Improvement to air intake for no costs.

[Harry Shelton]

I've just recently received my MCS after many months of expectation and review of product literature [including study of these posts]and have one simple question: The "stock" air induction to the "S" is, I believe, already a closed, cold air induction system which recieves air initialy from just behind the grill, where it is carried to a closed "airbox", through a filter, and on through the engine. This appears to me to be the essence of a "cold air induction system". As for the aftermarket products from Rogue, Pipercross, Alty, etc. - with the exception of the Alty [which adds a certain amount of air from the back cowl], the all appear to work much the same. I have added a higher performance K&N drop in filter to the stock system.
My question is, rather than simply change the configuration/type of filter [cone], why would it not be more efficient to clear the space from the grill which immediately opens in front of the portal, or air-inlet, near the front [and on the driver's side] of the radiator?
If you notice, the front grill does not extend its openings to the far corner, which is where this portal lies - this would allow a greater and more direct stream of air to enter. And, why didn't MINI do this in the first place? Water, perhaps? Wouldn't the Alta also let in water from a different location [below the windshield]? Thanks for any feedback.

[obehave]

Welcome to the site.
The Alta has no issues with water. The chamber drains water off just below the cowl over the fender liner.
I think from what I've read here the whole area behind the front grill is a high pressure zone. So there's no starvation issue IMO.
I'd imagine you could design some type of cone to extend the inlet to fit right up against the grill but under normal driving I can't see how that would be much help.
Possibly the larger diameter tube that Alta makes, runs from the air box to the throttle body, could make some improvements as well. But you were talking no/low cost and that isn't a cheap solution.
Having run a BMP and now the Alta I can attest to the fact that the car runs stronger with an aftermarket induction kit.

[John Adams]

I installed the K&N kit a week or so ago on my MCS and there was no doubt whatsoever that it gave an additional boost and smoother in the low end,BUT now the filter is just laying in the bottom of the original air box with nothing to shield it around the sides from the engine heat,should I fabricate a wall around the sides or is this satisfactory, Comments Please,I am bothered jonjon

[Harry Shelton]

You didn't indicate, but I assume you're talking about the K&N Typhoon system, as opposed to the K&N "drop in" which I bought. It simply replaces the factory paper. What you've done is open up the closed "cold air" system I refered to, to add under-the-hood warm air with a cone shaped filter. I shouldn't think that would be of much help with performance [as explained on other posts in greater detail] But now going back and constructing a "box"... I dunno. From what I have seen, the more noticable performance gains come from the Alta, if you can get beyond the "hype". Hope that helps.

[John Adams]

Thanks,you told me what I was pretty sure of and didnt really want to hear,So now I WILL get the Alta

jonjon