1st Gen R50 Cooper Any Good CAI?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by MiniRican, Sep 12, 2010.

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  1. MiniRican

    MiniRican New Member

    Sep 10, 2010
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    Sup M/A?
    I am looking for a good, performer CAI! My cooper is 05 {not the S :( } and I am looking for a CAI. I have browsed on internet and In my experience not everything that the box says is true (15hp gain) since you guys know a lot more than I do, I was hoping you guys can suggest? Or which one would you buy? I dont mind putting money if the CAI is worth it! ;) thx
     
  2. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    On my 03 Justa, there is a Way/DDM CAI. It helps mostly with throttle response, pulling with no hesitation till the sweet spot at around 4200 rpm, at which point you can really play with the S's in the tight fast twisties :D. HP gain will be best reached if coupled with a free flowing exhaust, like this, which will definitely make you feel fast:Thumbsup:. Overall HP gain:sosp:, my butt dyno says some gain, Vendor says around 8 HP, car feels better then new, performance wise :cornut:

    Mark
     
  3. MiniRican

    MiniRican New Member

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    Thx Mark!!! That CAI & Catback look pretty good!! I dindt understand the playing with the S in fast twisties (catching up to a S in in road turns?) so I do understand that to trully add hp gain to your car you combine a few stuff (cai, catback, cmr tune etc...) so CAI wise, this is the best? I dont want to buy something and then realize that for an extra $100's I could have got a better one (not that I doubt Way quality, I am actually glad that they manufacture one, that they are a supporting vendor here and that If I buy it I would b helpin them..) dunno if you follow me?

     
  4. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    You can always pay more money for the same amount of performance gain:D.

    You will never keep up to an S in flat open road, but the Justa holds it's own in really tight repetitive turns:Thumbsup:

    Mark
     
  5. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    Read this before you do anything.

    Mark
     
  6. MiniRican

    MiniRican New Member

    Sep 10, 2010
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    Great info!!! I think that many of us know this (on a subconscious level) but I didnt really thought of it or gave it the importance that is needed... Simple stuff & steps can save you ton of $$$. Thx buddy!!!
     
  7. MiniRican

    MiniRican New Member

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    Any insights on the CAI from DDM? Helix?
     
  8. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

    May 8, 2009
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    MiniRican,

    I'm sure there are those that would disagree but talking to some MINI mechanics and some 'in the know' there is not really that much a difference between one CAI to the next. Any are going to give you some performance gain however it's going to be marginal (5-8hp at a guess)

    I'm not saying don't do it what I'm saying is don't overspend because the differences are pretty slight from one mfg to the next
     
  9. Mondo

    Mondo New Member

    Jun 18, 2010
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    Do any of them have a California CARB exemption # ?

    My stock bottom filter box has one of the screw holes that is stripped. The top doesn't cinch down... using tape to keep air out.
     
  10. INIMINI

    INIMINI New Member

    Apr 22, 2010
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    How about suspension upgrades instead?
     
  11. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Sep 29, 2009
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    No garage yet, so I don't know if you have a R56....:idea:
    But if you do....:D

    ? NM Engineering : MINI Cooper Tuning Products ?
     
  12. dannyhavok

    dannyhavok New Member

    Oct 25, 2010
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    I know this thread is old, but for the record, I installed the aFe CAI and it sounds great, very easy install and VAC Motorsports was good to deal with. I do feel a strong pull at 4000 now, an improvement over stock and the growl is addictive.
     
  13. drabdub

    drabdub Well-Known Member

    Oct 22, 2009
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    i know i am bringing this back but i was wondering if there was a california carb legal aftermarket intake for the r50.
     

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