JCW MCS Gets a High Performance Camshaft

I've been having issues with one of my O2 sensors as my "check engine light" has been on for a couple of weeks. I went up to Steve's Auto Clinic in North Hills, Calfornia (in the blazingly hot San Fernando Valley) to have the issue sorted and to take the opportunity to change oil and check all fluids prior to the summer driving season. I also have a Schrick camshaft sitting on my table that is just begging to be installed. Well, today is the day I decided to get all of it done.

The oil change and O2 sensor replacement was completed very quickly. The location of the sensors on the John Cooper Motorsport full exhaust system made access very easy.

The camshaft install was more intense but it was a fascinating experience to watch the engine head being removed and the valvetrain internals laid bare for the cam installation. The Schrick camshaft is tuned to remain smooth at idle and give a good punch from about 2500 rpm and on up to redline. A heavily modified car like mine should easily see between 5-10+ horsepower gain from the new cam install. I'll definitely have to get JCW MCS on a dyno to see just how far I've come from bone stock 168 horsepower to the original JCW 200 kit install back in 2004 to the JCW 210 upgrade to John Cooper Motorsport 225 HPD conversion to Cooper Motorsport sourced limited slip differential and light flywheel upgrades to the Schrick cam. Quite a bit of fettling under the bonnet I'd say!

I've posted some pictures to give you a flavor of the install process:

Faulty oxygen sensor replaced

On the lift surrounded by MINIs new and old and a very yellow '69 Camaro

Inspecting the valvetrain

New and old camshaft and various valvetrain parts

Schrick high-performance camshaft in-place

Steve and Junior completing camshaft installation

I've only had one drive with the new cam installed but I DEFINITELY feel a difference as I'm easily able to power-on chirp the front tires. I think I'm really gonnna like this engine modification...

Canyon Run With New "Go Fast" Parts

Took a quick run through the twisties to see how the MINI felt with the new limited slip differential, flywheel, and 19mm anti-sway bar. Result: big grin!

The car felt more planted, responded more crisply to inputs, and just had more grunt. I could feel the diff at work putting down more power to the ground rather than just spinning the inside wheel. I've never timed my runs through the canyon and don't go all out all the time (it is a public road after all) but it just felt like I was making very quick time comfortably.

Definitely love the way the car drives.

Dyno Time

Picture: On the dyno with the JCW 210

I think that it is time to get back on the "rolling road" and figure out just how much horsepower the JCW MCS is really making after a slew of modifications. In 2005 I took my car to DRS in La Habra, California and was surprised at how much/little power was getting to the wheels. I need to dig out my old Dyno printouts and try to get them up here on the blog. I think it would be beneficial to compare the JCW 210 dyno runs to the JCM 225+ car. Perhaps then I'll go for the crank pulley and maybe the Schrick as well and then do another set of runs. We'll see.