Hey all, I thought I would post some of my own experiences with a couple of intakes I have personal experience with. I know this topic has been explored at great length, however, maybe some will find this info helpful.
Here are the specifics on the Mini:

I have 2012 JCW Roadster. My mods are as follows, in the order I did them.
1) Helix FMIC
2) NM Air Charge/ Discharge Pipes
3) NM Heat Shield (hoping to redirect some of the turbo heat)
4) NM Hi-Flow Intake

I did the intake at the same time as the charge pipes to the intercooler. The results were great. I felt a small power increase as well as better throttle response. I also saw small improvements in gas mileage. I didn't notice any effects of heat soak from the open filter, but keep in mind my intercooler set-up. I was also really enjoying the sounds of the turbo and BOV.

Now, what I was really curious about, was how my stock JCW intake would play with these new mods. I had some time last week so I switched the JCW intake back in. It's a simple job, about twenty minutes total time. Here's what I found. On my set-up, the JCW pulls better off the bottom (low RPMS). I might be giving up a little power in the upper rpm's, but it is really difficult to tell. With the open intake, sound is a big part of the experience, and could easily be giving the impression of more power. What I really need is to run these two intakes on a dyno, but I don't have access to one. It seems, as many have said, the factory intake is a pretty good piece of engineering.

Here are a couple of more observations. Comparing the JCW to the NM, here are a few things worth noting. The JCW intake tube is smaller than the NM, and has a gradual taper to it. Does that increase intake velocity? Also, being a closed system, did the engineers create better flow having a "pressurized" system? Conversely, the NM intake tube is larger in diameter, as well as having an unrestricted 360 degree access to air. This by reason should flow more air right?, albeit warmer air at times, and make more power. I've seen the NM dyno graph showing nearly 13 more HP.





What I would like to try next, would be to convert my stock air box to a cylindrical filter, ala the JCW stage 1 intake. I also miss hearing a little of the turbo/BOV sounds. It would be nice to hear from someone with an engineering background as to what effect adding a "cold air" passage between the intake and bulkhead. In doing so, would I be defeating the "pressurized effect" of the stock intake?
Lastly, with the stock intake drawing it's air from the inside the front left headlight, could we see any gains in fully opening the grill on that side? It only has about half of the corner of the grill open, the rest is molded closed.

Comments welcome, hopefully I continue in my quest for the "perfect intake", and learn something.



-Steven

 

I put my stock intake back on after having the ALTA setup. Not a huge fan of Alta over all... usually feels like a lack of thought put into the products.
I love the sound you talk about with the NM setup. the AGS-r and DDM race intake interest me. Its pressurizing the intake air with the scoop and also getting more cooler airflow over the filter. These seems like a more logical step to more performance.
I do like the larger diamiter charge pipe.. I think that paired with an intake that has higher intake pressure would make fore a better setup.

 

this one claims 6 hp!!! I'm gonna get two!
http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/2...2-p-74327.html

this one too!
http://www.neweraparts.com/Default.a...ProductID=1227

 

One thought I had, was modding the larger carbon fiber intake tube from the NM set-up into the factory box. The reason I asked about the shape of the JCW intake tube, was I suspect there is some serious engineering there. One thing I don't want to do is "un-engineer" it.
I'm familiar with both, as well as the DOS, which is a really good idea and seems well made. One of the build criteria is performance with being a daily driver, so I'm a little concerned about the DOS being too loud.

The Duell stuff is sooo beautifully made, would almost buy it for that alone

-Steven

 

To get better air flow to your filter make sure you open your scoop grille. I did that and I've noticed a little tiny bit of change but this will definitely help on the track(if you intend to go on the track).

 

I'm actually looking into gett a hold of an AGS-R intake, I like the idea of forced/pressurized air flow. I think that paired with a larger hood scoop would make a pretty nice difference. Of course with a modded intake charge pipe. I feel like if your pressurizing the intake charge pipe then its better to have a larger diameter for breath-ability? I'd be interested in modifying the NM intake charge pipe... I dont know if I'd cut the carbon version because I'd be so afraid of it cracking or shattering...
I get an aluminum one and give that a go... I like the Samco intake tube alot also.

 

Thanks!
Let me know if you head down that road, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the AGS-R set-up.

I will try the larger intake tube, just to compare it to the JCW. I'll contact NM and see if I can get a hold of the aluminum intake tube to cut up. Cutting carbon fiber is not too bad, I tape it and use a fine blade(metal) to cut with at high speed. Measure twice, cut once I'm also going to look at the Samco piece, their stuff looks great.


-Steven

 

this is the AEM cold air intake. It connects to the hood scoop. sounds nice if nothing else.

 

This is another really good design, can you run a strut brace with it? I really like the way my strut brace tightened up the Roadster. Stupid question question, if you were running fast in the a heavy rain, would it be possible to suck water across the filter?


-Steven

 

The AEM is a nice peice and competitively priced!
Steven, I gotta say if your thinking about running a ram air setup I'd go with the DDM race intake. They are getting some of the highest imtake pressure readings and Your getting cold air.
I havent heard of anybody having any issues with the water. I was worried about that at first but the amount of water running in would be minimal and the filter isnt flush with the scoop outlet so your not going to be forcing the water in the intake charge pipe. it would more than likely run out into the bottom of the box if anything.

Thats the good part about living in socal....NO water... the bad part is your lose all your HP because of the heat... haha

 

Thanks Malcon, I agree, DDM Race intake is a nice piece. I'm not really considering a "ram air" intake, although I recognize the design of them is sound. What I really want to do is establish a way to improve/modify the JCW intake, as it starts with some really good design. Here's what I'm chewing on at the moment.

1) Would the addition of a breathing tube to the bulkhead (cold air supply) increase performance? We know it will let the sound out

2) Modify the the box to accept a cone filter(more surface area, better flow).

3) Using a larger diameter intake tube like the one from my NM intake...greater flow, more power. Thoughts?

-Steven

 

I feel like those are great Ideas. Opening up a large area to connect to the bulk head is a great idea. I think once i get the ram air intake I'm going to tinker with that idea just for fun! I think adding a tube in the box for a cylindrical filter is a good idea and kinda goes with the bulkhead idea.
The bigger intake tube seems like it would help. I'd maybe just go with the samco setup. I dont really see much of a gain otherwise... and that will connect to the stock box.

sorry i miss-understood!

 

No worries! I'm open to all ideas, and it's great looking at other enthusiast's experiences.

-Steven

 

So this is my intake, apexi filter on the stock bottom box, well my thoughts is, i need to go back to stock at least for the summer, you do lose low end torque because of all the hot air around, enough to make the car stall even on sport mode! my hood scoop is fully open with a mini fini grill, at night there is a whole lot of difference, there is no more stalling feel, but i have been doing some research with a thermometer just for the heck of it and while the outside temperature was about 80F, the temperature arount the box was 130F thats 50F difference! the temperature started going down as I drove the car above 45mph, but anything under it didnt, from what i heard from reading forums long ago for every 10F that the temperature goes down, you get 1hp, The only differences i have felt has been the sound, responsiveness is worse during the day at 110F weather and the same at night, same mpg. Now im just waiting to find a bottom of a 07-10 s bottom box to put my jcw intake, which the reason why it doesnt fit the 11-12 is because the bottom part has a tab and it has 3 holes instead of 4, can it be made to make fit? yes if you remove the tab and just put one screw in, but anyway those are my thoughts on an open intake...

 

Thanks, I agree...too much heat, no good. So you are looking to run the stage 1 JCW? I've been talking with Way about that. I know the cone filter will have more surface area, and should flow better. I've been watching the forums to see if I can find a lower half of the intake, but no luck so far. That is why I am considering modding my JCW intake to accept a cone filter.


-Steven

 

I live in Washington and I get lots of rain, no problems yet
and AEM says the filter repels water and I have seen it roll off like a duck.

If anyone finds a brace that fits with the AEM tell me I want it!

 

OOOF!!! That looks more like a quickie HAI or "Hot Air Intake" to me. The other sealed systems not only look better, but I bet they perform better. High IAT's have a detrimental effect on ignition timing, especially on forced induction engines. If it's 100F outside, you can bet it's way hotter than that under the hood, especially with the turbo cooking things up.

 

Yeah for sure, this was one of those, let me see what happens when you do this moments, and well regardless of how much hp you get up top you lose a lot where it counts most, at least on 100+ degree weather

 

Very interesting thread. I own a Countryman and am considering putting a JCW Stage 1 air box in. Trying to decide between that and the DoS.

On the subject of the JCW, how does the lower half of the air box fit into the engine compartment? The reason I ask is because I have seen that Sewell sells a whole JCW Stage 1 box, with both the lower and upper halves. That might be an option for those of us without a lower half from an older model ('07-'09) Cooper. Theoretically, we could just buy the full JCW box (upper and lower) and just bolt that thing in.

Regarding the front grille, I, too, have wondered if it wouldn't be worth while to dremel out some of the closed "cells" in the grille on the driver's side to increase airflow into the stock snorkel. I wonder how much additional improvement there would be.

Taking things one step further, I wonder if it would be worthwhile to fabricate some sort of plastic funnel or rubber "webbing" that would extend the stock snorkel closer to the grille and ****** up more of the air coming through the grille. (As it is now, the air might can slip into other areas of the engine compartment, at least on my R60.)

Lastly, has anyone considered snaking a second tube through to the passenger side of the grille? It would have to be smaller than the OEM tube on the driver's side, but you could get a second tube through there that would probably be 80% the size/flow of the OEM box. May not be worth the effort, but could be cool.

The best part is that these mods (at least, dremeling out more of the driver's side of the grille and adding a funnel/web to the OEM snorkel) would benefit you regardless of the intake you used (JCW, DoS, etc.).

Anyone have any ideas about how to add a funnel/webbing to the OEM snorkel?

 

I find it mind boggling how many discussions there are on intakes for the R56. As an engineer myself, the amount of split engineering hairs and analysis for a gain of 5-8hp is such a waste of time. Pick a true cold air intake (not an open filter to the engine bay) and be done with it. That's it. Tuning, cylinder head-work, turbocharging experimentation, and fuel management are where the power is to be had on the R56. I can't be apologetic with my attitude on this, but it's why the U.K. guys are way ahead of us is because they thing BIG!

 

Spending time thinking about intakes does not prevent us from also thinking about other things that produce big power gains. It's not like we can only think about intakes OR intercoolers/ECU tunes/bigger turbos.

 

I'm not saying we aren't capable of doing it it's just that almost 70% of discussions are about... CAIs!!!

 

Countryboyshane

 

Hujan, I think you're missing countryboyshane's point, which seems to be that the very best you can hope for by just installing a CAI on your Mini S or JCW is ~ 10 HP. There may be better places to start spending money in the pursuit of more performance, places where you can get much better "bang for the buck".

 

No, I got it. Just found it odd that someone (apparently multiple someones) who is tired of hearing about CAIs would bother to post in a thread where people are quite content to share ideas about tinkering with intakes.

For every thread about CAIs, there is a least one post about how CAIs are worthless, a waste of time, etc. We've heard it. Absolutely feel free to start a thread about why CAIs suck and what we should be focusing on instead, but please respect us enough to leave those of us who want to chat about intakes to our own devices.

And again, this is coming from someone who has bought an FMIC, is working on a full exhaust with DP, and is getting a tune. The fact that I want to talk intakes does not mean I'm ignorant about other, more productive ways to make power and it is quite presumptuous (if not outright arrogant) for someone to assume otherwise.