First off I have to say this site and forum rocks! I am a proud new owner (only 5 days old) of an 05 MCS with everything except Nav and Randy is sending me a box of goodies including a Alta 15% pulley and Intake. I LOVE MY CAR!!!!

Anyway, enough of my ranting....

Pardon my ignorance but I want to get some clarification, and probably be told I'm an idiot....

Is the Alta (or any other intake for the mini for that matter) truly a cold air intake? The reason I ask is that I thought for an intake to be considered a cold air intake is that the filter/intake had to be located outside the engine compartment such as down near the bumper as I have seen with other vehicles?

Does the hood scoop make it qualify as a CAI?

If not is there such an intake that brings the filter/intake out near the front of the car or am I totally insane?

Thanks so much for all the help you guys/gals have provided just by my reading your posts!

Chris

 

Hi Chris,

First things first, welcome to NAM, and congrats on the proud ownership of your MCS!

You ask a very good question, I feel. The term CAI is one that is often misused, at least with the MINI. As I have come to understand it, the "cold" in CAI is a relative thing. If it takes in air that is otherwise cooler than the underhood temps, those 3 letters will most likely be used. And with ambient, outside air typically being the temp most sought, a very hot summer day is then one's "cold" air...

Of all of the intakes on the mkt, I'm guessing that none shield the filter element from engine heat better than the stock box (a rather thick plastic). The Alta, while not enclosed, does open-up the cowl area for more fresh air draw, and that has been one of the reasons for its popularity. Also while several others like the Alta are not enclosed, they are designed to seal up against the hood lining to effectively do the same thing...

The gains aftermkt intakes are showing are primarily due to the increased flow of the filter itself. Andy's HAI illustrates this quite well by also increasing flow by shortening the flow path. Check-out that thread, if you have not. M7's soon to be released intake elminates even more restrictions, while also attempting to shield some heat...

While cold air is certainly good, other considerations seem to be:

a shorter and more direct path (less bends)

smoother internal surfaces for less turbulence (if that's the right term)

diameter, often larger, and then funneling-down to increase velocity

Heck, there might be some more things to aid us on the intake side, but I'm a bit liquered-up now .

 

Thanks for the info. That makes sense.

I should be receiving my Alta intake with Silicon Hose next week. I am sure it will take at least a few beers for me to wrestle through the install