1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Cold Air Intake?

Since this is in the 1st gen area, R56 solutions probably aren't appropriate.

The best solution is the JCW or Dinan airbox, because they insulate more effectively from engine bay temps than the metal boxes. Unless you want to completely cover the metal box in aerogel or something similarly effective.

I've run a JCW box with the Amsoil nano filter for years with great results. Both with the JCW flap intact, and more recently flapless.

Some 1st gen cars have a pronounced whistle at part throttle, that the JCW box masks via the flap. Mine did, I started with a Dinan box and switched to the JCW to get the flap and cure the whistle, when it was my daily driver. Now that it's a weekend and track car, I don't care how noisy it is.

 

I run the JCW box as well. I've removed the flap so it gets maximum air flow all the time. It's a great design in my opinion, and particularly so here in California where the CARB restrictions provide for very little in the way of modification. It's an OEM part and the techs no nothing about what I've done to the internals...

 

A box with a cone filter that get the air from the cowl area. That's basically what the JCW is and it works well. Any other that takes air from inside the engine area is just feeding hot air not cold air.

 

JCW with and upgraded conical filter will do the same. The system is already a CAI. The problem I have with DDM is the funnel sits above the engine and warms up. Now it won't really warm the air coming in that much, probably not at all, but its the principle for me. ECS also has there own intake. Its basically the JCW intake but carbon fiber. I looks great, but I'm not sure its worth the $$$.

 

DDM Works, or just look at how they are made and build your own

 

:beer

 

Der!... That's what happens when you don't pay attention :mad2:

 

I have the Madness filter with the cowl mod (bigger hole for more air into the box) and have had no issues with it whatsoever.

 

that looks like the one that was in my car when I bought it. My son decided it would fit much better in his R53, because my M7 strut bar was interfering, so now I am back to stock...

Later this spring I will build a DIY intake, similar to the DDM Works unit with top cover to allow clearance for the strut bar, but wide open towards the cabin wall, where I already have a rather large hole for even more air flow. Big washable cone filter inside the box and all is good. Should't cost more than $100 in parts, most of that for the filter.