[sam_a156]

OK. So this is how it is like trying to get your MINI tuned/sorted out off the beaten track...perhaps some of you guys outside UK and US have been there...

Oh, and I apologize in advance for the rant.

Part of the original story is here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/engine-dr...rtance+ECU+map
(dyno test)

and here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/engine-dr...ear-times.html
(30-70 test)

After that the story has continued:

- My ECU tuner found out that there was another post-tune dyno run result on 4th (?) gear - apparently the 1st run - that they forgot to give to me. Ok, so the peak 1st run (4th gear) power was 213hp and torque 244Nm (or 180 Lb-ft for some of the audience)...better, but hardly thrilling. (though the deltas they achieved still remain impressive and I am a believer in custom ECU maps).

The original 3rd gear comparison pre/post ECU tune and 4th gear (1st run sans heat soak) graphs attached here:




- I have tried to get the rev limiter raised by the same folks, but it seems that this would require some specific MINI ECU hacking that they seem to be having some challenges with.

- The car has been sitting at the BMW dealer for two weeks...First, they suspected a faulty cat (yes, even I was able to read the code from my Scangauge), but I visually checked it myself and also talked to Roland...it was fine. (Thanks to Roland btw for excellent after sales service)

When I picked the car up, the dialogue was like:
Me: "How were the leakdown test results?"
Dealer: "Yes, the fuel consumption was 10L/100km in the city..."
Me: .......err, I am speechless.

I really meant to go for a head/cam, but I am having serious doubts. If the engine would fall off, the BMW dealer would probably notice...but that's about it. My other alternatives include getting this or some other local tuning shop excited about my project...or get used to frequent trips to UK..or go to the nearest Porsche dealer and splash out.

See, I feel better already!

Sam

Ps. Oh yeah, and the specs:

Mini Cooper S ‘05
- John Cooper Works (JCW) 210hp Package:

Other modifications
- Mini Madness JCW intake filter kit (+flap mod)
- GTT Exhaust Manifold
- GTT +3% Overdrive Crank shaft pulley
- GTT Modified bypass valve
- GTT Intercooler + Snoot boots

[1320autos]

Sam,

It looks like you've either got a boost leak or high IAT and thus its pulling timing out big time.

I dont understand why the power is dropping off so badly.

I think I would try the original IC and boots back on as it must be really cold over there at the moment and see what the results are then.

Try and see if you can get them to record boost and air fuel next time as this will give us a clue, I know there is a language barrier to cross but I'm sure you'll get there.

Our security guy is Polish so we might be able to speak to your dyno operator through him

Otherwise the last resort is we'll have to fly over and fix it for you

[sam_a156]

Hi Paul,

The boost should be fine, it is around 16 PSI - checked this with my new Scangauge. IAT's might be an issue, their fan is not very convincing - or at least it might not work so well with MINIs. I am planning another visit early January at the dyno shop and could keep the Scangauge hooked up to see the IATs.

But hey, that security guy was a great idea... ...and flying you guys over is even better! With my current level of frustration I'd be quite happy to sponsor EasyJet tickets to Warsaw and host some local sightseeing Shall we book a day? Oh, and as far as the sightseeing - the girls here really are very pretty, that one I can confirm

Sam

[Revolution Mini Works]

My wife was in Poland earlier this yr... she said the same thing

Sam,
the temps on the engine are important especially when dynoing in 4th gear as the load is great on the engine. You can lose 10hp very easy with timing pulling. We dyno'd a car yesterday... a JCW and it had a competitors tune on it. ( way too much timing) and it was pinging bad.

We made 50hp over the previous tune! As the car was pulling so much timing and dumping fuel to protect itself. Looking at your graph it doesn't look like it was pulling timing

what were your air/fuel ratios?

[sam_a156]

Quote: Originally Posted by Revolution Mini Works (original)

:
the temps on the engine are important especially when dynoing in 4th gear as the load is great on the engine.

...but my 3rd gear run was even worse, 201,6hp

Quote: Originally Posted by Revolution Mini Works (original)

:
what were your air/fuel ratios?

...and here we come to the problem that Paul was referencing to with his security guy - I do not (to my great shame) speak Polish! I now have a competition going: I should learn to speak the language a bit before my 2 months old daughter will...

I should be able to find this out. I do know that my pre-tune A/Fs were around 13 on the lower end of the RPM range:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/engine-dr...ng-thread.html

[Revolution Mini Works]

4th gear will give higher numbers if the car is cool enough

you a/f above 4000 rpm should be under 12.5 and under 11.5 area at 5,000 rpms
this is a good safety factor as the hp will be great enough in those areas to actually break parts

[GTT 280]

....isn't warsaw at -5 deg C at the moment. What's all this talk about high IAT ???????????

[Revolution Mini Works]

Quote: Originally Posted by GTT 270 (original)

....isn't warsaw at -5 deg C at the moment. What's all this talk about high IAT ???????????

lol... you must not dyno your car if you ask that question because if you don't have air going down through you intercooler it will get hot

[sam_a156]

The ambient temps were about 7-8C during the dyno runs. But I do believe that a few degrees diff in ambient temps does not really make a huge impact compared to not having a proper fan blowing on your IC.

Meanwhile, did some more 30-70 testing and achieved 6.2s avg with best runs about 6.15s (http://www.mini2.com/forum/3270496-post294.html). Btw also checked that the max mph achieved on 3rd was 86mph just after the rev limited was reached at 6850rpms.

Ps. Warsaw is now -2 - -5C - very good for power, not so good for traction

[Ant FR]

splash out and go to the porsche dealer, if its an option go for it, go flash and get a 996 GT3 RS or old school with an old 993 shape for the better sound

[sam_a156]

Tempted, tempted...and I have been working on an explanation to my better half. But whatever wording I come up with, I still have a nagging feeling that she won't buy the story! Did (secretly) test drive a 997 C4S last summer though. Very nice and fast, but almost too civilized - I think you are on the right track with GT3/GT3 RS. Personally I liked the older 993 shape better than the 996.

Dooh..oh well, I guess I will settle to that light weight carbon battery.

[Richard Crofts]

are the figures WHP or bhp calculated?

[sam_a156]

bhp - unfortunatelly

[sam_a156]

As already suggested earlier by the improved 30-70mph 3rd gear times, things are improving! Today's dyno test 222hp/250Nm - a pretty good improvement from the last test (comparison attached). While still not the strongest cars with these mods, I am definitely in the right range already. So, over 12 months of power hunting starts to pay off!

There is still a bit funny dip at the top end of the curve after 6250RPMs. I suspect this has to do with the unsuitable fan (for MINI) they have to cool the IC at my dyno place. I presume the ECU is adjusting the timing due to high IATs.

What has changed between the tests?

- cleaned and oiled my air filter
- did the JCW exhaust "kink removal" mod (check the link)
- visited BMW dealer for some tests (although they did not confess finding anything...)
- a few degrees colder ambient temps today

No way to be sure, but I suspect that the JCW kink removal may contribute more to these power gains than I originally thought. For those JCW owners hunting the last missing HPs, this might be a cheap mod worth considering.

Phuhhhuh...now I can start more seriously planning the next steps: head, larger injectors, tune...and possibly a cam.