Engine Most liked posts in thread: Aftermarket Intake Systems

Out of these 3 I like the DDM one.
But this is my favorite MINI intake

 

The AEM didn't add any additional noise to my R56. It's still basically a closed system so shouldn't't add any noise. Don't really care for the intake noise on these cars anyway. Now, if it moaned like a big 4 barrel......

 

MCM did a few videos on CAI vs OEM and they came to the same conclusion - OEM = More Horsepower, CAI = Better Noise.

 

The one we used was the short body. Configured about 60/40 cargo to passengers. I guess the short body was better for the combat takeoffs and landings in SEA. Thing was better than a Six Flags ride landing at Tan Son Nhut. Kinda miss the flying. Only been on one plane since retiring in '88.

 

F-15? Alright, I'll quit talking about airplanes.

 

I had an open cone filter in my R60 for a while. While it sounded fantastic and seemed to add just a touch more bottom end power, I started noticing that even in the PNW where the temps are pretty mild, the intake air temp was running at least ten degrees higher. After I replaced my diverter with a DV+, there was no more diverter noise to speak of (DV+ is very quiet) there was no reason to keep it, so I went back to the factory airbox. The difference in sound is drastic, the difference in performance is negligible for the most part, until you bring in the heat-soak that it is not happening now, and I'm more than willing to sacrifice the noise for the temp difference alone, but also holding more boost between shifts is a plus as well. I don’t think you can really do much better than the factory airbox for the heat that you get down there in Atlanta (did I remember that correctly?) except maybe the JCW airbox with the round filter.
I have actually been looking at my airbox and I’m pretty sure that it can be converted to a similar set-up. If you remove the plastic braces that are screwed into the lid, then you would need to attach an insert of some kind to accept the filter.....something like a tube with a 60 degree bend and seal it into the lid opening. If it works you could cut out part of the lid if you wanted (like the JCW) that may satisfy some of the sound freaks like me...... what do you think?

 

I did this. Fresh air + turbo noises

 

It's been a few years since I researched aftermarket intakes, but I did find that the best intake is the factory cold air intake, unless you are looking more for noise than horsepower.

I no longer have the links saved, but there are a bunch on YouTube comparing stock v.s. aftermarket air intakes, using a chassis dynamometer, and in almost every case the oem intake produced the most horsepower. Automobile engineers really do know what they are doing. The best one for your MINI is probably the JCW intake.

The RAM effect only works in a very narrow RPM band, in an intake specifically designed for each installation.

 

I've got a bunch of hours riding in a three holer back in the early 70's. We had one that made the rounds of all the bases in the far east and SEA every week.

 

I think it'll fit. The reason I say think is, when asking Wayland about the JCW intake he had for sale he said I'd need the N14 intake's bottom half to fit the JCW top portion of the box and filter on my N18.

 

I can offer one bit of helpful advice: If you are trying to keep the intake air as cool as possible DO NOT use carbon fiber or metal tubes. The themold plastics and rubber commonly found in most vehicles intakes are actually better at insulating the air inside the in intake from the heat of the engine bay. Both metal and carbon fiber conduct heat EASILY into the tubes. It's a small difference on FI cars but every little bit adds up.

 

Years ago, when I first bought my R50, I was into modding it slightly...knowing how fragile the CVT was. So, I added a Madness 3-hole rear sway bar, EBC Green Stuff pads with s/s lines, a Helix catback, M7 strut tower defenders [because Ohio roads are so bumpy], and a generic cold air intake I found on eBay. The intake is a closed up cone and has been on the car since 2005, with no problems whatsoever. I think the intake set me back around $40-$50 and has been worth every penny.

 

Sorry...while that MAY sound simple, it is WAYYYYY beyond my learning curve. However, if you get on ebay, just do what I did and search mini cooper closed cold airbox, and you will only have to scroll down a few to find the unit I found last night.

Cigars, I know, as well as Spanish...........