Mini Cooper S (F56) | PH Fleet

Finally, Adam gets the spanners out. First stop? Airbox, obviously...

By Adam Betteridge / Monday, 27 July 2026 / Loading comments

Well, this is a little overdue! As you’ve probably seen, we’ve been exceptionally busy this summer with a host of new events. Between that and the Annual Service just round the corner, I’ve been spectacularly tardy with the updates.

I’m pleased to say, though, that we have actually made some headway with the serious bits of JCW-ifying the Mini. To delve into this, we need to rewind quickly to our April Sunday Service at Mini’s Plant Oxford. Notably, it was the first time I’ve been able to bring my own car along to an event rather than turning up in a hire van.

It was an exceptionally special morning celebrating 25 years of the modern Mini. Seeing over 350 of them flood the Oxford Plant car park was brilliant, and the sheer variety of modifications on display was serious inspiration. From Powerflex’s lunatic rear-wheel-drive, V8-swapped "Vini" to the factory rolling out the six-metre Mini XXL (complete with a fully functional whirlpool Jacuzzi, obviously), it was a great reminder of how versatile a Mini is with a bit of imagination.

Seeing all those tuned F56s gave me the final push I needed to crack on with my own spanner-work under the bonnet. If you want to make a modern turbocharged engine feel more alive (on a strict budget), the easiest place to start is the intake. The 2.0-litre engine is a great lump, but the factory airbox is designed more to muffle turbo noise for the masses than to optimise airflow.

I’ve opted for the Ramair ProRam Induction Kit (£236 including VAT). This specific kit caters to the F56 Cooper S and JCW (as well as the 1.5-litre models) - though you do need to check your factory airbox first to ensure you have the oval-shaped MAF sensor before ordering.

So what exactly does swapping the plastic factory box for this kit actually achieve?

Firstly, the hardware. For someone who isn't incredibly mechanical, it's a reassuringly simple swap. The kit mounts directly to the standard factory mounting points without any need for drilling or modification. It replaces the chunky standard setup with an open cone filter, a smooth metal intake pipe and a custom-fit black heat shield. That shield is crucial - it creates a physical barrier against engine bay temperatures and forces the cold air feed straight into the filter.

By getting rid of the restrictive factory plastics and smoothing out the airflow, the turbo doesn't have to work nearly as hard to suck in air. While bolt-on intakes usually only add a couple of horsepower to a stock car, they are a foundational mod. If you plan to install a map later, improved breathing is essential for real performance gains.

Then there is the noise - the immediate payoff. Because the factory sound-deadening plastic is gone, you can actually hear the turbo working. Under heavy throttle, you get a fantastic, deep intake whoosh, followed by an addictive turbo flutter when you lift off. It gives the car a much more aggressive character without droning on the motorway.

While you can absolutely get this fitted at a local garage, it’s surprisingly straightforward to tackle yourself at home. Ramair includes a full fitting kit with all the nuts, bolts, hose clamps, and a very handy step-by-step guide. Alternatively, if you happen to be at a PistonHeads event and have a Ben Lowden on hand, it can be fitted in just 15 minutes.

The Mini finally sounds like a proper hot hatch, and the throttle feels just that little bit more eager. Up next, it’s time for the Mini’s first MOT.

If you're tempted to have a go yourself, here's what you'll need: