The JCW Upgrade Kit Reviewed

Sections: JCW | R53 (Coupe) | Reviews Nov 8th, 2004 25 Comments

Ian Cull has a review for us on upgrade kit for prior JCW MCS's. This kit brings the total power from 200 to 207-210 depending on how you measure it.

Today I took GBMINI to MINI of Peabody to have the '05 JCW “step-up” added; GBMINI was upgraded to the original JCW spec back in January and the difference was very noticeable. Since then both I and other drivers have commented on how “smooth” JCW upgraded cars perform, in comparison to aftermarket upgrades.

In September GBMINI performed well on the dyno but was beaten in raw figures by a couple of aftermarket upgraded cars.

A common theme of aftermarket upgrades is to replace the air intake with one that allows better air flow into the supercharger (and so into the engine) – now the JCW kit offers the same type of air intake improvement but in keeping with the “smooth” (and more expensive) package, their system is more sophisticated than other options on the market. The new JCW air intake has the original front air intake but has an additional rear intake which draws air through the duct at the base of the windshield; there is no cutting of panelling – a new pre-cut panel comes with the kit. There is also an electronic valve which only opens to allow air flow through the rear duct at 4500 rpm and higher; an update to the engine computer and a small wiring harness controls this.

The result is that you do not get the extra loud noise associated with many aftermarket air intakes – at least not during normal driving below 4500 rpms. But when you push, the valve opens and the noise level increases noticeably as (presumably) air flow increases and extra horsepower becomes available. If you push to red line before shifting, the valve will remain open as you continue accelerating through the gears, keeping maximum air flow available.

To make better use of the extra air, the '05 JCW kit also replaces the fuel injectors with “bigger” ones that presumably allow a higher maximum fuel flow into the engine – I don't yet know if this will affect mpg, but I guess that during normal driving there is little if any difference.

New dyno run shows just completed this weekend show a consistent 5-8hp gain from about 3000rpm to red line. For an unknown reason (V39 software? Dyno operator error?) red line is about 200rpm lower than previously so the maximum gain is only 4hp. But the improvement all through the range (also coupled to a nearly 10lb-ft maximum torque gain at 3500rpm) gives confirmation of general “butt dyno” opinion that the upgrade is beneficial.

Again we see on the dyno that a well modded aftermarket MINI beats the JCW for raw maximum hp (getting about 197hp against 193hp) – but a comparison through the rev range shows that the JCW offers more performance lower in the range, at “normal driving” rpms – again this helps to confirm general opinion that the JCW is a “nicer” package. Is the JCW worth nearly $6000 compared with perhaps only $2000 for a good Randy Webb package? Opinions vary here!

A couple more links of interest: Weblog entry for yesterday including the dyno run details: http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive/000469.shtml
A before (September) & after (yesterday) dyno plot of the JCW and JCW+ packages: http://gbmini.net/gallery/YarrowPulleyParty/PICT0074?full=1
You can see Ian's full gallery here.

Ian Cull's Rating: 4/5

A big thanks to Ian for sending us this review. It would be interesting to hear opinions from other's who own the upgrade kit. Ian's rating, while good, wasn't as high as it would have been due to the cost vs the dyno results.

While I haven't drive the car, my conclusions based on everything else lead me to believe that it's frankly hard to compare JCW upgrades to the rest of the aftermarket world. With JCW you have (A) performance (B) refinement (C) warranty (D) actual added value as opposed to losing value when you go the aftermarket route. Because of that it's difficult for me to really rate it based soley on performance for the money. However if you brush all the other factors aside and just look at performance and price Ian's rating will probably make sense to many out there.

Written By: MF Reader

ChrisLW

Wonder how just the new air intake would do in terms of performance? Has anyone done this?
Gilbert

In Mini usa forum had this upgrade and he says at 4500 rpm just like you intalled NOZ in the car, beating BMW 540i.. I am compairing the two Item K&N cold air against the JCW upgrade.I am just waiting for my orders, one's they come I will installed it.
http://www.lagparty.org/~jared/gallery/minipics/ Jared/pezboy

I love the SC whine of my Alta way below 4500rpm.

I don't think I would want it just above that. 3k-4k has a great sound.
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

Ian asked me to cross-post this here…

Note that on they dyno the car is sitting still so there is no windshield air pressure pushing air into cowl, so you're not seeing the benefits of that part of the new intake.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Well that's definitely possible reason for the lower number then.
Mike

All,

My 05 MCS was fitted with the new JCW kit last Saturday, and while I only got to drive it for a few blocks (???), it was absolutely AMAZING! The whine from the supercharger is incredible and the exhaust note is just right (and the increase in low end torque is very welcome indeed).

The new 05 JCW kit is nicely matched with the new lower gearing on the 05's. When I switched off the DSC, the car smoked the tires all the way through third gear without even trying. You can really see where the LSD will come into play with an 05 JCW. Without the DSC on, the car spins it wheels like there's no tomorrow and makes it difficult to drive.

So… While this is a bit off topic here (since I didn't have an older JCW MINI upgraded to the new 05 JCW specs), I can tell you that the car is absolutely incredible with the JCW kit installed.

Lastly, while having the JCW kit installed on my MCS, the dealer loaned me an 03 MCS with a “Zoomer” exhaust (and reduction pulley) which they claimed had 180 hp (the exhaust note on the Zoomer was obnoxiously loud though – it was so loud that you could hardly hear the whine of the supercharger). The car was supper fast and really fun to drive although I could tell a HUGE difference in the gearing. The 03 was a real dog off the line when compared to my 05 (but it really started screaming when the RPMs increased). No offense to anyone with an older MCS, but for me, the new lower gearing in the 05 makes it much more drivable in everyday driving situations (and works wonders in a JCW equipped car).

Thanks Ian for the excellent feedback on GBMINI's JCW upgrade…
ZAKDOG

I am sure that thing rocks…however, a loaded MCS with this $6k+ option brings other cars into the picture…I, personally can't justify spending $32k+ for a MINI…or any small car for that matter.

Just my opinion.
Gilbert Cabral

Well in this case, sounds like I'm getting one, but I am just to sure if my 510.00 dollars is Worthed. Also, I want to know if I need to replace my injectors.
Paul Norton

What about cost?

Paul
indygomini

I remember reading that the JCW intake will be available as a stand-alone part (including the reprogramming for the valve actuator.) Since I already have a 19% pulley, the one thing my car sorely needs is more injector at high end. I wonder if the upgrade kit can be purchased as a stand-alone by people who don't already have the older JCW package installed? At $510.00, it's a good deal for getting both the intake and injectors, since the cost of going aftermarket for these bits would be over $500.00.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Yes it is. Just do a search for JCW in the search box above for more info.
Paul Norton

I'm lloking for what Ian paid for install+upgrade. Been seeing varying prices. I live close enough so if New Country wants $$ more than I will go to peabody.

Paul
Mike

Paul,

I read a post from Ian somewhere (could have been on his web site) that stated that his kit installed was just shy of $700 I believe.
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

Reports on installed prices range from $700-800us for the upgrade.

I plan on getting it but really need to save up. The holidays are coming so I may have to wait till spring.
mapleleaf

I paid $525 for the kit plus 2.5 hours labor at Rasmussen MINI in Portland, OR. That put the final installed price at $775. While the $775 price is steep I knew I made the right choice well before I ever made it back home to Boise!
dgszweda

IAN,

I hope you are reading this. A couple of questions, based on your excellent run and info.

I know that you had trouble on the previous run with getting good power on your first run (thought it was heat soak). Why was this run so much better?

The fully modded Mini had more power (barely) but how much did he spend on his car? His upgrades look like they are $3500+ So it is not a lot cheaper than the JCW kit at $4500.

Also, while most people rip on the JCW, it had better power across most of the power range. It was only at the top of the range which is not very real world. As much as 10hp greater. The aftermarket group pays $800 for a Unichip that gives 8-10 extra hp, but people complain that JCW people pay too much even though our kit is only abotuu $1000 more for an extra 10 hp in the mid range (3300 rpm on your graph).

I think sometimes people are ill informed on the arguments for and against JCW.
dgszweda

I am getting my full '05 JCW kit on a brand new '05 next Friday. So I will be interested in how it compares to aftermarket, since my previous car was only aftermarket accessories.

Gabe,

I really don't think price is that much different than aftermarket. Granted Ian paid a ton of money because he paid $5000 for the kit with the upgrade. Whereas, the '05's will be cheaper. You also pay a ton for installation of aftermarket. Randy and others charge $450 for a pulley upgrade. That is $320 above the cost of the pulley, or 1/3rd of what I am paying to have a whole JCW kit installed. Add the other parts, and it is nearly as expensive to install aftermarket if not more than for a JCW kit. Someone should do a detailed side by side comparison of the costs and everything else. I would really like to see the cost on the modded Mini that Ian's friend had. Headers and intercoolers are not very cheap either, and it actually had poorer performance across most of the rev range.
Gilbert Cabral

I think that the amount that we pay for the JCW is the warranty and tested. There are some company in UK do upgrade which they claimed better than JCW A 200hp against 265 as they say….they work on Ferrari and other high end cars,which maybe it's true as the ads say stainless valve, polish head ports,etc. Maybe the answer to this is how much power you want or how smooth your car will run.. Maybe you migth spend 20G's then still you are not satisfy.
http://www.gbmini.net Ian Cull

Answers: Price: I paid around $5700 for the original JCW kit back in January 04, and $699 for the “step-up” last week. You can get the JCW air filter if you don't have the rest of the JCW kit – but I don't think it includes the fuel injectors.

On Saturdays dyno run I did not suffer from heat soak because I arrived at 10am and did not run till 4pm (weather much cooler too).

Don't know the cost of Greg (“onasled”) upgrades but $3500 is probably a good guess. I think he is near end of warranty so that is not such an issue for him. Greg has not finished modding yes – he plans a new head next and expects big things from that! Someone else (“MeanGrn”) reports on Randy Webbs site that he got a dyno run of 230+hp on Sunday.

In the end, the JCW gives you great performance, prestige and warranty. You can pay less and get the same (or better) raw numbers but numbers are not everything …
dgszweda

Ian,

You say that you can pay less and get the same (or better) raw numbers from aftermarket, but has that really been proven? Peak hp/torque, which is what everyone seems to grasp onto here, is not always that relevant. Heck, if you can extend the redline, you get a few extra peak hp for every 100rpm. Some chips push the redline to 7500, which is higher than most.

The only reason I am saying has it really been proven, is that the JCW kit is $4500 for the parts. It appears that your friend spent about $3500 and is still 10hp short in the real world rev range. This is still quite substantial. If he goes to a new head, than yes maybe he can get another 10hp from it, but at that point he will be at the same price as the JCW.

The more I am looking at the various numbers not only from your but other dyno runs, I think a lot of people are discounting the expense of JCW after some peak numbers that they have seen from other dyno runs and what they have heard. I am starting to see the JCW dyno's that I have seen that while the JCW is not quite as peaky as some aftermarket mods, the mid range is much better.

It cracks me up that some people say throw on a 15% pulley an intake and a chip and you will blow the doors of the JCW. I have just not seen the numbers. I know that Erik saw weak numbers from the JCW, but the countless mags, other people's numbers, your numbers don't support these weak numbers and may have been an improperly installed kit or a very weak car.
Glassintrepid

I think that (“MeanGrn”) is a local houston person, Samwill?? i think on some of the forums. If that is it wouldnt suprise me. Mini's name is Meani! and its a BRG.
David K

To reiterate what dgszweda just said, the mid-range is where the power really counts, in real-world driving as well as in the 1/4 mile. That's why a Celica GT-S isn't as quick to 60 (c. 7.5 sec) as the MCS (c. 7 sec). It's got 180hp, about 200 lbs lighter, but has got nothing in the low or mid-range.
minicoopermike

Yesterday I ordered the JCW upgrade kit from Classic MINI in Ohio. They are a NAM sponsor and offer JCW items at 10% off retail and 20-30% off other MINI accessories. My kit came to a total of $480 or so shipped to Virginia. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for OEM items.

The JCW airbox (without injectors) is available for $450. Sounds like getting the whole shabang for $525 is the better buy.

My friend and I are thinking about installing it ourselves next weekend, then zipping up to the dealer for the ECU flash.

Having driven an 05 MCS convertible, I have to agree the new gearing is vastly different. I can only imagine how it would feel with the JCW kit – very, very FAST!!
Dave

Does anyone have a picture of the filter element?
mark

Yes, it's very fast!!. I had the John cooper kit put on my 05 mini dark gray convertible on oct 29 04 and its a blast!. Off the line there is no hesitation and when you hit that 4 gear, your gone !let alone the 5th and 6th gear. All this is through the brake in. I can't wait to be able to get it over 4500 rpm, they told me that when it really getup and go's.The sound of the exhaust is low and sounds great. I'm happy I went with the cooper kit, mark.

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