So I just picked up a new 09 Factory JCW car and was kind of disappointed it didnt come with the JCW intake

So I was thinking of picking up the factory one but wasnt 100% sold on it. I really liked the look of the M7 AGS-R, but I dont want to buy something for looks only I want something that is going to work the best as I will be tracking this car and want the best performance possible.

Any feedback??? What would you guys do?

 

I made my own intake, it resembles the alta one but not quite as nice. You've got to be kidding about the AGS-R. Fiberglass right above a hot turbo will melt, warp, or worse. Get an open element intake and call it a day. If you want the airbox, I think DDM makes a superior product. JCW will be the most quiet, but I just run my open alta style filter.

 

I know a lot of people will disagree but....

I just don't like the idea of a open filter in the MINI engine bay. I had the DDM Street Intake and it made a very cool sound . I just could not get over the open filter in the very hot engine bay. People are melting hood scoops I don't want my engine takeing in the same. I have had the JCW for 5,000+miles and its been great. Not as much "wisssst" but it makes me happy.

I know someone is going to post some chart and data saying I am wrong and an open filter is just fine and I am sure it is but I will take the JCW.

 

Well... this is almost speculation, but let me throw this out there

we had a mini dyno day last weekend... where we had a cooper s w/ JCW Stage One Tuning Kit, ALTA intercooler, boost tubes, and turbo inlet tube, jcw exhaust from dp back--
hes on the boards but i wont point him out unless he wants to chime in.
note, he has a JCW intake-

this was on a dynodynamics dyno [so very conservative], but, regardless, he pulled i believe 174whp and 197 wtq

now, another MINI, STOCK (well) okay, stock besides his super-AGS or whatever the letters are from M7, the large open panel filter with the huge amount of surface area, with an open scoop- not the one with the whole housing to scoop attachment one (400$ one, not the 600+$ one)...

pulled 175whp and 201wtq...!!!
here is a video of it, since he didnt post his dyno graph
http://vimeo.com/3917294

....now there is speculation whether the jcw stg1 loaded correctly on the first mini, but regardless, car 1 had exhaust, fmic, and boost tube.. but all being restricted by its initial entry point... the intake.
so imo, (which i wasnt too sure about eithe rbefore, because i dont like the ideas of the 'hot air intakes' in the back of the engine bay...), but now i believe that getting more air in really makes a big difference (even if it is at the proven few degrees higher than ambient at the open intake (which is nothing!))... and i think this argument on the dynos helps (even tho there are many many other factors of course, but, it is likely that the restriction of the stock/jcw airbox/filter definitely made a difference.

my .02
take it with a grain of salt, im not preaching anything.

 

I'd take my m7 AGS-R anyday just based on mere surface area and the ram air type system. I have the m7 scoop and ags-r and the combination is awesome.

Granted I have other bolt-ons such as Turboback, FMIC, Plumbing...but my numbers came out to 204.8whp this past week. Stock computer. First time I dynoed back in September, I achieved 180whp with same exact parts except then I had an Alta intake. The fact that the JCW is closed does not help it in any way. The fact the AGS-R is wide open, the combination of a FMIC, your going to see much more cooler air, which we all know is ideal for our cars.

Also, the price you pay for the AGS-R also includes a heat shield, with an optional Aerogel lining, like I bought, thus eliminating the heat problem and melting. It even goes directly over the stock heat shield to add even more protection. The DDM may be superior in design, but I am more than happy with my results, as you can see!

Like Boston said...just my .02

 

Thanks guys for the Feedback ... what everyones thoughts on the DDM Race set up compared the M7?

 

they both have the same concept...m7 has a larger filter area and included heat shield, but more expensive...my vote would go m7. If you are going to spend the money, get the whole thing. You won't be dissapointed. m7 is a pleasure to deal with as well, customer service is awesome!

Again, I own the AGS-R so it's just my .02 cents.

 

So you gained 25 hp from only switching from a Alta intake to the AGSR? Are you sure you had your DP for the old 174 run?

 

Atmospheric conditions and heatsoak.... you are NOT adding 25hp from an intake. Sorry.

 

The last time I did the dyno, I was 180whp. My recent dyno results had me at 205whp. The only thing I changed since then was the AGS-R. As for lightweight options, I changed my entire braking system except for rear calipers and ran it on 17lb wheels. My previous dyno, I had stock brakes on. Whether or not that matters, I don't know for sure. As for bolt ons, I had every other bolt on part I did then, now. I understand the numbers are big for just bolt-ons, but numbers don't lie.

What numbers were you seeing after your install?

And trust me, I was just as surprised as you.

 

Agreed. The intake alone is not the main reason for the power. The sum of all the parts is the key here. The efficiency produced by the initial entry point is far greater than Alta's filter or any filter being that its 13 inches. The better air flow increased the efficiency of all my other parts, especially the turbo, resulting in my numbers.

The intake is definitely not producing 25 hp , but I'm more than certain it is a major contributor to it.

 

Agreed. I'd be suprised if it made any more than a couple hp difference.

Numbers can, and do lie my friend. Not saying yours are a joke, but merely stating the facts.

Seriously strong numbers for bolt ons though...congrats!

 

Let me correct myself. Thumper you are right. My first pull netted me 210whp, but it was way to lean for it to be considered accurate. Once the air/fuel ratio levels dropped to 11-12, thats when the guy at TheShop said these are trully where you are at.

Thanks for pointing that out! And thanks for the congrats!

 

I still seriously doubt anything more than a 1-2hp difference on the dyno from the M7 to the alta. On the road where air is being forced in the scoop, that might be another story. And yes your numbers are rather impressive

 

I agree fellas. I dont think that it has to do with the fact that the intake is giving me 298238972hp , I think it has more to do with the fact that it is helping the other parts perform better, thus increasing a few hp in other areas which add up to the sum of 205whp.

Yeah, although there were giant fans, it doesn't compare to the real thing on the road.

Thanks again for the props. Like I said, I was just as surprised as you all.

 

I thought I would through my 2 cents in on this one too. Out of all my bolt ons I noticed the biggest difference from installing the AGS-R. I think the DDM one is a better design though.

 

yeah, i love how the ddm connects to the bonnet instead of lying on your engine...beside that, would not trade my AGS-R for anything...

 

quick question about about the ags-r....what exactly is the aerogel insert and what does it do?

 

it is strong material that helps highly reduce heatsoak and is placed on the under side of the m7 shield and over the stock the heat shield on the turbo. So basically, it gives your AGS-R triple layer protection as opposed to double with just the m7 and the stock or single with just the stock.

Is it worth the extra money, well probably not, but at the time it was only 80.00 more.

 

I too have a factory JCW and was going to by the AGS-R, but Peter at M7 convinced me to by just the AGS. I can't say that I have noticed any difference with the AGS installed. I also have the Alta tubes and the M7 turbo heat shield. Oh, and I also, removed the plastic bit on the stock hood scoop.

 

Hmm, interesting he told you to buy the AGS instead, any particular reason?

 

ya he was probably out of the AGS-R and had a bunch of AGS and was pushing them to clear the stock.

 

ahhhhh I see...very possible.

 

random. you know what I havent heard about in a long time? the Defenders of speed intake. anyone have an install?

anyways back on topic.

jcw = closed = prob cooler, but less air volume?
m7 = open = more air = possibly warm air?

anyways, i like more air =p

 

remember m7 does do a lot about keeping the heatsoak to a minimum with the heatshields and all, obviously doesn't completely eliminate it, but the bigger surface, ram air style gets much more air and faster too