[aml]

hi there,

ive fitted a k&n panel filter to my mini and had a general look at the induction system, and have come across the intake pipe (pictured below) made out of some kind of fabric, with wire inside, the inside of this pipe is rough etc so i'm thinking it may be quite restrictive to air flow, so i am thinking about trying a rubber/flexible induction hose of the correct ID. i know it is much easier and will get more power gains etc by buying a CAI kit, but atm i can't and like to try my own ways of doing things, and i know it is very unlikely to give any gains at all, but may make it sound a little better, which is what i am hoping, any suggestions would be appreciated, but i will try it anyway as its cheap, and will post results if any, cheers

[Mess]

dont think you can remove that.

Ive got a cooper and fitted the piper cross vier. I was wanting to remove that pipe aswell but i couldnt see a way to do so.

[aml]

i have already removed it once, it just pulls off the plastic part to behind the grill and off the plastic pipe to the air box, it is a fairly tight fit, but it is meant to come off and just needs a bit of twisting + pulling

[cristo]

This CAI replaces the tube with a smoother one with a larger opening into the filter box,
drop in filter, and smoother filter box lid.

for the regular Cooper and One.
ULTRIK COLD AIR INTAKE SYSTEM - COOPER

[aml]

thanks cristo, i know about that kit and as i said, i know it is much easier to get a CAI kit, but i'd rather try out the effects of 5 quid flexi intake pipe before i spend £115 on a full kit, as i already have a k&n panel filter, 2nd thoughts, you may not have been saying to get the kit, but simply pointing out that you get a smooth pipe with it, which is helpful, as it may suggest my thoughts are correct, thanks

i am buying some piping soon, will post up tube sizes and where i got it from etc when i have bought it

[Mess]

Quote: Originally Posted by aml (original)

i am buying some piping soon, will post up tube sizes and where i got it from etc when i have bought it

cool, will be good to see what you do. think i may follow suit at the weekend and give it a go.

[aml]

removed the pipe today and measured it, ID is approx 63mm and approx 185 long, will give better sizing when i have the new pipe and fitting it

[aml]

i have had a couple of interests in this pipe change and assuming i conclude that it has made a noticeable difference, atleast in the sound of the car, i will have some pipe left over, and can cut to the correct length needed, i will be willing to sell to anyone interested for £5 delivered, all needed then is 2 hose clips or even zip ties to secure it at each end. i would have 4 of these left
so, contact me if interested, and i will post up results when i have mine fitted, please note, i am not doing this to make money at all, the pipes are only available in 1m lengths and cost just under £20 a metre, so you would save a bit and amount of waste is reduced! cheers

[Mess]

Have you got any photos aml of the new pipe installed?

Also whats the pipe that youve used? Sounds a bit pricey for a bit of pipe?

[aml]

piping hasn't arrived yet, should be here monday

i am using proper, good quality black cold air ducting pipe, which won't split like other types of hosing and is flexible

demon tweeks and GPR sell the piping for £20 per metre, but they only seem to have red in the correct ID, so i looked on ebay and found black for just under £20 per metre

you will find that flexible piping which is easily obtainable in the right ID is quite limited, especially for under bonnet applications, and the stuff ive chosen is the preffered and best for the job

will post pictures of the pipe when arrived, then fitted to the car, fitting will only take 10-15mins, it is quite an easy job

[aml]

piping has arrived today, and i have fitted it to my car, with definite positive results

the pipe is almost identical to the pipe used on pipercross viper induction kits

there is small increase of induction roar, and there is noticeable popping from the exhaust on over run of revving, which sounds quite nice and sporty!

i haven't tried it out on the road yet, and will update tomorow when i have done, but i'm sure the car will sound slightly louder and sportier.

it took me no longer than 20minutes to fit, and is easy if you have done similar jobs in the past

i have secured the pipe with 2 zip ties at each end, but it is a tight fit anyway and wouldn't come loose, the install looks neat and tidy, almost factory

if you would like some piping from me, as i have said, it will be £5 posted for the correct length and four long zip ties, i am only doing this to help people out, if you would like to buy your own then no worries

any questions, please ask

[ongwc]

hi, looks good... any idea what is the diameter for this hose?

thanks

[55parklane]

Hi aml,

I'd be up for buying one of these spare lengths of piping you have, PM me with the details about how you want to be paid etc.

[aml]

i have bought 63mm ID pipe, 65mm would do, but i wouldn't get any bigger than that, approx 190mm length is needed

[NeuroBeaker]

You know... this is probably the sort of thing that an insurance company would leap upon to invalidate your policy in the event of a claim. So make sure you declare this sort of thing. Believe me, insurance companies are complete scum; don't make it easy for them to screw you over - make sure you declare this.

All the best,
Andrew.

[ScottyBoy]

Not being to negative but the inside of this pipe is not exactly smooth at all it will have just as much disrupted airflow as the original.

Something similar to the Alta Intake pipe is what you would need to have any benefit to the car, or even samco hosing.

I do no Andy is looking for some of this tubing to replace a knackerd piece on his Viper CAI but thats because it has holes in it and this would do the trick.

Basically you have replaced the rough tube with a tube that has ridges all the way along.

Sorry for being negative hear but i doubt its any better.

Scott

[Mess]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyBoy (original)

Not being to negative but the inside of this pipe is not exactly smooth at all it will have just as much disrupted airflow as the original.

Something similar to the Alta Intake pipe is what you would need to have any benefit to the car, or even samco hosing.

I do no Andy is looking for some of this tubing to replace a knackerd piece on his Viper CAI but thats because it has holes in it and this would do the trick.

Basically you have replaced the rough tube with a tube that has ridges all the way along.

Sorry for being negative hear but i doubt its any better.

Scott

Aye Scott your right. The pipe being used is the same is whats on my Viper CAI. Same size aswell

[aml]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyBoy (original)

Not being to negative but the inside of this pipe is not exactly smooth at all it will have just as much disrupted airflow as the original.

Something similar to the Alta Intake pipe is what you would need to have any benefit to the car, or even samco hosing.

I do no Andy is looking for some of this tubing to replace a knackerd piece on his Viper CAI but thats because it has holes in it and this would do the trick.

Basically you have replaced the rough tube with a tube that has ridges all the way along.

Sorry for being negative hear but i doubt its any better.

Scott

i looked at samco hosing etc, but the pipe has a slight bend in it which may couse samco hose to be slightly ovalised etc and it is more expensive compared to the flexihose i have used.
i decided on the flexihose because it is the cheapest that will do the job properly, i thought it was worth a try
if you look at the standard hose, inside is considerably more rough than the hose i am using, and the standard is made with some kind of fabric which i doubt is very air tight etc
speaking from my experience, the tubing has made a definite difference, sportier tone over most of the range and at around 4000rpm where some power kicks in there is a deeper, nicer and slightly louder tone which i noticed straight away, and the revs seem to pick up quicker on hills etc
the hose has worked for me, if you doubt it i suggest you try it yourself, i was suprised with the amount of difference

[aml]

Quote: Originally Posted by ARCrawford (original)

You know... this is probably the sort of thing that an insurance company would leap upon to invalidate your policy in the event of a claim. So make sure you declare this sort of thing. Believe me, insurance companies are complete scum; don't make it easy for them to screw you over - make sure you declare this.

All the best,
Andrew.

i am aware of this and i hope other people are, as most things talked about on this site are classed as modifications, i was simply doing this exercise as a cheap test to see how it works, and for me, there is a definite positive result, so i think its been worthwhile

[Mess]

Where did you get the hose from Aml?