Hello. I am new here and I assume that this has been discussed over this forum before, but since I got my 2010 MCS, I have been looking at getting a CAI. I wanted an intake that does not have any heat soak issues, I am assuming open intakes such as Alta, NM will suffer from sucking in hot air from the engine bay so I am debating on CAI's from DDM, AEM and M7. I would like to have that 'BOV' sound without having to install a true BOV, is it possible?

Help please, thanks in advance.

 

I'm very happy with the AEM intake. You get the BOV sound when you get on it as well. Easy install.

 

I have an AEM and like it a lot. You hear the factory blow off valve pretty clearly through it (was not true of stock intake).

 

Thanks Semaphore. Good stuff. Do you by any chance have a sound clip that you can send me?

 

Thanks Bratling. Two responses and both of you chose the AEM. This is really helpful, I was leaning towards this set-up as well. More bang for the $$. Awesome.

 

No sound clip. I'll try to get one this weekend. If you decide to get the AEM intake check with the suppliers here on NAM first. I ended up getting it thru anythingauto. They send out 20 and 25% off emails all the time.

 

Cool. That is good to know.

 

Which one was it, i was looking at AEM intakes and there are two types, one is for mcS with MAF and the other one is for non-MAF, I guess that non-MAF is for EU only. The part number I got from AEM is AEM 21-699C.

 

Correct; if you are in the U.S. you will need the one designed to include the MAF. (Mostly just a matter of the right connecting parts.)

That part number is the same as I used for my 2009 S.

 

I have the K&N filter on mine. The BOV is nice and loud. So far no heat issues. As we were installing the filter, i found out the mini's design is quite nice. it has a air duct that connects from the front of the bumper/grill and draws air to the back where the box is. That where most of the fresh air goes to the mini's intake either stock/aftermarket.

The AEM design is good but cost 2x as much, and I read that the mini's scoop doesn't really draw much air into it either way so is it actually necessary and helpful for the intakes? Most of the fresh air comes from the front duct tube to the intake box anyways.

 

Thanks, I will look into this option as well.

 

The good thing about the JCW stage 1 intake is it uses the existing snorkel and guarantees cold air. Comes with a paper filter but others add the ITG foam filter ($30 at WayMotorWorks) or a dry Amsoil filter might give you more noise for $50 and is washable (EAAU3570). Pipercross makes another foam filter for this intake also.

The CAI can be had for $233 at http://www.minipartsmass.com/partloc...?siteid=215989
Search part# 13720429380
LOLJK is the coupon code for free shipping.

 

+3 on the AEM. I love mine. Excellent fit and finish. Exactly what I would expect to be putting on my MINI.

 

Best I could do with the iPhone... Sounds much louder in person. If you want the loudest you would probably want to go with an open filter. AEM is a closed system with a box around it to keep the hot engine air out. That quiets it down some. Good luck!

 

Awesome! Thank you semaphore. I like it a lot

 

I like the aem. Gets fresh air from the outside and you can also still use the factory duct work that routes next to the headlight for two fresh air sources. The airbox is sealed when the hood os closed too.

 

CAI are nothing but an accessory. They do not produce any power but can add some noise. I took temp readings all around my R56 JCW with my DDM CAI and all temps incl behind the bulkhead were within a couple of degrees. The only variance I found was inlet air through the hood scoop would rise slightly in stop and go traffic. If on a budget I would spend my money elsewhere. The factory CAI is excellent BTW.I hear the AEM CAI will whistle at speed.

 

Ive never heard a whistle at speed unless the window was cracked.
When did you take those temp readings and how were they taken ?

 

We love our ECS CF Intake.

Its louder then the stock intake and a little louder then the JCW tube filter kit 13720429380 . But not annoying loud. Quieter then a full open intake of course.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...er-intake.html

 

A sound clip will be very helpful, please....

 

Definitely an accessory for me. It drove me crazy that the car had a useless, decorative hood scoop. I wanted to give it a job to do. The AEM did the trick. I feel better and that's good enough for me!


This has not been my experience.

 

I have the AEM also and love it. I cut out all the holes on my R57 hood scoop for more airflow. Worth every cent!!

 

We've isolated CAIs on the dyno and found no change in power with them vs. a clean stock paper filter. If you are going to get an intake, do it to increase the sound from under the hood, and not with the hopes of making more power.

 

Out of curiosity, any measurable difference between a stock paper filter and the various "high flow" filters? If you've tested that, that is.

 

Not with the R56. Long ago I was disappointed to see that a K&N drop-in filter in a R53 made no change. We did see as many as 4hp (repeatable) increase with a'cold air intake' on a R53. The caveat about all of these results is that, to truly test an intake (and several other parts), you need to replicate road conditions, meaning dyno testing in a wind tunnel, which we don't have. We do our best to replicate actual driving conditions, but it's not perfect.