Drivetrain CAI for R56 (home made)
#426
02-26-2008, 08:17 AM
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i had been itching for a new mod since i lowered my car and i wanted to do an intake. at first i was looking at getting a used alta CAI but the price seems ridiculous for what you get. I ended up getting the various fittings from siliconparts.com and a trueflow 5.5X9 3inch inlet foam filter from amazon. The silicon parts have already shipped but im still waiting on the filter to ship from amazon.
I think the foam filters are definitely the way to go, there filtering capabilities far exceed that of paper and gauze. I cant wait for these goodies to get delivered!!
btw, this is the fliter
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007W0A7E
i will post pix and feedback when they come in!
I think the foam filters are definitely the way to go, there filtering capabilities far exceed that of paper and gauze. I cant wait for these goodies to get delivered!!
btw, this is the fliter
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007W0A7E
i will post pix and feedback when they come in!
#428
02-26-2008, 10:47 PM
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im pretty sure all foam filters have to be oiled. Im not sure what kind of oil they use but from my experience, some are tackier than others.
I equate the oil to snot and the foam to your nose hairs. It is a very efficient system that allows for good filtration and good flow
I equate the oil to snot and the foam to your nose hairs. It is a very efficient system that allows for good filtration and good flow
#429
02-26-2008, 10:52 PM
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hey ghost that is the filter i have on my setup and you can tell a difference. you will be able to hear it sucking in a lot of air. i tried a k&n filter also and went back to the true flow . i like all the noise and at top end it seems to never stop pulling. also the filter is big but it looks cool under the hood. you can zip tie it down really good as well. it will not move. i put two rows of ties down on it . i washed the mini yesterday and got a lil water on it so i removed it and put on the k&n until it dries good. i think adding the alta downpipe would make this filter really work at its peak. just need more money and it will happen. the alta or forge intercooler would help even more. again more money. im also thinking of scrapping the whole thing and going with the alta intake. it removes the tray under the filter and i think it keeps dirt and crap from getting in the filter and water. i took the filter tray off yesterday and cleaned all the sand and crap out of it. i can see where the alta allows all that to just go down to the bottom of the car down to the road. also it allows you to clean around that part of the cars underhood area. i like to keep as much of the underhood as clean as i can. florida is nothing but bugs ,sand and rain. just a few of my pennys on it.
thanks for the heads up!
i wouldnt be too concerned with a little moisture getting on the filter. the engine will just vaporize it, possibly even making more power! (water injection anyone?)
As for the alta intake... i really think its overpriced for what it is, even used. The filter element is way smaller than most filters used by DIY CAI'ers and beside the cleaner looking "shield" they use, you arent getting any more benefit from their setup as opposed to the DIY model. If you are really that concerned about dirt collecting in the airbox base, just drill some big holes or slots into the bottom and be done with it. Heck, you may even be able to fab up some sort of bracketry to hold the filter and remove the stock airbox completely.
I have a question about the true filter.... can you actually take the foam out of the metal mesh? I would imagine that would make cleaning soooo much easier.
Last edited by ghosthound; 02-26-2008 at 10:55 PM.
#430
02-27-2008, 07:12 AM
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from what i can tell the filter cant be taken apart, its got two layers of foam in it. red on the outside and black inside but then again its shouldnt need cleaning for a long time. the foam is thick. i also drilled out some of the scoops blocked grill slots. not all of them . i drilled holes in some of it and cleaned out some completely. and then the inside of the scoops opening i bent down the metal a lil all the way across the opening. i read somewhere on here about it would let a lil more air in. i would rather not drill on the air box ,reason being that what ever i put on i can remove for my next mini or sell it. also return the car as close to stock for trade in. i put alot of miles on the cars i drive, long comute to work. 160 miles oneway. so i trade in about every two years. i got this one off the lot so the next one i will order. back to the custom / homemade air intake , iam sure the big trueflow will out flow the alta just on size but i think having the downpipe will help it work to its peak performance level. it whisles and pisssess and makes noise through the gears but cruising speeds on the highway its quiet enough. just a few more of my pennys.
#431
03-03-2008, 03:36 AM
I have taken the plunge and made up my own version. I tried a few versions from the very simple set up that started this marathon thread to a more elaborate set up that I have now. Consists of a large dual cone K&N pod filter, some polished 3" alloy pipe, a 3" blue silicon elbow pipe, 2 metal mounts and some heat shielding for it to sit on. I will post pics as soon as I can.
The result has been good, feels like more power, especially at rolling accelerations. The sound is awesome, no mistaking it is a turbo now!
I also opened up the dummy scoop so cold air is more available. Just to be sure, I have made my own intercooler spray if I feel it lag in stop start traffic.
Overall, very pleased, did all this for less that an after market CAI would have cost and I swear this is the way my JCW kit should have come.
The result has been good, feels like more power, especially at rolling accelerations. The sound is awesome, no mistaking it is a turbo now!
I also opened up the dummy scoop so cold air is more available. Just to be sure, I have made my own intercooler spray if I feel it lag in stop start traffic.
Overall, very pleased, did all this for less that an after market CAI would have cost and I swear this is the way my JCW kit should have come.
#432
03-03-2008, 06:48 AM
Good for you! I think opening up the hood scoop is essential for any homemade CAI. I even went so far as completely removing the plastic cold air ducting to the original filter box, as well as the filter box itself. You wouldn't believe the extra space in the engine compartment now for air flow and heat dissipation. My homemade CAI uses a shorter and larger tube straight into the turbo without the extra elbow. The MAF was moved forward and the largest K&N filter I could find was placed directly on the MAF inlet. You are right, this is what John Cooper would have designed.
#433
03-03-2008, 06:41 PM
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#435
03-04-2008, 03:22 PM
#436
03-04-2008, 03:59 PM
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#437
03-04-2008, 10:49 PM
Holds pretty well with only minor flex in the mounts, no viabrating or rubbing on other components.
#438
03-05-2008, 05:41 AM
#439
03-05-2008, 06:22 AM
#440
03-05-2008, 02:20 PM
As I briefly said in my previous post, the performance does feel better. Not much change on initial take off, maybe a little more torque but it is in rolling acceleration that there is a definite improvement. Stomp on it coming out of a corner and you have to be ready for some torque steer and traction control cuts in if you happen to be in the meat of the torque curve.
I have noticed that with general driving the inlet pipe near the the throttle body does not get as hot so it is obviously running a bit cooler which is a big problem for us in Australia when the car is fitted with such a small FMIC.
As mine is a JCW the difference is not huge, but it is an improvement that can be felt. Besides that it sounds like a high performance turbo now which is what I really wanted.
As for the heat shield, it does leave a considerable gap to the firewall which can not be seen in the pics. There will still be good airflow over the back of the motor. Like I said earlier, still a work in progress and as I develop it more I will remember to retain that air flow over the inlet side of the motor.
Thanks everyone for the comments, it makes it a bit more fun to come up with your own design when people give ideas and opinions on your work.
I have noticed that with general driving the inlet pipe near the the throttle body does not get as hot so it is obviously running a bit cooler which is a big problem for us in Australia when the car is fitted with such a small FMIC.
As mine is a JCW the difference is not huge, but it is an improvement that can be felt. Besides that it sounds like a high performance turbo now which is what I really wanted.
As for the heat shield, it does leave a considerable gap to the firewall which can not be seen in the pics. There will still be good airflow over the back of the motor. Like I said earlier, still a work in progress and as I develop it more I will remember to retain that air flow over the inlet side of the motor.
Thanks everyone for the comments, it makes it a bit more fun to come up with your own design when people give ideas and opinions on your work.
#441
03-05-2008, 07:15 PM
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It has two metal filter mounts clamped under the hose clamps, one near the filter and one at the joint of the stock pipe and the silicon pipe. Both these mounts bolt to the engine so movement of the engine is not a problem.
Holds pretty well with only minor flex in the mounts, no viabrating or rubbing on other components.
Holds pretty well with only minor flex in the mounts, no viabrating or rubbing on other components.
#442
03-08-2008, 06:47 PM
First mod
I've tried it and I am liking it. I went with the basic setup. As I started looking at what filter to go with I found an article at www.australianauto.com.au/ (under air filters and kits. The comparison was taken from Auto Salon magazine jan 07) the 3A racing filter won the shootout. Pep boys had the filter for $20. I got some zip ties to suspend it from the hole. Took me 15 min. I mainly wanted to try this to see if an intake was in my future, and I think it is. I reset the computer using the technique that was discuused earlier in this thread. I drove around all day with the window down to hear the sound. I think there is some performance gain, but hard to tell with more foot on the throttle. Very easy to switch out. I also did remove the scoop grill.
Thanks to all contributors
Thanks to all contributors
#443
03-08-2008, 07:13 PM
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#444
03-08-2008, 07:45 PM
You have a good point.
The part of the article that was posted on that website gives each filter a rating for flow and filtration. It does not describe the testing technique. It shows a little blotch from each filter. I guess common sense dictates that if it flows better it would have less filtration. The K & N they tested had good filtration, but poor flow.
After reading the article further they did seem to use good technique in testing these filters. The 3A racing filter got 1st in flow and 2nd in filtration. It is a dry filter so it must be tossed after it gets dirty.
The part of the article that was posted on that website gives each filter a rating for flow and filtration. It does not describe the testing technique. It shows a little blotch from each filter. I guess common sense dictates that if it flows better it would have less filtration. The K & N they tested had good filtration, but poor flow.
After reading the article further they did seem to use good technique in testing these filters. The 3A racing filter got 1st in flow and 2nd in filtration. It is a dry filter so it must be tossed after it gets dirty.
Last edited by swolfgang; 03-08-2008 at 07:54 PM.
#445
03-09-2008, 07:23 AM
The debate between T-bolt and Worm clamps doesn't really apply here, because this is a low pressure intake scenario. Yes, T-bolt clamps are typically rated for more torque, so you can tighten them more, but this is only an issue when it comes to intercooler/charge piping. Also, in those scenarios you run the risk of the Worm clamp "cutting" into the tubing in addition to blowing off under pressure. However, as mentioned before, both should be fine for a CAI application as the pressures are not high enough to cause these problems.
What you have to ensure is that the pipes are stiff enough that they do not collapse on themselves
#446
03-10-2008, 08:10 AM
I've tried it and I am liking it. I went with the basic setup. As I started looking at what filter to go with I found an article at www.australianauto.com.au/ (under air filters and kits. The comparison was taken from Auto Salon magazine jan 07) the 3A racing filter won the shootout. Pep boys had the filter for $20. I got some zip ties to suspend it from the hole. Took me 15 min. I mainly wanted to try this to see if an intake was in my future, and I think it is. I reset the computer using the technique that was discuused earlier in this thread. I drove around all day with the window down to hear the sound. I think there is some performance gain, but hard to tell with more foot on the throttle. Very easy to switch out. I also did remove the scoop grill.
Thanks to all contributors
Thanks to all contributors
try this one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThmW2SW1I-k
#447
03-10-2008, 05:24 PM
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Hey guys,
Looking for the pictures of these cool DIY intakes has given me a few neat intake ideas, I'll see if we can throw something inexpensive together like we've done for the 335i.
I'm still skeptical of the real world power gains, but there seems to be strong market for them. And it's really a shame that people pay $190, $290, etc for intakes that basically consist of a filter, a piece of pipe, and a small bracket.
T
Looking for the pictures of these cool DIY intakes has given me a few neat intake ideas, I'll see if we can throw something inexpensive together like we've done for the 335i.
I'm still skeptical of the real world power gains, but there seems to be strong market for them. And it's really a shame that people pay $190, $290, etc for intakes that basically consist of a filter, a piece of pipe, and a small bracket.
T
#448
03-10-2008, 09:10 PM
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#449
03-11-2008, 07:41 AM
#450
03-11-2008, 08:20 AM
You need this part along with some clamps to properly attach everything together.
http://www.siliconeintakes.com/produ...0f65c92aa54cc2
http://www.siliconeintakes.com/produ...0f65c92aa54cc2