Drivetrain (Cooper S) MINI Cooper S (R53) intakes, exhausts, pulleys, headers, throttle bodies, and any other modifications to the Cooper S drivetrain.

Drivetrain CAI - who's best?

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  #1  
Old 03-11-2008 | 02:08 PM
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CAI - who's best?

Wondering which CAI is the best . . . I know there are lot's of factors incl.
underhood bling . . . other than that are all created equal?

Any pros and cons out there?

K&N?
Alta?
helix?
dinan?

Thoughts . . .?

My mod plan includes ALTA 15% pulley, Cooler plugs and Milltek Exhaust.
 
  #2  
Old 03-11-2008 | 09:58 PM
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Wrong forum.
 
  #3  
Old 03-12-2008 | 07:30 AM
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I noticed that after I posted - scrolled down too far - past 1st gen - ROOKIE . . .

Who moves them?
 
  #4  
Old 03-12-2008 | 11:23 AM
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I reported it so that they will move it. As for who is the best, that is all up to what you want as they are all about the same to be honest. Most people select the one that they think looks the best under their bonnet. I have a Mini Madness one and love it. I have also installed and driven the Alta and both are nice but the Alta was a bit louder. Overall any choice is a step up over stock.
 
  #5  
Old 03-12-2008 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by dtm
Wondering which CAI is the best . . . I know there are lot's of factors incl.
underhood bling . . . other than that are all created equal?

Any pros and cons out there?

K&N?
Alta?
helix?
dinan?

Thoughts . . .?

My mod plan includes ALTA 15% pulley, Cooler plugs and Milltek Exhaust.
There's this funny button, titled Search...

There are tens, possibly hundreds (really!) of these threads on NAM.

- Matt
 
  #6  
Old 03-12-2008 | 12:31 PM
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that's part of the problem . . . wanted some new, maybe insightful input

daflake gave me valuable input in probably as much time as it took you to to be a smarty pants.

nobody forced you to respond to my thread . . .
 
  #7  
Old 03-12-2008 | 12:57 PM
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Here's my prediction (yes, I'm being a smarty pants):

"I like the ALTA"
"+1"
"Use the search function"
"I have the ALTA and love it too"
"I've been very happy with the DDM"
"They're all the same - buy the one you like"
"JCW is the quietest"
"Remove the flap "
"I made my own"
"+1 for DDM . . . I had Alta and switched"
"I love the sound of my Alta"
"Will this void my warranty?"
"Check out the Voltage!"
"Wow, that looks awesome"
"Should I get the 15, 17, or 19 percent pulley? will it void my warranty"

(Feel free to chime in with ones I left out)
 
  #8  
Old 03-12-2008 | 01:03 PM
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You forgot the

My Unlce Bob's friend Skippys nephew said that he heard the "Brand x here" and thought it was bitchen', but his girlfriends Brothers cousin said it was pusssy!

Matt
 

Last edited by Dr Obnxs; 03-12-2008 at 01:04 PM. Reason: WTF???? You can't say pusssy here? Cat lovers should complain!
  #9  
Old 03-12-2008 | 01:10 PM
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The difference between a stock one and just the open rubber tube not hitched to the stock one was 4 hp at WOT when I dynoed my 2005s (15% pulley and no other mods). Pick the one that sounds the fastest!
 
  #10  
Old 03-12-2008 | 01:56 PM
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Alta, if you absolutely love the supercharger whine, and want to hear more of it.
 
  #11  
Old 03-12-2008 | 02:03 PM
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I just installed the revised M7 Intake with the super-long uni-filter. It's nice looking and the fit was great, but if your after screaming supercharger noise the Alta is like a trumpet.

Good luck.
 
  #12  
Old 03-12-2008 | 03:13 PM
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So your saying the M7 is quieter than the Alta? Interesting.
 
  #13  
Old 03-12-2008 | 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Some Guy
So your saying the M7 is quieter than the Alta? Interesting.
Yes, IMO the M7 is quite a bit quieter, but it's not really that big of a shocker considering it's much more enclosed than the Alta (unless you bought the lid). I think it just comes down to personal taste, whether it be driven by noise or looks.
 
  #14  
Old 03-12-2008 | 03:20 PM
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I think the M7 is louder to the drivers around you since it draws air from the front of the car. The Alta is louder to you since it draws air from the cowl. I have a Webb Sportbox and love it.
 
  #15  
Old 03-12-2008 | 03:23 PM
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Huh? The M7 draws from the cowl as well.
http://www.m7tuning.com/parts/produc...&products_id=4
 
  #16  
Old 03-12-2008 | 03:25 PM
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I like my Dinan CAI, I noticed a big difference after installing it. However, my exhaust now kind of drowns it out. But other people still hear it.
 
  #17  
Old 03-12-2008 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by dtm
that's part of the problem . . . wanted some new, maybe insightful input

daflake gave me valuable input in probably as much time as it took you to to be a smarty pants.

nobody forced you to respond to my thread . . .
New input? It's an intake, buddy. There's nothing new that can't be seen from searching.

Daflake gave the exact same input and knowledge you would have gotten from...wait for it...doing a search. Nothing too valuable per se there (no offense Daflake; just saying it's all been said before )

Nobody forced me to respond, you're right in that. I think it my civic duty though to discourage laziness and stupidity.

As has been stated by other respected members in this thread, these threads usually just end up being "I like xxx brand the best, (insert subjective statement here)." You've been a member, what at most two weeks now? You've got a lot of reading and searching to do.

- Matt
 
  #18  
Old 03-12-2008 | 03:33 PM
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I'll make the plug for DInan. Mainly because if offers a totally enclosed box with more heat-resistant material. The enclosed airbox vents behind the rear partition (design directive being it takes in unheated air). It's the same principle as the JCW airbox, but without the need of the flap that many owners remove anyway. Plus it costs less than the JCW CAI. Very clean and non-bling. Great superchager whine, especially at WOT. But if you're looking for a lot of whine, then I agree with others on an Alta.

Good luck.
 
  #19  
Old 03-12-2008 | 04:04 PM
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K&N has a CARB # unlike anyone else
 
  #20  
Old 03-12-2008 | 07:13 PM
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Quote of the day!

Originally Posted by verveAbsolut
I think it my civic duty though to discourage laziness and stupidity.
I'm still laughing...

Matt
 
  #21  
Old 03-12-2008 | 07:27 PM
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If your in the market take a look at the new voltage intake. If i didn't already have an alta i would consider it. It completely sealed made from molded fiberglass, just a nice looking intake. Here's a like to more info and pictures.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=132169
 
  #22  
Old 03-12-2008 | 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Fini
Huh? The M7 draws from the cowl as well.
http://www.m7tuning.com/parts/produc...&products_id=4
Ah, I'm thinking their AGS. Forgot they came out with a new one.
 
  #23  
Old 03-12-2008 | 09:23 PM
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bEST, HMMMM......

Well, I have tried quite a few,
Alta, w and w/o Top
HAI K&N filter
Stock
Modded stock (with modded rear cowl holes, removed rear cowl)
Dinan (tends to make a whistling noise)
JCW (too restrictive, better than Stock)
BFS CF Stage 2 (Whistle noise, looks nice) (nO LONGER MADE)
CHECk SOME OF THE fORUMS,

And several others that I modded myself, The ones I felt made the most difference, had the rear cowl removed, bigger/longer air filter,
and the most amount of room in the boxed in filter area.
Commerical the WEBB MOTORSPORT BOX $260 WITH OPTION $75 SHIPPING (WEBB MOTORSPORTS, RATES BEST hP GAIN RATED BY WEBB MOTORSPORTS (BUT THEY MAKE IT)

mOTORING uNDERGROUND (fORUM)RATED
THE M7 ags STAGE 3 HIGHEST hp (nO LONGER MADE, USED $500-$550)
i BELIEVE MINICUSTOMS IS MAKING AGS STAGE 4 $400-$500


The one I keep comparing everything to, is a modded self made
box with the rear cowl cut out 90%, BOTTOM REAR AIR BOX CUTOUT
TOP CARON FIBER TOP LIKE (HELIX) AND (WATER PIPES FOAM INSULATION,
USED TO SEAL THE TOP OF THE AIR BOX TO THE HOOD), AND THE HAI K&N AIR FILTER.
You can make this for yourself, BUY SOME SPARE oem AIR BOX PARTS ON EBAY, $5-$20 sHIPPING $5-$15, AND EXPERIMENT.

It's a matter of what works for you, and budget, try ones you like (used)
ebay, if you don't like it, sell on ebay, or the NAM marketing site
just wanted to share my too cents
 
  #24  
Old 03-12-2008 | 10:38 PM
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WOW, we have a new sheriff in town and his name is verveAbsolute! Way to stand up for all of us and defend us against the anti-search heathens.... You are such a tremendous value to this forum.

or

Way to go! A new person comes to the forum asking for assistance and you work to drive them off spewing drival about using the search button. Who elected you forum police for the internet? Not me.... There is nothing wrong with having another thread about old topics. What would happen if we coverend all the topics, do we all just stop posting and let the forum die? No, we accept the new ones and answer them the best we can because not all people that use the internet are as awesome as you when it comes to its navigation.

As for the folks egging you on, grow up. Especially the one with the Ph.D!

and people ask me why I don't post here that often....
 
  #25  
Old 03-12-2008 | 11:43 PM
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dtm
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Originally Posted by verveAbsolut
New input? It's an intake, buddy. There's nothing new that can't be seen from searching.

Daflake gave the exact same input and knowledge you would have gotten from...wait for it...doing a search. Nothing too valuable per se there (no offense Daflake; just saying it's all been said before )

Nobody forced me to respond, you're right in that. I think it my civic duty though to discourage laziness and stupidity.

As has been stated by other respected members in this thread, these threads usually just end up being "I like xxx brand the best, (insert subjective statement here)." You've been a member, what at most two weeks now? You've got a lot of reading and searching to do.

- Matt
Man . . . you have way too much time on your hands . . . go for a jog or something to work off that angst . . .
 


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