Any issues or mods needed to convert an '06 "S" stock airbox ,to a JCW?

I like a more "stock looking" application with more airflow and thought this would be an easy fit.

Also would like to confirm that the JCW intake is a paper cone element?

Thanx!!

 

JCW is a paper cone, and should be very easy to install with no need to make any other modifications to your car. If I were you I'd cut the flap on the intake, however, and make it always-open so it's not controlled by the ECU.

Why don't you go with the ALTA instead? It really allows the supercharger to show off its beautiful whine

 

Check the JCW section for information that may help. The supplied JCW air filter is paper, but there are numerous aftermarket filters that are much less expensive and are made of fabric or foam.

 

You have to connect and electrical and a vacuum connection, but it fits right in otherwise. There are DIY's around for the installation.

BTW, the paper filter is really restrictive, and costs almost $200 to replace.

 

hey oldrick
in your opinion which is LEAST restrictive
paper
foam or
fabric?
thanks
boxcars

 

I have the Dinan on my 'S' with an ITG foam filter. Much better than the stock.

 

If you go with the JCW, I have some suggestions:
1. Don't try to figure out how to make the electrical and vaccum connections for the 4500 RPM flap. Instead just remove the flap and all the associated parts. Depending on how much you remove there will be a hole to cover where the accuator was located. Or you can just leave the accuator in place to plug the hole.
2. Unless the airbox you purchase already comes with a paper element, I would suggest an aftermarket gauze or foam element such as the Mini Madness replacement "K&N style" filter. Even, if it comes with a paper element it would be best to use a gauze or foam element for better air flow.
3. Cut a hole in the plastic firewall section, near the front driver side cowling, to let air into the airbox at the flap location.

 

Thanks for the couple of suggestions.

I am still considering the Alta, however still like the look of stock (factory)components. Even though the JCW is paper, it still lets in more airflow than a stock box.(non JCW) But then looking at price and apple to apples, the Alta seems a better performer.

The element is just a little concern after reading the debates of foam/gauze VS paper. Obviously the paper would be most restrictive but the debate begines with opinions that the foam filters may not trap as much dirt as the paper.

I would not hook up the electrical and vaccum lines, just would remove the flap. This will not really show any performance gains at lower rpm but would allow more of the supercharger whine to be heard.

Bottom line is now I know the JCW will fit with no trouble and I just have to decide for myself what I want to pay and what type of look makes me happiest.

Thanks again!

 

My two cents:
1) You MAY find that you have an annoying throttle whistle at part throttle with an open CAI (such as the JCW with no flap) - that's why the flap is there. In my experience, the flap opens at the point that real sound starts to come from the supercharger, anyway... not a lot of whine to be had at lower RPMs.
2) I run an AMSoil Nanofilter in mine. Very efficient filtering (like paper) with low restriction as long as you keep it clean. Cleaning is easy - just blow it out with air and you're done. And very little sound muffling - so the supercharger screams at high RPMs.

OK, three cents:
3) If you really don't want the flap, buy a Dinan instead. It's basically just like the JCW, but with the box always open to the cowl. Simpler and usually cheaper, and the same look. That's what I had, until the throttle whistle drove me to spend a few hundred more dollars to get rid of it (see cent 1).

 

I disagree on disabling the flap, but then, I'm not a fan of pointless noise. The whole reason for the JCW is that it's quiet until you need it to be loud. It buys you basically zero add'l performance to disable the flap, as the engine gets all the air it can take below 4500rpm anyway.

On my car, I have a $30 K&N in my JCW airbox.

The Mini-Madness JCW version has quite a bit more filter area for around $100.

I'm not a fan of foam filters. I once took a foam flat-panel filter and measured it vs. a K&N for the same car, and it was quite a bit more restrictive, although some claim that foam can trap more grit than a gauze filter before it gets clogged. I have no facts to cite on that issue.

My pick is a K&N cone filter, although I'd have bought the M-M version if it was available at the time. I clean it every 5-6K miles - around twice/year.

I'd agree with Blimey's point 3) - if you are going to disable the flap, the only reason to have a JCW is to fool the californica air-filter police.

 

The reason I suggested the flap deletion is because I guessed that the OP's 2006 car would not have the electrical or vacuum lines already available for the operation of the flap. Is my guess wrong? Do the 2006 cars have the electrical connector in the engine compartment? I just did not think it would be worth the effort to connect vacuum and find the correct electrical signal for the flap. Put if the electrical connector is already there, connecting the vacuum would be relatively easy. He could go with Dinan put his post was going to a JCW.

I gained 1.5 HP when I changed from a new paper filter to the Mini Madness filter and I removed the flap. I do not know if the gain was all due to the filter or a combination of filter and flap.

 

Here is the ITG for the DINAN. http://www.minspeed.net/ITGDF.htm

It is not a Panel and the ratings on it very good. I prefer it over K&N for my MINI.

I did run the ITG panel in the stock air box before I installed the DINAN. No Issues....

 

The ITG foam works great on the JCW box as well (part no. BH-225): http://www.itgairfilters.com/profilt...er&CarMake=BMW

 

The electrical connection is a simple splice, and the vacuum connection only needs a T from an existing line. Instructions: http://motoringfile.com/files/JCWUPGRADE.pdf

Here's a writeup on the K&N filter: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-concerns.html
(You don't really need to do the ring-adapter, just use the supplied band-clamp and squeeze it down to fit.)

 

Great info everyone!

Now it seems I can do the JCW install, including keeping the functional flap.
HOWEVER, after reading the technical install link, it seems I would have to download the JCW software and then have the ECU programmed. ??
Any ideas about that part??

Seems for every step fwd there is another small step back.

Mini maddness does offer some good looking replacement intake filters that I could utilize in the JCW OR use the CAI version replacement of the stock box.
I hear more good things about cotton/gauze filtration (K&N) VS foam (Alta).

For the $$ I would spend to buy a JCW box $200-250, a replacment high flow filter $100, JCW software and ECU programming $$$, I know Alta or MINI madness wll work as good if notbetter than the JCW upgrade.

So maybe this "factory/stock look" cost more in the long run just for looks than what it is worth.

In the end, this forum has proven itself as one of the best sources of info for the Mini enthusiast.......Decisions, Decisions......

 

No ECU programming required - that's a common misconception - that myth is based on the fact that the airbox "kit" originally included the JCW 380cc injectors also - and the ECU programming is for the injectors. The ECU doesn't know and doesn't care about the airbox - one splice, one vacuum line "T" and it just works.

The AMSoil EaAU3570 Nanofilter is fantastic and is only about $50-60.
https://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?GroupID=24

 

If you live in California you might want to think twice about a non-CARB certified CAI. Some areas within California are failing the smog checks on cars with CAI based on visual inspection. The JCW or Dinan should pass with no problems. You you do go with a CAI, just keep the stock parts in case you need to put them back on temporarily to pass smog inspection.

 

Thank You sir,
This and the amsoil filter will most likely be the final outcome of this project.

 

The reasoning is flawed to begin with; the standard air box is adequate. Get another air box for any other reason except some misguided perceived superiority. I have the JCW air box with Nanofiber filter because the filter is easy to clean, the box sounds good, and the filter performs very well at filtering air (the job air filters are supposed to do).

In the original post you ask about “converting” the air box, in that aspect you can’t, it can be removed and replaced with a JCW, but not retro converted, a cone filter will not fit.

 

Well said.

 

I use an ITG foam and love it. In my old audi's I used K&N, after five or six cleanings, it seemed like it didn't perform very well. To the point when I put a stock paper filter back in and it felt stronger. I think they just trap so much super fine materials that it is impossible to totally clean it.

So I tried foam, lets see how it is over the long haul. Either way it is still cheaper than the stock filter in this install.