The '05 JCW kit includes an air intake with two air inlets - the normal one and a second one that is opened by a valve at 4500rpm and takes air in from the cowl at the base of the windshield.
From my experience when that happens you get a much more audible (and very pleasing) supercharger whine - and you get a kick in power.

I had the air intake added to GBMINI#2 to upgrade the 200hp pre-'05 JCW kit to the '05 spec (see here).
On GBMINI#3, because the JCW kit is not (currently) approved for the auto transmission, I have just the air intake installed (pic) ... only trouble is the 4500rpm point where the second air intake opens is also where I am supposed to stop accelerating

 

Ian, let me ask you this..... The '05 MCS is fitted with the Gen II Eaton supercharger, which supposedly, was the "upgrade" supercharger unit offered in the original 200HP JCW Kit.... So then what is the difference between the '05 stock eaton supercharger and the one available in the current 210HP JCW kit? Is that a gen III Eaton?


Another question related to the JCW airbox.... I am kinda interested in getting this but I have read that the filter element replacement is like $100 a piece?!

Thanks.

 

PS: looking at your sig you have an air intake already. If it is one that is very open and always takes air in through the cowl, you have a permanently loud supercharger noise - the JCW air intake gives you that louder noise but only at high revs, keeping the "more refined" quieter noise during normal driving (if normal driving means below 4500rpm).

 

I really have not tried to find out about the '05 & JCW supercharger issues.

When the JCW came out it was claimed that it had improved coatings on the vanes - this was disputed by some people. Then when the '05s came out it was claimed that the improved coating is now standard on the supercharger and so there is no difference between the stock & JCW superchargers (except for the pulley).
I have never seen *facts* to demonstrate or deny these claims.

In my opinion, the JCW kit is what it is. If you want it and are prepared to pay for it, great. It is the most refined way to upgrade your MCS.
If you don't want to pay for it you can go aftermarket for less money - the raw figures will be as good or even better but it seems a level of refinement is missing. Also of course, the warranty will be missing.

It depends what you want & need - I rarely drove GBMINI#2 at 6000rpm+ and loved the fact that there was so much torque at lower revs. But if all you need is the biggest hp figure (at 7200rpm) then aftermarket is your best bet.

(also see MotoringFile)


And sorry - forgot this too. From memory, Scott at MINI Peabody told me that a JCW air filter was $160. What I don't know is if it is covered by the three year maintenance - it should be - or how often it needs to be replaced anyway.

 

Thanks. How about the JCW airbox?

 

our posts crossed

 

That's a damn shame.

 

It takes all sorts to make a MINI world

 

The intake has a flap in the back that opens at 4500 RPM to let air in from the cowl vent near the windshield.