JCW Stage I vs. Alta's Turbo-Back & CAI

[Astro S]

Hi Everyone, first thread and second post.

I'm trying to decide whether to go JCW Stage I or go Alta's Turbo-Back with their CAI.

Love to hear anyone's opinion and/or experience with either.

[a96bimmerm3]

Haven't seen any dynos of the jcw setup yet. Adam will have his intake/turboback/intercooler car dyno'd very soon so we'll have something to compare to! I can't wait to see what it hits. And hopefully someone will dyno their jcw car soon! the first kits are starting to get installed.

[scott48]

I have the Alta turbo back and cold air intake and I definitely love both....car sounds sooooooooooo good and has got some good power. And they do have dyno charts posted up. You'll get more power from those two than from the JCW...so just imagine the power with Alta's ECU that's gonna come out in the coming months.

[Bhatch]

The ECU Tune from the OEM JCW is great from what i seen, power to redline and the redline is higher. MORE highend power is what the MINI needs IMHO.

that being said, i personaly am going to see what happens in terms of piggy back ECU since i know now the stock head and vavle train can take teh JCW red line.

[snkbte]

Watching and waiting. Originally I had planed on doing the JCW up-grade. But now I am not so sure. The car is still fun to drive basically stock, so I will be patient and see what evolves in the next few weeks from the after-market companys.

[ADAMSALTAMINI]

Some charts are available on the drivetrain forums below, as well as on our website

I will have only AFTER dyno results on Howard done later this week. But I do believe the JCW flash with the ALTA parts would be great until more ECU options are available. My butt dyno is VERY happy with the results thus far.

Thanks guys!

[msh441]

Driven both.

Seat of the pants, the power of the JCW Stage I and the Alta intake/exhaust cars were pretty darn similar.

Remember, MINI power figures on the stock R56S are underrated. I believe the same is probably true for the JCW Stage I. The charts shown on the MINI website are pure BS (no way you can increase HP across the range and LOOSE torque - impossible).

The Alta set-up sure sounded better, though... and the workmanship on the pipe, can and tips were awsome. Add an Alta cracked ECU and it'll be a monster.

[Guest]

You may want to check out the Dyno's from Helix if you think the HP from the R56 is Underrated... definitely not so. People don't understand that torque makes the car feel MUCH faster than it is.

You can most definitely make HP and lose torque, happens with plenty of things. Increasing the size of your exhaust will reduce backpressure, backpressure helps create torque. Tune can also do a lot to torque. Remember, a turbocharged car is much different than a supercharged one .

Originally Posted by msh441

Driven both.

Seat of the pants, the power of the JCW Stage I and the Alta intake/exhaust cars were pretty darn similar.

Remember, MINI power figures on the stock R56S are underrated. I believe the same is probably true for the JCW Stage I. The charts shown on the MINI website are pure BS (no way you can increase HP across the range and LOOSE torque - impossible).

The Alta set-up sure sounded better, though... and the workmanship on the pipe, can and tips were awsome. Add an Alta cracked ECU and it'll be a monster.

[a96bimmerm3]

Originally Posted by rustyboy155

You may want to check out the Dyno's from Helix if you think the HP from the R56 is Underrated... definitely not so. People don't understand that torque makes the car feel MUCH faster than it is.

You can most definitely make HP and lose torque, happens with plenty of things. Increasing the size of your exhaust will reduce backpressure, backpressure helps create torque. Tune can also do a lot to torque. Remember, a turbocharged car is much different than a supercharged one .

The car most definitely is underrated. 177 claimed crank horsepower definitely doesn't equal 175-180 wheel horsepower. We're talking -2% loss lol. I wish that were the case!!! Adam hurry up with that dyno! I'm dyin here!

[LazyT]

Originally Posted by Astro S

I'm trying to decide whether to go JCW Stage I or go Alta's Turbo-Back with their CAI.

Is the Turbo Back Exhaust the same thing as Alta's Catback exhaust?

[minipete07]

Originally Posted by LazyT

Is the Turbo Back Exhaust the same thing as Alta's Catback exhaust?

No. The Turbo Back exhaust is the Alta catback exhaust Plus there down pipe...its worth about 10+ more hp.

[msh441]

Originally Posted by a96bimmerm3

The car most definitely is underrated. 177 claimed crank horsepower definitely doesn't equal 175-180 wheel horsepower.

Exactly. Several dynos have shown more power at the wheels than BMW/MINI has claimed at the crank. Significantly underrated.

[4htbx020]

Instead of the alta turbo back and cai I am thinking of combining the cat back and intercooler and potentially the cai from DDMWorks.

[E-Ticket]

I am currently considering/debating the same questions concerning JCW vs. Alta, so I appreciate the discussion here. Is there a combination of JCW and Alta mods that makes sense without duplicating mods? Possibly JCW Stage 1, Alta downpipe, and Alta intercooler (with DDMWorks ram air intake)? I'd love to see before and after dyno results with this combination of mods. I'm also looking forward to seeing the dyno results with the full set of Alta mods.

[chili_red07]

^ The JCW kit comes with a new airbox you'd be replacing with the DDMWorks. That being said, I would totally do that and sell off the JCW one.

[snkbte]

Originally Posted by scott48

I have the Alta turbo back and cold air intake and I definitely love both....car sounds sooooooooooo good and has got some good power. And they do have dyno charts posted up. You'll get more power from those two than from the JCW...so just imagine the power with Alta's ECU that's gonna come out in the coming months.

I have a feeling the after-market systems will make more power for less money.

[rattmobbins]

I checked out a JCW at my dealer this morning. Not really that impressed. It was quick, but didn't really "feel" quicker than my car, and it didn't sound that much better either. It was a hair louder than stock, but not "sporty" enough for my taste. I think I'll definitely be going with Alta stuff now that I've had a chance to check out the stage 1.

[samroberto]

I was out for a run at my dealer today (another test drive on an "S" until my "S" actually gets here in another week hahaha)
-and-
They said the JCW kit was only available in a complete unit, not like- we could order an individual intake or something...
-and-
for those looking to improve "turbo sound", an intake is the way to go, but by the looks of the JCW box there's no more exposed surface area (OUTside of the plastic airbox), which would give more cool sounds... anyone have any thoughts ???

[samroberto]

Like so many of us on here, I'll be looking for a little more turbo/BOV sound ...

I've heard the Alta intake gives some sound, but what about the K&N or DDM or M7 ones ??

I'm so tempted to look at the JCW kit only because of the MINI warranty.. I learned a BIG lesson with my first car, which was my first MINI (college student) in modding and modding, and I messed with all the built-to-specific-tolernaces things... and got rattles and crap, and this time I just want to enjoy a bad-ass car stock for a while...
BUT
with perhaps some turbo sound like many of us are craving...
so-
any personal experiences with any of these intakes? LET ME HEAR EM!

[n1tr0]

I test drove the JCW MCS at the dealership before placing our order for a regular MCS. It was great to drive, but the exhaust was just too quiet and the gains didn't feel big enough to justify the pricetag. I'll likely go with the borla sport cat-back, the exhaust note's one (and maybe only) place the supercharged r50/53 really beats out the r56. For all the fun packed into a mini, it shouldn't sound like a toyota.

[Msteadman]

Originally Posted by n1tr0

For all the fun packed into a mini, it shouldn't sound like a toyota.

I know it's a simple matter of opinion and to each their own, but it always surprises me when people say that. Granted the factory MINI exhaust is pretty quiet, but for a stock setup I really find it to have quite a bit of spirit. Definitely a far cry from a Toyota (although depending on the model that isn't so much of a bad thing ). It's actually more the engine note than the exhaust that I sometimes take issue with. Can sound like a diesel at idle, especially in cold weather. Freaked me out the first time I heard it. But back to the topic at hand, with any luck I should have my ALTA catback (and possibly turbo back) on by next week. So my MINI will be endowed with even more spirit yet.

[FugitiveAI]

Originally Posted by samroberto

Like so many of us on here, I'll be looking for a little more turbo/BOV sound ...

I've heard the Alta intake gives some sound, but what about the K&N or DDM or M7 ones ??

I'm so tempted to look at the JCW kit only because of the MINI warranty.. I learned a BIG lesson with my first car, which was my first MINI (college student) in modding and modding, and I messed with all the built-to-specific-tolernaces things... and got rattles and crap, and this time I just want to enjoy a bad-ass car stock for a while...
BUT
with perhaps some turbo sound like many of us are craving...
so-
any personal experiences with any of these intakes? LET ME HEAR EM!

you are the perfect candidate for the Alta or DDM solution! They both have exposed filters which will give you the sound you're looking for. For my personal taste, these solutions are almost too loud. When you get on it they really make their presence known. Sorry I haven't been able to get any sound clips for you. I have been endlessly busy and setting up my recording equipment takes some time (I unfortunately don't have a simple mic-recorder setup, just pro gear I hook up to my laptop). I will try to get it done this weekend though. I don't think you'd have to worry about the issues you mentioned if all you are doing is modifying the intake and exhaust, nor should that introduce any warranty issues. JCW is definitely the worry free buy it and get it installed by MINI solution that takes the least effort and undisputably provides decent results, but not a whole lot of the sound you're looking for. I guess you could get the JCW kit then swap the intake if it's not enough for you... that's not a whole lot of extra money once you've bit off on the tuning kit.

[marksmith]

I'm one of the senior members of the car modding club w/ 3 decades of modded BMW's, Audi's, VW's and 3 Mini Coopers S (2 R53 & 1 R56.) With my experience and $$$$ later I can say the risk of modding one's car w/ aftermarket performance parts come's with potential financial liability.
Even years ago dealers differed widely when it came to honoring warranty claims relative to aftermarket mods. This is why I eventually used only Dinan parts on my BMW's & choose BMW dealerships who were also Dinan dealers. I have been lucky thus far w/ my 3 Mini's. All JCW Works cars , some w/ extensive additional aftermarket parts.
-In general, the dealership atmosphere has recently changed w/ a hard line being drawn the in sand: Use aftermarket mods and expect to be challenged if there are problems down the line. I am not willling to be deceptive about my mods or expect special treatment (hell I am special!) In fact I am too lazy & unwilling to get into a pissing match w/ the dealership about this stuff.
My latest & last car project is an R56 w/ the Works stage 1 kit. It is faster than either of my R53 Works cars; one w/ a butt load of added tuning stuff & very light SSR Comp wheels. The Works R56 has a nice reserve of additional useable torque making it faster than it was stock. Rolling acceleration is impressive. The Works exhaust is not very loud but w/ the rear seats folded down it perfect for my taste.
-In defense of the JCW ackage, the Works kit P1 is very linear & maybe even magical in the transparent synergy of the parts. It also needs to driven hard at jail-time speeds before the magic can be fully appreciated
-Price vs warranty benefits: very much an individual choice but the liability risk of mixing Works parts w/ additional aftermarket parts is a reality that needs to be factored in. At this point I am too risk-adverse to mix metaphors.

[clubspec330i]

Originally Posted by marksmith

I'm one of the senior members of the car modding club w/ 3 decades of modded BMW's, Audi's, VW's and 3 Mini Coopers S (2 R53 & 1 R56.) With my experience and $$$$ later I can say the risk of modding one's car w/ aftermarket performance parts come's with potential financial liability.
Even years ago dealers differed widely when it came to honoring warranty claims relative to aftermarket mods. This is why I eventually used only Dinan parts on my BMW's & choose BMW dealerships who were also Dinan dealers. I have been lucky thus far w/ my 3 Mini's. All JCW Works cars , some w/ extensive additional aftermarket parts.
-In general, the dealership atmosphere has recently changed w/ a hard line being drawn the in sand: Use aftermarket mods and expect to be challenged if there are problems down the line. I am not willling to be deceptive about my mods or expect special treatment (hell I am special!) In fact I am too lazy & unwilling to get into a pissing match w/ the dealership about this stuff.
My latest & last car project is an R56 w/ the Works stage 1 kit. It is faster than either of my R53 Works cars; one w/ a butt load of added tuning stuff & very light SSR Comp wheels. The Works R56 has a nice reserve of additional useable torque making it faster than it was stock. Rolling acceleration is impressive. The Works exhaust is not very loud but w/ the rear seats folded down it perfect for my taste.
-In defense of the JCW ackage, the Works kit P1 is very linear & maybe even magical in the transparent synergy of the parts. It also needs to driven hard at jail-time speeds before the magic can be fully appreciated
-Price vs warranty benefits: very much an individual choice but the liability risk of mixing Works parts w/ additional aftermarket parts is a reality that needs to be factored in. At this point I am too risk-adverse to mix metaphors.

Well put!!

To each his own.

If I were to get JCW or aftermarket mixs & matches, I would go with JCW. I remember when I got the exhaust for my '05 M3, it was just $1900 for just an exhaust. $2300-2500 installed for JCW is a bargain, to me anyway.

However, if Alta or DDM stuffs comes with factory warranty, that would be another story.

[BobinPhilly]

While the consensus appears to be that the JCW Stage I kit is likely to cost more installed than, say, an Alta CAI, turboback AND their new PnP ECU unit installed, which setup is likely to hold its value better and/or make disposition easier at resale a few years later?