25 replies to this topic

[OJDee]

Hi

Have a 1989 Mini E, 998, hif38, all stock.

Wanting to open up engine bay by removing large airbox and seen many of you have cone filters.
I thought the obvious option was k&n but on minispares it says it can result in bhp loss in small bore engines..

I am not expecting any performance increase but a drop is not desirable at all.
Is suggestion in minispares to put k&n element into original airbox?

Anyone with similar setup have positive or negative experience with a cone?

Thanks
Oli

[JXC Mini GT]

I have the standard filter casing modified as per Keith Calver special tuning, fitted with a K&N filter element.

[johnR]

You may find that, aesthetically, removing the larger airbox might leave the carb looking a bit lost. I would suggest fitting a finisher to the inlet pipe & a K&N filter. You can Vizard the airbox by drilling holes in the underside in the area between the outside of the filter and the wall of the box but the standard exhaust and inlet manifold will restrict the benefit of mods. I would suggest a stage one kit and a lighter flywheel - this made a tremendous difference to my 998

[johnR]

double posted

Edited by johnR, 12 April 2022 - 08:44 AM.

[coopertaz]

if you fit any kn air filter you will need at least needle change and get far more cabin noise. that's the reason for putting kn in original airbox with holes

[roblightbody]

I have the standard filter casing modified as per Keith Calver special tuning, fitted with a K&N filter element.

You sent me off to find the article because I was interested, here's the link for anyone else - https://www.calverst...ir-filtration/

Edited by roblightbody, 19 April 2022 - 10:02 PM.

[JXC Mini GT]

Link doesnt work, try this one .

https://www.google.c...RQtJmkJRNIT1W1B

 

[Maccmike8]

You may find that, aesthetically, removing the larger airbox might leave the carb looking a bit lost. I would suggest fitting a finisher to the inlet pipe & a K&N filter. You can Vizard the airbox by drilling holes in the underside in the area between the outside of the filter and the wall of the box but the standard exhaust and inlet manifold will restrict the benefit of mods. I would suggest a stage one kit and a lighter flywheel - this made a tremendous difference to my 998

 The trumpet on the airbox looks fantastic, can I ask where it came from?

[OJDee]

All good info thanks - agreed the intake on airbox looks good much better than the nasty original !

[johnR]

 

You may find that, aesthetically, removing the larger airbox might leave the carb looking a bit lost. I would suggest fitting a finisher to the inlet pipe & a K&N filter. You can Vizard the airbox by drilling holes in the underside in the area between the outside of the filter and the wall of the box but the standard exhaust and inlet manifold will restrict the benefit of mods. I would suggest a stage one kit and a lighter flywheel - this made a tremendous difference to my 998

 The trumpet on the airbox looks fantastic, can I ask where it came from?

 

Dsn I think - best to glue it in place - they are a good fit but I did have one come loose and fall off. I bought another one, then found the first lodged in the exhaust downpipes! 

[Miki Leyland]

I have the typical cone filter since had my 998 rebuilt and want to try Keith Calver's idea drilling holes in an original filter case. The engine runs lovely but it is too loud for me after 20 minutes of fast driving.

 

Calver's idea allegedly gives even better performance than the cone filter.

[panky]

Admittedly mine is a1275 but I've been through all the air filter options. Cone was too noisy, drilled air box was better but I ended up with a K&N element in a standard air box and it's great. Quiet (for a Mini) and no noticeable drop in performance.

[croc7]

Mine is a large bore engine and I use MED’s ITG filter and velocity stack. A bit loud but I like the induction noise-goes back to my days as a misspent youth.

[timmy850]

I swapped my big air filter case to a KN cone for a while on my 998/HS4. I just wanted a bit more noise

We checked it with the afr gauge and the difference wasn’t enough to warrant changing the needle

[OJDee]

Curious how the standard air box works - the inlet that is fed from exhaust manifold, with the moving flap at the end.. how does that actually work?

If that part is replaced with an open trumpet as above, does the manifold just expel into engine bay rather than being piped into original airbox intake?