Hey all - looking at a used R53 and the owner sent me a pic of the engine bay which shows some performance partst. AFE intake? Not sure what the other metal tube is though. Also what strut is that?

 

answered my own question about the intake at least... it appears to the the k&n typhoon setup. not many reviews on this one ...

how about the strut bar?

 

Yes that is the K&N intake
I believe that is a Racing Dynamics strut bar, or a china knock off.

Otherwise it looks stock. I would have a look at the pulleys to see if the supercharger and crank are stock or not.

 

It looks like one I've seen on eBay in the past. The Racing Dynamics bar is welded and doesn't have the bolted joints at the towers.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that intake it what DOS replicated their CAI blue print. Not sure if it enters the Cowl; looks like its an open box; with that open pipe allowing Airflow to vent in from the Grille... Clean MINI BTW

Lates

 

Sorry to get off topic, but I've been curious for a while. What's the benefit of that tube coming out from the radiator housing? It's very different from the stock air cleaner duct.

I wish my engine bay was that clean!

 

The stock setup directs air into the lower portion of the box ...



The K&N Typhoon directs the air at the filter.

 

yep K&N and ebay strut bar. I would say you are on the original coil pack with the little sticker and the original expansion tank due to the dark yellow color. The engine bay is pretty clean. It looks like the motor mount on the passenger side is newer. Cant see if the oil stain is under it, if it is it has been changed to a new oem style one.