Hi,

Has anyone put the JCW intake on their non JCW MCS? Is there a noticable difference? The price is obviously more than another aftermarket company's product, but is it worth it? Thanks for your thoughts,

mb

 

Of course, I must preface this by saying I plan on installing a the full kit on my car eventually. I really like the looks of the JCW airbox, it flows with the rest of the things under the hood (no pun intended). By the ever present "butt-dyno" , I have to say that I felt a difference. Could be that I wanted to feel a difference after paying 4 bills for an air cleaner. On a side note, I also put a full Milltek exhaust (not at the same time) on my car and then priced out a JCW kit without the airbox or exhaust. The parts guy at my local MINI dealer told me that they could sell the kit minus the airbox and exhaust but he would have to price it out individually. He started to and called me back and said just the head and supercharger were 7 grand!! So watch the Marketplace guys, I will eventually have a JCW airbox and exhaust for sale (both with no miles!)

 

I put a JCW intake into my '04 MCS (non JCW) a couple of months ago. Sounds and drives great.

Not sure what the HP gain was (if any) but on a Dyno the MCS put 158.8 WHP (HP at the wheels) around 178 HP if you factor in a 12% Driveline loss (normally 147 WHP for a 163 stock HP MCS by factory numbers). Not sure if this HP gain is from the intake and my Zoomer's cat back exhaust or if as some are thinking that my particuar MCS is stronger than stock anyways. At least it didn't lose HP.

It was a bit more expensive than other CAI's ($450 + $115 labor to install), so it's not for everyone. Many swear by HAI's (hot air intakes) versus the hassles of putting in a CAI. But I just liked how it looked and the RPM regulated cowl flap that opens at above 4500 RPM is dammed cool and I'm sure that some real flow was engineered in rather than assumed.

Dave

 

I can't see the money for the JWC cold air input, the reason for the rpm controlled flap is to suite the Europeon noise regulations. I have been looking at the Dinan CAI, but am anxiously awaiting the M7 unit. Check out the M7 site and I think you will want to wait too.

 

awful long time for the M7 unit!! (disclaimer:no malice intended by this post)

 

I'm in the process of adding the JCW intake along with an Alta 15% pulley. Pics and writeup to come soon!

 

The thing that appeals to me about this (aside from better airflow at high RPM) is the fact that the flap is closed during normal driving. (I do like to listen to my stereo.) But $450?!? Ouch!

I'm hoping someone - Dinan, Alta, etc. - will come up with a knockoff for about half that. (hint, hint)

 

mbcoops, I just added the jcw airbox to my non jcw mcs. I don't think you can feel any power gain from an intake but you should notice the engine reving smoother. I think the jcw airbox by itself is way overpriced but you can get it in a kit with bigger injectors for just a little more money than just the airbox. That is what I did to make it worth it. The jcw airbox is quiet compared to the alta intake system I had in the car, you can barely hear the super charger whine. At 4500 rpm the flap opens and you can hear the airbox growling and the the tach needle jump quickly towards higher rpm's. I'm hoping that K&N will start selling jcw airbox filters by the time my filter element needs replacement. From what I hear the jcw filter element price is as ridiculous as the airbox itself. So in the end, is this jcw airbox worth it? It is to me because I wanted the higher airflow aftermarket cold air intake systems offer but got tired of hearing the hissing noise the alta makes. I also feel like my engine is better protected from all the winter sand that's on the road and been shot at my car from other vehicles. The alta intake system offers an easy path for more air to come in. Sand reaches the foam filter element without much resistance, keeping the filter element nicely oiled is all that can be done to prevent the sand from penetrating. The jcw airbox at less than 4500 rpm's offers no such easy path for the sand to reach the filter element. Underhood appearence was nicer with the alta in my opinion but the jcw keeps it factory looking and pleasing to the eye. Sorry about the long response, hope I've answered your questions.

 

I finished up the pulley/intake installation last night. I'm pleased with the performance and sound of the intake, and it compliments the pulley nicely. Cruising sound is factory quiet, low rpm pulling has a nice growl (I opened up the (blocked) additional air inlet which makes for a bit more noise with the air door closed) and the WOT sings nicely without being raucious. I took a lot of pics during the project and will post some in a separate thread as soon as I can.

 

Thanks guys, the info is great, but I'm really still undecided on this.

Minitribute...how much more are the injectors?

I've only got 1,500 miles on my car, and I dont _need_ more power...but who does!?

I think my order of operations will go like this: invisisheild (freakin chips are rediculous), jcw airbox or alta intake, then who knows.

mb

 

mbcoops, I was able to buy the jcw airbox and injectors for a little south of $500.00

I have an alta intake in very good condition just off my car that I'd consider selling, just in case you would consider a used one.

Is your car an 05?

 

minibrute, since your car is a non-JCW, did you have to get your ECU reprogrammed to use the new injectors? I understand the JCW upgrade kit is marketed for early JCW cars and I was wondering how you got the injectors to work.

 

searocko, I'm running Giac software designed to work with the bigger injectors and a 19% reduced pulley.

 

Yes, my car is an '05. I'm going to talk to my dealer about the intake + the injectors (does that make sense since I don't have different software?) and pricing on the invisishield.

Maybe they can at least do the shield when I have the oil changed.

mb

 

OK, gotcha. I may just spring for the entire upgrade kit and hold off installing the injectors until I get either Giac or MTH.

 

searocko, I had 2 different versions of mth, the first was better than the second but Giac is much much better than any mth I had. I won't say anything negative about mth software cause I don't want to start any trouble here. If you are seriously considering going with the bigger injectors you should consider software from Giac or Randy's at webb motorsport, I can't remember his software brand right now. Mth is good for the money but you get what you pay for, Giac is more money but you get a great product. Do it right bro.

 

Greatbear is yours an 05? (Nevermind I can see you have an 03) DS/DS Nice combo by the way I have the JCW intake installed on my 05 and really like the way it pulls after 4500rpm. I will also be getting my 15% pulley installed by Randy in a few weeks, plus if it makes sense I will be flashing my ECU with the Cooperworks software. I have a feeling I am really going to enjoy the next few weeks

 

I don't want to wait til 4500 RPM for the noise. But sometimes, on rare occasion, I do listen to the stereo (gotta get something out of the $ spent on the HK! ) and it would be nice to be able to close the flap. What I'd like is to have a manual toggle switch to control the flap- quiet or loud, as I wish! Of course, this is all predicated on getting hold of a JCW airbox- which I might, in order to get the bigger injectors for my 19%. Then off to Helix for the GIAC...