks like the ticket champ! I love it

 

Looks good. Now you can sell a kit.
Also looks like you can get a much longer filter on too. Where did you get the silicon elbow and how did you attach the lexan plates?

 

where is the headlight cowl air hose in relation to the filter?

 

You do have room for a longer filter....the problem comes with finding someone that sells the correct dimensions. (as a side note to everyone putting their own filters on.....the MAF is 70mm or 2-3/4" NOT 3" like a lot of people having been saying in this forum)
I bought the silicone elbow on Ebay. There is only one guy on there that I could find that didn't sell the typical 90deg elbow with 2.5" long legs. The elbow I bought had 10" legs that I cut down to a perfect fit.
The Lexan I also bought on Ebay (its VERY hard to find non translucent black, and a lot more exspensive). The Lexan is 1/8" thick. I bought this because it's easier to mold at this thickness. I used a heat gun to mold the Lexan. I doubled up the sides and used aluminum pop-rivets to join them. I molded the corners of the sides an back piece so that they would fit into oneanother, and then used the rivets to join them. The whole piece fits perfectly into the grove of the original airbox where I then placed a few strategic zip-ties to hold it in place.

 

no...if anything there is less "vacuume" noise when I step on the gas. Turbo noise seems the same.

as for the hose I used:
http://www.siliconeintakes.com/produ...53f50af10652f7

...its a reducing hose (3" to 2.75"). I took the time to measure the filter and MAF openings with my calipers befor ordering, and the hose is perfect The smaller end fits nice and snug over the MAF, while the 3" end is attached to the filter using one of the joiners:
http://www.siliconeintakes.com/produ...53f50af10652f7

...with steel worm gear clamps, of course.

 

I used the bottom half of the stock airbox so the hose is in the original spot.
The filter is directly above the outlet of the hose into the box.

 

I wish I had the time an tools on hand to build one from lexan. I made something similar using sheet aluminum and a cone filter. I am trying to make a tray for the under side of the hood to funnel air from the scoop to the air box. So far I have a thin sheet of aluminum that channels air back behind the head and about a 4" flap hanging down behind the head and in front of the filter that serves two purposes. It channels the air to the filter and it blocks some heat from the front of the engine. Now I need to stiffen it up and clean it up as well. I'll post picks when I can. I'm trying to find ways to improve the setup with unfortunately very little time after work and before putting the kids to bed.

Cody

 

Cody,

I had to buy most of the tools I needed to do the job. You have to love Harbor Frieght Tools for inexspensive tools! We have like three local stores here in this area, but you can buy everything online too.
I purchased the heat gun (on sale $9.99), jig saw ($19.99), and hole saw set (12.99).....all for less than $50 at Harborfrieght.

 

Any of you guys know where you can buy an elbow to add on to a k&n filter, like the red elbow Alta uses?

 

I bought mine at Pepboys (I know I know....)

 

does this mod void the warrenty?

 

it voids the warranty for any problem they can link to this modification. which is vague wording left up to interpretation by your dealer. it is however very easy to switch back to stock.

 

Hello,
we sell aFe airfilters. aFe has filters available with the following dimensions:

2-3/4" , 2-7/8", or 3" flange opening in 5" or 6" height.

Available in oiled or non-oiled version.

We sell them in a package:
2 filters of your choice (oiled -non oiled)
Cleaning kit if at least 1 filter is oiled
aFe ballcap

Free shipping in the Continental US

$95.00

 

 

So guys, correct me if I'm wrong, as long as the filter has an elbow attached that connects to the MAF, there will not be any issues with the car running weird(rich or lean, etc)?? Plus wont a home made one get similar gains to Alta's intake?? Oh yeah, engine doesn't care if you switch back and forth between stock air box and home made CAI??

 

I don't have a dyno chart, but I know I can chirp the tires shifting from 2nd to 3rd going 55mph since I installed the intake and exhaust!! Nothing but smiles here with the way the intake has been functioning. I'm even average 42mpg since the upgrades!

 

Sweet! I think I'm gonna do the same thing, I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't get any problems from the MAF. What exhaust do you have? I'm getting the Alta turbo back on next week, can't wait

 

I have the Alta cat-back (actually mine says Perrin on the tips Mine was one of the first shipped, and I think someone goofed when they had my tips etched)

 

by the way, do you need to reset the ecu like someone was sayin?? that seems kinda weird. oh yeah, how much louder is it especially when you shift?

 

You know, I'm going to have to stick with my opinion that the elbow idea needs to be proven. Air doesn't like to turn corners, and that causes turbulence too. Unless it's tested on a MINI, how would anyone know which way works, and which way causes problems? Experiences with other cars can make one look more carefully at the MINI, but where the filters sit, the airflow paths, everything, would have to be the same to be directly applicable.

You really need to test 1)stock 2)filter alone 3)filter+elbow before you can prove any positive or ill effects on the MAF sensor between any of them. Otherwise it's speculation.

What the elbow DOES allow you to do is have a little more freedom with filter size.

 

In my opinion, anytime that you change the way a car breathes or takes in or spits out anything (i.e. fuel, air, exhaust, etc.) you should reset the ecu. Doing this allows for your ecu to recalibrate to the modification that you just installed. When an ecu is reset it "learns" from your driving and the variables at which it is given. I have always done this to my cars with no regrets.

 

I put on my filter, then about a month later reset my ECU and butt dyno says it accelerates a little bit smoother

 

I had the filter setup two different ways:
1. filter straight onto the MAF = really loud "blow-off" noise between shifts

2. Filter in the current setup with box and elbow = at least 60% quieter (at least inside the cabin) ....also seems at bit smoother acceleration

the filter deffinately is much cooler after driving with the current setup. So the cold air it's receiving could play a part in the engine responding differently

 

Well, Alta said you need the elbow and proper size tubing to get the proper air flow over the MAF.

 

Hello...does any one know if a 9 inch filter with a 3 inch inlet work with the 90 degree elbow??