As i'm nearing 5,000 miles on my new Cooper Non-S, I'm starting to consider putting on an aftermarket intake. I always love the sound of the motor, and all my previous cars have had intake & exhaust (+ more) mods.

For the mini there seems to be a variety of intakes: DoS, VIP, K&N, etc. I don't really see a sticky for a list of the available intakes, but I was wondering if there has ever been a comparison between a group of various intakes.

I'm tempted to order a K&N, as I've been using their filters for almost a decade, but the other kits generally include a K&N filter. Any suggestions? Any good/bad experiences other NAM members can share?

 

One of our club members (MINI5280) had the DOS intake installed on her R56 JustaCooper this year at MITM. Loved the sound that her car made going around the autoX track at the event.

 

Just installed a DoS about a month ago....a bit more difficult than a typical intake installation though. The sound is straight from heaven

 

I have a DOS as well, granted mine is on a JCW-the design made more sense to me than any of the other ones available. I felt the intakes that simply placed an open filter under the bonnet did nothing but suck up the hot air from the engine, which is counterproductive.

 

That cold air which still passes through a scoldering hot turbocharger...

 

We helped test the DDM intake and we loved the way it sounds! It's also very easy to install. In stock, ready to ship.

 

OP has a justa, actual cold air systems sealed off from the engine bay heat would have better results.

 

I have the VIPAir2 and the DDM. I found the performance was the same for both. My observations were that the DDM is loud and the intake air temp ran 30 to 35 degrees above ambient temp all the time. The VIPAir2 is not as loud and the intake air temp runs 18 to 22 above ambient all the time.

I have a gauge for the intake air temp on my GPS and I watch it all the time.

Jim

 

Any install pictures? Before/During/After?

 

The installs are very easy. Here is the DDM. The red tube is part of the VipAir2. It simply goes into the stock air box with a K&N filter instead of the DDM box.

Jim

 

So does anyone actually have the K&N setup? Theirs replaces the filter and tube past the filter. It looks like other kits replace the filter and alter the air inlet piping.

 

This is true but i was referring to P8ntboller

 

Well it really depends on the motor. Sometimes a short ram system is actually better for performance than a sealed system that pulls air through a longer system. I'm not sure how the mini will response with a short vs long intake on an electric throttle. Truthfully I've found better drivability using shorter intake systems and have never had issues with an air intake pulling in "hot" motor air. At speed, there is more than enough air flowing though the engine compartment.

Just curious what others use.

 

Too busy to search - for Coopers still under warranty (mine has 1,400 miles) , any flak from dealers when brought in for service (i.e., do we have to remove and reinstall OE). Thanks, Tim

 

Nope.

 

I would suggest VIP but I have no expierence with them. Also looking at the engine bay might I suggest making your own. If the Cooper is like the Cooper S there should be a hole to let air in on the drivers side of the grille. You could start there with an HKS style filter and add piping to the intake manifold. If that is not what you want then you could save yourslef some time and money and just make a SRI instead. If you really had the time and the energy and really wanted to find out you could make one of each and see what gets more power. But that is a lot of time, energy, and money.

HKS Air Filter compact insize and would be a good candidate behind the air intake opening by the grill.

 

Can you please post a link for Justa cooper DOS intake all I can find is one for the turbo

 

We've only released one of the DoS R56 Justa intakes into the wild. We're aiming to have them on the market by early summer.

-Clint

 

So I pulled the trigger and ordered the K&N kit. Arrived this week, should be installing tomorrow morning. I'll try to get some before and after videos.

 

Just a follow up, the K&N kit, 69-2005TTK, does not fit 2011 Mini Cooper (non-S / Justa). K&N website lies. There is an additional tube/sensor located in the bottom turn of the accordion tube. I have contacted K&N and provided photos of the issues. I will wait for a response.

FYI, DoS make your intake available sooner! I'll send the current hunk of crap back to K&N!

 

Unless it's the actual filter, we don't normally use the K&N stuff, cause it kind of looks like and afterthought when installed and never show good numbers, if numbers at all.

Chad
Detroit Tuned

 

I'm not too concerned about the "numbers" given by an air intake on a 1.6L N/A motor. I just wanted to hear the motor a bit more when I really let the mini rip.

I'm hoping the intake is enough to satisfy the need to make noise. I have to use my Mini for work commute to client sites. Having a loud exhaust is not necessary what I want when I roll through parking lots and security sheds. Quiet Mini has been generally given a reasonable response. My loud Subi outback was not received as well.

 

To follow up on the issues with the K&N on the 2011 Cooper, I provided pictures. These are also in another thread for the K&N kit:

Issue:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...issue-pt-1.pdf

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...issue-pt-2.pdf

Issue resolved, un-official fix for 2011 Cooper:

2.75" Aluminium pipe, 45 degree bend (could not source SS tubing in this size). Cut to fit.





Coated with VHT Epoxy Paint (available in auto stores & online). Allow to dry for 24+ hours next to heat stove. Will cure without heat, but it's too cold in my garage (February, 20-40*F).





And installed. Was not installed in rain, but it was raining when I took the picture Friday night.



Summary:

Provides good noises. Idle up 2000 no noticeable difference. Engine makes more audible tone from 2000-3000 rpm. Great for driver feedback to hear the engine. At 3000+ picks up alot more audible engine noise. Let's you know the 1.6L with 11:1 compression is a fighter. At 5000+ it's yelling like a yeti, but generally I don't top over 5K, so I would say it yelled like a yeti before in the upper range.

Picked up my brother Saturday and went for a ride. He thought I modified the exhaust. So there is viable thrill/noise gain.

Performance wise, I would venture to say maybe a few hp/torque just because of the setup change. The butt dyno doesn't feel a difference. And I've gone out of my normal driving habits with the intake, so MPG gains are to be unseen. Doubtful to seen anything more/less than 1mpg difference. I averaged ~37mpg prior to intake.

Overall, well worth it just for the noise factor.

Cost:
+$213 K&N kit w/ shipping through Amazon.com
-$100 Amazon.com gift card (hooray credit card points)
+$30 Part w/ shipping Aluminum Pipe
+$8 VHT Epoxy Paint (alot left, can be expanded to other projects)
------
$151 Total

 

Clint, whats the status on these? This was over a year ago, couldnt find them on your site.

 

So just an update on the car...June 2013 and the sheet metal airbox broke.

The mini motor likes to shake and apparently that vibration has work-hardened the steel and caused it to snap. I was never overly impressed the housing (a few metal tabs and some spot welds). So a little over year later it snapped and I've been getting a nasty rattle for the last two weeks. Hopefully my sub-par weld job does the trick! pictures below: