16 replies to this topic

[elguapo]

thanks Sonikk

[tiger99]

You should ideally refit the intake properly so you are not breathing fumes and brake dust, amongst other nasties. The air intakes are at the very front of the car for a good reason. I suppose it would be ok to blank off the hole for the heater intake and keep just the fresh air vents, which are the important ones. If the hole is blanked and no duct is fitted, the heater will take in air from above your feet, and recirculate it within the car, so you will get a faster warm-up but no fresh air except through the cold vents. Some cars give you the option of fresh or recirculating air, and you could possibly find a way of adapting the Mini intake to achieve that.

Personally, I would fit it all up properly, as it originally was, or consider fitting a completely different heating and ventilation system. The original was just about adequate, and I would want one as good or better.

As you will have seen, most cars take the cold air in from slots in the scuttle. Doing that on a Mini would be an interesting challenge, as you will see next time you have a look under the bonnet, and in particular under the scuttle, but if it was possible it would get rid of the horrid, ugly ducting. I HATE having to refit that duct!