So after reading about a million post on the different types of intakes i am still confused on whether to spend $200 on one or just get a drop in. anybody out there have any feedbacks that might make me decide. Thanks don

 

I got the Alta 2.0 used from a member on here. It was a easy install and made a big difference. When I bought my car it had the K&N filter. If you want one I will sell you mine. But I would suggest getting a full intake kit like Alta or m7

 

Well...
Essentially it's going to come down to just a couple of factors.

Performance
-Practically all CAIs and drop in filters make minimal power gains, so the performance aspect doesn't count

Money
-This is where things change. Drop ins will save you $$$, where as full CAIs will run you as high as $300 or more.

Cosmetics
-Drop ins offer no cosmetic value, as you can not see them. CAIs however, can offer some underhood "bling".
-Also sound...with many CAIs, you will be able to hear the air being sucked in and the whine of the supercharger, which IMHO, is wonderful. Drop ins, I don't believe that you will hear a difference, and if so, minimal.

Install Difficulty
-There isn't much range here, but obviously drop ins will be much quicker and simpler. CAIs can range from nearly as simple as drop ins, to as difficult as the AGS. (though no longer available)

So in conclusion,
If you want to save money and let the car breathe a bit better, go for the drop in. It will be easier and quicker to install.
BUT...
you also won't get the cosmetics of a full CAI, or sound either. So if you want that whine, under hood look, and don't mind spending the money and installing, then go for the CAI.
IMHO, if you go for the CAI, get the Alta, as it is relatively easy to install, looks great, and provides the loudest noise.
but it is up to you to decide what your preferences are.

 

I think that most cold air intakes smooth throttle responce a little - my alta 1.0 did.

 

I'm with you, so many choices, so many satisfied people. I had a problem with price. I tried both. Both DIY's. Buttox Dyno #'s were inconclusive with K&N drop in and K&N cone type CIA. However, SC whine with the CIA is wonderful. There, clear as mud now!!

 

I would say it really depends on what you are looking for with your car. If you really want to hear the SC whine, and gain larger performance go aftermarket. If you just want a better intake, i've heard good things about the K&N drop in.

Personally, i'm going with the Alta CAI, but i'm going to be tracking my MINI quite a bit.

 

and buy used. Seems lots do intake swaps, and there's always one or two availble.

Matt

 

Step one: decide what your MINI wants to be when it grows up
Step two: develop a mod plan
Step three: start buying stuff to fulfill the plan

Steps one and two are REALLY important to avoid wasting money - LOTS of money - on these cars... and even with a good plan, you'll still make a few missteps along the way...

In general - you don't *need* an aftermarket CAI unless either
a) you plan other mods including a pulley and/or head, or
b) you want lots of supercharger whine.

But that doesn't stop lots of people for whom neither of these is true from buying them anyway.

 

So the JCW CAI seems to be in a different category: extra expensive and extra sophisticated... Is it worth the extra? Does it make sense as a first mod, if you're looking for a bit more power and some fancy invigorating sounds from the SC?

 

I loved my DDM intake. It wasn't as loud as my dad's Alta (a good thing IMO), but still produced a nice amplified s/c whine!

 

embrace the whine,blast away!
go loud
alta or somethin

 

Duplicate threads merged.

 

Everyone at work thinks my car makes a most unusual noise - luv it!

 

Again, depends on what you want your car to be when it grows up.
And whether you have / want / care about the throttle whistle.

JCW is a blend of "refined" and "more air" and "more sound"...
I've gone for a "refined power" vs. "raw performance" motif... so for me it's the best fit.

But don't expect significant power from any CAI (without pulley or head)... yeah, some show a bit more top end on the dyno... but how often do you cruise around at 6000 RPM? But they DO sound GREAT.

 

JCW, worth every penny....

 

Totally agree with this statement - go to the Marketplace threads and look/post there.

Save 50%....

 

Mod plan discussion here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=130456

 

hey guys thx for the all the response. i do like that whining sound and i do plan on getting a pully, headers and exhaust down the line. Im gonna get the alta ill try to find it used.

 

As soon as I get my oil leak fixed I plan on going with the Dinan intake. I've heard nothing but good things about it and my personal feelings is that it rates up there with the JCW.

 

I started with a Dinan - loved everything about it except hearing my throttle whistle at low RPMs... just about at the spot I usually cruise at around town, and my car is a daily driver. Finally switched to the JCW to escape the whistle... but not all cars have it... and not all drivers notice it... but it was driving me CRAZY...

 

This is very true. I had the DDM installed about a month ago and got the dreaded throttle whistle that Blimey is talking about. I think his was a little worse than mine from how he describes it. And yes, we know exactly what supercharger whine is, and the throttle whistle is a completely different phenomenon. In my case, it sounded a little like ringing. It happens at certain throttle positions and disappears when you give it more gas or back off a hair. It's very annoying if you pay attention to it.

I was expecting nothing but sweet music, but I got the music plus a little off-key whistling to sour the sound.

Still, I love the sound of the supercharger in higher revs as I get on the throttle. It makes up for it, I think. However, I may ultimately go back to the stock box. From the number of posts here of people who get the intake without the whistle, it's probably a low probability that you get one with the issue, but be aware of the risk...

 

it's air going past the partially open TB butterfly.

Matt

 

While it's true that whistle is caused by air going past the throttle body, the stock intake completely muffles the sound, while most aftermarket intakes transmit the sound into the passenger compartment, especially those which modify or remove the factory piece behind the airbox to allow more air to come in through the cowl.

If you're suggesting that the whistle was there all along and I just coincidentally noticed it the day after I got my intake installed, you're absolutely mistaken. I don't believe I've read any threads about people complaining about the whistle prior to getting a 3rd party intake, but there are many reports of it occurring afterwards. Anecdotal evidence to be sure, but pretty compelling nonetheless.

 

Exactly right. The saga of my complete testing is here.

The throttle whistles with NO intake installed... as Dr. O would suggest. But it is also muffled quite well with the stock intake, or with the JCW with the flap and the OEM paper filter. The more you remove these muffling components, the more sound you let past. Saying the intake has nothing to do with the whistle is kinda like saying an exhaust has nothing to do with how loud an engine is. Both are technically true... but practically inaccurate.

 

I just went with the K&N drop-in filter and it smoothed the idle and engine a bit. I can hear a bit more noise as well. cost? 50 bucks.

seriously, intakes are so overrated