I installed the ITG air filter in the R56 JCW airbox tonight. It was straightforward and it's well worth the price and twenty minutes. Of course, you have to remove the front strut bar if you run it (25 ft-lb on the nuts).

The sequence is:

1. Disconnect the harness from the air sensor unit on the airbox.

2. Loosen the 4 torx screws. They have keepers in them so they don't come out.

3. Loosen the screw clamp on the output hose, downstream of the air sensor assembly, and pull back.

4. Lift front of airbox just a bit; it rotates off of tabs and slots in the rear of the airbox. Pull up and toward you to remove. Wrestling with the disconnected output hose that's always in the way, of course.

5. Vacuum and wipe the interior of the base of the airbox.

6. On the airbox top unit with the filter, remove the two screws at the top of the assembly and lift out the filter holding plate. Remove the single screw securing the lateral brace. Let it float in place. Remove the old filter and stash for use as a backup.

7. Vacuum and wipe out the airbox top assembly.

8. Install filter with logo facing out by simply sliding the bottom onto the airbox's mating ring.

9. There is a slot in a molded ring at the top of the filter. This articulates with a guide in the airbox top unit. Rotate the filter into place (logo-out).

10. I added a zip tie to the bottom mating ring. Note that when you first look at the filter-airbox assembly (upon initial removal), there is an unusual clamp, but I found out after disconnecting it that there was no need to do so. If you happen to do the same, the reattachment is described here (post 15 has a photo):

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...p-is-that.html

11. Reinstall the filter holding plate with two screws, Secure the lateral brace with one screw.

12. Reattach the airbox top to the base in the MINI. This is not as easy as it seems, at least on my three forays into the airbox. Looking at the filter side of the top unit, you'll see that there is a single tab at the working end of the airbox. The tab is situated in a crowded narrow area that has to articulate with the base. If you just try to plug in the backside tabs, the airbox is misaligned because of the working end tab relationship. To install, you have to find the right angle to be able to capture all 4 back tabs and the side tab. Try to come in with the top unit parallel to the bottom unit while it is still 1/2" away from mating. It's a pain but suddenly it pops into place. Just go easy.

13. Reattach the harness to the air sensor.

14. Tighten the downstream screw clamp.

15. Tighten down the 4 airbox screws. I don't have torque number but go easy on the plastic.

16. Wipe down the airbox and you're done.

Have fun!

 

Thanks for the info Halifax! It will definitely come in handy when the time comes to replace my JCW air filter.

So do you feel any significant difference with the new ITG air filter compared to the stock JCW air filter?

 

I would like to know as well.

 

It's hard to tell because she was already a rocket on acceleration. I can definitely hear the difference with the bonnet open. I'll record some runs with my DashDyno and see if anything different shows up.

I'm biased toward oiled air filters .. have a pair on my '75 Triumph TR6. I also bought it to escape the cost of the stock JCW air filter.

Update 5/23: DEFINITELY feels the difference, esp. when the turbo is kicking in. ... have had a track day and then a highly spirited run at dawn this AM to test it out.

 

Is there any downside to the ITG vs paper filter? I'm wondering about increased noise or anything of that nature?

 

You have instaled an ITG filter in hte JCW factory airbox..or in the JCW kit airbox? Is it a pannel filter or a cone one?

 

I have a JCW airbox with the paper cylinder filter