I've been trying to sell this 2005 (53K miles) JCW powertrain and the rest of the 210HP kit but no takers. So i'm thinking to just do a major heart transplant on my 2003 MCS with over 81k miles, my cooper is not a daily driver. My 03 is in top conditions and rated close to 200hp when Mynes tuned it in 09. I plan on transferring my megamini cam or install the schrick instead, 550 cc , 06 charger with 17% and use my tuned ecu with the JCW engine. Too all the experts which do you think will be a better cam for the JCW head and so far am i heading the right direction? Oh before i forget the 05 tranny with LSD will be joining this journey as well. When everything is done my Bytetronik will go to work to harvest some HP from that mildly ported head, or should i go ahead slap on the Costworth BVH which was intended for the original 03 engine? I'll be the surgeon for this transformation, i have 21 years of experience in the Navy as jets and helicopter mechanics so i'll be okay.

Since I never replaced an engine from a S i Need help on the following.

1. What are some of the stuff i need to have and consider doing and or change since i'm doing this?

2. Do i need to drop the subframe for this?

3. What are some of the things i need to pay particular attention that are critical?

My timeline will start next wednesday and maybe you have any idea on any prep i should be doing.

I would appreciate any comments, suggestions, criticism and info to get me on the right direction.

Thanks for reading.

 

Almost 100 members read my post and still no feedback?

 

Save the Jcw setup for later(150k+) and finish working on the current engine. But swap the Lsd trans in when your clutch lets go, or when ever you feel like it.
Just my 2cents

 

I too have thought about doing this sometime in the future. Would be a nice little JCW sleeper.

 

Wouldn't the costs involved in doing this be better used towards building the current engine with better pistons, etc?

 

crazy ivan,

my clutch is ready to go now, its getting hard to depress and having more of that rubbery feeling so i think the DMF is asking to retire anytime soon. Does the LSD a big difference in experience?

Ministrater,

how do you like the CM flywheel/FX100 and would you do it again if yours go out in the future? i just wonder how much HP that set up can handle.

 

dr Fox,

i think you are right but i have the JCW stuff in my storage for at least a year now. i was on and off of either selling or transplanting the stuff. Ultimately the Cosworth BVH is the permanent setup. This morning im trying to make sense of what i wrote last night, oh well i have till wednesday next week to pick the best route.

 

Well, whatever you do, it sounds like it'll be one sweet ride! Good luck!

 

The only differences in the engines are the coated rotors in the supercharger and the mildly ported head just swap those parts along with the transmission until your ready to put in a cosworth head.

 

Oops, I forgot to change my sig! I loved it when it was new but it faded fast. Lasted maybe 25k before the pedal went away. With more HP I would be afraid of how fast it would fade. Talking with a known NAM vendor and others, 25k was a dream compared to most. I'm now using the Valeo kit which is more like stock. It produces little noise and no chatter. I can hear my car again! It's only three months old so I can't say much about it in terms of longevity but it engages really smooth.

 

Mini man S,

currently i have the 06 charger with 17%. my thinking right now is to not breach the JCW engine so it will aged at the same time until the head gasket is needed to be replace.

Ministrater,

thanks for your input regarding the FX100 and Valeo. how much did you buy the Valeo?

 

So the only benefit of having the jcw engine is in the head. You should either do a head swap between the 2 engines or sell the jcw engine and buy a new head you mentioned the cosworth head where are you getting it from? The aging shouldn't matter.

 

Miniman S,

yes i know the only benefit is the head. i'm now leaning to just save the JCW engine for the rainy days and just swap the LSD tranny with the current setup.

i will be calling WAY tomorrow since i read he recommends the Valeo clutch for driveability and none issues.

as far as the Cosworth, i bought the bare CNC'd head from costworth themself 2 years ago. i just need to get it cut for the new and bigger valves.

 

Yeah that's what I would do. I'm thinking of going with the thumper or cosworth head myself.

 

Miniman,

i see you are running the madness a2w? do you like the intercooler? the reason i asked is i picked up a madness intercooler (alone) and wanting to complete the kit once i get more money. i want to hear from first hand user of the kit on their opinion.

 

Crazy ivan did you drop your subframe when you replaced the clutch?

 

Miles

The a2w inter cooler is a real world performance part that has greatly improved keeping a high level of performance in all conditions at all times. I like it i have used it on long mountain runs and when your stuck behind a slow person a normal intercooler will heat soak due to inadequate air flow I don't have that issue and it shows when the road opens back up and other minis suddenly seem slower. I have also used it at a drag strip and times were more consistent with the a2w again because heat soak isn't a problem. How are you going to complete it? Get the parts from madness or make a custom set up?

 

So the only benefit of having the jcw engine is in the head.

 

Great. I will do custom set up with icebox as reservoir and install in the cabin. That wont be anytime soon as too many projects. Most likely it will be a install with the BVH. Tomorrow i start decoupling the LSD tranny from the engine to do inspection and change parts if needed.

 

I will modify mine with an icebox eventually to get below ambient temps.

 

Anybody out there having some experience with installing the JCW kit? Thinking of getting the JCW (engine, exhaust etc.) installed on my MCS-03 (86,000 miles)

 

Sorry for the late reply but it looks like you already found out about the clutch. I remembered paying around $500 but had to check. Looks like the same deal at Way's place right now. Keep us informed on the build. Let us know if any issues creep up.

We will be watching.....MUHAHAHAH

 

I think the only benefit the jcw engine has over the s is
1) smaller pulley
2) head with mild port on exaust so basically no real benefit here
3) tune
4) some kind of coating on supercharger(but o5 and up s models have the same supercharger?)
5)lsd on some
6) injectors
But the real power should be in the pulley and tune. The head doesnt realy make that big of a difference

my jcw doesnt feel that much faster than a standard s with a 15% pulley. or at least i cant feel the difference

 

Its been a while so i figured I update this project.
I decided to install not just the 05 tranny but also the JCW engine as well.
I have not started just yet, I'm driving the 03 till I'm about to change the engine oil.
What have i done since then?
I ordered and did the following.
OBX LSD is on its way and i ordered the stronger washers and bolts to do rework on it.
Still deciding if I go clutch master or valeo kit.
Painted the 05 engine block and did compression leak down test. (excellent result on a cold engine). installed the schrick camshaft in it.
Cleaned and split the 05 tranny, waiting for the LSD and bearings.
I'm going electric water pump. i opened the stock pump and gutted it for re-use.
Going A2W intercooler, the radiator is massive and its double pass, later will add reservoir in the cabin.
Tomorrow going to work on the installing baffles on the oil pan and start the air cooled brakes project.
Once the 05 tranny and engine are mated together again with the new clutch setup i will start removing the 03 engine and tranny for sale. i have taken a lot of pictures and will upload sometime.
Pls make comment and criticize but be nice .

 

Sounds like fun to me!

Good luck with it, and thanks for sharing.

Should be quite a ride.

Cheers,

Charlie