got some seat time today. Car had only 100 miles SO not a true indication of potential as I do not think my engine felt good till about 2000-2500 miles showed on odo. Sounds very close to stock under low throttle--a bit throatier. Sounds stronger under power. Better induction noise.

Hard to tell for sure as my MCS is an auto and I did not have time to test drive a stick car back to back with JCW. Pulled very well in 4th gear at around 4000 revs.

However, engine feels "opened" up and more free breathing. Pulls strong at 3500 and up., Did not go over 4.5-5 in respect to new car that was NOT mine. Butt dyno say it will "feel" quicker.

Pipes look much better than pep boys looking OEM pipes.

Worth $2500.--hard to jusitfy..Will I do It --probably.

 

I understand that JCW isn't available for automatic transmission - am I mistaken? (would be great if it is though).

 

I was thinking the same thing, but before I posted on that issue, I went back and checked on it... and lo and behold, per this article on MotoringFile:

MotoringFile » R56 JCW Kit Official US Press Release...so it isn't here yet, but it's coming.

 

The R53 JCW never did make it here for auto trans MCS cars. Too many issues. However, according to motoringfile.com it is coming for the automatic cars. Motoringfile has been right so far on their predictions so I am hopeful. Apparently this setup can be adapted alot easier.

Also upon further review---the JCW engine does rev more freely. I tried to duplicate alot of the same driving scenarios today with my car ( eg 4th gear from 4000 revs--1st gear start etc) and the JCW car did feel quicker. I will try to get another shot at it when I can test a broken in version and can compare it or a stick shift car to level that part of the playing field.

I doubt a JCW equipped car will drastically run away from a non-jcw car but it will probably make running thru the gears a more inticing experience for the performance oriented who care to push the envelope while emptying their wallets.

 

2008 or 2009 JCW MCS car from the factory will not be available in automatic because it comes with LSD and automatic can't have LSD. But the JCW tuning kit we are talking about here is something the dealer can install and it can be done to auto and manual as far as I understand.

 

One would think that the programming for the automatic transmission should be changed for the JCW kit. Otherwise it would just have to rely on the Sport mode shift points.