GTT 220 Full ( & long) Review

[Jifster]

Tuning the new Mini? Hmmmm. Tricky one. Reading through the pages and pages of forum banter, it would be apparent to assume that a fair ammount of Mini2 owners aren't actually bona-fide petrol heads. This is not a dig, far from it, we ALL love our new Minis, and we are all perfectly entitled to our own opinions, but as a 33 year old performance car nut, that has been lucky enough to have owned or at least driven just about every major '5-star-car' over the last 12 years or so, I feel my input regarding a Performance Conversion may possibly help a few people.
First, a bit of history. Yipps, i'm old enough to remember the (now) classic Mini. I've even owned a few (...erm 3, actually), in various states of tune, and i've even been lucky enough to have met Mr. John Cooper himself way back in 1990 when Rover 're-launched' the RSP Cooper (back then, 'John Cooper Garages' was based in Ferring, West sussex, and was actually a Honda Main Agent!!). - I've also met legendary Mini rally-ace Paddy Hopkirk, and i've even shared a coffee with John Adair (mastermind of the 'Speedwell Sprint' revival and respected 'Classic' Mini tuner).
- Now I don't profess to know everything about performance cars or performance driving (far from it, my last insurance claim was because I rolled back into someone at traffic lights, whilst picking my sunglasses up from the passenger footwell (Doh!), but truth be told, i'm very, VERY, into my cars.
I don't want to bore anyone, so i'll cut to the chase. In short, as a 'Classic Mini' fan, I sweared an oath to NEVER, EVER own one of the new 'BMW' thingies (although I have to put hand-on-heart and say when the new Mini was released I was secretly impressed)....... Time rolled by, and as a self-confessed car nut I invested in yet another weekend plaything. This happened to be one of the very last UK specification Honda Integra Type R's.
By now, I'm sure all you fellow Mini drivers are all (probably) getting used to the stonking Honda Civic Type R getting all cocky with you on your fave country road, but the Integra R was a totally different kettle of fish. For a start it was a real Type R, hand built and hand finished by Honda's race team. It was also ludicrously uncouth, with a very trick (and vicious) FWD Limited Slip Differential, track proven brakes, and masses of 'on-limit-tail-out' fun (Honda cleverly designed a modicum of oversteer into the chassis). And to top it all, these mo-fo's had absolutely NO SOUNDPROOFING whatsoever. This meant when you found a killer 'B-road' in a Teggy R, you let rip and worshipped the God's of V-Tech.
Unfortunately, it was far from 'Wife' friendly. For starters it was white, with a bright red Recaro interior, and a monstrous rear spoiler as standard. Not really the car Mrs. Jifster would happily potter about in.
So, unfortunately, something had to give.
And as usual, wifee won........ She had a crush on the new Mini, and (shock, horror) I secretly did to. We sold my beloved Teggy R, and bought a 52 plate Cooper S, with just 7k on the clock. All good, you'd think? - Except it was slow.. - Far too slow. In fairness, compared to the Teggy R it was a slow-witted, un-responsive, heavy, ponderous slow thing.... (but it DID look good!)
O.K., So now I have a problem. I've just swapped an absolutely legendary 'point-to-point' track car for a great looking, highly spec'd, but slightly disappointing replacement. Luckily for me, I've managed to save enough £££'s to sort it. Next problem, who do I choose?
Well, i'm an avid reader of GoMini Magazine, and I've read the issue's featuring GTT of Blandford. I've also taken the time to log onto these Mini2 forums, where I got enough information regarding GTT (including 'Wondaboy's' stunning GTT230 review) to confirm my gut-feelings (thanks Piers!).
I also took the trouble to speak to many other BMW Mini tuners, and in fairness I'm certainly not going to rate or pass comment on the people I spoke too. What I will say is this, Roland at GTT was without doubt the most down to earth of the lot. Like I said, I'm no expert, but I really rate people who value honesty and good service as the main priority. You want technical info? You want reassurance? .... this fellah always put's you straight. From the moment Roland takes your first 'phonecall, to when he introduces himself and shakes your hand, you know he really does mean business.
So, once the pennies are in the bank, I take the plunge and book my new weekend toy in for a GTT220 conversion, and a few weeks later I find myself staying overnight in some mad town called Blandford Forum , down on the south coast.
The days roll by, and I suddenly find myself in GTT's absolutely immaculate industrial unit (It looks like the days of tuning mini's in oily sheds have long gone), and after dropping off my Mini, and having a quick chat, I'm so content that it's in the right hands, I end up bus-bound, en-route to Bournemouth, long suffering wife in tow.
Just for the record, it was agreed that I'd go for the GTT220 conversion, plus 'limit stop', twin idler pulley, exhaust link pipe, full oil change (i'm a bit of a stickler for nice new synthetic oil), and two tasteful GTT badges as the icing on the cake (one on the front lower grill, the other on the boot).
After a full day shopping on the South Coast, Wifee and Me head back to Blandford to await the phone call, and as we are settling in at Blandford Forum's 'premier' snack bar (actually, I think it's the only one), Roland rings and anounces that he's finished, and will drive our Mini back into 'The Forum' to pick us up at the arranged meeting place. This is when "I'll be there in 10 mins" turns into engineering speak. (I've worked with engineers for the last 12 years, and I'm aware of how to interpret their "10 minutes").
.......40 minutes of agonising wait later (he must have got caught up in the Blandford Forum rush-hour?) and a low-rumbling, burbling noise is heard. Yep, it's our Mini, and Roland is at the helm, huge grin on his face. We put Wifee's shopping in the boot, and get in.
"I've had it re-mapped twice", he announces. Turns out he wasn't happy with the first remap. "It pulls better now", he shouts, as we go from about 20 mph to the legal limit in one purposeful deployment of the throttle pedal.
In a nervous tone I announce I'm not particularly happy with the current (standard) brakes, and he agrees, demonstrating the ludicrous amount of fade mid roundabout. "We can sort that out for you too....we do some great brake conversions", (I make a mental note to start saving, as the addrennaline mounts on full realisation we are in the hands of a Mini-Mentalist).
5 minutes later we arrive back at GTT H.Q., he hands over the keys, we settle up, and after a short chat, we drive off into the sunset, heading for a well earned bank-holiday weekend break in Cornwall.
After having a gut feeling that the brakes were a little on the 'boiled' side post-demonstration, progress for the first few miles was a little cautious. We got stuck behind a tractor or two, and my wise old head told me to grin and bear it. The car, on the other hand, had other ideas. I have no clue what Roland actually did under the bonnet. Of course I understand all the engineering shebang.... but i'm sure that's only half of it. Somewhere along the line some sort of Pagan witchcraft seems to have been invoked, as it seems to have developed a split personality. At low speeds it's perfectly happy. Totally tractable. Quiet. No Fuss. 'Samey'. -It's only when you drop a cog and flat your right foot it's really apparent what he's done. A few calculated overtaking manoeveurs later, and i'm starting to really get to grips with this thing. First thing to note, it now pulls like stink through the mid-range. I'm not overly convinced the actual 0-60 time is significantly better on static acceleration, but it is definately more responsive. The mid-range and top-end surge, however, is outstanding for a 1.6 litre. Put it this way, we had the poor little thing gasping for air in Cornwall, (there's now a nice hint of induction roar through the custom-made 'Cold Ram Induction Kit') and it still quite happily latched onto a Seat Cupra R and a (Chav laden Newquay bound) Civic R. Best of all was the uphill fight with a BMW 330Ci (and when we trounced the Bimmer we were 2 up, with luggage!!!). This sort of performance and engine flexibility I really wasn't expecting, and it lead me to presume the 330Ci was an Auto, such was the utter mis-match in outright mid-range pull. I've since had the 30-70mph time measured on the Mini, and it's (so far) managed a best of 5.69secs, but this was in the wet, with TC ON. (I've yet to have it measured on a dry run, with TC OFF, but i'll keep you posted!)
For the petrol heads out there, the responsiveness has totally changed the car's handling characteristics. It's far more throttle-steerable, and i'm finding it can be balanced on the accelerator far more easily on the limit. Sure, it still understeers like most FWD's, but you can actually play with it mid-bend now, without waiting an age for your input to overcome the supercharger's ever-so-slight lag. Put it this way, if you've been lucky enough to drive a track car on the limit, or indeed any iconic hot-hatch, you'll have nothing but all-out fun in this sooped up little pocket-rocket. It's even more apparent from reading through the Mini2 forums, that it get's even better with a few suspension mods (one thing i'm currently looking into).
With the exhaust silencer 'by-pass', It sounds awesome too. There's no cheap and nasty exhaust bark, like we're all used to hearing on Mr. Muppet's '96 plate Impreza, with his cheap-as-chips-off-the-shelf-so-called 'performance' system (*laughs*), it's more a refined deep down growl or rumble, delicately spattered with the odd 'pop-back' on the overrun. This is coupled with a definate increase in Supercharger whine, which, incidently, now sounds like a scalded Hornet in a very big bucket. To hear both sounds crescendo together really is worth switching the CD player off for. In fairness, when you've been lucky enough to own an original Honda Teggy Type R, you don't think you'll ever recapture that race-bred engine howl from a 'production car', until you hear this little demon scream from 20+ mph.
As for all-out driveability, it's absolutely fine, just ask my Wifee...... -She absolutely loves it. In fact I often wake up to find she's left her spanking new company car on the drive (an Audi A4 Convertible!?!?), and nicked the Mini. As mentioned, it's perfectly adept at pottering around, but when the mood takes you, and when conditions allow, just hit the pedal and grin like a Cheshire cat. It's called 'Petrol Therapy'....... Which reminds me. Erm..... Don't expect too much in the way of fuel economy. If you want to drive like the Pope, you'll see around 24-31(ish) mpg, but if the demons get into your head, expect anything from 14-23mpg! I've found leaving the air-con off, and leaving my Trip Computer switched permenantly onto 'outside temp' helps soften the blow...... But let's be fair, if you wanted fuel economy, you'd be pottering around in a diesel, and not reading about Performance conversions, right??
To sum up (finally), an absolute top quality conversion. Well worth the money, (including the £££'s spent keeping Wifee happy in Bournemouth). Just make sure you tell your insurance company (my premium doubled, but being old and (un)wise it's still not too ruinous for a 2nd car of this performance).
All I got to do now, is save enough ££'s for Roland so he can help me stop this bloody thing......... Anyone seen any cheap Ex-Navy issue anchors on Ebay????
Jifster
(Hope this review helps somebody, somewhere, somehow)
P.S. If anyone is local to me, and is seriously considering a GTT Conversion, don't hesitate to get in touch.
P.P.S. The Mini is going for an Independent Rolling Road session soon, to measure actual BHP and Torque, just to see how accurate Roland's predicted figures are (i'm intrigued, more than anything). I'll keep you all posted with the results when it's done.
P.P.P.S Photos of my GTT220 Cooper S are now online.

[john_o]

Superb rightup Jifster thankyou for sharing
Only problem is you didnt mention the reviews by us other GTT boys

Enjoy the new found horses..

JohnO

[CooperSAZ]

That is a great writeup!

Thanks for sharing!

[kezman50]

I agree....loved reading that write up......and GTT, as soon as i've eaten up enough warranty...................I'm down there !!!

[s_and_m]

I have yet to a single bad thing about GTT (apart form the fact that they are located in out of way Blanford ).

Great write up - would be interested to learn more about your insurance hike.

Cheers

S

[badboyzbadboyz]

Great review

[pubert]

Cracking review, the 220 was the conversion i was thinking of doing, now you've made my mind up for me

pubert

[Wondaboy]

Jifster,

Would I be right in assuming you are Jef G? I'm delighted you like the car, an really enjoyed the write up. On the fuel comsumption side, you are spot on. I find that by swapping the computer to show liters per hundred kilometers rather than MPG fools me breifly, then the tank runs dry! I'm interested to read about the exhaust by-pass, it's one thing I did not have done, but I'm not happy with the sound right now so need to do something. Roland is encorraging me to go for the manifold aswell (probabley because with my wieght removing 20lbs is neglegable), but I'm not sure about the ££££.

There is nothing like a man happy with his car, and a wife happy with him. Well done mate.

Regards Piers

PS John_O: Did I mention what a great review you did

[chew]

absolutely super read Jifster cheers

that just about seals the deal for me to go GT220 when I return from my months holiday in Oz.. cash is in the bank just gotta book it in and get down there

220 here we come!!

bypass made much difference to the feeble soundtrack of the std MCS then? :-)

woohoooo

[Jifster]

Quote: Originally Posted by john_o

Superb rightup Jifster thankyou for sharing
Only problem is you didnt mention the reviews by us other GTT boys

Enjoy the new found horses..

JohnO

Sorry, JohnO, here's a very special mention:

**mention**

P.S. ABSOLUTELY LOVE your 'Classic' 1380!!!!!! I'ts running on 10's, look like 4-spoke Revolutions??? .....and you had twin tanks, too! Top man. Top work. Top Mini-mentalist.
P.P.S. Who did the engine?

[Jifster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wondaboy

Jifster,

Would I be right in assuming you are Jef G? I'm delighted you like the car, an really enjoyed the write up. On the fuel comsumption side, you are spot on. I find that by swapping the computer to show liters per hundred kilometers rather than MPG fools me breifly, then the tank runs dry! I'm interested to read about the exhaust by-pass, it's one thing I did not have done, but I'm not happy with the sound right now so need to do something. Roland is encorraging me to go for the manifold aswell (probabley because with my wieght removing 20lbs is neglegable), but I'm not sure about the ££££.

There is nothing like a man happy with his car, and a wife happy with him. Well done mate.

Regards Piers

PS John_O: Did I mention what a great review you did

**, yips, it's me Piers. I bit the bullet and went for GT Tuning after all! I think Roland owes you some commision, as I nearly went down the BBR route until you convinced me otherwise.......

Yes, I have to say, a wise choice. The car is still running A.O.K., and for the record, post-conversion, it now actually BEATS my Teggy R's best 'point-2-point' time on my fave country road. -Now that I'd never expected........!!!!

Cheers, fellah.

Jef G

[Jifster]

Quote: Originally Posted by chew

absolutely super read Jifster cheers

that just about seals the deal for me to go GT220 when I return from my months holiday in Oz.. cash is in the bank just gotta book it in and get down there

220 here we come!!

bypass made much difference to the feeble soundtrack of the std MCS then? :-)

woohoooo

Yeah, it's a great little device.......

Like I said in the original review, it's not too obscene. No cheap and nasty 'big-bore' sound, just a nice 'hi, i've been professionallly sorted' sort of sound. It sounds slightly louder and slightly deeper than stock on tick-over, rumbles slightly more on acceleration, and best of all, creates that tell-tale 'pop-back' on the over-run......... It's definately noticeable, as in school kids and 'Chavs' spin round when they hear it, but it's subtle, so there's no hint of the full-on 'I've drilled my silencer' effort your average Corsa SXi / Saxo VTS driver aspires to. It also weighs less too.... and weight IS THE ENEMY.

....Does that help any?

Jifster x

[Jifster]

Quote: Originally Posted by pubert

Cracking review, the 220 was the conversion i was thinking of doing, now you've made my mind up for me

pubert

As a 'classic' mini fan, who's owned a fair few tuned cars over the years, I researched nearly every 'New Mini' tuner. Don't get me wrong, the leading tuners still justify their position in the industry, it's just that I (personally) got the impression that Roland was the right man for me. He scored 10/10 in every category I could think of, and while a few rival tuners may have more 'history' Mini-wise, Roland has actually been on the tuning scene for a fair old while himself.

As for his engineering skills...... Some of the machining techniques he uses are mind-bogglingly complicated, to say the least. - In fact most of the products on view in his workshop were quite possibly over-engineered! The 3 letters that instantly spring to mind regarding Roland and GTT are A.T.D. ...... Attention To Detail. - That sums the bloke up, really.

For the record, I've only had my conversion for 6 weeks (ish), but so far, it hasn't skipped a beat. Admittedly, it's not a daily use car, more a weekend toy, but it get's a good work-out, (spanking) nonetheless, and so far its been totally dependable.

Jifster x

[john_o]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jifster

Sorry, JohnO, here's a very special mention:
P.S. ABSOLUTELY LOVE your 'Classic' 1380!!!!!! I'ts running on 10's, look like 4-spoke Revolutions??? .....and you had twin tanks, too! Top man. Top work. Top Mini-mentalist.
P.P.S. Who did the engine?

Youre too kind
Yeah , that was the car I cut my automotive teeth on. (welding/spraying/engine stuff tought to me by my father)
10x6 competition revolutions with A008's , 1380 (built by me), not much it didnt have on it.
Absolute rocket ship stuff. Ran a 3.2 turbo diff ratio and it still went to 7.5k in top!
Used to shatter/wear thru diff pins left right and centre, I was rebuilding the box every other weekend (I used to like nonsense wheelspinning a lot ), even with comp diff pins. Swarf then used to kill bearings /pump etc
Really gutted when I sold it. Thanks for asking , you had a classic too?

JohnO

[HObzy]

Great write up and welcome to the fold Had my manifold and cat done by roland a while back and it was very well done. Not much to do in Blandford is there Saving up for more bits and waiting for the warranty to run out...

I forgot to ask Roland if he'd give me a porsche brake kit if i got GTT tattoed on my forehead...