Last week I bought and installed the JCW CAI. I chose this unit for a few reasons, I did not want dark service department cloud hanging over my head and I was worried about the sound on the other units. The price on these has come down to be with in a few bucks of the others now anyway.

The install was not to bad and I found and received allot of good help from this site! I think there were 2 steps that I found hard fitting the vacuum hose and replacing the ECU cover because of all the tape I used on the splice. It is my opinion that the vacuum hose could be about 1 inch longer. It JUST fits and it worked itself off during a 20 mile highway blast. This caused engine stuttering due to the loss of vacuum to the bypass valve. I intend to install a longer hose.

I perceive no change in performance and I did not expect to. The sound is very nice when the flap opens, makes my grin increase in size! I don't think it has changed the fuel economy one bit and I may have lost a few because I'm long shifting to get into open flap land

I did not remove the bung that plugs the 2nd hole in the air box.

 

How long did the install take? Did you have to do any cutting on the firewall?

 

Ahhh yes... the flap....

There is nothing in the world like hitting 4500 rems and hearing the afterburners kick in. That screaming is just too fun.

MINIs may not have been "built from jets" but they can sure sound like them !!!

B

 

You say the price has come down close to the other aftermarket CAI. Even thought we have not yet installed our CAI I am not going into it thinking we are going to get all this extra HP.

Thanks for the post and information!

 

I did remove the plug for the second hole... Can't say its any louder or not since I did it when it was installed. But I figured it was good for a bit more flow and more whine.

 

I took me about 70 sweaty south Florida minutes. I took my time and had a 5 min beer and towel break.

 

No cutting required as the JCW intake comes with a new panel for the fresh air cowl. This panel has the necessary holes that mate up to the intake. Very clean install.
Hardest part is the electrical connection.. Install should take 1 - 2 hours. going slow and easy

 

First- Glad to hear you are loving your new intake!

Second - I had to laugh because the same thing happened to me after I did my VGS. Blew the vaccuum hose straight off the fuel pressure regulator!

I'm just glad that the car doesn't go into limp mode when it looses that vaccuum.

 

I just picked up the JCW CAI, and cannot find the "vacuum unit on the compressor" Would appreciate your help.

 

I don't feel or hear any noticable difference above 4500 rpm. If the sound is different it isn't by much. I have the lower round plug removed and that may be part of it also. And I do know the flap opens properly as I've tested it. It opens and closes as it should.

 

Please share, how much was it and where did you buy?
I want some craptastic stuff for my car

 

I got it from Pete at My Mini for $315. Helix was on perpetual back order and never returned my e-mails. I recommend My Mini

 

I thought I read that when the dealer installs the JCW intake they also reprogram the ECU. Is that wrong?

 

The reprogramming is for new fuel injectors that are part of the Works upgrade kit (intake, injectors, reprogramming). It isn't for the intake.

 

The flap openning is very noticeable on mine.. It really lets the whine come thu...
Can't speak about the power as I had the pulley done at the same time..

 

I definitely hear my flap open, then it closes real quick when my wife hits me for going too fast.

 

Thanks for posting your experience with the JCW intake. I've been sitting on the fence as far as intakes go. Too loud isn't for me, so the JCW may just get me off the fence.

 

it is. with the plug the whine has a muffled note that clears up when the flap (or plug) is opened.

 

It a good compromise... looks stock.. has a much greater surface area than stock, sounds great when you want to play... and quiet when you want to just cruise...

 

I fell off the fence last night. My JCW intake is on its way.

 

See my license plate!

 

Well I've gotten as far as mounting the airbox. There are a couple of things I need help with.

1..Where does the red wire hook up in the fuse box. It says position 8 of the 12 pin connector. How do I determine which one that is? I've had the connector out looked & looked, but can't figure which one.

2..How do you get to the vacuum unit to hook the T connector to it? I see it, but for the life of me can't figure out how to get my hands on it. Any pointers please?

Thanks

 

Hey all. An observation:

I was just fiddlin' with my JCW intake, popping out the blanking plate in the lower part of the box. I had to unhook the vacuum line that runs out of the top portion of the box, and found it was hard to reconnect - if you left it connected to the airbox lid.

Instead, take the hose line off completely and hook it first to the T-connector at the vacuum unit. THEN connect it to the airbox lid. Seems like 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other, but it makes a world of difference.

 

morristownmini has the John cooper works air filter kit. $403.75, orig $475.00
Item # 13 72 0 391 513

Does this item include the new fuel injectors?

I suppose to take advantage of the kit, you'll need the injectors and the jcw program settings.

 

I'm getting confused now. First there was installation of the CAI. Now there is a question about installing injectors and JCW DME re-program. Absent the rest of the JCW upgrade kit (in particular, the s/c pulley and the revised head), the injectors and JCW DME re-program won't add anything to your CAI install.