[uncle albert]

So the big day finally arrived - at 5.30 this morning, I set off for the quaint town of Blandford, to visit Roland and the gang!

After managing to get lost in Blandford (possibly the first GTT visitor to do so?), a quick call to Roland saw me finally arrive about 9.00 (an hour late - whoops!). So Roland shows me all the shiny metal things in the showroom, and before I known it, I've added a whole bunch of extra goodies to the shopping list!

With the work to be done decided on, Roland kindly gives me a lift into town...in my own car! He seems impressed with the feel of the car as is, so at this point I'm hoping it's going to respond well to the chosen mods.

Dropping me off in town, I wonder what to do with my life for the next 3 hours or so. First, I choose to amble down the river and let the ducks entertain me for an hour. Having exhausted their repertoire of tricks (highlight had to be them ducking their heads under the surface and using their feet to stay submerged), I...oh I'm disgressing, and besides, you've read about loads of other MINI2'ers adventures in Blandford before. The short of it - the longest 3 hours of my life!

So 12.30 comes and Roland pulls up in a familiar-looking MINI (read: mine) to whisk me away. At first, I find myself wondering if he's actually done anything...but then he engages first gear!

He expertly weaves in and out of the Blandford traffic, effortlessly overtaking cars with a newfound low-down surge of grunt. Roland reconfirms that he's happy with the results, reckoning it's a good 230bhp, and strong torque figures to match (and that's before the intercooler going on!)

Back at GTT HQ, I'm shaking - not because of the bill, but because of the fact that it's my turn to drive in a minute! With all the tired old bits in a box and another dent put in the readies fund, I'm on my way home.

As I negotiate the Blandford traffic once more and head out of town, nerves settled, I decide it's time to see where my money's gone. The national speed limit sign welcomes me to stretch my legs (or at least that's how I interpreted it), so I slip her into second, take a deep breath and...I'm stuck behind a caravan. Doh.

Ok, time's getting on and fatigue is setting in from a long day, so here's need-to-know stuff:

What I had fitted:
- GTT 220 kit
- GTT Tensioner Upgrade pack
- GTT +1% lightweight crank pulley
- GTT Front strut brace

(I also have a set of GTT snoot boots, to be fitted when my GRS intercooler arrives in the next few weeks).

The end result:
- Much more low-down grunt. Pull away in 1st then immediately into 2nd, stomp on it, and the car leaps into action, rather than the old delayed reaction.
- This is NOT a different car. Power delivery is still very smooth, sometimes to the extent that you only realise it's a lot more powerful when you glance at the speedo swinging round.
- The NOISE. My god, the whine is so much louder now (and I had a K&N Typhoon CAI before). This is no doubt due to the different/new filter, holes in the plastic intake cover and smaller supercharger pulley. I found myself changing up at 5000rpm today, as I assumed it was near redline due to how loud the supercharger was! It truly howls!
- Hammering around the twisties now, the car is very stable. The strut brace coupled with the KW V2 coilovers seems to be a good combination (Roland seemed impressed with the set-up now). The only thing stopping me corner faster now is the lack of supportive seats!

Conclusion:
Roland is an incredibly friendly and helpful chap, and it's plain to see his attention to detail is second to none (along with an obvious passion for shiny aluminium! ). Whilst working on the car, he noticed that my exhaust was blowing slightly, and traced it down to 3 leaking joints, all of which he tightened up. At no point did I feel intimidated or pressurised into buying something I might not want. Top service.

Piccies:








And not forgetting the complimentary bottle opener!


So what next after this? Well, a good polish and wax is certainly on the cards, then maybe next year I might look into taking her on the track, to really put that shiny brace to good use!

[minibee]

from a old GTT fan to a new one on the block well done ,looks great .

Neil...................

[Checkie_checkmate]

I had my S tuned in August, haven't looked back. GTT have great service and history!

Enjoy it and congrats

[T-bone S]

Sounds great - I enjoyed my firs trip to GTT and can't wait until everything is in place for the next.

Query - was a new ECU map loaded? - your currenty run a stock IC so would not seem wise to load the software that makes use of the large IC before it is in place.

If not does ths mean you'll have to take another trip to Blandford to have this update made?

["Reedy"]

Fantastic report on your day out..... congrates... on your GTT....

Did you remember to feed the ducks..

[MarkW19]

Good write up! I just had the KW v2's fitted on Thursday, what a car now!!

Only downside is a vibration through the steering wheel if the road surface is bad, and I've now got more rattles as things have stiffened up! Great piece of kit though.

[wibbly]

Congrats nice write up..... you sound well pleased

[LMB]

I love the wheels. The strut brace looks kinda tasty as well.

[wibbly]

Quote: Originally Posted by LMB (original)

The strut brace looks kinda tasty as well.

I think I must be the only person in the whole world who doesn't like the look of this strut brace

[MarkW19]

Quote: Originally Posted by wibbly (original)

I think I must be the only person in the whole world who doesn't like the look of this strut brace

I'm with you on that one...too poncey. Much prefer the sleek streamlined look of the JCW one and others

[Olly.]

Great write up and a cool looking MINI

[Hartge210]

Great write up mate, car is looking the bizz. Nice to hear from a 'customer' that the strut brace makes a difference, as well as looking good. Methinks it'll be one of my next mods.

[Bonnie Scotland]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-bone S (original)

Query - was a new ECU map loaded? - your currenty run a stock IC so would not seem wise to load the software that makes use of the large IC before it is in place.

I don't think it makes any difference to the ecu what type of intercooler is used as the air/fuel ratios are worked out from the sensor nearest to the inlet.

What i am interested in, is, are the maps written and then installed during test drives or, on a dyno etc
That strut brace does look nice in your car no disrespect to you and you're driving skills but, can you feel a real difference in the handling with the addition of the brace as much as Roland can feel

[tnoy66]

I knew you'd weaken and get the pulley

Welcome to the club
Have fun

wow!...let me kno if u decide to sell it!

....how does this compare to the alta kit?

[T-bone S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bonnie Scotland (original)

I don't think it makes any difference to the ecu what type of intercooler is used as the air/fuel ratios are worked out from the sensor nearest to the inlet.

What i am interested in, is, are the maps written and then installed during test drives or, on a dyno etc

Which IC is used can make a difference. Using a uprated IC may change the A/F ratios and put them in a diiferent range as the air is now cooler/denser - is in terms of volume there is more. The MCS runs fuel rich and so if you run a bigger IC with stock ECU map you will (ceterus paribus) see fuel economy increase as the A/Fmix is now more potent. As standard once you reach the upper range of the rev range the A/Fratio becomes increasingly more lean - so if you are now putting more (volume) air into the mix it could be more lean still. Hence why mapping with the IC in mind may help fuel cater for the extremities of the rev range - although the ECU is quite clever and can adapt to a certain level.

This what I think - Also it would be interesting to hear from Roland - and as has been mentioned before in many of these topic - each car is unique it how it accepts modifications so some cars run well without the software - others require it.

[Bonnie Scotland]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-bone S (original)

Which IC is used can make a difference

Yes, i agree with that, what i was trying to say was what you actually went on to describe, i think the ecu will adapt when the IC is replaced, thus, no return to GTT should be required

[uncle albert]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the nice comments!

T-bone S - a new map was not loaded. A new map will not give any benefit after fitting a bigger intercooler. "The cars 'T' Map sensor adjusts fuel depending on the air pressure & air temperature in the inlet manifold. This is positioned after the intercooler, therefore any changes in pressure/temp from changing intercooler are automatically adjusted by the ecu to maintain correct air/fuel ratio."

Reedy - no way was I feeding those ducks - there were hundreds of them!

Bonnie Scotland - at no point was a new map loaded into the car. Roland tests the car on the road, with the main thing he's checking for pinking. He commented that redlining in 4th and 5500rpm in 5th there was no pinking, so decided a new map was not required. Roland also stated that in the last 50 conversions, they'd probably only remapped 2, and also that even his own car runs a standard map!

With regards to the strut brace, to be fair, I didn't have that much opportunity yesterday to really test it out (slow traffic, motorways, etc.). There's a good road in my neck of the woods that I was able to really open her up on, and it just fills you with so much confidence in the corners now. The car remains dead flat when attacking corners at silly speeds, the steering is so direct. I recall as standard the backend used feel a bit "light" when pressing on, but there's certainly none of that now. It feels now as though I'll lose my nerve long before the car runs out of grip! I did take some video footage on the way home, although I have a feeling that wouldn't be allowed on here!

BEP - I'll look you up when I get bored! Which Alta kit are you referring to?

tnoy66 - the crank pulley is all your fault! Thank you!

James

[Bonnie Scotland]

Quote: Originally Posted by uncle albert (original)

Bonnie Scotland - at no point was a new map loaded into the car. Roland tests the car on the road, with the main thing he's checking for pinking. He commented that redlining in 4th and 5500rpm in 5th there was no pinking, so decided a new map was not required. Roland also stated that in the last 50 conversions, they'd probably only remapped 2, and also that even his own car runs a standard map!

That's interesting, not that i'm an expert on remapping, the likes of MTH and others maintain a slight BHP increase with a remap.
The MTH remap certainly cured the stumble on my old cooper.
Thanks for the info on the strut brace, might just be on the shopping list

[roland2003]

Hi Guys, yes James has got it spot on. The MCS has a T-Map sensor positioned after the Intercooler (screwed into the inlet manifold) -this is a dual function sensor.
FUCTION1- It measures the air pressure in the manifold
FUNCTION2 - It measures the air temp in the manifold.
From these two inputs the ecu simply calculates the density (the important thing) of air about to enter the engine and injects the correct amount of fuel to go with it. If the temp is colder (eg you fit the Gt Tuning Intercooler) or its a cold winters day it will simply inject more fuel to go with the greater amount of air. Similarly more boost pressure gives a higher density in the manifold so again more fuel is injected.Its the combination of the two that determines the amount of fuel. These changes that occur are 'all in a days work 'for the clever little ECU. Holy smoke it even automatically adjusts for bigger injectors its that clever!
The outputs from the sensor also alter ignition timing ,for example if the inlet charge is hot it retards the timing. In essence as long as the sensor is after the intercooler (its also after the air filter and Throttle Body so same applies) then the fueling and ignition will (do) stay correct if these items are changed.
Best Regards Roland GTT