If anyone has installed the JCW Upgrade Kit on an MCS, I'd like to hear your impressions. I'm pretty sure, I wouldn't be the first to do this, but I'd love to know beforehand what to expect.

I'm considering this because, I have similar boost and I like the JCW intake. The way I see it, installing the bigger JCW injectors, JCW intake & the JCW software should deliver JCW-like performance.

I know, I know... I don't have the JCW head. True. I'm not saying I'll have the same performance, just similar. The exhaust systems are also not the same, but I bet the difference is negligible.

So, what do you say? What other differences are there, and what difference will they make? After some deliberation, my dealer has agreed to give it a go. If it works out right, I may have a near-JCW for $1150 ($400 - Pulley + $750 JCW Upgrade installed).

 

I had the dealer install a 19% reduction pulley, the JCW CAI, JCW software, new supercharger belt and the JCW injectors. I love it. No problems at all, i have 9000 miles now and it is powerful in all gears, gas mileage is about 26 average. No cold starting problems or yoyo. I would recommend it highly. I do not run the car on the track and decided I wanted the extra low end torque from the 19%. I have not timed the car but I would bet it is faster to 60 than the JCW, but not in the 1/4 mile. The head and exhaust are really great near the top of the RPM range.

 

I do not believe that is a true statement. Somewhere on MINI2 someone did a dyno test between JCW exhaust and Borla Race and the Borla Race was like 2HP better ... but both got like 10HP+ better than stock or something like that.

 

I'm considering this as an incremental change. My development plan ends up with a -19%, GIAC, injectors and upgraded TMIC.

Alternatives include:

• adding a +3% crank pulley to my -16% SC pulley
• UNIchip or Apexi AFC
• Alta CAI or M7 AGS
• Miltek Cat-back exhaust

But, I like the idea of preserving the civility of the car by keeping it quiet. That's why the JCW intake and the stock '05 MCS exhaust appeal to me. If I can have lots of low end torque in a smooth, quiet package, it will meet my needs as a daily driver exceptionally well.

 

I'm really surpised there aren't more MCS cars out there with this mod

It seems like a great idea to me. What am I missing?

 

Are you talking about the crank pulley plus supercharger pulley? Someone just posted somewhere here that that combo didn't do well and he's very unhappy with it. Not only is the expected power not there but I think there are problems too.

See this thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=48134

Synergy1's post.

 

I was really talking about a 15-16% reduction SC pulley with the JCW Upgrade Kit (intake, injectors & software). It seems like a nice package for the money and a good precursor for more boost down the road. It should be quiet, smooth and powerful. Combined with the fantastic handling, it will make a great street car. And when I want more power, I can upgrade by adding the crank pulley and GIAC. I gather you've seen no need for an upgraded intercooler?

As for Synergy1's issue, I'm no expert but I think he just needs upgraded injectors. Different software might also be good. [No flame here, I just not a huge MTH fan.] The SC doesn't know or care whether it's turning faster because of a -19% pulley or a -16% pulley driven by a +3% crank pulley. And downstream of the SC, the boost will be more or less the same. He's having air/fuel ratio problems and trying to compensate with software. It may work, but IMHO the injectors are the missing link.

 

Well fellas, I am not here to discredit the JCW MCS or claim they are slow but I ran into a recent owner of a 05 JCW MCS (4lk miles) at the deli this morning on my way to the office. We spoke briefly about our cars (his is stock JCW with just two lightweight race seats) and mine 03 MCS (Helix19%, ALTA CAI, JCW Injectors, GIAC, Borla Race, OBX Header, Helix Short Shift, HSport Springs, EBC Pads, etc.) We mutually agreed to gauge each other as we were leaving the deli since we coincidentally work close by one another. The below are the results:

Off the line (approx. 0-75/80)- His 05 was slightly quicker but i gained and pulled away from him by the end of 3rd gear (about 2 cars in front)

From 60-120- I consistently pulled away from him by about 5-6 cars by the time we hit 120.

*we ran this about 3 times for comparative purposes and the look on his face was quite astonishing. i was quite surprised too as i thought i would just be slight quicker than his. I guess with the recent GIAC and header installed, it really woke the motor up and gave it a nice overall increase in torque and hp. I must say this lil beast is most certainly a sleeper and hold plenty of anger inside that 1.6.

Happy motoring fellas!

 

Great job! With the JCW kit AND the smaller 2nd and 3rd gears the 05's have, having the JCW only slightly pull away is big. Sounds like your setup is considerably faster than an 05 JCW. I have your performance mods minus the header. Nice to hear.

 

Thanks...i am a very happy camper these days. I am waiting to receive two custom brackets to mount my carbon seats so having to save an addt'l 75-100lbs, will add some weight savings hp.

Buddy- go grab yourself a header and run down to see Eric. no dyno #s needed as you can feel it by the seat of your pants! for SURE. :=)

Now i am debating if i should go twin charge this coming winter as long as the kit is reliable and dependable.

 

Nah...my modding days are over. I have 74k miles on my S. Just bought an 05 Mustang GT convertible as a second car/summer car. I'd like to get another 75k miles out of this MINI and then get another MINI (maybe an 08 with the turbo) as a daily driver and mod that one. My MINI is perfect now. Unfortunately it took until 68k miles to get perfect. Between power mods, sway bar at different settings, different tires and finally having helix get rid of sway bar and exhaust rattling, it took until 68k miles for my car to be absolutely perfect. I'll still make the trip to Helix for oil changes and to shoot the breeze though! It's always worth the trip.

 

Happy Motoring, indeed! I just hope he doesn't go out and ruin his warranty now

 

Sounds awesome..!

Well I only have 28K on mine so i guess the motor still got a lot of punch in it. I am already very content with the cooper and just a itch that i get everytime i swing by Helix and seeing one of those twincharge taking a nap. :=) I was thinking the very same and wait for the 08' and go a bit crazier on the mods. Besides a turbo setup would have more room to up the ante in hp.

Just out of curiosity, how does your 05 Stang match up against your MCS now? I know for handling and braking, hands down to the MCS but how about acceleration from stand still to on the fly?

 

The Mustang has 320lbs of torque. Any other questions?

Here's the new review: 05 Mustang GT vs MCS

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...781#post610781

 

I have the following on my 03 MCS.

Alta 15% Pulley: $400.00
WMS Cylinder Head w/ Schrick Cam: $2,400.00
Milltek Header: $900.00
Milltek Catback Exhaust: $700.00
JCW 380cc Injectors: $400.00
JCW Airbox: $350.00
JCW DME 42.1: Free with above

Total: $5,150.00

Car pulls like mad. I got to drive the car back to back with an 05 MCS today with main line mods (pulley, chip, CAI, exhaust). No comparison.

Prior to the JCW upgrade, I had a Madness Intake/with backwall modification and the Unichip. I actually think that the setup I have now with the JCW injectors/box and DME both runs, pulls and sounds better.

I plan on having the car dyno'd before Labor Day. Can't wait to get it to the track and surprise some of the Porsche Boys we run with.

 

Skiploder -

Sounds like a really nice piece you have there. I know you'll have a ball with it on the track.

Take it easy on those P-car guys. They have fragile egos sometimes. Nah, I'm just jokin' around... smoke 'em

 

The P cars and the Scoobys have been great - it's our cousins in their Bimmers who seem to resent us .

Your local dealer may hesitate at installing the JCW DME unless you get the injectors. My Dealer also knew I had the head.

 

Wow, that sucks. It's not like that here. I run with Tarheel and Peachtree Chapters of BMW CCA. MINI's are welcomed at our events. I can't figure why the Bimmer guys would have a problem with MINI's.

And, for the record, I get along fine with the Porsche guys, too. I've learned a lot from them. It just took some of them a while to get over being passed.

You're right about the dealer being hesitant. However, after some head-scratching, they came to the conclusion that it would be OK to give me the JCW flash, since I'm planning to get the intake and injectors at the same time. They were cool about it... just a little more circumspect than I expected.

 

It's a local thing. I should not typecast thousands of car owners because of the antics of a handful of idiots.

I've kinda lumped the E46 guys in with the Evo crowd - young and a little into themselves. The Subies and the Porsches seem to be a little more relaxed and helpful. They also seem to have more respect for the Mini.

Earlier this year a group of the M3 boys would hum circus music everytime they saw a Mini. One guy asked a buddy of mine how many clowns he could fit into his MCS.......ha ha ha ha.

 

You may be onto something. It's a sad truth that there's no way to control who buys any product, even a really cool car. Like an E46 M3. Or a MINI. A certain percentage of the population are buttheads. And some of them will buy cool cars, show up at the track and act like that.

Next time someone asks that, just smile and tell 'em: "I've been wondering the same thing. Why don't you and all your little boyfriends come over here and let's see!"

 

eMini & Berky,
See my thread on Mini2.com under performance- drivetrain called
"My 'JCW Jr.' Car"

I did something very similar to what you both did, but have the actual JCW exhaust, as well as the JCW CAI and have a 15% Alta pulley (Webb-installed). I have ruffled a few feathers amongst JCW owners, because I have pointed out that "the emperor has no clothes". In other words, I have (as you do, or any other 2005 MCS owner has) the exact SAME blower as in the JCW kit. I have a 15% pulley (JCW is 14.7% - wow, big difference), as well as the same CAI and exhaust. You have gone even further than I and put in the same plugs and JCW ECU mapping.
OK, neither of us have the JCW re-ported cylinder head or those bling badges. But, I have had several well-known mechanics say that they would take the stock head over the JCW head any day!

We have gotten darned close to what JCW offers (you even more so than I) for a LOT less. No one who has spent thousands on the full kit wants to hear this, but it is true...
With the $$$ saved, I will put on a JCW strut brace, JCW wheels, JCW brakes and suspension.