What mods can I get for this kit? I heard you cant upgrade the SC pulley on JCW SC, is that true?

 

There are many JCW kit owners that have an MCS with other mods from power upgrades to suspension, etc.

However when you get the JCW kit you are keeping your warranty with MINI. Once you add other mods then you will void your warranty for those items replaced. Most JCW kit owners want their warranties to stay intact.

For those that are less concerned with warranty then there is a wide variety of upgrades that can be done. Normally the JCW SC comes with a reduced diameter pulley so changing it further while possible just voids the SC warranty.

Some common upgrades for power I've heard about or seen with the JCW kit:
rebored throttlebody
ECU upgrades like the UniChip
Exhaust header- Miltek or Mini Mania with race cat
Larger intercooler
ignition upgrades- plug wires, coil
cold air intake- RDR, alta, Dinan and others
Upgraded Cat-back exhaust: Miltek or Borla Race
Larger fuel injectors

Other upgrades-
lighter wheels with non runflat tires
suspension upgrades- springs, coil overs, rear swaybar, front strut bar
suspension adjustment upgrades- lower rear control arms, front camber plates
Lightweight flywheel, racing clutch, Quaife limited slip differential
Short shift kits

And much more.

 

Im thinking about JCW 05spec upgrade kit (larger injectors, air box, and newer version software), spark plugs & coils, throttle body, SS header, SS race metallic cat, Schrick cams, larger intercooler, and Quaife L.S.D.

 

aloha, you are one helpfull and knowledgable dude here, I have ordered the 10hp upgrade for my 04 works car and should have it installed within the next 2 weeks...I was thinking about some further upgrade down the road and was wondering what your opinion is? I am leaning more toward larger TB and miltek headers.
many thanks

 

The Works kit already includes new spark plugs and wires, so you need to worry about those items. Hopefully soon I'll be getting the upgrade it with the airbox and larger fuel injectors. I was thinking of doing lighter wheels and tires (planning for Spring '05), a bored throttle body, and maybe an ECU change depending on how it feels after the upgrade kit.

 

Got a 2003 JCW Cooper S and just upgraded it to 05-highly recommended, gives a great feel above 4000 rpm, while still being tractable around town (which was something I was looing for). My upgrade plan ahs a few engine mods (wires, throttle, etc), but I'm really focusing on brakes, suspension, tires, and short shift kit, as that's where I feel the biggest bang for the buck is-the engine isn't the limiting "go-fast" factor anymore...

 

My '03 JCW MCS now has the upgrade kit as well . On the dyno, the car (stock) is making 188 hp at wheels/210 hp at the crank. It feels pretty strong . The only other things we can do to our JCWs are the following: big-bore TB (rather pricey $$), Milltek header (ditto but probably worth it), larger intercooler, and a race cam.

Starting to turn my attention to wheels/tires, brakes, and suspension as well. Just bought a set of GY F1 GS-D3s .

 

I have an appointment with Speed Technik in Norwalk, Ct next week. We will evaluate a few 'bolt-on' components for my 05 JCW; 19% pulley ??? - against Randy's advise and I completely understand and repsect his remarks - hence evaluate, larger IC, Miltek header and exhaust and ECU??? Basically what Minihune wrote and that's it for now. They'll test baseline hp on their Dynapack that day and we'll move on from there. I will post all dynapack results.

FYI, the JCW head I'm told is not very impressive. There are apparently better, albeit expensive, (like the JCW wasn't) gains thru the aftermarket. This is a core component I will wrestle with I'm sure.

By the way, Speed Technik are campaigning a Dodge Neon SRT this season. Check out Speed Channel March 18/19. Yellow/blue/black - not the Turner boys. First year for forced induction. Should be a very interesting series for 05. Speed Technik campaigned BMW 3 Series' for the past few years.

 

Meb,


Sent you a pm.

 

Just a note, the JCW kit does NOT include spark plug wires, just the plugs.
There is a lot you can do to improve a JCW!


Dave

 

Do Tell!!

 

I would say if you purchased the JCW kit, don't replace anything that specifically came with the kit. If you are looking at replacing items from the kit, it would be better not to get the JCW at all. It is not just because of the warranty issue. But more along the lines that when you are purchasing the kit as a whole performance kit. The pieces were picked out for a purpose. Regardless of whether they were the best for the buck, it was still a kit that was assembled. You pay a lot for the kit. It just seems silly to pay a lot for a kit, just to rip pieces of it out. I see some people replacing the head, pulley and throwing a Unichip on. In my mind, "why did you purchase the kit in the first place?"

Anyway, you can add quite a bit to the JCW as it is. You can throw a TB on, set of headers, a new intercooler, ported intake manifold and intercooler runners, and even some plug wires, without doing too much to the warranty. The TB and ported manifold and intake runners, are hidden items, meaning that Mini shouldn't be able to tell that they were replaced without really examining the items in detail. I truly doubt a good quality header will give you any warranty problems whatsoever, and the same goes for the plug wires. The intercooler is a toss up, but I don't think it would be trouble either.