Most liked posts in thread: WTB: K&N or AEM Cold Air Intake and Turbo Heat Shield.

The AEM is a true CAI and while more expensive, is definitely the better of the two.

 

I have an AEM on my Clubman S and it was the first mod I did to a 7000 mile 2010.
Because I deep six'd the original metal heat shield in favor of a blanket I used a ceramic 1/8" shield on the bottom of my AEM shield and spaced it up almost 3/8" inches. I did notice a seat of the pants difference over stock and also safety wired the two bolts holding the AEM shield on.

 

Unless you seal that open K&N box to whatever you throw together and attach to the hood scoop it won't work. The scoop isn't aerodynamically functional like it is on the 1st gen. You're better off with either stock, or the AEM in this case. I made my own

 

As for the heat shield, there's better ways to go about protecting your hood scoop from the turbo heat that wont melt your valve cover. MINI came up with a "solution" that helps part of it, I stuck on some heat reflecting padding, if you will, under the front part of the scoop that does a good job.

 

The heat shield for the AEM is primarily to protect the ABS air duct on the underside of the hood. I would recommend, if you go with the AEM to replace the hood scoop with a replacement from M7. Larger intake area and not prone to warping.

 

The Forge is a good intake

 

The safest thing to do to protect your hood scoop is remove it buy getting an R53.

You know the car the actually uses the hood scoop and is functional not just a cheesy decoration. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I know, I am an A $ $ h0le. :ihih:

 

I shoulda seen this one coming, but it caught me by surprise !! It still made me chuckle. :biggrin5:

 

You're right Dave, up to a point. To use the AEM you have to remove the grill insert that blocks the scoop in stock configuration. Or, as in the case of my R56 the M7 scoop never had the insert. The grill you can barely see in the picture of my old car is a stainless grill by MiniFini. That's just to stop the big bugs. It's a straight shot from outside air to the closed air filter box. I had hoped that AEM would come out with a similar system for the F cars, but after closer examination, even if you remove the insert, the amount of air you can get through that tiny opening is probably about what you could pump through a soda straw. Too much metal in the way.

 

Would rather have a scoop cooling my SC Intercooler right before it is feed 100% VP M-1 Meth.

That's a cool air charge. :ihih:

 

No Sir. The heat shield is the flat part in front of the motor with the AEM embossed on it. The one I posted pictures of is for the N14 motor, but they make one for the N18 also.

 

The letter "N" tells me all I need to know about the N14 and N18 motors. NOPE

 

Nice

 

Nope, Nada, Not going to do it.

 

Lee, you got the Dark Helmut and I know what Mark did to that car. It's not the basic MINI SH*T box. :devil::ihih::lol: