Im sure someone has done this before so thought Id post up for advice as begin process.

Plan is to bolt on JCW components to wife's 2005 MCS R52 AUTOMATIC:

1. JCW exhaust cat-back
2. JCW head (ported/polished exhaust)
3. JCW supercharger (11% pulley) - this mod already been on car for awhile.
4. Plugs already swapped to cooler BKR7EQUP when swapped pulley
5. JCW airbox (likely lock flap in open position)
6. 380cc injectors - may or may not change these.
7. Plus if course JCW logo intercooler cover and valve cover.

Questions:

• Will this run fine without JCW ECU flash/tune?
• Understand that real power increase will only come with a tune. Also know that in US there was no Mini Automatic flash avail (lacked emissions cert)... but assume someone could write tune does same things. What did Mini ECU JCW flash actually change? Flashed so car knows 380cc injectors etc?

I already have a donor Gen1/R53 JCW car with JCW tuning kit - so not looking for advice about how other cheaper options exist for more power etc. I already have my 2007 R52 Sidewalk factory JCW with manual trans... and just want to convert my wifes MCS to JCW also ... but automatic trans.

 

Yes, it will run fine without a tune. The intake/exhaust/pulley combination will give a bump in power.

But.... to take advantage of the injectors and the higher flow cylinder head, it’s worth getting the tune too. Way Motor Works offers a “JCW” tune, and of course RMW tuning is the go-to choice for R53 owners.

Good luck and enjoy the R52

 

Thanks for confirmation to my thinking!

I'm going to put everything but injectors on the car now -- and likely change those later and get a tune installed.

Thanks again for help

 

If you already have the parts great as you can put them all on and it will run fine and so much better.

But if you haven't got all the JCW stuff our normal we have aftermarket parts that are more cost effective and give more gains.

With either way we can provide a tune to smooth it out and get you that little extra at the end too.

 

Thanks Way.

Yeah... I understand that lots more cost effective ways to boost power with aftermarket parts than hunting and buying JCW kit typically.

I already have all JCW parts. Long story but one of those situations where wandered into good deal for my needs.

Earlier this year, I picked up an R53 slick top at auction - strictly as aero kit donor. I had pulled areo kit for my needs and going to sell car (running car). Ended up just trading with guy who had JCW R53 with electrial gremblins he couldnt resolve (leaky sunroof = water into body control and fuse box) He really wanted to make a racer - slicktop was additional win for him.

Looks like JCW donor car had changed hands couple of times over several years - last sold auction 2017 - and not registered since. Im going to verify this morning - but no coolant and oil looks milky to me... plus the electrical gremblims = likely why car has not been on road for 2 years. Im guessing blown head gasket ... which as you can guess is non issue for me... im taking JCW head off and putting onto my R52 with lower miles any way. Will have local shop Ive used in past shave head and check before reinstall.

Once I pull all parts off JCW donor car and get them onto my wifes R52 - definitely plan to get car tuned to take advantage of JCW bolt ons.

QUESTIONS:

(1) Should I hold off installing 380cc JCW injectors until install a tune?
(2) Have you guys done your tune for Automatic "JCW" R52/R53 before? Any dyno graphs with what might expect for gains? Once ready for tune change - can it be done remotely or need to bring to Atlanta?

Thanks

 

Could be a cracked head too. Have it checked closely.

 

Also, the valve guides are weak and should be replaced, if you are having work done on the head! It will save you in the long run!

 

Yeah just called local engine shop ive used in past to get quote on skimming and pressure testing head before put on other car.