I have a heavily modified "S" that can take your JCW, anytime. Why? I have one "mod" that most do not have. Not everything I put on the car (1st place Owner Build category MITM 2019, against heavy competition), but because I have the best "mod." MINI Driving School, Thermal, CA. We learned on STOCK JCW's. I haver spent over 6,000 on "mods" over the last 5 years. The most bang for the buck was the day at the Thermal, CA track/school.
As a good friend once said, "It's not the bike that makes the man, it's the man that makes the bike."
Translation; "It's not the MINI that makes the driver, it's the driver that makes it a MINI."
Stated in jest.
PS Had an AWE CAI early model, NM CAI, and now an Eventuri, best at high altitude, IMO.

 

"I have a heavily modified "S" that can take your JCW, anytime. Why? I have one "mod" that most do not have. Not everything I put on the car (1st place Owner Build category MITM 2019, against heavy competition), but because I have the best "mod." MINI Driving School, Thermal, CA. We learned on STOCK JCW's. I haver spent over 6,000 on "mods" over the last 5 years. The most bang for the buck was the day at the Thermal, CA track/school."

I don't know where your point came from?
Was I trying to "race you" or "outperform anyone" ? I don't think so! Are we feeling insecure?... As the saying goes "more power to you"... I am happy for your thoughts.

Having been born and raised in Europe I started "Rallies" in 1966 [Austin Cooper S, I am 74...] and I totally agree with you regarding track schools. I have attended too many of them to enumerate. This would be cars / motorcycles and sailing. Sailing which was and still is in France what would call "Our National Sport"... Schools are indeed the best bang for the buck. I have had my days, these days my Life's Stage is different and on a side note giving "Thanks" every day that I can still enjoy a MINI with a smile on my face... while I can still get in and out of it!!!

One memory which comes back [I cannot ride anymore] is the smirk on the motorcycle "Professor" as we would call him when debates on motorcycle tires would come up" "you will never outrun your motorcycles tires...". Now keep in mind, the classes were on track but not designed for "track races"...

But, anyhow, the Eventuri of course is a better and real CAI. While being on a modest budget I cannot afford it. Or while part of it is "why should I?". A bit more power through Pro Exhaust, AWE CAI and NM PM is plenty sufficient for my nowadays fun runs up the Mountains with better handling while again the budget will not allow for a totally different suspension. Gone are the days of "custom" Ohlins and Penskes!

Stay safe out there... there is always a time and a place for everything.

As also my joy driving 10mph with my Jeep through the hundreds of miles of surrounding Forest Rds!

My "almost" daily runs...

 

"Stated in jest" as posted. Modifying a MINI is fun albeit an expensive hobby. It made more sense on our R56. It was like the original MINI, a raw canvas waiting to become a piece of art. Not so much with the Gen 3's.

The instructors at the MINI school had some unique insights regarding safety with the MINI and its unique handking characteristics, especially of ice/snow. These insights were experienced on the skid pad. The most important lesson gathered was that speed is for the track and not the public roads. I also rallied in my youth. I won 1st place at an autocross event, at age 16 driving a friends modified VW Beetle. Beat a Cal Porsche driven by an experienced driver. Pure luck.

Having lived in New Mexico for 30 years, I know your map and have driven some of your routes. I am further North and enjoy the higher altitudes and the challenges they provide like the high road to Taos.

Anyway, CAI's, I have found, are the first, easiest, mod. The newer designs, enclosed, appear to be an improvement. Altitude is a major factor. More air, more efficiency and performance. At lower, heavier air,air temperature is probably more important. Some of the tuners that I have talked to state that the stock intake system is fine and do not change it, however.

 

The biggest issue I've seen with any intake is with the AWE and the Forge intake pipe. Reason being, the AWE is all carbon fiber, including where the MAF sensor is screwed into. When coupled with the Forge intake pipe that doesn't have the ribbed "flexible" section like factory, the AWE pipe can crack where it's clamped to the Forge pipe, since the intake pipe isn't flexing to accommodate engine movement like factory does. There was a discussion about that issue in the AWE intake thread on here and Josh with AWE mentioned it was a compatibility issue.

 

The part the MAF sensor screws into is aluminum on the AWE intake, I just installed one yesterday but yes it doesn't play well with the Forge intake pipe.

 

Yes the plate the MAF secures to is aluminum, but the pipe itself is carbon. The entire intake is carbon save for that metal plate.