Today at MINI Peabody, GBMINIs JCW upgrade got upgraded to the ’05 spec – this consists of replacing the fuel injectors with ones that allow more fuel flow, and replacing the air filter with a sophisticated two intake version; the original front air intake remains but an extra valved intake is added at the back, with air being taken in through the duct at the base of the windshield, through a cutout in the cowl (this replacement part is included in the upgrade kit).
The valve is electronically controlled by the updated engine computer, and opens at 4500 rpm – when it opens, the noise level increases significantly!
This new air intake is available without the rest of the JCW kit and would be a great option for someone that wants a better performing air intake without the constant extra noise that many aftermarket ones give – by having the extra valve open only at high revs, there is no extra noise during “normal” driving below 4500 rpm …
UPDATE: This post on MINI2 makes the interesting comment that after installing the new JCW air intake, the flap appears to open even without update the engine computer! Very curious …
M&I / GBMINI 
Ahh…I knew you were first in line for this at MOP!
Excellent writeup and pictures. They are the first I’ve seen of the install process, and of the internals. Also note it is a higher-performance cone filter instead of a normal panel filter.
I would have loved to jump on this right away as well but I need to save up my pennies for a little while, especially with the holidays approaching.
Ian, I’m jealous, like Josh my $$ is going to xmas presents for the kids…sigh…
Some people write about 2nd gear being “snappier”, and quicker off the line. Be curious as to your longer term thoughts.
What did you end up paying in total?
thx.
Total upgrade cost, with tax and a $4.30 “waste disposal” charge, was just pennies under $700.
Ouch! Thanks…definately not near term for me. Saw a post on MINI2 where the person was down south and paid less than $500 or so….wish that were so.
Chris, the $700 is for the “JCW step-up” which includes new fuel injectors.
I wonder if the below $500 you read was for the JCW air filter alone, which can be installed to non-JCW upgraded MCS’s …
Mine ran $525 US plus 2 hrs of labor @ $109 per, plus tax and shop supplies. Grand total was $788 for everything. It was well worth it. Faster is better, and more HP is best of all.
Time to go back to the dyno Ian and check it’s over 200bhp now..?? 😉
Thanks for all the detailed pic’s. Hope to see you at the RI pully party. Which day are you going? Did you open the intake up to see what’s inside?
Can you tell me how to order
Jack Liu, a quick search on MotoringFile took me to this link which has pricing and part numbers …