GTT Tuning

[Cooooooperslad]

Warranty work, can't really remember , one problem was a clicking noise, after reading posts and threads on here I was certain it was the harmonic damper. I told Robert Stern this, they replaced it under warranty but the problem was still there.

The car went in again and it was found out that the OS driveshaft had moved inside the hub, both the driveshaft and hub was repalced under warranty.

It also had a new clutch and flywheel due to sounding a bit rattly when idling.

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooooooperslad (original)

Warranty work, can't really remember , one problem was a clicking noise, after reading posts and threads on here I was certain it was the harmonic damper. I told Robert Stern this, they replaced it under warranty but the problem was still there.

The car went in again and it was found out that the OS driveshaft had moved inside the hub, both the driveshaft and hub was repalced under warranty.

It also had a new clutch and flywheel due to sounding a bit rattly when idling.

If you know its had all that done its a good buy!! The clutch and flywheel is becoming more of a common costly issue... I myself know that all too well.

Nice one Cooooooperslad, I really wish I had this kind of insight when buying my car... it really is a rare opportunity

[Cooooooperslad]

If I was buying a Cooper S again, I'd be very intrested apart from one point. I'd be worried what fuel the car was run on in those 5000 miles since I had it!

[JerzyBondov]

This raises an interesting point actually - does running lower octane fuel on a tuned car cause any long-term damage, or does it just raise the chance of something going pop whilst the fuel is actually going through the system?

[Sheenab]

Silly question here again - whats the price difference between High Octane and Regular Fuel and what happens to the engine if its been run on regular fuel?

[batou]

Ok mate, basically tuned engines require a little bit more headroom due to the extra strain on the engine. Not a silly question at all, in-fact... a very serious and important one!

The GTT conversion increases the boost and thus the heat in the engine, if the engine runs too hot it can start to Pink (knocking) and the ECU does its best to adapt to it (put extra fuel in, in the most simplest form). If you use lower grade fuel (which doesn't burn as hot) then this makes matters worse and can cause detonation and damage to the engine.

I always use 99 grade fuel (anything from 2p to 10p extra per litre).

[Cooooooperslad]

I think the knock sensor will sense pinking and turn the timing back so you lose power but to prevent pinking.

I think thats what should happen in theory, but I know people have reported that they can hear the "iron filings" noise of pinking, I even took my car to Roland with a full tank of 97 octane to check. He said he could hear it high up in 4th but he told me 99 octane would solve this

[Cooooooperslad]

Just remember, I'm sure theres a thread somewhere where Roland explains pinking / detonation.

[humph]

Sheenab. Get some details off Cooperslad. The ask the garage to see the log book, any serious buyer would want to see this anyway. See if he is still listed as the last owner. If not ask the garage about the last owner, and ask for contact details. Give them a call and ask what fuel it was run on. If the garage say that they have driven it since November, which I suspect they have, ask them quite innocently about any special requirements (fuel etc.) due the tune. If they say no chances are they ran it on the wrong stuff

[Sheenab]

Thanks lads, your a great help honestly! Will let you know what i decided to do... TBH i have to travel over from Ireland to see the car and the fact that they are lieing about the caliber of the upgrade im a little put off...

[JerzyBondov]

You're generally looking at about 6p extra a litre, although I've found that the extra cost is countered by the improved fuel economy you get on 97-99 octane fuels.
As for long term damage caused - I don't know. You want to avoid opening the throttle fully at low revs in gears 4/5/6 though if you've got 95 in though. It increases the risk of something bad happening, although what the odds are there I don't know. I think you'd still be unlucky!

[roland2003]

Ive always wondered to what extent the better mpg of 99Ron offsets the purchase cost of it over 95 Ron. If it completly offset it that would be fantastic, though I suspect is probably about half way .....You can tell I dont measure mpg too often, mind you our GTT350T isnt bad at all ., certainly better than when it was GTT260 SC spec.

[Cooooooperslad]

Amazing how the GTT350T gets mentioned in every thread so how or rather.

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fu Manchu (original)

If the garage say that they have driven it since November, which I suspect they have, ask them quite innocently about any special requirements (fuel etc.) due the tune. If they say no chances are they ran it on the wrong stuff

Very good idea!!

[2 much]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooooooperslad (original)

Amazing how the GTT350T gets mentioned in every thread so how or rather.

your wright its amazing.but its an amazing car.