I understand that the 2005 JCW kit includes a cold air induction kit that was a vent to the cowl screen. True? Pictures?

Does anyone make a similar version, maybe out of carbon fiber?

 

Here ya go:

http://gbmini.net/gallery/JCWupgradeupgrade?page=1

 

What kind of gains did you see?

 

This may be of some help:
http://www.johncooper.co.uk/JohnCoop...me/default.asp

 

what is the point of the flap valve to the cowl induction area (it opens at 4500rpm?) why not just leave it open?

 

I think it was for noise and water ingestion. I have done the Webb mod on my cowl and have not had a problem, however, plus, it sounds better.

 

c'mon, noise = power. it makes you think you have a sudden burst of power above 4500 rpm

 

I have doubts about the noise claims but it might possibly be for throttle response. If there's too much flow (not enough backpressure) throttle response will suffer. It's like Toyota's variable intake where a 2nd set of intake valves open at 4500-5000 rpm.

 

A 1D WAVE model will bear out that the reduction in pumping losses of a less restrictive air induction system will more than over ride any "ram air" effect with the intake. The flap is probably present to meet water ingestion requirements (assuming you won't exceed 4500rpm in a driving rainstorm or a water crossing).

Variable intake manifolds are on the resonance side of the filter, which could provide performance gains. However, most systems in production today are band-aids to regain performance to meet customers expectations once outside the EPA test range. The variable manifolds usually try to compensate for pidley cam event timing at low engine speeds (no overlap most cases) by tuning the maximum wave pulse at higher engine speeds.

I would also point out two things:
- one this usually causes poor NVH (drone) since the negative wave and half order waves have so much energy

- not applicable on a forced induction engine, especially positive-displacement chargers

 

I have one of these on order through classic mini for my MCS, I liked the idea of having a JCW intake to match my JCW exhaust but the more I read about it Im not sure the small HP gain claimed is really worth the money. I find it surprising that the JCW intake kit with new injectors for the works cars only increases the HP by only 5-8 HP, after looking around at varies after market companies that claim 10+ HP gains with their intakes I starting to wonder who's telling the truth. When I bought my MCS It came with a BMP intake which I hated and quickly sold and simply installed the stock airbox with a K&N replacement filter and as far as performance from the BMP intake to stock with the K&N filter you would never no the difference in my opinion. Other then the motorized flap on the JCW model its design is very similar to the factory unit and even uses the factory filter, Im starting to think the factory design does a better job then most people think. YMHO

 

A common theme of aftermarket upgrades is to replace the air intake with one that allows better air flow into the supercharger (and so into the engine) - now the JCW kit offers the same type of air intake improvement but in keeping with the "smooth" (and more expensive) package, their system is more sophisticated than other options on the market. The new JCW air intake has the original front air intake but has an additional rear intake which draws air through the duct at the base of the windshield; there is no cutting of panelling - a new pre-cut panel comes with the kit. There is also an electronic valve which only opens to allow air flow through the rear duct at 4500 rpm and higher; an update to the engine computer and a small wiring harness controls this.

The result is that you do not get the extra loud noise associated with many aftermarket air intakes - at least not during normal driving below 4500 rpms. But when you push, the valve opens and the noise level increases noticeably as (presumably) air flow increases and extra horsepower becomes available. If you push to red line before shifting, the valve will remain open as you continue accelerating through the gears, keeping maximum air flow available.

To make better use of the extra air, the '05 JCW kit also replaces the fuel injectors with "bigger" ones that presumably allow a higher maximum fuel flow into the engine - I don't yet know if this will affect mpg, but I guess that during normal driving there is little if any difference.

 

Don't let the ADVERTISED horsepower claims of OEMs (and their close cousins) keep you down. Due to a Gentlemen's Agreement, all OEMs must certify their aftermarket divison components to the same standards as the factory standards. There is an implied truth standard from the customer. Therefore all OEM aftermarket components are tested to SAE J1349 and the European Standard DIN 70020. However, this was revision lately that states that this must be averaged over a certain number of engines at worst case. Thus giving the minimum horsepower that a consumer could/should attain. This has been taken to the bank (literally) by CARB as well, since they were sued a few years back and lost on account of advertised horsepower gains of a certified product.

Long story short, if a OEM or significant tuner ADVERTISES 5 hp, than this is the least you can expect to gain. However, if one car, one day, gains 20 hp, then that's an OBSERVED gain.

By carefully controlling a dyno session, especially chassis, you can vary observed horsepower numbers by 10%-15%. Ever wonder why dyno operators open the garage doors on the "after" runs.....

I'm not a proponent of any system, but I thought that pulling air from the high pressure area at the cowl was sound engineering. The flap on the JCW kit is pure marketing, but does supply a convienent way to protect against water ingestion in inclement weather.

(BTW, I know I can't spell tu goode)

 

Prw3 is correct.
The JCW filter is a conical shape which is somewhat discernible in this photo on Ian Cull's blog:
http://gbmini.net/gallery/JCWupgradeupgrade/PICT0174
The JCW airbox is quiet until 4500 rpm and then it sounds much like the Alta CAI I replaced. Below 4500 rpm it still fells like the Alta but without the noise, my neighbors appreciate that. It has been reported on Mini2 that the JCW airbox was developed with 'politeness' in mind and to maintain legislated noise requirements in Europe. Whatever the reason, the combination of larger injectors and the two staged airbox is exceptionally nice; very much nicer than the Alta CAI and ECU map I had before.

 

I don't know if anyone on this board is "seasoned" enough to remember this, but the 1970 Chevelle SS had cowl induction, with a scoop, actuator and flap similar to the JCW kit. good ideas always come back around.

However, it kicked in a WOT via a throttle pedal switch...Hmmm

 

hey, I just had an idea....

has anyone dynoed their MCS without an air filter to see if any restriction exists? Maybe with a CAI inplace but without the filter.

Gains?

 

I have to agree. Just drove home after getting my upgrade and am quite happy. Seat-o-los-pantalones says there is a big chunk more power available over 4500k (feels like more than 10hp to me), lower rpm throttle reponse is better, and generally feels "smoother" throughout the rev range. Papa likes.

 

Instead of paying the dealer another programing fee, Im considering wiring up a pedal switch to open the air flap at WOT, the programing needed to make the system work at 4500 RPM's only works with the new V39 program which has a few reported bugs and problems already.

 

I think you'd want the ECU remap done because it probably has changes for the larger fuel injectors too.