Minihune thanks for the response. Eric any input on this?

 

Never dynoed my MINI unfort. It depends on the dyno though. I'd say MINIhune's estimate would be more accurate if done on a Mustang dyno, your numbers are probably accurate for a dynojet and I'd say even more on some of these crazy dynos out there that I'm seeing. With that said, the dyno results don't mean anything. Trust me - you'll have all the torque you need and where you need it. That's all that matters. No other combo of mods will make you happier.

 

European Car is doing a feature on this with the numbers. Look for it in the April or May issue...

If you can't wait, email or give me a call.

 

while 19% giac and injectors would be my choice...
i think the best route to go for her is to keep it simple, 15% and GIAC programming shall do.

perhaps an intake and exhaust down the road...but right now ill start at the basics to get some ponies out of the mini pooper.

 

I just received injectors to test fit. They are a few mm taller than the stock injectors but should fit well with a fuel rail spacer. I'll post when I get them in.

 

I can't decide between a 19% or 17% reduccion pulley. I'm looking into getting the jcw upgrade kit with the bigger injectors and airbox to go with the smaller pulley and giac software. Suggestions?

Thank you.

 

You already have the JCW kit? Go 19% with GIAC and larger injectors. You'll have the fastest MINI around.

 

I don't think you need the JCW kit for the injectors and airbox. Can you get the JCW airbox alone? Or maybe if you get the kit can you sell the injectors?

Reason is if you get either the 17 or 19% pulley upgrade and add GIAC and Helix Bosch 380cc larger injectors then you don't need the larger JCW injectors. You'd have to ask Helix13 if the JCW injectors are a good match for the GIAC software for 19 %(it's tuned for the 380cc injectors).

I don't think you were planning to get the entire JCW $5000 kit and upgrade.

Just the 19% pulley, GIAC and larger Bosch injectors would be a good start. You can use any intake and exhaust.

 

My understanding after talking to Eric is that the jcw injectors are the right size and flow for the giac software and 19% pulley. I'm running a 15% pulley, milltek catback an alta intake. I want to try the jcw airbox for 2 different reasons, first is noise reduccion at lower revs and second is the fact that is not an open box all the time. I don't know if I can run the bigger injectors with giac and a 17% reduced pulley. I'm having a hard time deciding between 17% and 19% but it may be that I have to get the 19% reduccion pulley.

 

Hey greatgro, I'm back. Sounds like you're ripp'n pavement.

So, it appears that the JCW injectors are a perfect match-up to the 19% pulley- 380cc. So here is the $400.00 dollar question; I have the 05 JCW kit which includes a new for 05 ECU. Does anyone have any info comparing the 05 JCW kit (with 05 ECU) and 19% pulley against the 05 JCW kit, 19% pulley, and, GIAC software? Specifically, how do these two software systems differ when paried with a 19% pulley?

Anyone at Helix have info?

ciao,

meb

 

I don't have an answer for that - I could only speculate. I'd CALL Helix. They'll answer ANY and ALL Q's you have.

All I can say is if your MINI doesn't jump off the line (and I haven't heard of ANY ECUs or any other mod that makes this happen), then you'll be better off with the GIAC. B/c of the great takeoffs, I'd have to imagine a GIAC modded MINI would dominate 0-60 - no matter what your mods.

 

The JCW injectors are 380cc. They work perfectly.

 

What I do like about the 05 JCW software is its ultra-smooth operation. The throttle positions have no sticky points; the throttle can be mashed with instant results or feathered as lightly as you like all the way down to idle speed. However, I would tend to agree with you greatgro; the GIAC is designed to work with the 19% pulley. And even though the JCW comes with 380cc injectors, thier operation made need a little massaging at the upper end.

Curiously, what does greatgro mean or represent?

 

Ok, it's done. 19% pulley, jcw injectors, Giac software, the stuff works very well. It's no doubdt worth the money. Thanks greatgro for all your patience and advise. Thank you Erik at Helix for putting it together.

 

Don't you love the way it now pulls off the line? It's so un-MINI like. That alone is well worth the price of admission!

 

Well part I is complete. I had a 19% pulley installed by Helix this morning with the balance of this setup to be complete by the beginning of March if all goes as planned.

Even the upgrade from 15 to 19 is a very noticable difference. I could not get a feel for differences from a stop due to wet roads but on I95 I was in my glory. Downshift passing is.. for lack of a better term.. alarmingly rapid..

I can hardly wait to finish this portion of upgrades up! Its gonna be a fun summer!!

I will post a follow up once the balance is done..

Thanks Eric for answering my many questions as usual and Greatgro for posting your original review. I may not have gone this route had you not posted the review you did.

Craig

 

Heck...you can even SKIP the downshift if you want. Not quite as fast but at least you know have the option...and you've gotta love options!

No prob Craig - glad you joined the infamous '19' club. You might want to change that sig of yours now...

 

Awww Man you guys are going to cost me more money. I've been running 15% for about 30k miles now, and am concidering doing the whole 19%, GIAC, and larger injectors soon. (thanks to you guys). I drive about 140 miles a day on a two lane highway, so passing w/ plenty of power is nice. Believe me swithcing from a civic to the MCS was great, but now you guys have me wanting more.

So the question. I live in the middle of nowhere, can I do these three mods myself? I did the 15% and had no problems, very straight forward. I'm guessing the injectors are no biggie either, but what is involved with the GIAC???

Nik

 

I actually wrote about not having to downshift to pass and thought I was getting long winded so I deleted it . I did notice that and also that I do not "need" to shift as much in general. VERY NICE..

Changing sig right now and then literally running out the door to drive home..

 

nabarbieri, you sound like the kind of guy who can do this job at home. Like you said, the pulley will be a repeat and the injectors is no big deal. The Giac software is a different story, as I understand you can send your ecu to a Giac dealer for the download or drive your car to a dealer to have it done. I also understand Helix is working on a solution so a customer can do the download from a personal computer similar to the way people get mth software now. I think a 15% pulley and Giac software would be plenty a driveability improovement for a daily driver car. I'm very impressed with the Giac software but only drove 185 miles with it. I don't know the duration of the new software learning process but I've been teaching it all good habits

 

Man I did that today

Thanks for the input, I'll keep looking into it.

Nik

 

You could always switch to the 19% now - it'll cost you very little money and you'll get a lot more torque (read: fun). That'll give you a little time to save for the injectors and time for GIAC to have a cable solution for the software.

 

I've had my JCW w/CAI for two years and am finding myself now wanting more power. This thread has me thinking that adding 19%, GIAC and 380cc injectors might be the way to go.

Sounds like HP/torque are up big with this combo, MPG doesn't suffer much, drivability is better. Am I missing something or would this be a killer combo to add to an MCS already JCW-equipped ? (ignoring warranty issues).....

Any thoughts from the gurus ?

 

If you already have JCW kit with CAI then you've already gone the route of being safe and having a warranty. Hope you also have the JCW injectors/software update.

If you added the 19% pulley/Injectors and GIAC you'd be voiding your warranty so that doesn't make much sense to me until you run out of warranty (not that much longer). Your choice.

If you have more time on your warranty then adding upgrades that don't interfere with the JCW kit make more sense. Things like:
Light weight rims and non runflat tires
Adjustable rear sway bar
Coil overs or lowering springs
Quaife differential
Lightweight flywheel
Aggressive alignment with front camber plates and rear lower control arms.

 

If more power NOW outweighs your initial investment justification then GO FOR IT!!!

As you know, your WHOLE warranty will not be void. Just parts that break which they can PROVE were a direct result of the 19% and / or software upgrade.

The one benefit that stands out to me about JCW is that it is smooth and refined. Now with GIAC you get this but with more power. Soon there will even be flash programs that you can store and download from a laptop for an additional cost which allows you to have different settings depending on what type of situation you are in and what type of fuel you are using etc.
Plug in and play options are good.. Now if only we could get them to store on an iPod for convenient program switching..

Craig