Who's running them. And what kind. Are the worth it ,is there any gains etc.

 

I like my NM one. CARB legal. Gains negligible. Why because it flows more air and that is about it. Also it looks goo.

 

Do you lose any power or torque with it

 

Supposedly gain 7-10 hp..response a little quicker and you will hear the swoosh whistle
when you get on it..

 

All lies.

All they are are expensive noisemakers, if you like that sort of thing then go for it. The cold air intakes are nothing of the kind...they're sucking HOT air in front the engine bay.

If you want to have no noticeable gains and actually LOSE low end torque, go for it.

The stock box is plenty efficient as a CAI. If you want, drop in a AFE Pro dry S filter which is better than the stock paper filter.

 

Im looking for gains only in the mods.

 

If you're only doing a stage 1 or 2 tune on your car, don't buy a new intake. Just get a better filter. Stage 3 and 4 will need a more efficient intake. Like pidge1114 said, it's pretty much just a noise maker, especially without a tune.

I think the best bang-for-the-buck mod is a catless downpipe.

 

I am going to get the jb+ for tune. Just Wanted to know if intake is worth it

 

I noticed no gain with my K&N 69 Typhoon. Sounds otherworldly though. I'm not the type to spend 170 bucks on a noise, but damn, that purchase was worth it.

Also, The intake doesn't just suck up hot air when replaced with an aftermarket CAI like other say. Yes, the intake temps will likely rise more because the cone filter is in the engine bay, but don't forget that it'll still get cold air from the OEM ducting underneath the filter just like the OEM filter would. This is my setup.

 

Yes but you're allowing a LOT of hot air into there that would otherwise not be with a closed box.

I'm not dismissing the noise factor though. Gains are just not proven with these supposed "cold" air intakes. They should be called OAI for Open Air Intakes.

 

Like you said, I doubt there are any gains, regardless of what companies say. But I also don't think there are any losses. Lets not forget these cars are turbocharged. Even a true CAI wouldn't really do much good since the turbo would super-heat the colder air anyway. That's why the intercooler exists. Also, the stock ducting makes for a semi ram-air effect. So at speed, I'm willing to bet the cone filter draws more air from underneath than the air seeping through the heat shield around the cone. (the heat shield sits almost flush with the hood and "seals" the cone in, albeit poorly.)

But at the end of the day, I'm even OK with an intake if it means trading 1 or 2 HP for that amazing intake noise/ "blow off" hiss I get.

 

DoS.....

 

You know I was going to type out this whole long argument in support of cold air intakes but, this topic has been covered so many times I just don't feel like wasting the enrgy.

 

+1

 

+2.

I added a 90 - $5 ebay - degree elbow, and a $30 K&N filter from Amazon. Just as good as the expensive units. Its a open filter, that sucks in air.. not magic..

Sounds great, shame on Mini for making a "quiet" intake. The noise level is fun, but not annoying at all. Windows up and radio on, its silent. Windows down, radio off, its fun.

As for the "loss of low end".. Its not a big deal, if at all.

 

Some might actually like less low end, too much tq on FWD sucks.

My observation with open intakes is that the car revs quicker and more freely.

 

I am assuming you have an N18 engine, if you want the most bang for the buck to improve engine output performance get a JB+ IMO...

 

Everything I read says yes and no. Good and bad. Just trying to hear from people that have them. And hear what they have to say

 

I would like the sound and some performance to

 

Well you could spend $200 on something that, at the moment, just makes some wooshy sounds or you could spend $200 on a catless dp which will give you some more pop-burble in the exhaust and have the benefit of 1) lower EGTs and 2) quicker turbo spool . Especially useful with the JB+ since you will gain a little bit more power over the stock dp.

 

And violate federal and state laws and have to have the car programmed so you can pass emissions tests and turn off the CEL.

FYI my son put a K&N on his 2007 MCS and said it sounds cool, which is why I want one. CAI is really wrong , should just be a
higher flow intake but the intake air temps will be close to stock when moving atleast 20mph.

 

Yea not feeling that.

 

Just the jb+ and maybe a filter then

 

Go ahead and get a cold air intake of choice ! Don't get hung up on the "hot air" thing that regurgitates on this forum - you still have an inter cooler right? More air flow, the turbo will spool faster. Though, I would go with a dry cone filter instead of an oiled.

Oh yeah, the JB+ is awesome

 

Cool