Hi, I recently purchased a 2012 JCW coupe. I believe this has the N14 motor. Are the original intercoolers adequate or should I upgrade to a larger one and if so, which brand? Would I have to do any cutting to the bumper or grill? How about a cold air intake?

 

welcome to the forum.

Not the best pic, but if your valve cover looks like this with exposed spark plug wires, then you have the n14.






I had to move the outside air temp sensor, zip tied behind the fog light. I have an 09, don’t have the extra crash bar. Had to cut the holes a bit bigger, on both sides, at inlet and outlet, it’s plastic so was easy to do. The grill has tabs, that stick out and the one held outside air temp, you could trim off, I spread them out and bumper fit back after a try or two. It’s a g plus, intake temps are 6 to 8 degrees above outside temp. Hope it helps.

 

I have the same thoughts about this upgrade. Great pics and info.

 

For sure you should upgrade the intercooler. This is one of the best bang for the buck mods you can do the the turbo MINI and what we always recommend as the first power mod. Lowering the intake temps works to make more power and being an intercooler it will recover faster with the larger surface area when you are moving to gain back the power you loose from building boost and intake temp.
Go with the Wager as it is a direct fit and really good value right now.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wagner...7-r58-r59.html

We also install our resonator delete pipe at the same time as this removed the muffler in the pipe going to the intercooler to improve airflow.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-re...7-r58-r59.html