Ok so this afternoon i'm going to be pulling the trigger on a new intake rather than my home made one i put on when i first bought the car. I have it narrowed down to 3.

DDMWorks Street intake- I like the simple nature of it and the price is very appealing. nothing fancy, just a heat shield and a K & N dry filter. Basically the same thing as the Nm engineering kit..The only thing i don't know is if the heat shield allows air from the factory cold air source. from the pictures it doesn't look like it, i'm just hoping someone who has seen or runs one can chime in. No claimed hp gains

Alta CAI - I really don't want alta hate on this thread unless you have personal experience and it took a crap on you. I have a 2011 so i don't have to worry about the previous models having the intake ripping. I also like the foam filter aspect of being able to clean it, and i personally know foam filters flow better when dirty rather than paper filters. I'm also pleased with the way they integrated the cold air source into the braket. Claimed 10whp gains.

DOS CAI - This is the more expensive of the 3, but i hear good things about it. I love the way it looks. Love the concept of it, but i'm apprehensive about cutting a hole in my car. And also I hear an intake is an intake and it's all just noise and no real power gains so buy what you like. And i've read research the engine bay reached ambient temperature at speeds above 20mph so it doens't matter if it the air comes form a high pressure zone. Claimed 6-12whp.

 

Noone has any input?

 

You're really splitting hairs here. None are going to make a big difference in seat of the pants oomph. I think that's why most people haven't said anything. You'll notice the sound more than anything. I would get the DoS out of the three just because it takes colder air from the cowl. But really, you're about to spend a lot of money on something that is really acoustically pleasing more than performance oriented.

 

I agree honestly, if someone with the ddmworks can chime in if the lil factory cold air intake ill be all over that. Put the leftover money towards my jb+ or something else useful. I got a small bonus check from the Ohio veterans service so I'm grabbing a legit intake since my home made one kind of sucks, and I'm in on the evolve dp group buy, but I can't order that till Thursday.

 

^^ I made my own for about 40 dollars. works like a charm and sounds fantastic, every time I get a car I always build something of my own intake filter set up I'm sure your motor will be happy whatever free flowing filter you chose.. obviously any free flowing filter is better then a air-box that sucks through a straw.

just my view point on it.

 

I just installed the DOS CAI, and love it!!! It allows you to hear the turbo swoosh, and does give some additional power. Yes, you have to cut a hole in the bulkhead, but you can also purchase one that is already cut from DOS if you don't want to ruin yours. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

I have the ddm street and am very pleased with it.

It mounts to the lower half of the factory air box, so it does utilize the factory cold air piping, and if you have a cooper s, you will also get cooler air from the hood scoop.....I am currently making an 'air diverter' which will hopefully help funnel air from the scoop back to the intake a bit more efficiently so it doesn't pass over the hot engine......yes, I know I could have bought a ram air intake, but I didn't want to spend $400+ on an intake.

Was very easy to install, I think it took me all of 10-15 mins.....

I can't say I've honestly noticed any significant power increase, nor would I expect there to be from any aftermarket intake, it feels like it might have a bit more power at the low end but it could all just be in my head.

It does however sound 100x better, I love being able to hear the turbo spool up and then the " woooosh!" When you get off the gas.

For the $180 I paid it is well worth it.

 

you can't go wrong with a ddm works, I have the street intake as well. It's simple and straightforward! lets you hear your turbo, and the excess pressure recirculating when you let off the gas. doesnt do anything for power, but it does sound good!

 

I have a DDM on my Justa and it sounds great.

 

Everyone thanks for the input. I ended up going with the alta setup. Albeit their rep isn't the greatest in some circles I've had nothing but good business from them and I like the look of the intake and I like the foam filter. Happy motoring ya'll.