ECS Tuning CF CAI vs AEM CAI, which one?, help!
 

Hi there,

I just bought my R56 JCW Silver Bullet Edition 2013 and I want to buy and install a CAI, and I am thinking in the AEM I saw it and know it and because the connection from the hood scoop direct to the filter intake I believe it enters real Cold Air there, so it could works awesome I think.

https://www.outmotoring.com/MINI-Coo...e-upgrade.html

But today I found a post here with this one and also good comments:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...m/001849ecs~a/

And wow looks pretty awesome :eek2: (also $100 more :sad: ) but I don´t know if it beats the AEM CAI. :confused:

What do u think ?, thank you so much for your great help!!! :thumbsup:

The ECS unit is a beautiful piece and I'm sure the quality is 1st rate, but it uses the stock air duct from the front of the car. Granted it has a better filter and should flow a lot better.
The AEM uses the hood scoop for cold air in addition to the original duct from the front of the car. I can't tell you definitively which is superior, but I can say that I had the AEM with an M7 hood scoop on my R56 and was happy with it.
I don't think you can go wrong with either. If you're looking for some under bonnet bling, then the CF unit is the clear choice. Nothing pretty about the AEM.

I understand many CAI's have the same intakes tubes as stock or sell their own intakes for the after market intake kits. But if they change out the intake setup to the turbo, and nothing is done to the opening to the turbo, improve the preformance of the turbo or after the turbo to the intake valves .. do they actually add more air or improve the air volume to the engine ? You can change the volume of air, but not the the quality of air.

For $400 to $500 in parts, if nothing is actually done to the volume "into" the engine itself, does it do anything except make it look better than stock ? A 3" opening to the turbo is still the same if nothing is change to it.

And with many filters, the volume is improved due to the cleaning/filtering qualities being less, thus reducing restriction and cleaning of the air, increasing flow. You can still be stock by only putting in a less efficient filter.

And like I read in many advertisements ... "UP TO XXX extra horse power" Zero is part of that UP TO ...

Sorry, I've been batting the CAI systems discussions for years.

What is your goal with getting an intake? If you're looking for HP intakes aren't the way to go. We've done a lot of testing over the years and due to the turbo inducing so much heat you can't get the intake air cool enough to see a gain.
There are many other mods you can do that actually make power like an intercooler that cools the air after the turbo.
If you want sound an intake will for sure give you that. Open intakes will give you more.

Yes almost is to change the sound and see something nice when you open the hood hehehehe he but also want a CAI that do good job.

I also have ready to install an ALTA Intercooler

wait didn't i just see this on Instagram?

Yeh i think i would save your money an go with something a little better quality!! Remember the AEM is all plastic n14/n18 heat monster !!

If you looking for intake stuff ' just pay for shipping an you can have all my old stuff !! i have a ddm works race intake forge pipes etc , after the rebuild i just have the stuff laying around taken space up! pm me an ill send you photo's

Actually the AEM holds up fine with the under-hood heat. Just like all the OEM plastic parts.
I sure wouldn't pass up this deal though, if I still had my R56. Nice of you to offer.

Our results from testing are on the page and its also linked back here, also a nice little video on the last page.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...er-intake.html

I have been running that intake on both my R56 MCS and R58 JCW (seen in the photos). I tracked it and other than cleaning the filter from time to time, it's been a great intake with no issues. I have over 100K logged on it. Still looks and sounds great, its somewhere between an open filter and the stock JCW intake in sound.

If R53hyperblue doesn't take you up on your offer, I sure will.

Hi bugeye1031,
Yes I already took the offer!!!
​​​​​​​Thank you. =)

I think it looks great and the fact that it can deliver a little more performance and some sound enhancement, awesome. One question have there been any cases where this intake has triggered the check engine light? I have a factory 2009 JCW R56 stock and would like to run this intake but if it sometimes triggers a check engine light then I would have to pass.

Thanks, no check engine light. I have not heard any case of that either. The only thing on this intake is not CA carb compliant at this time.

Great thanks thats what I needed to know.

Welcome. :)