I have the Checkmate package with the jcw engine kit. Does the JCW come with a different size pulley than the cooper s?

I wanted to change my pulley out to a 19% reduction kit, and was wondering if there can be any problems?

Is the JCW intake a good performer compared to the aftermarket intakes? Which one would you guys prefer?

 

I am interested in this question too as I am planning to take my car to full jcw oem...

 

umm you can search about these topics, but the answer to your question the jcw comes with a 14.6% pulley the cooper s doesnt, if u change ur pulley size to 19% u need a new belt and longevity on the engine might be shortened depending on the way u drive but i think there hasnt been any real problems and the jcw intake compared to aftermarket ones its all preference to the driver anyone can tell u about the differnt kinds of intakes and waht each pro and con is about it, but no one cal tell you which one you want.

 

If you do decide to swich out your pulley and intake, I'll buy both of them from you.

 

As DjR53 said, you already have a reduction pulley, so switching to a 19% probably won't be much different. For the cost involved, and the potential for warranty hassles, IMO it's not worth it.
JCW vs other intakes, again, since you already have the JCW, probably not worth the switch. You might consider putting one of the A/M filter replacements in it.

DSRH, since you haven't upgraded yet, sorry, this wasn't much help. You can go JCW or go aftermarket, and achieve substantial gains. All depends how protective you are of your warranty.

 

I concur with the other posts that going to a 19% pully could present other issus and isn't worth it.

A lot of people don't like the JCW intake because it's made of plastic, but in reality plastic holds and conducts less heat than metal and is probably more efficient at insulating the intake from the hot air in the engine compartment.
I would however replace the JCW air filter because its quite restictive. The ITG replacement filter is a really good one. See it here:
http://www.myminiparts.com/proddetai...d=ITGJC&cat=13
Stay away from the MINI Madness filter because it whistles at 70mph plus.

You can also convert the JCW intake to a full time cold air intake. All you need to do is disconnect the electrical connector at the back of the intake. Disconnect the small pipe at the front of the intake and plug the end of the pipe wih a screw. Finally, when you have the lid off the intake you'll see there's an L shaped metal bar that acts as a spring to open and close the intake flap. If you pull the L shaped metal bar out of the plastic hole it's seated in and let it rest by the side of the hole the flap will be held permanantlry open. You now have a full time cold air intake. The nice thing is that if you don't like it you can put everything back the way it was in 10 minutes.

 

Just an FYI - you can just unhook the "L" hook without disconnecting any electrical or opening up the unit and it will stay open as well

 

True. But if you've never unhooked the L hook before it's kind of difficult to do it blind by reaching in from the back of the intake. First time around its better to take the lid off so you can see what you're doing. Also, there's no point in having the electrical connected otherwise the motor will keep tring to open and close the flap for no reason. I've also been told, but I don't know how reliable the information was, that you can end up damaging the motor if you leave it connected with the flap propped permanently open. That's also why you should permanently disconnect the hose from the front of the intake all the while the flap's propped open.

 

17% pulley, Replace filter with K&N and remove the bottom plug, if not already...My 2 pennies..

 

I disagree with some people in this....a 19% pulley will sure wake the car up. Adding a pulley is DEFINITELY worth it imo...I love mine and would no way go back to stock. I don't think anyone has had a problem with their 19% pulley, unless they were being stupid.

JCW = Money Pit...you can get FAR MORE from aftermarket for the same amount of money. And as long as you buy QUALITY parts, they will not cause a problem (ie. no need for the warranty).
-Cody

 

JCW has it's place. The best part of JCW is you do get a perfomance boost AND keep the full factory warrenty. To some people thats very important. You can save a few bucks and get the same kind and even better performance in the aftermarket. However if you do have an issue and a dealer that is not as understanding then you are stuck. Each person has to look at what their needs are and understand the ramifications of multiple options. Once that is understood, make the decision that best works for you.

19% pulleys can be very useful depending on how you drive the Mini. For a driver that stays in the lower reaches of the RPM band 19% is great, but if you like to run it out between shifts you will find that with a 19% the SC is overdriven to the point of possible cavitation. Not to mention the much higher air temps that are found as well.

 

That's very true. I guess people like me keep the aftermarket world in business.

-Cody

 

How long have you had your 19% pulley? Any problems?

I have the JCW package, and was wondering if I should go with the 19% one. What are the negative drawbacks? Do I need to change anything else, or just the pulley?

 

The thing you HAVE to consider is this. When BMW and JCW beta tested the JCW performance package, why did they opt for a 14.6% pulley and not a 19% pulley? The cost would have been the same and they would be able to boast more performance with the 19%. The answer is simple. Because they have to warrantly the car. A 19% pulley puts too much stress on the supercharger which can cause problems down the road. Also, drivers who want more performance generally drive their cars harder, and pulling max revs with a 19% pulley is really sending the supercharger into overspin.

So far as aftermarket is concerned you have to be really picky. There's some real crap out there that's gone straight from the drawing board to production without any testing to see what the long term impacts will be. The customers are the guinea pigs who could end up paying the price.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=102477

This thread deals with the JCW flapectomy. I don't have a pulley (although I'd love one!), but I've read a lot of threads on the topic. Unless you really aren't satisfied with the 14% I'd just stick with it. Going to a 15% or 17% wouldn't be worth the money.

The beauty of JCW is the warranty. I would only buy JCW if I'm not planning on voiding it!! Otherwise I would get the MCS and mod the heck out of it...JMO

 

I have a 16, not a 19. If you go above a 16% pulley, you will need a shorter belt, but nothing else is required. There are drawbacks. The 19% pulley is better suited for street driving, where as the 15 is better suited to the track. If you stay in high RPM's all the time, a 19 will hurt you more than help you. I op'ed for a 16% because I wanted a little more punch than a 15, but the same or near the same reliability.

I'm not questioning why BMW chose the pulley.....I know why they chose it, all I said was that a 19& pulley will wake the car up, and that I think JCW is a waste of money. And I never stated anything about product quality, my statement was geared towards non-cheap vendors, such as M7, ALTA, Helix, etc.

-Cody