How does the stock air box compare to an aftermarket cold air intake? It seems like the stock box gets more cold air than the cold air intake. Is this true?

 

After researching NAM for some time, I just went with a drop in K&N filter. Sound and performance increase was well worth it. The K&N and the H&R 19mm rear sway bar are my two favorite mods!

 

Maybe some of the "cold" air intakes are different, but many just suck hot air from the engine compartment. The stock inlet should actually pressurize the air box a bit as the car speeds up, helping the air flow even more. I'd say a good filter in the stock airbox is as good as most aftermaket intakes...minus the noise.

 

Right now I have a True Flow foam drop in filter for it. It seems to work good! I just dont have that nice should I would get from a cold air intake. Plus $200 for any intake is a lot for just sound. What do you guys think?

 

I got the MiniMania intake. It consists of a drop in foam or K&N filter (stock
size, and replaces the intake tube to the box and the box lid.
They're not selling it anymore via the US MINIMania site, but still offer it on their
UK site under the Ultrik brand.
It flows a little better and retains the true cold air intake nature of the stock system.

 

This is what I and a bunch of other R50 owners have:
http://ddmworks.com/MiniStore/mini_c...ni_intake.html
Awesome sound, better throttle response by far.

This thing is just beastly:
http://www.minspeed.net/ITG-CAB.htm

 

I went to a drop-in Foam panel filter from Mini Mania. Not much of a sound boost but I got 2mpg mileage bump. All for $30.00

 

So...is this the general idea: You can get the same amount of MPG bump from a $40 drop-in as you would from a CAI...but you get a 'new' sound from the $200 CAIs?

 

That's right. Is the sound boost/ego massage worth $160.00 to you?

 

im stupid... i found this post through view new posts and didn't notice it was an r50 thread.

At any rate. Buy waylen's intake... because it makes you look cool.

/shameless plug for a friend.

 

Yes

 

I put in a K&N Typhoon SRI (note, not CAI, it has no heat shield)

I get about 2-3mpg better, more oomph in acceleration (around 3k rpm's I can feel it), and a kick *** sound!

 

I hear lots about the competition but not much about the FLOWsource aFe in these CAI threads. I've always had my eye on these; they seem to be well designed with the full heat shield and all.

Any testimonials out there?

 

I've had my aFe/FLOWsource installed for quite awhile now. Did it add hp? Doubt it. Did it increase my mpg? Very slightly. Does it sound nice? Yup - sounds very nice, added a deep growl.

There are more pics here: Flickr aFe Install

 

Thanks for the info MMb. The aFe looks right at home.

You've obviously done quite a few other mods since the install! I have to say that you have one of the most awesome looking MC engine compartments I have ever seen.

 

Thanks. A fellow MINI5280 club member 03Indigo has a great engine compartment as well. His was actually my inspiration. Check it out: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=109404

 

AFE intake sounds nice and seems to boost the power a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUccvdIEkw0

 

Here's a link to the thread on the Cooper Intake that DDM and I designed.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=108325
You'll find out what Users of our intake have thought.
I have them in stock and ready to ship too.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/MINI/MI...3/Default.aspx

 

I'm looking for a replacement intake hose (preferably red). Needs to be the same shape & length as the OEM from the airbox to the intake. I've seen the silicone hoses for the MCS but not the MC. Any thoughts on finding one?

 

Sorry no one makes the stock hose in silicone.

 

Well darn. I painted mine so it look better, but I was hoping for a slick looking silicone jobber to really wow the crowds.

 

Back in 03 after I got my r50, I spent quite a bit of time testing 4 filter setups. Stock, Drop in foam, Pipercross cone and twister CAI.

I did the testing with a pda type dyno. Not accurate for bottom line HP, but good for comparison purposes.

Bottom line, the drop in foam turned in the best numbers. The twister and pipercross look and sound cool, but best performance bang for the buck is a drop in.

 

You could check MiniSport. They're in the UK so the shipping can be steep depending on what you order, but I got a slick blue Pipercross intake hose from them for my MC. They claim it's "Kevlar" but the outer cover looks like the silicone hoses to me.

 

Thanks I will check.

 

I have the drop-in ITG and I love it! Great response and sound too! That coupled with NGK iridiums and suspension mods is a great package. Now I just need some summer rubber...