I was in the garage looking at the motor and started to check out the intake. I looks like a pretty good set up as is. It just needs a better air filter like a K&N or something like that. The tube going to the bottom of the air box doesn't get warm from the motor. So I think for the money spent on an aftermarket intake, I would get the same gain from just replacing the stock airfilter, and save some money for other things.
But I could be wrong, any thoughts on this?

 

You will get a gain for just replacing the drop-in element, but you will get a tad more from an intake.

On the Cooper, there isn't that much to be had. I think you are on the right track, but if you want every last horse available, the intake gives it to you.

Here's the one that makes the most so far:



It's also really expensive. I'm still trying to get a system from Green Filters UK that is a similar set-up for about a hundred bucks less.

Hope that helps!

Randy

 

Thank you Randy,
It just seems like it would be doing the same thing with an aftermarket intake. I guess they are tested and proven and thats why they cost the big bucks. :smile:

 

Randy...what type is that in the picture, how much does it cost, and what could I expect if I dropped it in my MCS?

 

That my friend is a Pipercross Viper. You can get one from http://www.diamondracinggroup.com I've got one on my MC and it has made a big difference.

 

Any intake will definately help in the HP realm. I think with most on the market, you will all see about the same HP figures on a stock Cooper. With that being said, the next thing to do is find one that is (most importantly) easy to install and one that lasts a long time. After all, you want your money's worth, correct?

In addition, sound is most important (especially with our customers) - some intakes have different sounds. Some are louder by the size of the air element as well as the material the intake tubing.

The most important thing to remember is that more HP does not alwasy equal happiness - if that was the case, we'd all be happy with loud exhausts that have great HP gains - but I assume that most of us on this site drive our Mini's on a daily basis. You do not want that throttle drone on the highway and you definately want a system that has been tested and will give you minimal headaches. Also, look for a system that is simple - something with not a lot of parts.

Keep in mind that there is a huge debate right (especially at SEMA) over paper filters vs. foam or plastic compound filters - as in which gives the best peformance - which lasts longer over time, etc. It is an interesting debate that will go on for some time.

For the money, I think the standard Moss kit is the best bang for the buck (about $120). We sell this kit and I have had one on my Mini now for over 7,000 miles with no issues and noticible performance.



Peter Brusa
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R*Speed Mini
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2002 Mini Jet Black with Tartan Red

 

the only issues i have with the intakes available for the standard mini are:
no heat shields = heat soak off the line
no real nice filters

i'd like to see a kit with a heat shield using an ITG filter. like this one that i have on my car as seen here: http://www.focussport.com/aboutitg.htm


i'm actually considering making a custom intake for the standard mini using this filter, a home made heat shield (with some sheet metal) and getting a short pipe custom bent. my only concern is the bung on the side of these intake pipes, is that for the valve cover breather hose? if so can i just fudge the hole and attach a breather filter to the hose? i'd be willing to bet a setup like this would be significantly superior to the intakes currently available without being more expensive.

Nate

 

We have data temp's several areas on the Cooper intake track and I can assure you that you will get heat soak no matter what you do - there just is no room under that hood for clean cool air - or ambient air temps for that matter - once you come to a stop - the temps rise so much that it is pretty freightening.

Yes, that tap is for the cam cover vac line.

Again, the point here is someone was looking for a nice intake and I was posting some suggestions as to what they might look for (trying to be as unbiased as I can here).

-Peter/Rspeed

 

I have the Moss intake on my cooper and I think its great. Its looks and sounds great and there is a little bit of noticable performance increase. About the heat soak problem, If I drive for long distances or in hot weather will the heat soak affect the way my engine performs or its reliability? I might drive from So Cal to North Cal this weekend and I dont want my engine to overheat on the way up there. Should I put the stock intake in for long drives? Thanks

 

YESYESYES....Get the hint??? Intake+ MINI =
Oh yeah.....Nice Ducati

_________________

 

>>I have the Moss intake on my cooper and I think its great. Its looks and sounds great and there is a little bit of noticable performance increase. About the heat soak problem, If I drive for long distances or in hot weather will the heat soak affect the way my engine performs or its reliability? I might drive from So Cal to North Cal this weekend and I dont want my engine to overheat on the way up there. Should I put the stock intake in for long drives? Thanks
>>
Well, heat soak is something that R&D entities look at when designing a system that optimally utilizes as much cold air as possible because more air (and fresh cold air for that matter = more power). But again - more power doe not always equal more happiness - but for you and I and every other owner out there that is just having fun driving our Minis, no - no need to worry about heat soak. Your Moss setup will work fine for years to come and no need to change it out.


Keep in mind that we did data logged the stock air box system and there was the same heat temps at the entry point of that air box (not the entry point of the intake track) that what you would see on your Moss kit. ...the Moss kit just sounds sweeter


Have fun and motor!

-Peter

 

The pipercross Viper intake is made of carbon fiber and does not tranfer heat as much as the other intakes available, also as a note it draws air in from the same point as the stock on a MC so its not drawing hot air from the engine compartment. As far as noise is concerned I can only hear the new intake above 3k when the radio is off.

 

Get the air intake.I just installed one from Rogue Engineering.It took a half hour and does add power at the top rpm's.According to dyno figures,it's about $30 per horse,a value.

 

>>The pipercross Viper intake is made of carbon fiber and does not tranfer heat as much as the other intakes available, also as a note it draws air in from the same point as the stock on a MC so its not drawing hot air from the engine compartment. As far as noise is concerned I can only hear the new intake above 3k when the radio is off.

Don't know if I agree with that statement - It does take in hot air due to heat soak - any time you have a tube inside that engine bay that is not coated or protected with an anti-heat agent of some kind (thermal wrap, etc), the air track will heat up. You will be esentially heating up the cool air coming into that inatke - this is what heat soaking is all about concerning the air intake. We have data logged this on several intakes now only with the Miata, but now the Mini. You think you are taking in cool air when you are stopped in traffic? Think again.

Again, just what I have data logged based on my experiences with various intake kits.

-Peter

 

yellowdesmo,
how about some pics of that yellow Ducati ??

 

R-Speed, what intake kits do you sell? I didn't see them on your site..

Donald

 

Just another plug for the Moss intake. I installed it on my Cooper and love it! It really adds great sound to full throttle, and looks great in the engine compartment. I can't say I actually noticed a performance difference, but then again I am new to modifications in general and only had the car for about 2000 miles before installing the intake.

By the way JellyBaby, this is the intake that RSpeed sells, as does mossmini.com for the same price I believe. On the RSpeed site, click on "performance", and then it's listed as "performance air intake" or something like that.