Hello all. On my last MINI, I had an NM Engineering CAI and switched to the DoS. I just traded for a 2013 and I was thinking of just a DIY air filter instead this time around.

I was at my local Advance Auto Parts picking up a few things and saw a "Speed by Spectre" air filter. What really caught my eye was the array of available colors. I picked up a silver/white one to match my MINI, figuring I could return it if I decided against it.

What are your thoughts on this filter (linked below)?

Link as follows: http://www.spectreperformance.com/in...-chrome-1.html

Is it worth throwing on? Will it be beneficial? How's this vs. K&N?

Thanks in advance.

 

The filter will be fine. Most will serve their purpose similarly. As far as beneficial, it's debatable how much you get from an open filter intake drawing its air from the engine bay. If it was truly a cold air intake, you may get some minor benefit. About the biggest gain you'll get from this will be audible.

 

curious to see how this works for you. So basically, this will replace the stock box?

 

There's about 5000 posts about this. Just search for DIY CAI.

 

ltjpunk7: Thanks for your input. I'm going to go ahead and install it in the next couple of days. I'm also alright with just an audible gain. That's the only thing I miss, the sound of that turbocharger.

nrfitchett4: No worries. I'll post a picture once I install it. As ltjpunk7 said, I probably won't gain/feel any difference, other than hearing the turbo spool/blow off.

If anyone else has any comments/suggestions, feel free to post!

 

thanks I guess? Guess my google search for replacing stock air box just didn't have the right terms...

cool. Might do this while saving up for a real CAI like this:

http://www.waymotorworks.com/m7-ags-...tml?quantity=1

or this:

http://www.waymotorworks.com/aem-col...-cooper-s.html

Still learning about all the money I can dump into this car.

 

nrfitchett4: There are SO many "CAIs" out there for the MINI.

The first one I had on my 2009 was NM: http://www.nm-eng.com/291/0/0/2962/nm658858-nm-eng.html

The second was DoS: http://www.defendersofspeed.com/cold...d-gen-mcs-jcw/

I switched for a couple of reasons (the main being a friend who wanted to switch). I felt the closed box of the DoS was closer to a "true CAI"; it took air from the cowl which I have seen from no other manufacturer yet. It was also louder.

For my 2013 though, I want to try something different. Something DIY. Plus, like I said, the Spectre filter is white/silver to match the exterior. I plan on keeping the engine bay a little cleaner this time around.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...home-made.html

Here's 753 posts about it in one thread.

 

I found that, I wasn't using the right terms. Thanks for the link. Thinking of trying it since I need to swap the air filter anyway.

 

I've decided against the DIY intake/filter for now. Reading through the other thread, it seems the stock airbox is the most functional/beneficial. Mostly because it is closed. As little water or debris getting in as possible. It's not as "pretty" as the white filter would be but I'm also concerned about the oiled filter messing with the MAF sensor.

 

Hey there, it is a good thing that you decided against Spectre. I have used it because it was what was handy at the autozone (I was too lazy to figure out the right K&N part). Spectre is a piece of crap filter. After 2 years, the steel mesh that wraps the outside of the filter has rusted, to the extent of rusting off at certain parts. I figured the K&N part finally and ordered it to replace the spectre. The price difference is not really that much either.

 

I have the KN CAI and i'll be honest the only benifit is more sound, which i like but i have not noticed any performance upgrade. what i have been considering doing is swaping to the JCW air filter housing and filter from the factory. I'm thinking that will give me the best performance value.

 

espedaire: Real world use. That's what I was hoping for. Thanks for sharing your experience.

jordan.burks: I won't lie, I do love the sound of the turbo/diverter valve. But yes, that seems to be the only benefit (which may be worth it for some). That's what I gather too, the JCW airbox and filter may be the most functional and give you the most performance-wise, as you said.

 

I'm looking at this one eventually:

http://www.waymotorworks.com/aem-col...-cooper-s.html
I like that it directs air from the scoop to the intake.
For now, I did buy a spectre filter with a 90 elbow, and some extension to pull it away from the sensor. Going to install in the next week and see what happens.
My stock box lower connector is broken (twist lock) so I'm hoping this holds me until getting the one above.

 

Did you try and get it replaced? Supposed to have lifetime warranty.