Has anyone considered or tried the JCW CAI (Race Version) as featured on the MotoringFile Holiday Gift Guide? Does anyone have this item installed yet?

The item can be found at John Cooper Motorsport.

I have been considering purchasing this particular CAI. Its the same one used on the MINI Cooper Challange and the price seems very comparable to the Alta and other CIA makers. Its basically the regular JCW CIA, but without all the electronic bits and mechanical jumbo.

How does this compare to the Alta? Other CIA's?

I am interested in what the performance, sound, and quality over an aftermarket CIA would be.

I am looking for a review, thoughts, and any information you can share.

 

you might consider getting a (used) JCW intake, get a reusable foam filter and remove the flap and stuff. That's what some of us run; it's just a little louder than the stock JCW, not as noisy as the Alta. It's nice, I like it...

 

Cooldaddy is right. You would be better just getting the Regular JCW intake and taking the flap out of it. As the one from John Cooper Motorsport will end up costing more with shipping and all that. Plus if you ever resale it later you would have all the parts. Or you could just go with one of the aftermarket one. Alta, DDM, Helix, K&N. Choices are endless, It's all up to you and your personal preference.

 

I was considering the Alta but when you add the additional cost of the filter cleaning kit and the box or cover top, it would be the same as the JCW CIA Regular version. I was looking for something that didn't regulate the air flow at low RPMs. The JCW Race version is wide open all the time.

I think I'll go with the JCW regular and just take the flap out. It seems here on NAM, most prefer the Alta. Hmmm...decisions....

 

keep in mind that the standard JCW CAI comes with a paper filter, so replacements or a change to a foam filter would have to be added to the cost as well, longterm.

Going "flapless" is popular amongst those who already have the JCW intake and don't want to spend more money on changing to yet another CAI...

 

So is the foam filter better than paper when it comes to CAIs?

And if people who have the JCW are taking the flap out, is this essentially the same design as an Alta or other "open" filter design?

 

tested the JCW paper filter element. The good news is it flows really well (better than the Madness replacement filter). The bad news is that it's expensive and not cleanable.

Matt

 

...no because each box is basically a custom design with slightly different filters, volume, flow, whatever - although in the end you probably won't be able to feel any difference between most of the popular CAI's using just the butt-dyno...

 

I have a JCW intake and I replaced the paper filter with a K&N #ru3130, about 28.00. Wow what a difference!

 

Then in essesnce its the design that sets them apart. Any advantages with the CAI's that are open versus those with compartments or covers?

Most designs I've seen use foam filters with the filter open to the engine. From what I've read, each CAI should give you around the same amount of added BHP (brake horsepower).

Thats what initially attracted me towards the Race version of the JCW CAI, but as with any upgrade, theres always a cost.

 

There ARE a lot of CAI's out there and for me I chose one that I liked the look and performance that it gave. I wanted a closed box, I wanted something that performed well and I wanted one that I thought looked good under my hood. I chose the DDM box because it fit all of the above.

 

Any advantages to open box versus's closed boxes? How does the DDM sound?

 

the box will usually muffle some of the sound, but if designed well, shouldn't affect airflow. an advantage to the jcw is that it is a direct connection to the cold air cowl in the back of the engine bay (as far as i know, there are only one or two CAI's that do this.)

 

I'm not sure what the advantages are with a closed box because I think there is foam sealing the open top of an Alta with the hood closed but, it sure looks better IMO. I don't really want to open my hood and see the air filter and because of the box being sealed it keeps things a bit cleaner under the hood. I also like how the DDM only houses the filter and not the electronic plugs (brain) as well. As fare as the sound of the DDM, it's very nice to me. You can hear the wine of the super charger when you get on it but, at cruzing speed there seems to be the same amount of noise as a stock box (not much). So far, I really like it.

 

The paper filter flows better,damn I wish I'd known that before I spent my $99 for the Madness. I'm also thinking of opening up the hole the air is drawing though.....

 

Is this race version JCW CAI available anywhere? I'm just curiously looking around and I can't find it at all.

mb

 

It was located at the John Cooper Works Garage Motorworks web site in the UK, but that has since been taken offline and combined with the main MINI website for the new 2007 and beyond MINI's.

 

Amsoil sells a paper filter #EAAU3570 for $54.00.

 

All you need to do to a stock JCW is take out the flap so it's wide open all the time. It's very easy to do.

 

anyone know where there's a how to on this?

 

Ya search in the performance drivetrain thread - there are a few I think. I know I wrote one.

mb

 

what you need to do to take all the extra stuff out. It doesn't really need a how to.

Matt

 

www.jwardell.com has some info.

 

1) For everything that works the flap, take it off!
2) Get some Al tape, and cover the few holes that are left.

You are done!

Matt

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=85821

Thank Speednut for the photos....

Matt