[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

For me, I remember swapping my pulley (15%) and smelling fuel when I shut the car down. I have done more than a few pulleys now and many have had the same smell. Now, I know that I don't have the tools to monitor the A/F mixture, but from the days of old, the fuel smell meant the car was running rich. My remap (MTH) cured that and a few other things like DSC kicking in to fast. The car also "feels" like it has more torque in the lower end. Nope, no dyno but it did feel better after it was done and it was noticeable. Do I think that it was money well spent? Sure, but that is my opinion. I think that there are a lot of cars that are pushing the edge of the stock map to be honest and although it runs, it is probably not best in the long run. If you are getting a Jan remap, I think you will find that it is a great tune...

On the pound side, I agree. I think that they are very pricey but I bought mine when it was still in the 300 dollar range and not the 600 + it is now. Too much for my blood now. I would let Jan tune the car if he came to Germany as I think that it is well worth it but it is still not cheap but better than the comp. Heck, I would even be willing to visit Performance Torque.

Well I must admit I have had my software map changed to a later BMW one because although there was no petrol smell you describe it was too rich. This has improved the drive somewhat and was only £30 ish. Everything was monitored on the 1320 dyno too.

The DSC is horrible, i recently had it smack really badly on the other day in a fast 1st to 2nd change and I think it was that bad it's damaged the bypass valve as the car is now very down on boost and power . Made a right bang. This something I will consider remapping for.

[BigShow]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Not really true and this has been argued numerous times with no real winner. Even RMW tunes cars without a bigger head. Products like MTH and Bluefin do offer some advantage over stock but you do not do this for more HP. You do this to tell your car how to best use what it has. Obviously a custom tune is the way to go if you can get it and there are a few folks up there that will do this. Funny how nobody questions the JCW tune when they mention all of this. Even MINI changes the ECU (conservatively) when up-rating the car.

I've sampled std map, Superchips and Custom Tune... The standard ecu map worked fine with all my mods except the 440cc injectors... so a custom tune was needed.

Have you seen how a superchips map works daflake?? I have... I've seen exactly what changes they made to the standard map to make power rpm by rpm. What I have realised since then is there is no substitute for a custom map to suit your car and your mods. As we know every single Mini is different.

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Nice advert for the company but it was pure luck! Every engine is going to respond differently to upgrades. He got lucky.....

Exactly why you shouldn't buy an off the shelf catch all remap! Get a map custom made for your car as it’s cheaper than you think.

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Again, pure marketing. 1320's will treat you well but the tag line that you are using is actually from NAM given to RMW because of the way he did business. Last time I checked their heads were some of the most expensive on the market as well so I don't think it really fits to be honest and now they have an entire engine swap. You are going to spend a lot of money with them. Their marketing just seems to make you think that you are not. I spent 200 dollars for my pulley and plugs and fitted it myself. I had fun and saved a ton of money. I have now fitted over 25 more pulleys with great success and can tell you that 300 pounds better include the parts!

Actually Lohen charge £1590.00 (excluding postage) for a similar spec head to RMW who charge £1,494 (at today’s exchange rate) including customs charges and postage.

I believe that Batou is suggesting that 1320 will only promote parts that will give you power... To say that 'you are going to spend a lot of money with' and that 'their marketing just seems to make you think you are not' is incorrect and unsubstantiated. For instance, Jove and I have compared receipts and he has spent more on JCW and GTT performance parts than I have and he has a lot less power.

Not everyone can fit pulleys themselves but 1320 fit a new pulley, new belt and new plugs for £313 (inc vat). Lohen will supply a new pulley, belt and plugs for £189 (inc vat ex postage)
How much were your new pulley, new belt and new plugs including VAT & postage?

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Unless you have used all three vendors, you can't really say this can you? A 15% pulley is a 15% pulley and is going to have the same affect on the car whether it is installed by GTT, Lohen or 1320. If Roland charges a bit more to install it and is right around the corner compared to me driving for 3 hours to get to 1320 then there is little money to be saved, you might as well have Roland do it.

Fitting a 15% pulley will not have the same effect whether fitted by GTT, Lohen or 1320... Lohen fitted my 15% pulley and because they didn't perform a leakdown test or rolling road test they didn't pick up that my head was warped before they did the work so I only got 218 bhp when I took it to 1320 for a rolling road. Paul suggested that the RR figures didn't seem right so recommended a leak down test and found the head was warped. When replaced with a new stock head the car reached 230bhp. Unless a tuner checks the health of your engine with something other than a butt dyno before work is performed you are setting yourself up for a fall.

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Bottom line is that you guys are falling for the marketing ploy of the vendors. Comments like the one above really prove it. All of the vendors here are worthy of a visit and they all have a different approach to tuning. Do your own research and you will see that some are good for some things and others for another. I don't personally think that there is a one vendor to fit everyone.

Personally I take offence to the fact that you're presuming the Mini2 forum users are falling for marketing ploys. Research is key but seeing that most tuner research in the Mini community is done by those that actually spend money with the tuners and post results on here rather than fitting parts themselves will prove which tuner can give you what you're looking for. But as always, posted research should be backed up by before/after performance figures or dyno runs to see actual gains otherwise how can you tell what tuner results have worked best? 'It feels faster' just isn't enough and could be a placebo effect.

Graham from GRS went to West Tuning and RR'd posting results
Alski went to GTT and RR'd posting results
-G- went to Lohen and RR'd posting results
And as you know I went to 1320 and RR'd posting lots results.

All of the above (and plenty of others) spent their money and posted results for free which benefits Mini2 and it's forum users.... It's not a written rule that if you modify your Mini you must prove what you've done, but it does help the Mini community by proving what works and what doesn't.

So far 1320 have proved that by recommending a mix of certain performance product suppliers and their own products you can produce the most powerful and fastest M45 R53 Mini in Europe.

GTT have proved that using certain performance product suppliers and their own products they can produce the most powerful turbo R53 Mini in Europe. Both of these were proved on customer cars using dyno's and in 1320's case, Santa Pod and a Performance Box.

Have other tuners made more power from the above in Europe..? Not that we know of. That’s not a marketing ploy, that's cold hard facts.

IMO you should use a tuner that you believe has your cars best interests at heart, can prove what they're saying using cold hard facts and that aren't a million miles away from you so you can go back for check up's and more work when your budget allows.

[DaFlake]

You really need to get thicker skin and I am so sorry that I don't buy your little club mantra. Sheesh, get over it. I am at wits end with YOU RMW AND 1320 acting like you are gods gift to tuning. Why don't you pack it up and move on since it is clear many here don't agree with you.

and FYI, a 15% pulley IS a 15% pulley. All the other tests could be done by someone else if asked or needed. 1320 and RMW did not invent the leak down test and if you have ever read my posts you would see that I have suggested to many that this be done FIRST.

Got news for you. With enough money any car can make more power it is just about how much you are willing to spend for research. RMW and 1320 do great work but it is severely clouded by them and people like you acting like arrogant fools. Imagine how they would be if you guys weren't so arrogant? More MINI I would say?

Bottom line is that you need to grow up and quit being so damn sensitive to everything people say....


FYI, I am far from new to engine mechanics ad know my way around a car engine. Hell, I can work on turbines as well.

One last bit.... Some of us can't get a custom tune because we are in other countries. HELLO!!!! So the next best thing is the semi-custom tune like MTH.

Thanks, now I have been forced to choose sides....

[BigShow]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

You really need to get thicker skin and I am so sorry that I don't buy your little club mantra. Sheesh, get over it. I am at wits end with YOU RMW AND 1320 acting like you are gods gift to tuning. Why don't you pack it up and move on since it is clear many here don't agree with you.

and FYI, a 15% pulley IS a 15% pulley. All the other tests could be done by someone else if asked or needed. 1320 and RMW did not invent the leak down test and if you have ever read my posts you would see that I have suggested to many that this be done FIRST.

Got news for you. With enough money any car can make more power it is just about how much you are willing to spend for research. RMW and 1320 do great work but it is severely clouded by them and people like you acting like arrogant fools. Imagine how they would be if you guys weren't so arrogant? More MINI I would say?

Bottom line is that you need to grow up and quit being so damn sensitive to everything people say....


FYI, I am far from new to engine mechanics ad know my way around a car engine. Hell, I can work on turbines as well.

One last bit.... Some of us can't get a custom tune because we are in other countries. HELLO!!!! So the next best thing is the semi-custom tune like MTH.

Thanks, now I have been forced to choose sides....

Spoken like a true Keyboard Warrior, thanks again for making your position clear.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigShow (original)

Spoken like a true Keyboard Warrior, thanks again for making your position clear.

LOL, that was it? What exactly is my position? If it is the one where I am tired of your rhetoric, then yes, you have found it.

[BigShow]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

LOL, that was it? What exactly is my position? If it is the one where I am tired of your rhetoric, then yes, you have found it.

No, that as a moderator you take sides. Just so you know, rhetoric is the art of harnessing reason, emotions and authority, through language so I'm glad you're tired of me harnessing reason.

[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

You really need to get thicker skin and I am so sorry that I don't buy your little club mantra. Sheesh, get over it. I am at wits end with YOU RMW AND 1320 acting like you are gods gift to tuning. Why don't you pack it up and move on since it is clear many here don't agree with you.

and FYI, a 15% pulley IS a 15% pulley. All the other tests could be done by someone else if asked or needed. 1320 and RMW did not invent the leak down test and if you have ever read my posts you would see that I have suggested to many that this be done FIRST.

Got news for you. With enough money any car can make more power it is just about how much you are willing to spend for research. RMW and 1320 do great work but it is severely clouded by them and people like you acting like arrogant fools. Imagine how they would be if you guys weren't so arrogant? More MINI I would say?

Bottom line is that you need to grow up and quit being so damn sensitive to everything people say....


FYI, I am far from new to engine mechanics ad know my way around a car engine. Hell, I can work on turbines as well.

One last bit.... Some of us can't get a custom tune because we are in other countries. HELLO!!!! So the next best thing is the semi-custom tune like MTH.

Thanks, now I have been forced to choose sides....

Are satisfied customers not aloud to post up here, singing the praises of there chosen tuner .

[minicabrio]

Ben, as moderators we have to act impartially. Again you bring into question the reponsibility of moderators on this website, and as I have explained to you, we do have better things to do, like the jobs we get paid to do.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigShow (original)

No, that as a moderator you take sides. Just so you know, rhetoric is the art of harnessing reason, emotions and authority, through language so I'm glad you're tired of me harnessing reason.

Uh... I am a human and entitled to my opinion even as a mod. For what it is worth, I am a user first and a mod when needed. When I get involved with threads like this my mod status is on hold so if you have something to say then by all means say it. However, keep it within the MINI2 guidelines. Frankly my sides were chosen because YOU and a few others forced me to chose them. If you looked around you would see that I have disagreed with tuners in the past and not just Paul and Jan so before you start to level accusations, I HIGHLY recommend that you get your facts straight.

You are not dealing with a lemming...

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hyper Active (original)

Are satisfied customers not aloud to post up here, singing the praises of there chosen tuner .

Absoloutely Andrew - and I will openly praise any vendor (be them a sponsor on MINI2 or not) that provides a good service.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hyper Active (original)

Are satisfied customers not aloud to post up here, singing the praises of there chosen tuner .

Sure you are and there is nothing wrong with it. Just don't get upset when someone doesn't see eye to eye with you. There is more than one way to tune a car.

[jaymanv4]

Oh my god is this how you people act on here i thought it was meant to be a site to get advice of each other about there cars NOT to have slagging match.
Not all folk are into engines and can work on them thats why tuners exist!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND the question i asked was simple WHO was a good tuner.

JAYMAN

[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by jaymanv4 (original)

Oh my god is this how you people act on here i thought it was meant to be a site to get advice of each other about there cars NOT to have slagging match.
Not all folk are into engines and can work on them thats why tuners exist!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND the question i asked was simple WHO was a good tuner.

JAYMAN

All the tuners on here are good tuners . The only way that you'll find the one that's right for you, is to give them a ring and speak to them about what you want. That way you'll get an opinion of what there like and which one feels right for you .

[BigShow]

Quote: Originally Posted by jaymanv4 (original)

Oh my god is this how you people act on here i thought it was meant to be a site to get advice of each other about there cars NOT to have slagging match.
Not all folk are into engines and can work on them thats why tuners exist!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND the question i asked was simple WHO was a good tuner.

JAYMAN

Sorry JAYMAN, you are right... we are all a bit passionate about the Mini and I'm passionate about the tuners and parts I have used because of the results they have given me. Sorry for having a bit of a slanger on your thread mate.

[lucachiarelli]

All the site sponsors are good tuners.
So it comes down to:
1 budget and what you will get for your money.
2 distance for you to travel
3 speaking to each tuner that you are thinking about going to and seeing what they recommend as they are the professionals.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of which tuner they prefer for all sorts of reasons. Through this i have learnt many things about modding minis and learnt to fit most of the things i had on my car myself.

My advice to you is try and have a go at fitting bolt on mods yourself such as cai, intercooler etc. That way you will learn alot about your car.
Then leave the pulleys, cams etc to the professionals.

[jaymanv4]

in reply to HYPER ACTIVE, BIG SHOW and LUCACHIARELLI its nice to have more advice off you guys and hear everybodys veiws.
And i think its good that you are all passionate and have your own opinions about the mini, thats why this is such a good forum site.
Just thought it was getting a bit out off hand for one question!!!!!!!!

[lucachiarelli]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigShow (original)

Spoken like a true Keyboard Warrior, thanks again for making your position clear.

The term is keyboard commando LOL

[BigShow]

Quote: Originally Posted by lucachiarelli (original)

The term is keyboard commando LOL

I stand corrected

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by jaymanv4 (original)

Oh my god is this how you people act on here i thought it was meant to be a site to get advice of each other about there cars NOT to have slagging match.
Not all folk are into engines and can work on them thats why tuners exist!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND the question i asked was simple WHO was a good tuner.

JAYMAN

As I said earlier in this thread. All the tuners we have are good tuners. Some folks are extremely biased which is why tempers flare. I stand by my recommendations that you should call and speak to them individually before you make a decision.