Hi , have 3 week old Pepper White 2011 Mini Cooper S. Love it!! Already have done some exterior mods , must get some pics of it on here...

Had a couple questions on the air intake.

1) In one of the performance MOD theads there was some talk that the stock intake on this 2011 is actually hard to beat for produced HP. Is this a consensus ? Would I improve HP with an aftermarket CAI, or is this a waste of money ?

2) If I stayed with the Stock intake , is there a better filter to install worth buying in terms of some (i'm sure very small) performance increase?

3) Can this box /should this box be modified , or other wise opened up for more air? Or is it best the way it is?

thanks ahead for yr opinions

BTW , Love my new Mini!!!!!!

 

look into the JCW "kit" filter--basically a cone filter inside a slightly taller box but otherwise stock and w/ Mini approved parts. The factory JCW uses the same box and panel filter as the S, so this is specific to the "kit" set up. Can be bought as a separate piece part. Filter area increase goes from about 60 in 2 to about 100 in 2 from some crude measurements I made. On a cost per HP basis though, nowhere close to an Alta AP, but w/ a 2011 that isn't an option for you thus far. Another nuance you can look at is the hose from the air box area headed toward the turbo (the thick rubber one with the ribbing) on the S; on the JCW it is a hard plastic part and sometimes done as another low profile mod. Again, for $/HP not really a big return here either, though it won't break the bank.

I'm not convinced from the board consensus there is a lot (or even much of any) HP on the intake side, and definitely when I saw the posts on decreased top speeds with aftermarket set ups (literally in Germany, on the Autobahn), that got my attention. A CAI just screams out to me "modded motor" for a car under warranty, and I'm not trying to get boy racer greater sound anyway--a greater reason I guess if you want that.

No doubt you will get responses on the K&N or other oiled filters. My personal experience with them, and knowing how to oil them from many times over, is they don't co-exist well on modern MAF equipped cars, which thus includes the MINI gen 2 S.

 

I didn't think the JCW airbox would fit on the 2011 S air box because the screws don't line up.

 

'Defenders of Speed' probably has you covered. see: http://defendersofspeed.com/store/pr...?id_product=20 Their cold air intake system is very effective. If not K & N air-filter insert?

 

After having plenty of "HP" mods and later finding out that many mods can actually make you lose HP, I would say spend your money elsewhere.

 

I'm just waiting for DDM to modify their intake system for the 2011. They said it should be done in about 2 months. Can't wait!!!

 

i put a K&N panel in mine... i would really like the DOS CAI but that is a bit pricey... i have had no problems with oiled filters as long as you are careful with oiling and follow the instructions throughly... i find it works really well with the car as of now...

 

I will admit it's a little pricey. DDM also uses k&n airfilter if interested in making your scoop functional

 

I just bought Alta's foam drop-in replacement for the stock air filter.

http://www.altaperformance.com/produ...Drop-In-Filter

The aftermarket cold air intakes seem that they would be noisy, something I want to avoid. At $40 I think a free flowing drop in replacement air filter is a relatively inexpensive option.

Dave

 

Mines a 2010, but I put the JCW Stage 1 airbox on, to remain at 100% CAI. Replaced the stock JCW cone filter with an Amsoil EaAU reusable dry cone from Detroit Tuned.

 

have any of you have the Apexi cone filter installed? its a dry filter and suppose to be the best filter out there