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One thing I've noticed is that the jcw exhaust manifold is lighter. I decided while I have everything apart I'm going to do some porting matching and smooth some things out.
Update on the ebay JCW turbo. Turbo itself seems ok. There's still some odd surging under boost at high load and low RPM in 2nd and 3rd. Otherwise it pulls nicely and stays on longer approaching redline.
But being an ebay turbo, the inlet thickness is twice what a Borg Warner would be. So it needs a 2" coupler. The NM one did not fit.
So right now I have a standard 2" to 2.5" coupler connecting turbo to intake.
What I assume is the IAT sensor is now on a breather filter. The tube goes to my OCC anyway.
So if you get an ebay JCW turbo, get ready to do this.
Another option if you can be without it for a week or two (or pick up a rebuildable core cheap enough)
I sent a spare "S" turbo to g-pop shop they offered 3 services:
basic rebuild factory spec (349 or 399 don't remember of top of my head)
hd (I think this is their jcw equivalent) w/360 bearing, billet wheel, etc (basic +100)
And hybrid k03/04 $695
Not sure if anyone has noticed this but I am in the process of swapping in a jcw turbo. It was used and I'm rebuilding it. The waste gate shaft is badly worn so I was going to use my stock waste gate housing and saw this. The jcw manifold and jcw waste gate housing have a different exhaust port angle. So when I attached the jcw manifold to the s waste gate housing there was a step. See photos
So if you use the stock mcs manifold with jcw turbo you will have this step. Unless you use the stock mcs manifold and waste gate housing and the rest use jcw turbo. Hope this makes sense. And helps some people.
Well I had the same codes and surging as Dr. Spade pretty much. I even had a tune put on my DME. I didn't rebuild the JCW turbo as it felt good(not much play) I think I will need to get a custom tune to get this turbo to work correctly.
I got this the first day, I went back and found my temp connector could had been not connected correctly and fix that.
Then reset error codes and had these come back. DME cut back boost to 5-9 PSI and after 4500RPM boost cut to 0 PSI.
I put back stock Turbo reset codes and was spinning tires with 18-20 boost because of tune of corse. So either I need to find someone that can custom tune to a bigger turbo or leave it be I guess. I don't want too.
I also found that I didn't have the wastegate in the correct position when I measured it. I had it about 1/2 inch to far out. Swapping out the turbo only takes me about an hour to do so I will probably swap it back after Thanksgiving.
I also found that I didn't have the wastegate in the correct position when I measured it. I had it about 1/2 inch to far out. Swapping out the turbo only takes me about an hour to do so I will probably swap it back after Thanksgiving.
You're very quick then. I'm partly hampered by a poorly done custom 3" exhaust that is one piece from downpipe to tailpipes.
I was able to buy the Accessport Stage 4 tune 10 minutes before Tigger called me. So I'll be swapping the turbo to the Alta 42/56.
I'm currently running the JCW turbo on that Stage 4 tune and it still surges and hits 22PSI. I did adjust the wastegate to open more as it seemed needed.
I don't have to remove the downpipe. Just disconnect the turbo from the exhaust wastegate housing where the clamp is that's holding the two together. Pretty easy that way.
I think I'll wait until spring to finish the turbo swap. I need rings and pistons.
I don't have to remove the downpipe. Just disconnect the turbo from the exhaust wastegate housing where the clamp is that's holding the two together. Pretty easy that way.
I think I'll wait until spring to finish the turbo swap. I need rings and pistons.
I had to take off the exhaust manifold; couldn't access the bolts holding turbo on.
I had to take off the exhaust manifold; couldn't access the bolts holding turbo on.
That definitely takes longer. I will have todo that again once I get a replacement JCW wastegate housing. The used one I got was badly worn. The place I got it from are working on getting me another one. If that don't work I found a place over in England to get a new one from.
this is all very interesting. i just bought a jcw engine and i have a jcw turbo to go with it, but not sure how it will all come together. we shall see next week, as its all going into the shop for an engine swap.
Does anyone here know if the JCW and standard S turbos use the same housings? i.e. I have a spare N18 Cooper S turbo, could I just buy the core of a JCW turbo and swap it in?
from what i was told, you need nothing more than a jcw turbo. it should mount in to all existing S engine. the only differences of the jcw engine are the actual turbo and the short block.
The compressor side is different. But you can undo the clamp between wastegate housing and the cartridge(main part of turbo oil/coolent/bearing) and just replace that end of the turbo and should be fine. I did. I also got a K&N typhoon CAI and it fit the OEM JCW inlet. The other guy on here bought a China jcw turbo and it didn't fit to the K&N.
Last edited by jetsr6; 11-30-2016 at 04:51 AM.
Reason: Add info
We have a handy application guide here that should help, and a turbo expert on staff. Also, there are definitely things you can and can't do for you California MINI owers.
Check out the video, too! Any questions, please ask!
11-03-2016, 07:41 AM
