K & N Air Induction Kit 57i vs K & N Panel Filter

[mkoolb]

I am thinking of fitting an Air Induction Kit to my stock mini cooper R50[2002] engine to make it sound a bit louder The problem is I called a supplier who told me fitting an air induction kit in a standard mini cooper without supercharger will result in a loss of power.

Now I am not sure if this is right??? Is that because the air induction kit will suck hot air from the engine this in turn makes the car loose power?

In this case will it be better just to replace the existing paper filter for a K&N Panel Filter?

Anyone who has got a standard stock mini cooper engine and has got the Air Induction Kit fitted, it will be great to get some feedback?

Cheers

[mkoolb]

71 view and not a single reply

[TC-TOM]

I have this same question...can someone please shed some light on this

[marque]

Hi guys

I would not totaly agree with loosing power with an induction kit. The main thing you need is lots of cool air. Fitting an induction kit will allow hot engine air to be suck in to the inlet causing loss of power, but if you can get lots of fresh air to it it will work well.
You can get good results with a panel filter and modify the airbox. The nice thing with this option is it looks standard
I use this type of filter in my MCS but this link is for yours

https://www.vecchio.co.uk/index.php?...mart&Itemid=55

[Poprin]

Hello chaps,

Yes basically what Marque said. In order for induction kit to work you need cold air to get sucked into it. I don't know why the supplier said a cold air induction kit would not work on a non-supercharged car. Feel free to correct me if i'm wrong people but that's b*ll*cks!

A cold air induction kit will work on any engine, the cooler the air that gets into the combustion chamber the more power you get. Unless the supplier only has an induction kit for a supercharged model and the kit isn't positioned to get cold air into the system well...

Only speculating.... maybe speak to a different supplier

[sad61t]

The easiest change is to fit a new high-flow panel filter. I've done this previously on a Skoda and a Megane (both normally aspirated) and it made a small, but noticeable, difference. It also has the advantage of being 'stealth' as regards insurance and MOTs.

Also used an aftermarket pancake filter that was within the engine bay of a kit car. Chrome bling, but less performance so swapped back to the OEM black wheelie bin unless it was on show.

If the kit is just a cone filter tucked in the back of the engine-bay then the extra flow will be negated by the lower density of hot engine-bay air. If you decide to go down that route, look for a kit that encloses the cone and includes a pipe to take fresh air from the current intake behind the front grill (looking at an R56 Cooper).

[02caretaker]

I agree about the panel filter change I put a K&N one on every car I have as a matter of course, economy goes up and usualy a little increase in mid range poke. I have also used the i57 kits but they come with an increase in induction noise.

[gaznav]

I've had a K&N panel filter in my 05 Cooper for 20,000 miles. A slight increase in inlet roar and pick up (although the original paper panel filter was minging!). I've cleaned it twice as it does pick up lots of flies and road dirt - better on the filter than downthe intake!

I've had cold air filters on other cars and "yes" they are louder, but to be quite honest, on their own, you will not see any appreciable performance gain. Unless you force cold air from 0-30mph then you will little change to 0-60 times. Personally, I would save your money and buy the panel filter if that is the only mod you plan on doing (however, if you plan a manifold change, cat-back free flow and a re-map then it might just be worth it).

Gaz