What Happened to my Alta Cold Air Intake?

[VWY]

The first day that I had my Alta CAI installed on my 2002 MCS, it worked great; the trip down I35 to San Antonio from Austin was a workout for my face muscles. However, the second or third day that I had the CAI, a strange whistling noise was being made that I hadn't noticed the first day. I looked at the intake and I, not being an expert on the subject, thought nothing of it. However, upon seeing other CAI's that look much different than mine, it worried me. So here I am, asking you all—due to your expertise—what went wrong with my Alta? Thank you so much for your help; you all keep me coming back to MINI2.

Notice in the pictures the lack of mesh, the larger size, and any other contrasts you are able to draw.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by VWY

The first day that I had my Alta CAI installed on my 2002 MCS, it worked great; the trip down I35 to San Antonio from Austin was a workout for my face muscles. However, the second or third day that I had the CAI, a strange whistling noise was being made that I hadn't noticed the first day. I looked at the intake and I, not being an expert on the subject, thought nothing of it. However, upon seeing other CAI's that look much different than mine, it worried me. So here I am, asking you all—due to your expertise—what went wrong with my Alta? Thank you so much for your help; you all keep me coming back to MINI2.

Notice in the pictures the lack of mesh, the larger size, and any other contrasts you are able to draw.

You have the infamous Alta whistle. Mine does it as well.
It happens at part throttle only during slight inputs correct?
If you look, for instance, in my gallery you'll see the old style filter. Is that the difference you're mentioning?

[VWY]

Quote: Originally Posted by obehave

You have the infamous Alta whistle. Mine does it as well.
It happens at part throttle only during slight inputs correct?
If you look, for instance, in my gallery you'll see the old style filter. Is that the difference you're mentioning?

Thank you for your prompt reply.
Yeah, that's exactly when it appears! Have you or anyone discovered a way to reduce the noise? It's a bit embarrassing.
I feel a bit sheepish; I didn't know that Alta changed their filter. So mine is the new style, then? Sorry, sorry, that is the difference. But if you notice in my engine pic, parts of what looks like rubber tubing surrounding the CAI is off, and I think it was burnt the first day I got the Alta; after a lot of heavy driving, there was smoke billowing from the bonnet.
Thank you once again for your help.

[marchamundo]

Why is the noise your S making embarrassing, I've been thinking of putting an Alta CAL on my S for a few days, but until now I haven't heard anyone say anything to put me off.
Is the noise especially annoying or distracting?
I want my S to make a louder whine noise, would you have still put the Alta on knowing what its like now?

Does anyone who if the Alta makes a big difference to the supercharge whine from the Outside, a modded S ripped past me the other day and it sounded great, it made me smile being blown out by such a great sounding S.

Out of interest how much was it?

J.

[VWY]

The first day that I got my CAI, it never made a whistle noise, and it sounded absolutely fantastic. After that, though, the whistle sound started and turns heads for the wrong reasons, I fear. Take away the whistle sound and the noise created by the CAI is up to my strict, discriminate standards. It is a gorgeous output, sorted.
I had always been strongly advised by the MINI experts that Alta is the CAI to purchase. However, I had heard good things about the Promini intake, and the sound may be louder. It should be noted that I have not heard the Promini myself.

If you wanted a lot of supercharger whine, I would suggest a new supercharger pulley, which makes the supercharger absolutely sonorous.
With the pulley, Alta would be the way to go, surely.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by VWY

The first day that I got my CAI, it never made a whistle noise, and it sounded absolutely fantastic. After that, though, the whistle sound started and turns heads for the wrong reasons, I fear. Take away the whistle sound and the noise created by the CAI is up to my strict, discriminate standards. It is a gorgeous output, sorted.
I had always been strongly advised by the MINI experts that Alta is the CAI to purchase. However, I had heard good things about the Promini intake, and the sound may be louder. It should be noted that I have not heard the Promini myself.

If you wanted a lot of supercharger whine, I would suggest a new supercharger pulley, which makes the supercharger absolutely sonorous.
With the pulley, Alta would be the way to go, surely.

I've had both intakes.
Owned one of the first BMP/ProMINI intakes. I now have the Alta.
Exterior noise is pretty much the same. Interior noise of the Alta is louder.
HP gains are similar.

To answer VWYs question; I don't think anybody has looked at it that closely.
I can tell you that, for whatever reason, installing or removing my ECU update makes a difference. Strange hunh?