[Cooooooperslad]

Ok a few weeks ago when I picked my car up from Roland after having the 210 conversion he stated that there was slight pinking in fourth gear around 5k revs and that it would be better to use 99 octane. At the time I didnt really see this as a problem... but now after a month its seriously ****ing me off! There is only one garage near me that stocks 99 octane and thats 16 miles away.

It's so annoying when I'm in a rush to go somewhere and I'm low on petrol I have to drive over 32 miles rather than being able to just fill up on route.

When I took the car down to Roland he did state for me to have a full tank of high octane petrol, I used BT ultimate which is 97 ron iirc. I don't mind using just high octane as about every petrol station near me stocks this.

Thinking back to when I picked my car up I wish I had said to Roland that this was a side affect I wasnt expecting, its not something he told me could happen before the conversion and its not something thats stated on his website!

Am I right in thinking a remap would solve this problem as the ecu could be programmed to run richer at higher revs? If so I think Roland should have done this for me without even hesitating.

Any ideas what I should do?

One dissapointed GTT customer.

[humph]

Speaking to Roland might help, preferably before commenting on a public forum

[futureal33]

Unfortunately this is a reprocussion from tuning up your car, you need to run it on higher octane fuel. Also, GTT arent the only company who reccommend this, basically all the tuners out there advise that you use high octane fuel after you increase your cars performance. I believe that even the JCW Cooper S is supposed to be run on premium fuel, but I could be wrong on that, although Im sure I remember seeing a thread on it a while ago...

Its a shame you live so far from a petrol station with that good fuel, but I suppose that it sort of the price you pay for having a tuned up car - but Im sure the new found speed more than makes up for that inconvenience, although I can understand what you are saying as it can be a little annoying especially when you are paying £1+ a litre nowadays for premium fuel

[Cooooooperslad]

Yup, and its not that I live far away from petrol stations is that none in my area stock 99 octane. I live about 4 miles from a Texaco which sells high octane but not 99

[futureal33]

Any high octane should be alright mate. I quite often use Sainsbury's which i believe is only 97. Just keep away from 95 (regular) if you can, although again I fill up with it every now and then if i know Im going to be driving sensibly for most of the tank ie long motorway journeys where the revs probably arent going above 3/4k much. 97 RON fuel should be fine though

[Cooooooperslad]

Thanks for helping so far guys

But...

Quote:

Ok a few weeks ago when I picked my car up from Roland after having the 210 conversion he stated that there was slight pinking in fourth gear around 5k revs and that it would be better to use 99 octane.

I like to have piece of mind with my car, if you look back I had numerous threads about GTT as I was worried about different implications with the tuning package etc. I like to drive my MINI hard and have fun in it now and again but if I was just using 97 ron I would be worried about damaging the engine

[MartinSSZ]

One option would be to use 97 with an Octane booster additive.

[Nath316]

Quote: Originally Posted by MartinSSZ (original)

One option would be to use 97 with an Octane booster additive.

Took the words out of my moyth

Used to run a Mk1 Mondeo V6 with tunned up engine and ran Optimax nearly all the time. However, I found that sometimes I just wasnt able to get any higher octane fuel so I would add Octane booster to regular fuel to help me out

Another alternative is to keep a large fuel can at home with higher octane in so you can top up now and again.

BTW Optimax and Octane booster is good aswell

[Cooooooperslad]

I really dont want to put up with doing that. Its too much hassle! The point is why should I have to do this? I wasnt worned of this pre-conversion.

[GARY GP]

if you do decide to use octane booster be careful it doesent touch your paint work it will take your paint strait off! more hassle than you already have.... good luck!

[MartinSSZ]

It would appear that your only option then is to use 97 RON fuel, if you won't go and get 99 and won't use Octane booster. You can't say we haven't tried to help.....

I suggest you contact GTT directly and talk it through with them about using 97.

In your situation I think I'd put up a bit of inconvenience once a week to enjoy the 210 bhp.

[Cooooooperslad]

Could a Live Remap solve the pinking?

[Perm]

Here is my take on things………..

95 RON – not recommended but is ok to use but do not take your car to high revs (above 5.5K) for long periods of time.

97 RON – recommended. Will give a good margin of safety and allow for high revs to be used without pinking. Great every day fuel.

99 RON – the best a safest option of all…. Will give the engine maximum protection against pinking but not needed for every day normal driving however should be used if you are planning on driving very hard ( track days ect).

Remember that there is no real need to go over 6,000 revs……

Perm

[Nath316]

Quote: Originally Posted by Perm (original)

Here is my take on things………..

95 RON – not recommended but is ok to use but do not take your car to high revs (above 5.5K) for long periods of time.

Perm

Have to agree

As long as you can live with it and it is urget run a lower octane

As long as when you have time you put the higher octane in it should be ok

As for not knowing about the higher octane useage I have just looked through the GTT website and it does state that higher octane fuel is recomended

"We recommend the use of 97 or 98 octane petrol though 95 octane (regular unleaded) can be used."

I would use lower for normal driving if you need emergency fuel but when you have more time then use higher octane

Also have a chat with Roland about the remap etcs

[Paul Webster]

What about all the California Mini owners?? who have no choice but to use 91 our 95

[stu(pid)]

I agree too.
But as you were getting pinking with 97 RON, then I still think the best way to get this sorted is to contact Roland...

[Nath316]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1320autos (original)

What about all the California Mini owners?? who have no choice but to use 91 our 95

They should move to a place in the world with less strict rules!!!!!!

[Cobby Park Lane]

Sounds silly.....but from the dealings ive had with Rolland hes been really helpfull.

I would try calling him at GTT. Hes normally there!

[Jonesy]

What is pinking?!

[Ant FR]

so i assume you did'nt have a remap done. Seems strange as when i had mine doen Roland said they test drive to see if it pinks or not. if it does'nt you don't need a remap, if it does you do need a remap. So surprised he "allegedly" sent you away with a pink. Seeing as your GTT conversion is guaranteed for 12 months, i would personally speak to Roland before opening up rant thread on here. He's usually there or will call back and will probably solve it for you. Also would it just pink in one gear and one particular rev range. Also you sure its pinking.