Hi all,
I am trying to make a simulacrum of the JCW kit on the cheap that will pass the CARB rules in California. So far I have purchased an Eaton E45 supercharger on E-Bay and had it modified (All new heavy duty bearings and S-Ported for better air flow). I have also purchased a head on E-Bay and will have it ported and polished. I have 380cc Helix injectors, not installed.
The 2004 MCS's current mods include: Millttek cat back exhaust;JCW cai; and Helix 15% pully. Given all this the plan is to install a 10-12% pully on the rebuilt supercharger to equal the air flow of the JCW unit. With the head ported and polished two questions remain: Does the JCW head use a stock MCS cam or a modified one?; Can I get the ECU reflashed to JCW specs at a Mini dealer in the Bay area. Has any one tried this? Is there a thred on this? I am looking for any help.
Thanks,
Jay

 

You have a few distinct themes that you could do a search on and you should get some hits.

Cliff-Notes-wise, last I heard, the combination you are considering should (but is not guaranteed to) pass the SMOG test. The MCS in stock trim runs at the high end of the allowable results range, so you probably won't raise eyebrows if your car's test results are on the high end. In terms of getting a JCW flash of the DME, that is totally up to the dealer. Don't be surprised if they pass on the opportunity - they don't want to be on the hook for any collateral consequences of the flash.

 

What is the VGS mod and would it do any good on a JCW car? How bout the BPV from Detroit tuned? Would it do anything on a JCW?

 

DetroitTuned bpv is absolutely wonderful!!

It makes the boost kick in earlier. The valve itself is also adjusted perfectly from DetroitTuned.

I recommand it to everyone here!!

Worth every single $ !!

 

JCW Cam is stock.

JCW flash, doubtful. Although, I think there is one person in the Baltimore area whose dealer did it for him although I know that dealer to be extremely mod friendly. I wouldnt hold my breath on MINI helping you.

You can always go Unichip or MTH?

 

minimut, sounds like you're doing lots of dancing for not much gain. Why improve airflow, then reduce the pulley (JCW is ~14.5%) to reduce airflow? If your goal is to pass CA smog, you'll fail the visual (if they look) with non-oem pulley.
Since the SC isn't 'in the loop' during testing, it shouldn't matter anyway - the bypass valve is open unless you're really on the throttle.

 

I'm glad the Jcw Head has the stock MCS cam. I will attempt to procure a a JCW pully to pass visual and as to the head I will have it ported and polished, keep it's stock cam and stock valve seat diamiters. The JCW kit has 380cc injectors, got those. This project seems doable except for the DME flash. Does anyone know a way this can be accomplished in the aftermarket, no piggyback? If this works out the installed price would be around $3,500, sure beats the dealer installed price of $6,800 not including tax.
Jay

 

The closest you will get is something like MTH (for a re-flash without the piggyback). Since you are trying to stealth an upgrade past the CA SMOG test, you might as well go with the MTH. If you fail the SMOG test (depending on where you live, you may have to have the load-based test (car is put on a dynomometer (of sorts) and the car is "driven" up to ~2,500 rpms)), you are not going to have any recourse to the dealer for the JCW DME re-program.