After pulling off the grill on my JCW Paceman I was impressed to see a much larger IC than was on my JCW Coupe which utilized that small boxlike IC that all MINIs use. The Paceman IC is about 10" high x 21" across x 1.5" deep. I have a Helix IC that I was planning to mount to the PM (I had it on my Coupe with great results) but seeing as its nearly the same size overall sans the larger lower tank I wonder is it worth it? The OEM IC is actually taller but I don't have any numbers on overall volume.

Any take on this from folks who've been down this road?

 

Pretty sure you're the first to ask this question. Others with the larger JCW CM/Paceman intercooler have just stuck with that one.

 

So as far as you know this IC is JCW specific to the CM/PM?

 

Yep. Doesn't come on the other JCWs to my knowledge.

 

Just doing a quick look and crude calculation the large OEM IC has a volume of about 300 cubic inches while the Helix is roughly 291. The cooling face of the OEM is 220 to Helix's 178. I can't say for fin density and the differing weight and materials ability to shed heat. The MINI intercooler is made of the same materials as their smaller FMIC.

 

The biggest problem with the Helix on the Countryman is that a good bit of it is hidden by the front crash bar (I have the Helix, btw). If the OEM unit sits lower so it's directly behind the lower grill, it probably performs better.

 

Unfortunately no, it doesn't. It actually covers more than the Helix. Crashbar and a significant amount of radiator.