So, I have the JCW package that we ordered with the car. We have the convertible in hot orange btw.

What's the next step for engine performance?

 

A new head

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=bang+buck

 

The JCW package already comes with a new head, supercharger, airbox, ecu update, exhaust, brakes. Essentially it has most of the typical upgrades that folks do to their MINIs all in one package.

rcm: How much more do you want out of your JCW? If you want huge horsepower changes (+50 or more), then you would pretty much end up replacing a lot of the JCW parts. You might want to check out Webb Motorsports, Fireball Tim, M7 Tuning (I am sure there are more) if you want to go in that direction.

Check out some of the MINIs on this page. The stats page shows some of the mods that were done to get them to the higher horsepower numbers.
http://www.fireballed.com/machines

-Andrew

 

Obviously you didn't read that thread (or didn't understand the context) which was the exact same question the originator asked otherwise you would see the JCW head is ... a piece of CRAP. A new head will add 20+HP or so. Read the head threads.

There is also NO NEED to replace all the JCW parts. For example, a different CAI will most likely get maybe 1 HP at best. A new exhaust, hardly anything. Once these first tier mods are done ... is a head, then maybe IC, headers and new chip.

 

[quote=chows4us;1174014]otherwise you would see the JCW is ... a piece of CRAP. quote]

I have full JCW and Fireballed ECU update.
I would hardly classify 100mph in third as CRAP.

It's not what HP you have, but what you are able to do with it

Steve

 

[quote=Steve Hanlan;1174044]HEAD ... JCW HEAD.:impatient I said ... do a head. Do a search on the JCW head. take a look at the pics. Do the research. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...%22jcw+head%22

 

Depends on where you want to go with the car, really. If you want alot of performance from your car above and beyond the JCW, go with Chow's advice, just do the head first and it all follows from there.

If you just want to spend a few moderate bucks and get an additional umph out of your car, my opinion is to get an ECU flash, Fireballed Hyper ECU is the latest in the market for an intro price of $300 and seems to be getting good reviews. They have to physically do the flash on your car, though and the are in Cali, with a few visits around the states.

 

I just re-read that JCW HEAD thread (I read it before I ordered my MCS) and all throughout chows4us, you kept asking for comparison data, but no one was really able to provide that, so how can you say with any certainty that you would get any more out of a different head above and beyond what the JCW head provides.

Furthermore in this thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=79830 (starting at about page 5) Several head vendors also want you to upgrade the cams too and their comparison numbers are based on that combination, not just a head for head upgrade.

I do agree that the fact that the JCW head machining not being smooth (for lack of a better word) is a huge concern. But no one had any basic comparison numbers (without adding in the cams and other mods), so saying one is better than the other is almost impossible. RandyBMC (Webb Motorsports) says in that thread that their head was +16HP over JCW, but further down he says that the +16HP also includes the cam.

Chow4us, you were very active in both of these threads, did you ultimately choose a new head? If so, I would love to know which one?

-Andrew

 

Good questions and valid.

I am sorry I did not explicitly state it but I meant with a CAM as well. As others have said in other head threads, there is no real point in just doing the head when the few a few dollars more (relatively speaking) you can add the CAM.

If you read carefully, especially with Spyders trials and tribulations, addind bolt ons here and there just don't add up to much until you do the head. So yes, sorry I didnt explicitly state it but I mean with a CAM.

As to me ... I asked those questions when I was in the process that the originator of this thread was doing. What to do next beyond JCW? The consensus to me was do the head/CAM. I always "knew" that because getting a port and polished head always gets some gains with a better CAM.

The day I bought my car I took it to a small MINI racing shop and the owner, very nice guy and in the local MINI club, said to do NOTHING ... no IC, no headers, etc. until doing a head/new chip (so that added into the decision making process).

The problem with going with different vendors for such work is ... who is going to fix it? Not being a DYI type, it does me no good to have say a Webb warranty (for example) when the car breaks ... where do I take it to be fixed and how long am I without a car?

As it turns out, I'm lucky in that LDG (NAM vendor) who does bespoke tuning, is close to me. No brainer. I was fully intending to go with LDG and then ... stuff happens ... and I sold the car (long story written elsewhere).

 

Mini-Madness offers 2 packages to upgrade the JCW package. Haven't heard anything about them, but it seems to add some decent stuff.
http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...S&Category=211

 

Thanks guys I will go have a look at all your suggestions.