ALTA Performance Feedback! (questions/comments)
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,260
Likes: 87
From: Pacific NW
The links to the individual components for Power pack 3 for Clubman are broken links.
http://www.altaperformance.com/clubm...s-power-pack-3
Dave
http://www.altaperformance.com/clubm...s-power-pack-3
Dave
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
From: Hillsboro, Oregon
The links to the individual components for Power pack 3 for Clubman are broken links.
http://www.altaperformance.com/clubm...s-power-pack-3
Dave
http://www.altaperformance.com/clubm...s-power-pack-3
Dave
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
I've just finished installing an Alta intake in my wife's R56 MCS, and I have some feedback.
First, I know you are great guys. You have a huge presence here, and you're extremely helpful - so please don't take this as bashing. It's not. I'm trying to give you the constructive criticism you need to improve your product.
Ok, with that said:
1 - The instructions suck. Thankfully, it's all pretty straightforward, and I've done a ton of intakes on other cars in the past. Some better quality pics, and some more clear instruction (more steps?) could help that. There are a lot of steps that seem as though they could be easier if performed in a different way. As a side note, writing instructions is a large part of my job, and I would love to help you with that. Send me a PM if you want to discuss.
2 - Some of the pieces included seem... very generic. Like, not a perfect fit, just 'good enough'. For example:
a) The filter. The most important part. It's ever so slightly too large to fit on the connector, so it tends to slide off when you're tightening down the clamps. I'll admit, I tend to crank down the clamps where I can, but I'll definitely be checking this connection every day for the next few weeks, just to make sure that the filter hasn't fallen off. It 'feels' loose - or maybe just the lubrication of the filter gets in the way. I'm talking about the large clamp that attaches the filter to the silicon coupler, which attaches to the Alta plate.
b) The clamps. Especially on the cold air intake part - the clamps supplied with the reducer were too small. I had to loosen them to the absolute last tooth just to slide them onto the coupler, and then sliding the coupler onto each the pipe and the Alta plate was nearly impossible - especially with the Alta plate already mounted to the intake manifold. (see instructions to be improved upon.)
c) The elbow going from the MAF to the Alta plate - that left a lot to be desired. It's not quite the right angle to get from the MAF to the plate, so it's a real pain in the butt to get the elbow clamped down on whichever part you do last. (I tried it both ways, assuming I attached it to the wrong part the first time - it wasn't any easier.)
What initially drew me to the Alta intake over the others were the price, my knowledge of Perrin from the Subaru world, and the plate. I thought the plate was a great way to keep the cooler air coming in. The performance increase is definitely noticeable, and the sound is exactly what my wife was looking for. (She was jealous of the bypass valve noise on my Mazdaspeed 3)
The last thing I want to comment on is the foam filter. I've seen the science on the foam filters - from both sides, and I'm undecided as of yet. I'm worried about the oil getting to the MAF, but I'm sure that's a concern you've addressed. I don't look forward to the day I inevitably need to take the intake tract apart to clean the MAF with some electronics cleaner, but hopefully it will hold the oil as well as the K&N-style on my MS3 intake.
These are long-term quality concerns, though, and we'll just have to see how it works out on that front.
I'd love to hear a reply on your thoughts on these points, as I'd love to keep shopping with you guys.
Thanks!
Harry
First, I know you are great guys. You have a huge presence here, and you're extremely helpful - so please don't take this as bashing. It's not. I'm trying to give you the constructive criticism you need to improve your product.
Ok, with that said:
1 - The instructions suck. Thankfully, it's all pretty straightforward, and I've done a ton of intakes on other cars in the past. Some better quality pics, and some more clear instruction (more steps?) could help that. There are a lot of steps that seem as though they could be easier if performed in a different way. As a side note, writing instructions is a large part of my job, and I would love to help you with that. Send me a PM if you want to discuss.
2 - Some of the pieces included seem... very generic. Like, not a perfect fit, just 'good enough'. For example:
a) The filter. The most important part. It's ever so slightly too large to fit on the connector, so it tends to slide off when you're tightening down the clamps. I'll admit, I tend to crank down the clamps where I can, but I'll definitely be checking this connection every day for the next few weeks, just to make sure that the filter hasn't fallen off. It 'feels' loose - or maybe just the lubrication of the filter gets in the way. I'm talking about the large clamp that attaches the filter to the silicon coupler, which attaches to the Alta plate.
b) The clamps. Especially on the cold air intake part - the clamps supplied with the reducer were too small. I had to loosen them to the absolute last tooth just to slide them onto the coupler, and then sliding the coupler onto each the pipe and the Alta plate was nearly impossible - especially with the Alta plate already mounted to the intake manifold. (see instructions to be improved upon.)
c) The elbow going from the MAF to the Alta plate - that left a lot to be desired. It's not quite the right angle to get from the MAF to the plate, so it's a real pain in the butt to get the elbow clamped down on whichever part you do last. (I tried it both ways, assuming I attached it to the wrong part the first time - it wasn't any easier.)
What initially drew me to the Alta intake over the others were the price, my knowledge of Perrin from the Subaru world, and the plate. I thought the plate was a great way to keep the cooler air coming in. The performance increase is definitely noticeable, and the sound is exactly what my wife was looking for. (She was jealous of the bypass valve noise on my Mazdaspeed 3
)The last thing I want to comment on is the foam filter. I've seen the science on the foam filters - from both sides, and I'm undecided as of yet. I'm worried about the oil getting to the MAF, but I'm sure that's a concern you've addressed. I don't look forward to the day I inevitably need to take the intake tract apart to clean the MAF with some electronics cleaner, but hopefully it will hold the oil as well as the K&N-style on my MS3 intake.
These are long-term quality concerns, though, and we'll just have to see how it works out on that front.
I'd love to hear a reply on your thoughts on these points, as I'd love to keep shopping with you guys.
Thanks!
Harry
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 257
Likes: 4
From: Plano, TX
I've just finished installing an Alta intake in my wife's R56 MCS, and I have some feedback.
First, I know you are great guys. You have a huge presence here, and you're extremely helpful - so please don't take this as bashing. It's not. I'm trying to give you the constructive criticism you need to improve your product.
Ok, with that said:
1 - The instructions suck. Thankfully, it's all pretty straightforward, and I've done a ton of intakes on other cars in the past. Some better quality pics, and some more clear instruction (more steps?) could help that. There are a lot of steps that seem as though they could be easier if performed in a different way. As a side note, writing instructions is a large part of my job, and I would love to help you with that. Send me a PM if you want to discuss.
2 - Some of the pieces included seem... very generic. Like, not a perfect fit, just 'good enough'. For example:
a) The filter. The most important part. It's ever so slightly too large to fit on the connector, so it tends to slide off when you're tightening down the clamps. I'll admit, I tend to crank down the clamps where I can, but I'll definitely be checking this connection every day for the next few weeks, just to make sure that the filter hasn't fallen off. It 'feels' loose - or maybe just the lubrication of the filter gets in the way. I'm talking about the large clamp that attaches the filter to the silicon coupler, which attaches to the Alta plate.
b) The clamps. Especially on the cold air intake part - the clamps supplied with the reducer were too small. I had to loosen them to the absolute last tooth just to slide them onto the coupler, and then sliding the coupler onto each the pipe and the Alta plate was nearly impossible - especially with the Alta plate already mounted to the intake manifold. (see instructions to be improved upon.)
c) The elbow going from the MAF to the Alta plate - that left a lot to be desired. It's not quite the right angle to get from the MAF to the plate, so it's a real pain in the butt to get the elbow clamped down on whichever part you do last. (I tried it both ways, assuming I attached it to the wrong part the first time - it wasn't any easier.)
What initially drew me to the Alta intake over the others were the price, my knowledge of Perrin from the Subaru world, and the plate. I thought the plate was a great way to keep the cooler air coming in. The performance increase is definitely noticeable, and the sound is exactly what my wife was looking for. (She was jealous of the bypass valve noise on my Mazdaspeed 3)
The last thing I want to comment on is the foam filter. I've seen the science on the foam filters - from both sides, and I'm undecided as of yet. I'm worried about the oil getting to the MAF, but I'm sure that's a concern you've addressed. I don't look forward to the day I inevitably need to take the intake tract apart to clean the MAF with some electronics cleaner, but hopefully it will hold the oil as well as the K&N-style on my MS3 intake.
These are long-term quality concerns, though, and we'll just have to see how it works out on that front.
I'd love to hear a reply on your thoughts on these points, as I'd love to keep shopping with you guys.
Thanks!
Harry
First, I know you are great guys. You have a huge presence here, and you're extremely helpful - so please don't take this as bashing. It's not. I'm trying to give you the constructive criticism you need to improve your product.
Ok, with that said:
1 - The instructions suck. Thankfully, it's all pretty straightforward, and I've done a ton of intakes on other cars in the past. Some better quality pics, and some more clear instruction (more steps?) could help that. There are a lot of steps that seem as though they could be easier if performed in a different way. As a side note, writing instructions is a large part of my job, and I would love to help you with that. Send me a PM if you want to discuss.
2 - Some of the pieces included seem... very generic. Like, not a perfect fit, just 'good enough'. For example:
a) The filter. The most important part. It's ever so slightly too large to fit on the connector, so it tends to slide off when you're tightening down the clamps. I'll admit, I tend to crank down the clamps where I can, but I'll definitely be checking this connection every day for the next few weeks, just to make sure that the filter hasn't fallen off. It 'feels' loose - or maybe just the lubrication of the filter gets in the way. I'm talking about the large clamp that attaches the filter to the silicon coupler, which attaches to the Alta plate.
b) The clamps. Especially on the cold air intake part - the clamps supplied with the reducer were too small. I had to loosen them to the absolute last tooth just to slide them onto the coupler, and then sliding the coupler onto each the pipe and the Alta plate was nearly impossible - especially with the Alta plate already mounted to the intake manifold. (see instructions to be improved upon.)
c) The elbow going from the MAF to the Alta plate - that left a lot to be desired. It's not quite the right angle to get from the MAF to the plate, so it's a real pain in the butt to get the elbow clamped down on whichever part you do last. (I tried it both ways, assuming I attached it to the wrong part the first time - it wasn't any easier.)
What initially drew me to the Alta intake over the others were the price, my knowledge of Perrin from the Subaru world, and the plate. I thought the plate was a great way to keep the cooler air coming in. The performance increase is definitely noticeable, and the sound is exactly what my wife was looking for. (She was jealous of the bypass valve noise on my Mazdaspeed 3
)The last thing I want to comment on is the foam filter. I've seen the science on the foam filters - from both sides, and I'm undecided as of yet. I'm worried about the oil getting to the MAF, but I'm sure that's a concern you've addressed. I don't look forward to the day I inevitably need to take the intake tract apart to clean the MAF with some electronics cleaner, but hopefully it will hold the oil as well as the K&N-style on my MS3 intake.
These are long-term quality concerns, though, and we'll just have to see how it works out on that front.
I'd love to hear a reply on your thoughts on these points, as I'd love to keep shopping with you guys.
Thanks!
Harry
Manufacturer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Just for all NAM'ers reading this. We have been taking care of this customer offline. We even responded to him over the weekend! In this case we forgot to repsond here to help out other onlookers in case they had similar concerns.
MARCH 6, 2012
Harry,
First off, you should have ZERO concerns about long term durability. Since we have been selling these (starting in 07) we have had only a handful of actual air box failures and this falls far far below 1% failure rate. Secondly, the oil on the MAF. This is always one of those things people worry about but we have NEVER had an issue on the MINI. Its the type of MAF sensor and the way the actual sensor part is shielded that keeps it from causing a problem. Even then for our other applications, its very very rare to hear about those things.
1. Sorry about your instructions. Its been a while since they have been updated, and there is no reason why we can't do that again. If your suggestion is more pictures or better pictures, that isn't too hard to do. In fact recently we talked about making some instructions colored to help make them clearer. In this case, we find many of our customers just download them from our website making them easier to see the pictures. On this part, adding more pics may be overkill for such a simple part (as you put it), but also may help out a few people. This part in general, we hardly ever hear customers are confused about the instructions. Perhaps they are good enough for most customers, but for sure could be better.
2. a.The ID of the filter is 2.75" and the OD of the small tube is 2.75". This should be a really perfect fit. We have used this same filter and tube size for a long time on both the older car and new car. What does happen (and we have notes about this in the instructions twice) is that over tightening it, and excess oil on the ID, can cause a problem where wants to slip off. To fix this, wipe out the oil, and loosen both clamps. Then tighten the clamp on the shroud, then tighten the sock to filter. That should work really well. If you are still having issues, it may be that your filter it self has something wrong with it.
b. Can you tell me if you have a size 36 hose clamp on that smaller connection? That is the correct clamp for that and it shouldn't have much excess band sticking out.
c. This is also weird. Are you able to snap a picture of this? Unless this was cut wrong, it should just line right up.
I am glad you are happy with the performance and noise it makes! Maybe part of your concerns are because the Mini might now be faster than your MS3... Just kidding. If you are worried about that, don't get the AccessPORT for it, or it might be able to keep up with the MS3!
Thanks for the feedback. Everything you said is something we can work on, so we don't take this a bashing at all. Hope to hear back from you soon!
BTW, if you ever need an EBCS Pro for your MS3, let me know, we have the plugs to make it a plug and play setup.
MARCH 6, 2012
Harry,
First off, you should have ZERO concerns about long term durability. Since we have been selling these (starting in 07) we have had only a handful of actual air box failures and this falls far far below 1% failure rate. Secondly, the oil on the MAF. This is always one of those things people worry about but we have NEVER had an issue on the MINI. Its the type of MAF sensor and the way the actual sensor part is shielded that keeps it from causing a problem. Even then for our other applications, its very very rare to hear about those things.
1. Sorry about your instructions. Its been a while since they have been updated, and there is no reason why we can't do that again. If your suggestion is more pictures or better pictures, that isn't too hard to do. In fact recently we talked about making some instructions colored to help make them clearer. In this case, we find many of our customers just download them from our website making them easier to see the pictures. On this part, adding more pics may be overkill for such a simple part (as you put it), but also may help out a few people. This part in general, we hardly ever hear customers are confused about the instructions. Perhaps they are good enough for most customers, but for sure could be better.
2. a.The ID of the filter is 2.75" and the OD of the small tube is 2.75". This should be a really perfect fit. We have used this same filter and tube size for a long time on both the older car and new car. What does happen (and we have notes about this in the instructions twice) is that over tightening it, and excess oil on the ID, can cause a problem where wants to slip off. To fix this, wipe out the oil, and loosen both clamps. Then tighten the clamp on the shroud, then tighten the sock to filter. That should work really well. If you are still having issues, it may be that your filter it self has something wrong with it.
b. Can you tell me if you have a size 36 hose clamp on that smaller connection? That is the correct clamp for that and it shouldn't have much excess band sticking out.
c. This is also weird. Are you able to snap a picture of this? Unless this was cut wrong, it should just line right up.
I am glad you are happy with the performance and noise it makes! Maybe part of your concerns are because the Mini might now be faster than your MS3... Just kidding. If you are worried about that, don't get the AccessPORT for it, or it might be able to keep up with the MS3!
Thanks for the feedback. Everything you said is something we can work on, so we don't take this a bashing at all. Hope to hear back from you soon!
BTW, if you ever need an EBCS Pro for your MS3, let me know, we have the plugs to make it a plug and play setup.
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