I've noticed that the Alta intake only replaces the actual hotbox, whereas the typhoon intake from K&N actually replaces the hotbox and the entire intake tube going to the turbo.

It seems like this is left out of the 2012 models on Alta's website, though, and have noticed a difference in the tubing between previous year models' intake tubes and this year's.

So, in short - is the K&N better because it replaces this?
Is Alta smarter than K&N and knows that there is no reason to replace the current intake tube?
Does Alta sell the tube, and I can just buy it separately?

Curious if anyone has any experience, or if Alta is willing to chime in on this. Thanks!

 

Both suck in hot air from the engine bay. Not really a "cold" air intake if you ask me. Take a look at Defenders of Speed, DDM Race Intake System, or AEM intakes as they actually use cold air.

About hard pipes. The small turbo does not suck enough volume of air to justify the use of a metal pipe. A stiff silicone or plastic pipe is all you really need on this car.

 

So does that mean that Alta has false claims about a 10 hp/tq net gain with their intake? Does the scoop not provide cold air directly into the intake?

Thanks for the feedback! Checking out your alternatives.

 

Your going to see ALL KINDS of fun dyno graphs from all aftermarket companies. It's all part of their marketing strategy. The accuracy of these is always hotly debated and the argument can go on forever with how these intakes act in real world driving conditions and not sitting pretty in a dyno cell.

In all honesty, you can expect a slight power gain at the very peak of the power curve, but don't expect any "night and day" difference claims out there. An intake is kind of like the cherry on top with power mods on the MINI. The ice cream is an ECU tune and the toppings are a free flowing exhaust & big intercooler. It's funny how people exaggerate findings after they've spent big money on an intake

 

Haha, true that - most people like to refer to it as the "euphoric" effect. New mod, instantly goes FAST.

Noticed you had the DDM, iirc - is the bonnet ram air scoop worth picking up with it as well?

I also noticed that you didn't seem too happy with Alta after a while driving with a few of their parts. Any other thoughts there, I'm literally starting fresh and looking to start doing serious performance mods in the coming months.

 

Yes, the DDM RIS routes cold air from the outside of the car to a sealed intake box. I dig it.

Hmmm, how do I put this politely. I personally recommend other manufacturers besides the one in question. They have lost my business.

For all round performance there are better things to look at. In this order:

-NM-engineering torque arm inserts
-Sticky, and I mean sticky summer tires
-Big sway bar

The R56 has plenty of guts in stock form and you really need to throw a wad of cash at it to produce significantly more power. Even with that, how often due you get to use all the power? Most people not so much! Suspension and tires is something you'll notice all the time

 

Hmm, I was going to swing basic bolt ons for performance to let it breathe a little better ad really.hammer the suspension mods. Was thinking this order:

1. Cold air
2. Down pipe and cat back exhaust
3. Springs (or coilovers), sway bars, and all the links to go with
4. Stage 1 or 2 tune (if can do 2 without inter cooler)
5. Upgraded BOV
6. Upgraded intercooler
7. Stage 3 tune

Am I missing anything or out of order? I can probably have steps 1-3 done within the next 3-4 months.

 

I'm not sure who is doing your tune, but make sure you mod all of the powertrain first so just get the intercooler out of the way. If the tuner can send you multiple tune files for the same price I guess it is not a big deal. You really want to tune the car with the intercooler on it because the bigger intercooler can manage higher charge air temperatures brought on by higher boost pressure.

 

Between the Alta and K&N I would recommend the K&N. But if your looking for a real recommendation on intakes go with the DDM intake. And just to make your decision harder, I would really recommend not even bothering with the intake and go with a Forge FMIC cause that will gain you more power than any intake.

 

I think I'm definitely going to go with the DDM intake, but unsure if the scoop will fit on my Coupe.

I don't have experience installing an intercooler yet, I'd honestly like to start off slow with the things I know how to install, then go from there.
What's the installation difficulty on an intercooler?

 

It's actually pretty easy, go on YouTube and look up Helix FMIC install.

It's basically the same for any FMIC you decide to go with.
As for the intake, I recommend just keeping it stock, it's honestly not worth it.
I wrapped the stocking intake housing and tubing with gold reflective heat film.....heat soak is the least of my worries

Most of the intakes out there take in hot air....which makes absolutely no sense and is a step backwards.

The DDM will fit, go to Ways website and you'll see he has it listed under the Coupe S.

 

Alright, maybe I'll scratch the intake and go straight to suspension mods instead - maybe just get a drop-in K&N and call it a day.

I was looking forward to the fun hiss of the blow off from the new intake :(

 

Sounds like a solid plan, just make sure when you re-oil the filter you take it easy with the oil....otherwise it can get on the MAF, then funky things will start happening lol.

**these 2nd gen motors are very nit picky with changes compared to 1st gens

 

K&N's drop in panel filter works well and will give you some of that "hiss" you're looking for.

I guess that's a unnanomous decision on getting a fmic instead of an intake for more power. Thanks guys.

 

What if you had the ability to get both? Decent move? I'm going to admit, the hiss of the turbo is something that appeals to me a lot - probably lame for admitting that, but oh well.

I mean, can a DDM intake hurt? With the intercooler, even?

 

Not lame at all lol. I push the pedal to the floor in 1st and 2nd gear just to hear the hiss on my everyday drives. If I'm lame for it, so be it, but it sure makes everyone in my neighbourhood stop, look and step onto the sidewalk when I leave my gate lol!!

 

DChase,
Give this a quick look over. This is info we put together a long time ago talking about the whole "Cold Air Intake" debate. The dyno graphs are clickable and get bigger. CLICK HERE to read about the ALTA Cold Air Intake

This is always an argument about the ALTA cold air intake. But no matter how hard some customers try to disprove our intake, we have hard proof that the air box and other things are not necessary. The scoop feeds air perfectly to the filter and provides the same ambient effect as a scoop does. Sorry if this comes across as "Marketing" but this is hard proof. Then we have our dyno graphs (far more than just one in that link above) that show our intake makes HP, and doesn't effect air flow readings or cause over boosting (this comes up with a handful of intakes with an AccessPORT installed.)


We sell the intake the way we do to hit a certain price point along with it allowing those how have a JCW (or JCW turbo inlet hose) to not waste it. Now that there are 2011 cars out with different fittings on, this allows our part to still work. Which is great for us!

Regarding if the the turbo inlet hose is important to replace. It does make additional HP replacing the OEM rubber part (found on 07-10 MCS's) even on a stock tuned ECU.We have tested this with our older silicone part and a tiny bit extra HP from our current aluminum part. So yes its a good part to replace, but is it necessary, or is it stopping you from making more power? NO.

Comparing different types of turbo inlet hoses. Some people make it sound as though the hard inlet hose isn't necessary as a lesser quality rubber/silicone/plastic part will work just fine. Well sure, but why not get the better part if its the same/similar price. We moved away from the silicone part for a couple reasons, one being that we could make a better part in aluminum and also more customers asked for it. Even with a SS wire support in the silicone, customers has this impression as though it collapses.

Another thing to consider is sound. Some people buy the intake just for sound reasons. If you are looking to add some cool new sounds, our intake with the open filter and no box really adds some cool sounds. The turbo sucking/spool sound, and even the CRV (compressor recirculation valve). If you have a box around it, a lot of these sounds go away. So just something else to think about.

To recap,
If you do have a 2012 MCS, then you don't have a way to install an AccessPORT as of yet. So the over boosting with any intake shouldn't' be a problem. So our cold air intake, versus another could provide simliar results. We provide customers with accurate, solid data that our intake makes HP. We have done this many times with different setups. We have had this from the day we launched our Cold Air Intake(back in 2007-ish). Do the other intake manufactures offer you proof theirs work? Some do, most don't.

 

Awesome, thanks for the response, Alta. Just to be clear - does the aluminum intake hose fit the R58 Coupe? It isn't listed as an available product under the Coupe.

A heads up and a question - thanks.

 

Oh good question! Since the turbo changed on these new MCS's its possible it doesn't fit over the turbo inlet. Then secondly the crank case vent hose fitting is very different as well. This is why we do not have it on our website as of yet. We have been looking for a customer interested in trying the part to see if it fits on the turbo first, then secondly test fit a new fitting for the crank case vent.

Send me an email jeff.perrin@altaperformance.com and we can chat offline about the options there. Hope to hear from you soon!