Alright .. so curiosity is getting the best of me.
100$ vs any number of other more expensive (but full replacement) options out there (Alta, m7, DDMWorks, etc).

I wonder ... just how restrictive would the JCW intake be with this over any of the others ... or not?

Not looking for a flame fest here either folks ... just some theories based on empirical thought.

 

Hey I would LOVE to help you, but I am missing the question. So I am taking my best stab.

The JCW air box with one of the performance filters (I prefer mine of course) but if you don't like the concept of the open intake boxes etc. and want to maximize the performance of the JCW box, I think you would be JUST fine.

If I missed something PLEASE let me know and I am happy to help further! Good luck!

 

Thanks for the response Adam..
You basically answered the question .. but I'll be more direct with a parallel.

In the Subaru world, on STIs, there is really no reason to change the intake until you upgrade your turbo. The small turbo on the MINI would indicate to me there is only so much flow that could go through it ..
So I'm struggling with getting anything more than a replacement element for the JCW box (which I already have on the vehicle).

So the question is ... do I really *need* (technically speaking) to replace the whole box given I don't plan on upgrading the turbo (yet )? I'm looking for good flow... *and* may get a PNP or chip at some point ... but for now will stick with your FMIC upgrade, boost tubes and the JCW package (installed at purchase).... possibly change up the exhaust. Will simply replacing the element with a more free flow element (such as the one above or another) be sufficient (will it not be a bottleneck)?

 

This is open to all by the way; just cause Adam has responded .. I welcome others' insight.

Is my arguement logical? Does it hold water? Or are there inherent advantages inspite of the size of the turbo to ditch the JCW intake (with a filter such as the one above) and go open element ... etc.

Please ... the more the merrier. Just trying to get some validation.

 

I felt the stock airbox was very inadequate in design. My gut feeling was that it was very restrictive. My thought is whether or not I upgrade the turbo the box left a lot to be desired.
I looked at the available options, Alta's design met my wish list. The support for the filter element, an open cannister foam element. Price is fairly reasonable.

 

Though I haven't held them side by side ... the JCW intake (air box) is supposedly larger (including a larger apperature) than the stock box... which is where my quandry begins ...

Thanks for responding ... I'm just trying to get some opinions...

 

I catcha, yes the JCW is a bigger box. I seal up dead things in boxes so that air cant get in... I leave lots of open space around things I want to breathe. Maybe that metaphor helps clarify more my view.

 

Hi there, since you welcome the more the merrier .. here you go.
Got my R56 in October, LOVE IT.
Though the factory airbox could be (and IS) improved upon, I highly doubt BMW is going to build something that is inefficient for their car, though they may not make it AS high performance as could be, for various reasons.
I went ahead and bought the DDM Works street intake for x<200.00, no offense Alta I LOVE your parts and had many on my previous cooper, but as I'm a college student on a budget the price won me over.
Now where was I..
Oh. The open box intake is MARVELOUS for turbo sound, as many will testify. It satisfies all of my car-related hopes and dreams of hearing turbochargers.

But I didn't *need* it. The car was very excellent right from Oxford.. And for the majority of the people out there who do know what the word aftermarket means, i.e., never want to work on their car, it will remain, very wonderful.

my .02