I was thinking about upgrading to the JCW CAI.

Are there any programming changes that need to be made or is this a total DIY?

It states that the JCW CAI has a valve that opens up at 4k RPM and the instructions show how to hook up the wires etc... Bit it did not discuss programming or how the valve knows when to open.

Is this upgrade worth the effort? I do not rev over 4k on a regular basis so I think it might be a wasted effort...

 

Our DIY section has installation instructions that may help.

 

If you get one you will be reving higher!!! There is NO reprogaming to be done. The flap detects when a certain voltage is reach and opens, just be sure to connect it to the proper one and you'll need to connect the vacuum line. If you are planning to do more mods in the future it is a very good upgrade (love mine) but if you plan on doing nothing else to your car and your just going to drive it like a Prius then maybe a K&N flat panel filter would be all ya need. That said you will love the extra supercharger sound that the JCW will make....leading to the aforementioned additional mods.....

 

I plan on getting a 15% pulley which will compliment the CAI, but the CAI is 1/2 the price of the installed pulley which fits into the modding budget better at the moment...

My wife drives the Prius...

 

I did this last year sometime. The installation can include setting up the valve operation ....... or not. It works well either way.

My understanding is that the valve is there to reduce the intake sound during normal day to day driving at lower RPMs and opens up to admit more air at higher RPMs.

I got a good deal on a used JCW CAI. It was a deal in part because it was used and in part because it did not include all of the electrical fittings to activate the valve. At first, I was planning to find the missing fittings and hook up the valve. After all, I didn't want my car to be noisy driving around town.

I was eager to install it so I went ahead and plunked it in figuring I'd get the wiring done later (leaving valve in the closed position to keep it quieter). The next day, I experimented with the valve propped open to see the difference. It was a little louder if you paid attention but not loud enough to draw attention if you know what I mean. After that I decided to remove the valve entirely and have been happy with it ever since.

I hope that helps. Good luck with your project!

PS: My wife drives the Prius too!

 

Wife=Prius=Have fun with the Mini!

Go for it, it'll help ya get more from the pulley!