Installed the CAI this last weekend. I thought I would post a few pics. Still waiting on the paint to show up so I can finish it on up.

 

I see you're going for max sound with the knock-outs too. Did you go for the aerogel turbo shield I see below the inlet there, or is that a non-aerogel shield? ( I recently read-up about the material; amazing stuff!)

 

Herman,

When are you going to put this monster on the dyno and see what numbers your making with all these improvements?

I imagine butt dyno says all is good. Did you do 35s on the 18s?

 

Whats you're personal review of the part?

 

Yep I sprung for the aerogel insert for the shield. I figured if I was spending that much on a intake it would be a shame for it to melt. It's amazing how much heat that turbo puts off.

 

I suppose I will wait till spring sometime to take it somewhere to put it on a dyno. The only places I know with dyno's are over a 100 miles away and they already started throwing down de-icer everywhere. Besides I still want to wait till I have everything installed before I put her on. Still waiting on the inlet hose(backordered). For now the butt dyno will have to do. Although it's killing me not knowing.

As for the 18's yes those are 35's.

 

Looks sick! how does it feel?

 

As for my review I like it overall. The thing that clinched it for me was that is uses the hood scoop rather than pulling hot air in the engine compartment. I think that's partof the idea behind cold air intakes is the cold air, but I could be wrong. Performance wise I don't know how the other intakes perform compared to this one. I don't think I've ever read anything that shows hp comparisons between the different intakes. So I just went with the one that I thought would be the best performing.

 

Any warning lights yet?

 

I usually just drive her around town and haven't had one warning light yet. Yesterday I took her on a 400 mile drive and no warning or check engine lights. So I guess all is good .

 

Ive had mine on for over 2000 miles now and nothing not one cel. Combined with ED turbo back with downpipe, Forge intercooler, ED hard pipes and UniChip.

Herman da German FYI pluging the first hole closest to the MAF will yield the best performance.

 

Wondering, why not all three closed? I'd figure at low speeds there's hot air coming in from the engine compartment, or @ higher speed the pressured ram effect being lost escaping into the engine compartment.

 

Has something to do with velocity stack and the amount of scavanging of air around the filter. The best Dyno plot was with that one hole plugged and the other two open.

 

How do you like your HKS BOV? I thought maybe the sound from the AGS-R would do it for me, but it's not. I was thinking instead of having those blue tubes that I could cut my alta one to fit the hardpipe.

 

Love it! In regular driving mode its fairly quiet in sport its loud! Im sure you could use the Alta ones or sell the Altas and make a profit. I love the Exhaust Depot Hardpipe kit. Better throttle response and great sound to boot.

FYI if you plan on using the M7 strut bar... it fits fine.

 

Thanks for the info. By the way great DYI write up on the HKS.

 

Looks great! I have not seen to many of the Second Gen with Mods....and I see a ton of MINIs!

 

Do it Herman you'll love it!