[WORKSRACER]

Hey guys can anyone tell me how you can visually tell externally the difference between a JCW head and a std cooper S head? Is there a different stamp number or something?
cheers
michael

[Baker]

Not that I know of - why do you need to check it, there is no reason for the dealer not to change the head.

The JCW head has the exaust ports polished from memory, so if you're really desperate to check you could pull the exhaust manifold off and check?

[WORKSRACER]

Why not check? My company has been established for 23years and ive learnt that when it comes to buisness never take anything as a given. always check everything yourself personally and question everything.As for their is no reason for the dealer not to change thats not true, the head change is a timely exersise and time is money and at approx $100.00 an hour plus im sure they can use that time elsewhere and charge them also.
basically i like to know what is going on and it doesnt hurt to be in the know.
Cheers
michael

[n00b]

Forgot is it here or over on NAM that someone pulled their JCW head off and took photos of it...and the port job was crap for the money paid. A very simple 3 angle port job and not much else.

[roland2003]

As I understand it the four exhaust ports are enlarged a bit but nothing else. The way if which this is done may? have changed recently. They may have been enlarged in one of 3 ways;-
1) Hand fettled (ie a high speed rotary burr/rasp done by hand. This is what Ive heard (on M2) is done.
2) The ports may have been cast larger (something I heard recently)
3) The ports may have been CNC milled out larger on a stock casting (again something I heard recently.
Either way they should be noticably bigger than stock. If you drop the exhaust manifold down a bit you can get some internal calipers in there and measure. Its the easiest way to check the head was changed during conversion. Also check if ' Hand Fettled', that the increase in height & width 'continues' down the port, and is not just a taper over the last 5-10mm. If done by hand to do it properly takes forever whereas a 'token gesture taper ' takes 10 minutes.
I'd be interested to here from anyone who knows for sure which of the three methods is currently used.
INFO .. Stock exhaust ports measure 34mm wide x 20mm high.
As a comparison the CNC Milled Exhaust Ports on a GTT Head measure 40mm wide x 26mm high ! ,and that goes right the way down to the valve throats.
Best Regards Roland GT Tuning

[SalemMINIDriver]

Quote: Originally Posted by roland2003

2) The ports may have been cast larger (something I heard recently)

The fact that they are taking the stock heads in exchange suggests that this is unlikely. Anyone concerned over the possibility of receiving an imaginary head change could put their minds at ease by placing a distinctive marking with a file or punch on an accessable part of the casting prior to turning their car over for conversion. (FWIW I trust my dealer and would not bother).

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by SalemMINIDriver

The fact that they are taking the stock heads in exchange suggests that this is unlikely. Anyone concerned over the possibility of receiving an imaginary head change could put their minds at ease by placing a distinctive marking with a file or punch on an accessable part of the casting prior to turning their car over for conversion. (FWIW I trust my dealer and would not bother).

you sure they are taking the heads back in exchange and not just your dealer?

afaik when you buy a works kit you get a big box of bits back including your old head

[MiniFr34k]

pics are over on NAM of the JCW head. Those pics showed some sloppy work on the JCW head

[rozminiblack]

what s NAM?

[WEEGIT]

Quote: Originally Posted by rozminiblack

what s NAM?

A national (U.S.) web site for MINI enthusiasts
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/

[Gr1zzLy]

Quote: Originally Posted by RedUn

you get a big box of bits back including your old head

I like my head just fine thanks... ... couldn't resist..

[Baker]

In Australia we don't get our old head/charger back

[St00ge]

Quote: Originally Posted by RedUn

afaik when you buy a works kit you get a big box of bits back including your old head

i've not heard of that happening in any country....you sure that the US and UK ppl get their parts back kev?

[Baker]

Quote: Originally Posted by etalj

i've not heard of that happening in any country....you sure that the US and UK ppl get their parts back kev?

Why do you think there are always so many chargers and heads on UK eBay

[St00ge]

Quote: Originally Posted by Baker

Why do you think there are always so many chargers and heads on UK eBay

i didn't realise that there were I always thought if i search for JCW on ebay it'd give me a worldwide search, but looks like its region-specific....i'll give it a shot.

BTW, this is just bringing JCW in aus even further down on my list of reshpect

[bimini]

i bought mine from new...all the dealer fitted parts are exchanged with your old ones which means the dealer should give them back to you...funny how they dont if you dont ask...you should have seen the pile of bits they had laying around the garage all piled up...!

as i had an aero kit + JCW + r90's + JCW brakes i got a mate with a van to pick up the original new S-lites, head + charger, brakes and bumpers + skirts. Selling the lot here and on ebay netted me over nearly £1000 which paid for the brakes or the aero kit

still got a cooper S charger cover and airbox knocking around + some injectors.

[WEEGIT]

All that is different from OEM is some machining - and not all that extensive from what I read. I can understand not reusing the small stuff, but not recycling a perfectly good head is absurd. I would surely provide my head or allow the use of another nearly new head (reconditioned as necessary) in order to save in the neighborhood of $500 on the kit.