I am a little concerned that going from stock with my 2011 JCW to a "stage one flash tool" is a little too radical, considering, I haven`t dreamt of playing the outfield for the Yankees in decades ;o), the factory warranty and all that added power to the wheels.

As it is, when I deploy the "sport button" the JCW 3dr. hatch really responds beautifully.

Without consideration for cost comparisons, are there aftermarket exhaust systems (possibly stainless steel) available, that when coupled with an aftermarket air filter, would provide me with modest gains in hp and acceleration, without voiding the manufacturers warranty?

If so, who makes them, what are the conservative estimated gains and what are your recommendations?

Please be mindful that I have not dismissed the "flashtool" and intercooler upgrade but I really want to weigh all the options.

Thanks so much for your continued assistance.

Rick

 

exhaust and intake won't give any real power gains at all.i did them all my self. i only noticed some gains from a DP. just get the flash tool and then return it to the stock tune for any service and warranty work. the flash tools are designed to work fine with a stock car and not wreck anything.

 

Turtle 343,

Many thanks for your advice. If I go the "flash tool" route, how important is the "intercooler" upgrade? I`m not a kid any more driving a "boy racer," so I doubt I will really bang on the throttle very much.

Just like to know the power is there when I want to avail myself of it.

Thanks again,
Rick

 

Lots and lots of threads with tons of comments here on NAM.

The general consensus is to get a DP and Intercooler then have it tuned. A tune on a dyno would be even better than using the canned tunes provided with the flash tools. Many of us also replaced the intake and some have even replaced the stock JCW exhaust. I replaced the stock exhaust recently from the turbo back with the Akrapovic Evo exhaust. That exhaust is rather expensive. Its very well made and has 2 choices for exhaust tips, CF and Titanium. The tips are very, very nice. But I do not feel that the cost of the exhaust is worth swapping out the stock exhaust.

Keep reading the posts on NAM. There is enough info and comments to fill up your time for the next few weeks.

-Steve

 

Good honest write up onefish which is hard to find here.
I don't race mine either and I had a tune for 1 year with out an IC and had no probs and no heat soak. I would only hammer the car for 5min at the max at one time so had no noticeable heat soak issues. You can also get stage one tunes for cars without the intercooler. Everyone here said an intercooler is a must so I got one and noticed slightly more lag and that was it so if I was going to do it again I won’t get one. Everyone drives differently though and lives in different climates so prob best to speak to someone local who drives like you.