Hello Everyone!

After the Dragon, I realized that my stock MINI Cooper S needs an intake. I am saving up for the Dinan upgrade right now, but should I wait for the Dinan intake? Is there a better one? I daily drive my MINI and on occasion it has seen autox and road course. So I need the best hp gain possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated and sorry if this thread was posted already. Thanks!

 

i'm a big fan of my jcw intake - with it's flap removed so you get the good stuff all the time - not just over 4500 rpm. i've also heard the helix is amazing - and the alta as well.

good luck - drew

 

Try doing some reading here...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=16

Its the drivetrain mod. sub page... the first 4 stickies should help.

Personally I've heard good things about the K&N CAI, and ALTA... no experience personally with either though.

 

Pete at http://www.minspeed.net has a great CAI for the R53. My wife recently installed one on our '06 MCSC. Unfortunately I am deployed right now, but I have heard nothing but praise for them. They come with a lid, fit under virtually any strut tower brace, and draw their air straight from the drivers side cowl vent.

 

Just installed the Dinan CAI two nights ago. Well engineered with a factory look. Not too loud except when you want it to be.....

Go for it!!

Smoothy58

 

I've had the Ultrik CAI for about a year and a half, and I'm very happy with it. Like most of the others it's designed to draw air from the passengers-side cowl. You can get it with Ultrik's own cloth filter, or with a K&N filter for $50 more.

http://new.minimania.com/web/STSearc..._Inventory.cfm

 

JSC speed has a nice deal for now and if your still interested in a CAI you can get it from them. I called recently and its 225 for the alta v2 and 220 for the classic one. I'm still deciding which one to get. But if you do call the number is 2156435750 and ask for Tim. Plus if you live to far the shipping might be free.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=100501

heres the link if it helps

 

Thanks for all of the info everyone! Looks like I have to do some more research on this matter.

 

Another one to put on the list is the DDM intake. Stainless steel box that is enclosed and the intake protrudes behind the wall to get fresh air. I like the look and the sound is amazing. Only loud when you really get on it and thats how it should be.

 

A friend of mine replaced his Alta with an extremely bad fitting top cover with the black DDM box. The DDM is sooooo much better looking and manufactured than the Alta.

 

I like the Craven Speed CAI. Much like the DDM it is sealed and draws air from the cowl but the top is seay to remove and you can see the filter to determine when it needs to be cleaned. That and it fit under the M7 Strut bar with no issues.

 

I had the DDM intake installed by Way while at the Dragon. I like it alot. Not at all loud like the Alta for city driving, but get on the throttle and you know its there. Plus, it looks great under the hood. Just my $.02

 

I like the Craven Speed for it's looks but let's face it, doesn't matter which cold air intake you use they all, repeat all give about the same horse power results. I have a Helix and it's awesome. quiet when sane, mind blowing when I lose it. Get what your visual tastes and wallet dictates. Most of all, have fun!

 

I have a K&N, with the bulkhead just behind it "swiss-cheesed". I have been VERY happy with it so far (through three cleanings -- VERY easy). The whine comes through quite nicely, IMO.

I got the K&N because the JCW had not yet been recognized as being so efficient, AND because the K&N comes with a CARB approval sticker (OK in CA with the smog police) which none of the other aftermarket non-OEM CAIs had at the time. That may have changed since.

 

JCW, remove lower plug and install a K&N filter!

 

Did the K&N fit like the OEM paper filter or did you have to mod it?