25 replies to this topic

[jbj]

I currently have a K&N panel filter fitted to my car and was thinking about replacing it with a cone filter and have couple of questions...

1. Will I see any performance benefit from the change or is it just un-necessary engine bling?
2. Can anyone recommend one to go for?

Ta

[taffy1967]

I don't think they give a massive increase in power, but they certainly tidy up the look of the engine bay. Plus of course they only require cleaning and re-oiling every 20,000 miles or so.

So yes go for it, but as for which type, well it'd help if we knew what model/age Mini you're driving?

[danrock101]

does depend on the engine, I've got the k & n replacement for the standard filter, I'm going to get a cone filter when i've got some money to spare

[jbj]

So yes go for it, but as for which type, well it'd help if we knew what model/age Mini you're driving?

Oh yeah, that could be a good idea...

Mainstream Cooper 1275 carb

Edited by jbj, 09 May 2009 - 09:33 PM.

[taffy1967]

So yes go for it, but as for which type, well it'd help if we knew what model/age Mini you're driving?

Oh yeah, that could be a good idea...

Mainstream Cooper 1275 carb

You'll be wanting this one then: -

http://www.minispare...ty=...&N FILT...

http://www.knfilters...px?Prod=56-9330

http://www.knfilters...px?Prod=56-9330


If you get a chance, why not join and register your Mainstream Mini Cooper on the site in my signature below?

[THE ANORAK]

in all honesty it makes no noticeable difference but it will make the car very noisy. how do i know ?? i've tried it


the air intake on the standard set up is designed to keep the noise down

[taffy1967]

Yes keep the noise down so it was able to pass the stricter drive by noise rules and therefore be allowed production rights.

Anyway the anorak is right that it won't really make much of a performance difference, as I had mine on a rolling road a couple of months back and my Mainstream Cooper has that K&N, plus a slightly richer needle (BDP) to compensate, oh and a Maniflow LCB and twin box exhaust system.

My Mini did exceptionally well and the tuner stated how he couldn't achieve any better in it's current set-up as it's running perfectly and that's not bad since it's pretty close to going around the clock now.

But my mate took his Mainstream Cooper which is bog standard (at least it looks that way) and it even still has it's cat fitted and he was only 1.5bhp short of mine.

I was still very pleased that I achieved a fair bit more than the Rover quoted performance figures though. All the information, photo's and video can be viewed here: -

http://z11.invisionf...view=getnewpost

And yes it is noticeabley noisier on the motorway, but I quite like the sound of the K&N when you're booting it. It kind of adds to that sporty magical appeal of the car and I wouldn't change mine back now.

Although Tommy the tuning guy did reckon that the heat coming off my LCB manifold might affect the performance of the K&N and the standard air filter box is sucking in colder air as it's closer to the front of the engine. He did talk about using that manifold wrapping stuff to keep the heat down, but I've heard stories of LCB's cracking due to overheating because of that stuff.

Plus I really can't complain and that K&N filter has been on there for over a decade now and you only need to clean it every 20,000 miles or so.

Edited by taffy1967, 09 May 2009 - 10:58 PM.

[mini_mad69]

All good points, but it has been well researched and documented that the standard housing with a couple of carefully drilled holes and a decent element flows better than any cone type filter, it is also extrmely noisy, im converting mine back to the air filter housing with a k&N element and some, not so carefully drilled holes, it changes the noise from standard a tiny bit but not alot and will hopefully make driving to shows sooo much quieter. May help air flow but I doubt I'll notice and performance differences.

Ben

[taffy1967]

Yes but Minis are not meant to be quiet are they? If I wanted Rolls Royce silence and comfort then I'd buy a Rolls Royce. But I want a Mini that behaves and sounds like a Mini, otherwise it wouldn't be quite as much fun.

Plus it's fine on the motorway too, it's only when you start thrashing it that it really starts to sing and even then it doesn't bother me.

The Mainstream Cooper has a fair amount of sound deadening material which helps anyway.

[mini_mad69]

Yes but Minis are not meant to be quiet are they? If I wanted Rolls Royce silence and comfort then I'd buy a Rolls Royce. But I want a Mini that behaves and sounds like a Mini, otherwise it wouldn't be quite as much fun.

Plus it's fine on the motorway too, it's only when you start thrashing it that it really starts to sing and even then it doesn't bother me.

The Mainstream Cooper has a fair amount of sound deadening material which helps anyway.

Fair enough, my sound proofing all presished and fell off the bulkhead, and at the moment I have a RAM AIR air filter, which is basicly a lair of 2 or 3mm foam. Noisiest thing ive ever heard. Hence reverting back to more standard.

[mini_mad69]

Yes but Minis are not meant to be quiet are they? If I wanted Rolls Royce silence and comfort then I'd buy a Rolls Royce. But I want a Mini that behaves and sounds like a Mini, otherwise it wouldn't be quite as much fun.

Plus it's fine on the motorway too, it's only when you start thrashing it that it really starts to sing and even then it doesn't bother me.

The Mainstream Cooper has a fair amount of sound deadening material which helps anyway.

Fair enough, my sound proofing all presished and fell off the bulkhead, and at the moment I have a RAM AIR air filter, which is basicly a layer of 2 or 3mm foam. Noisiest thing ive ever heard. Hence reverting back to more standard.

Edited by mini_mad69, 09 May 2009 - 11:18 PM.

[taffy1967]

Well my bulkhead soundproofing has gone too (rotted away), but there's still a ton of the thicker stuff behind the dash anyway.

[jbj]

All good points, but it has been well researched and documented that the standard housing with a couple of carefully drilled holes and a decent element flows better than any cone type filter, it is also extrmely noisy, im converting mine back to the air filter housing with a k&N element and some, not so carefully drilled holes, it changes the noise from standard a tiny bit but not alot and will hopefully make driving to shows sooo much quieter. May help air flow but I doubt I'll notice and performance differences.

Ben

Interesting... tell me more about these carefully (or not so) drilled holes

[M44K TS]

All good points, but it has been well researched and documented that the standard housing with a couple of carefully drilled holes and a decent element flows better than any cone type filter, it is also extrmely noisy, im converting mine back to the air filter housing with a k&N element and some, not so carefully drilled holes, it changes the noise from standard a tiny bit but not alot and will hopefully make driving to shows sooo much quieter. May help air flow but I doubt I'll notice and performance differences.

Ben

+1

to not put such a finer point on it, mine is doing my tits in, whcih is why it's getting changed for a standard setup and a twin box exhaust system, so if anyone would like to buy a brand new (less than 100 miles old) genuine K&N, (not some dodgey rip off copy) cone filter then pm me!

[/shameless plug]

[mini_mad69]

All good points, but it has been well researched and documented that the standard housing with a couple of carefully drilled holes and a decent element flows better than any cone type filter, it is also extrmely noisy, im converting mine back to the air filter housing with a k&N element and some, not so carefully drilled holes, it changes the noise from standard a tiny bit but not alot and will hopefully make driving to shows sooo much quieter. May help air flow but I doubt I'll notice and performance differences.

Ben

+1

to not put such a finer point on it, mine is doing my tits in, whcih is why it's getting changed for a standard setup and a twin box exhaust system, so if anyone would like to buy a brand new (less than 100 miles old) genuine K&N, (not some dodgey rip off copy) cone filter then pm me!

[/shameless plug]

Ha ha, twin box maniflo'd mine aswell. Possibly the only 19 year old trying to make my car quiet as possible.