Hello, first! I have just joined this forum. I searched for information on a cold air intake for my car and have found mixed results, but would like further advice.

I have a 2008 non-S Cabrio MINI. Manual Transmission.
Coming from a long line of Miatas, I went to purchase a cold air intake from K&N as a way to increase performance without taking a hit on MPG. So I purchased a Typhoon series K&N kit: 69-2005TTK. However, although the web sites say this will work on my car, there is no way that the pictures for the installation match up with my engine configuration. AutoPartsWarehouse even said they have a note that this fits the Cabrio 2008 manual tranny.
So... is there a way to make the K&N kit I have fit the car? (if so, please advise!) Or do I need to purchase a kit such as from DDM, which was recommended to me? Or... it sounds like the cold air intake doesn't do a whole lot for the car, anyway, so maybe I forget this project, return the kit and look for other ways to mod the car.

TIA!

DJM

 

I just bought and installed the K&N on my MCSc. I absolutely love it. are you 100% sure that it won't fit? when I opened mine after it arrived I was utterly confused but after just following the instructions it was very easy and made more sense as I went. As far as a benefit, I know on the S it isn't a huge gain, but it does help with MPG and sound cooler, not so sure on the non-S. Every other N/A car I have put a CAI on it has helped quite a bit, so I'm sure it will do something for yours, especially if you were to do an exhaust at some point.

 

Since the cabrio r52 is sold in s and non s, simplest. thing in check fit is to ensure it fits the r50 manual...the equivelent of the r52 non s

 

I have the Alta CAI, and i absolutely love it. I have the box top and silicone hose on as well. I hit the gas for the first time after i installed it, and i havent stopped smiling about it since. Took about 30 minutes to install.

 

You need to make sure that the CAI you are buying truly separates the intake to suck in ONLY cold air. When I bought my 2005 MCS convertible, the previous owner had removed the stock air box and stuck a K and N air filter on the intake pipe and it was sucking in hot air from the engine. I recently went with an ALTA CAI which comes with a metal box that separates the intake fromt the rest of the engine compartment and only allows cold air to hit the intake filter. DDM makes another great product if you don't like the Alta intake. I'd go to Waymotorworks.com and altaperformance.com and see which one you like better. IT DOES make a substantial difference in the performance of the car. You will like it. Every little improvement you can make to these little cars is worth the investment and the fun you will derive from the $$$$. Enjoy.

 

I had a k&n typhoon on my non s and it certainly sounded and felt like it made a difference.

someone else's