i was wondering if it would be best to install the 2005 works up grade to my 2004 works car or to go for dinan intake with thier larger throttle body. My main concern would be about horse power gain because the cost should be about the same, jcw is quoting 400 pound sterling which is roughly about $700. 2005 kit will not be available (at least in california) before january according to my dealer.

miniaq

 

The JCW upgrade kit includes an air intake system (air box, cone filter, bulkhead replacement panel, and control unit to allow extra air flow from cowl area @ 4500 rpm), larger fuel injectors (282cc versus 265cc per minute) and an ECU upgrade.

Using the UK pricing of £335 for the upgrade kit and £2999 for the Works Kit, backing out the 17.5% VAT and comparing to US Works Kit pricing, I expect the price of the upgrade kit to be about $500:

X / 4500 = 285.11 / 2552.34

X = 4500 * 285.11 / 2552.34 = 502.87

The Dinan air intake and throttle body will run $648. The Dinan website seems to imply that their $449 Stage 4 engine software is required for use with the throttle body:

http://www.dinancars.com/Mini.asp?Se...0&Model=91#186

 

Thanks for the precise info, where do you think I would get the most bang for $? I ve heard the dinan people will not tamper with the software set up on works cars!

 

The Dinan website states 6 hp and 4 lb/ft gains for their air intake and doesn't mention any gains for the throttle body, only "more immediate throttle response and improved performance drivability". The JCW upgrade kit is supposed to add 10 hp and 4 lb/ft.

 

Miniac,


Where did you get the injector info from?

 

I emailed John Cooper Works in the UK.

 

MINIAC... Your my kind of guy! One can go out and express opinions, or find the facts, and present that.

 

So the injectors are not being enlarged a whole lot. I would have thought that they would have increased them to at least 300cc or higher.


I also wonder why they have a control unit to open it up after 4500 rpm. Why not leave it open the whole time. Is there a disadvantage to having it open at a lower rpm?

 

When I had my MCS JCW dynoed it also showed that below 3500 rpm the air-fuel ratio was good and almost lean. Additional air flow may do little good in this rpm range. The JCW intake design appears to provide the proper compensation for this and opens up when the air-fuel ratio would be dropping off considerably (into VERY rich territory).

 

We met Mike Cooper personally a few weeks ago during our UK trip. He mentioned the new injectors, ECU upgrade, and the new airbox are all part of the upgrade kit. The price will be around $500, which I take does NOT include installation. I would expect the whole thing to run around $750-1000 or so. As of the second week of September the parts had just been sent to BMW in Germany and then they were to be sent all over the world.

Ohhh, he did say they have seen over 150mph during testing!

 

TiMINITim,


What did your JCW dyno at? Do you have a picture of your dyno graph? Thanks.

 

I asked similar questions in a follow-up email to John Cooper Works and the reply was that "there is no benefit to be gained below 4500 rpm".


One hour labor for fitment is being quoted in the UK.