I've got a JCW S coming and am going to put the Alta CAI on. I was considering a header, but my service manager thought that any heat-related issues could void the warranty, so I'll probably not go there, unless there's a Works model coming out. I'm a bit puzzled about a chip upgrade in addition to the Works kit, since the kit includes a re-mapped ECU, which is credited for helping it feel so factory smooth. Has anyone done this, and does it make much difference? What's the bang for the buck?

 

>>I've got a JCW S coming and am going to put the Alta CAI on. I was considering a header, but my service manager thought that any heat-related issues could void the warranty, so I'll probably not go there, unless there's a Works model coming out. I'm a bit puzzled about a chip upgrade in addition to the Works kit, since the kit includes a re-mapped ECU, which is credited for helping it feel so factory smooth. Has anyone done this, and does it make much difference? What's the bang for the buck?

For a discussion about this topic see
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=18935

The JCW kit has a minimally changed ECU software re-map. While it might help with smoothness (much like the Shark Injector does) the power gains are minimal. Estimate may 0-2 HP.

Lots of ECU upgrades possible. Shark Injector is very easy to install, costs $399 and adds about 8 HP and 2 ft lb torque. Powerchip, Webb/Powerchip and EvoTech are likely to add much more HP-results will vary with your mods. but the cost is higher about $680 to $720. GIAC is due out soon for less than $500 but no estimate on the power gains.

Randy Webb said that he has had one JCW kit MCS that installed the Powerchip ECU upgrade and there was benefit but the care was not dynoed so no objective numbers are known.

The Header should not be a problem with the JCW kit and in my area the dealer installs an aftermarket exhaust header about half of the time. The cost is rather high and the gains moderate to low depending on your other mods.
The exhaust noise is still low even with the header installed. I heard the Milltek header with JCW kit today and it was quiet. I'd estimate the power gain with the header to be about 4 HP and some added midrange to high range rpm torque.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and the other thread URL, minihune. I'm going to get an intake put on, as I agree that increased performance parameters can change the results for add-ons, and optimizing the air/fuel mix is a no-brainer. The Alta intake claims to be one of the only ones utilizing the cowl air for a portion of it's air supply, assuring a colder source overall. Don't know if that's completely accurate, but it sure sounds good. That being said, I'd go for a header w/out reservation if my service manager could assure me that there'd be no warranty issues, but her hesitation (my dealership's MINI service dept. is outstanding, by the way) makes me reticent to do so, whereas there is no problem at all w/ the intake. The obvious answer to that is for JCW to put their own warranty-approved header out. In the meantime, I'm waiting for someone w/ a JCW S to testify that the Shark Injector is worth every penny of the $400. My uneducated feeling is that the intake @ around $200 will make a greater difference than header and ECU when you compare dollars per horsepower. A Milltek @ $750 + a Shark remap @ $400 make for a pretty expensive 7 or 8 horses, though I could be persuaded!!

 

I am not too sure how effective (worthwhile) the Shark Injector would be with a JCW. I say this because I have a JCW -w- an Alta intake and I posed that exact question to Pete at Stratmosphere about a week ago. In turn, he contacted Joe Conforti, the tuning guru behind the Shark, and here is the reply I received from Pete:

"Talked to Conforti. He is not willing to do the software. Bummer. Keep us in mind. I have the Milltek headers and Rogue airbox in stock.

Thank you,

Pete Ryckaert
STRATMOSPHERE"

Apparently (as I understand it) the Shark software needed some sort of modification to take into account the head work done on the JCW. At least that is the explanation that I got,

FWIW, Pete didn't say that the Shark wouldn't work with the JCW kit, he just didn't know how effetive it would be in terms of a "cost-benefit-analysis." I was ready to give him my credit card and order the Shark, but I held off after receiving Conforti's comment.

Maybe there is someone out there who has a JCW with an intake and a Shark who can give us some real world feed-back?

ftbt

02 Works Cooper S Sn. 1165, DS/W + Premium + Sport + Alta intake + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's & 215/45/17 Kumho Ecsta MX's

02 CVT Cooper LY/W + Sport + 17" S-Lites & 205/45/17 Pirelli Euforia run-flats

 

Interesting discussion, I have a 2003 JCW and am installing the Miltek header and Alta intake, this should put the car between 210 to 215 hp. What is more difficult and always is the next 20 hp - how best to achieve 240 - 250 hp as the overall end result with the above as the base car?

What options are out there? Before changing internals, ie cam...

ECU upgrade might be the best, if available
Larger throttle body
Intercooler
wires?

All of the above?

 

well checked out areas and this what I get....200hp +
miltek 8hp
alta 8hp
ECU upgrade to a JCW (no header or intake) 8-9hp
Intercooler, again different base car - 5hp
throttle body 5hp
plugs and wires, ???? 2hp?
then lets say t here are some synergy to be gained, the above should put out 230-240hp....or more?

pretty expensive horespower,

Comments?

 

I witnessed three dynos of an Evotech ECU, Webb Motorsports ECU, and JCW ECU all back to back and was interested by the results.....while all three cars about about 200hp...the mapping of performance was laid out a little different but specifically in terms of the JCW ECU....much of the power found in the 6-7K range. So you really do need to push the gears all the way to redline to really maximize on what the software is doing for the car.