So I've had a '09 JCW for a week now and loving every minute of it. I'm already antsy to look into some mods. I've done a lot of reading on here and the possibilities are enticing and overwhelming all at the same time. I know to each his own. But to quote Nero, I think I just want more power. So out of the hundred things I've read on here, I have some ideas (tune, air intake) but not completely for sure. My jcw is completely stock and I will be driving it quite a bit. I'm not gonna get too crazy ( I dont think). So if you had, say, $1200-$1500 of fun money, what would you do? Thanks for the help/advice!

 

Tune and pulley imo would be the way to go and would have the most impact.

 

It's a R56, no pulley.

More power:

Tune - $500
Intercooler - $600
Meth Injection - $1000

 

Welcome. I would get a tune and lighter wheels. Bring some pics!

 

my build is gonna cost me 2k give or take but im doing no name intercooler(forge knock off $219), CNT exhaust($350 right now), aem intake($350 on ebay), hot side intercooler pipe($129 for metal pipes on ebay), and a JB+($300 but its for the N18 motor only)

see you could do all of those mods but instead of the JB+ you get an accessport or something and put on a stage 2 tune

 

Cerenkov, I like your posts because I know you are logging and collecting data on your system.

I would alter this list slightly though.

Tune - $500
Catless (or high flow) downpipe - $200-$800
Meth or Intercooler - $600 - $1000

Thoughts?

Sent from my Nexus using NAMotoring

 

Downpipes are definitely an option, especially if you're tuned for it.

Not of fan of catless DP because of the smell. I had one installed for a day and swapped it back out for the stock DP. 100% of my driving is in the city so I would stink up the place when sitting at a stoplight.

High-flow catted DP will trigger a CEL which can be tuned out, or devices like Akrapovic's Delete-R and BMS CanTool will get rid of it. You still won't pass emissions.

But as soon as I figure out my tuning options, I'll probably get a high-flow cat.

NM is rumored to be coming out with a CARB approved high-flow 200 cell catted DP.

 

Thanks for the input guys. If I go with a catted down pipe, is it even worth the $$$ to upgrade the car back? Or would that $800-$1000 be better spent on a tune or intercooler?

 

replacing the jcw exhaust with an aftermarket cat-back won't really give you much, if any, gains. i'd spend that money elsewhere.