I'm currently in contract to purchase an R56 Mini Challenge car and was wondering if anyone knows if there is a difference between teh ECU in a Mini Challenge car (the JCW class in UK) and a stock MINI Cooper S Works?
Couldn't find a thread, but if one already exists please direct me to it
My challenge car use the same ecu as my JCW road car. I use the ista system at work to read out fault codes on both, but the airbag unit and abs have been removed and a 2D computer logging system have been installed by BMW Motorsport
Awesome thanks for the feedback. Was worried by some rumors that the BMW Motorsport ECUs were removed and replaced with stock JCW units. Sounds like as long as the right features are enabled / disabled this shouldn't be an issue.
Over roughly 2,500 RPM when I back off the throttle it starts banging away until revs drop or I get back on the throttle. Do these things have Anti-lag?
From what I've read you can do it by cracking the throttle butterfly and massively retarding the ignition, so no reason it can't be done in software with these beasties.
Ok a quick update Not that this will affect many owners out there:
1. JCW doesn't have antilag, just the normal overrun due to valve overlap. Not that I'm complaining. With the open 3.25" exhaust it sounds wild.
2. The genuine Challenge ECUs appear to have the following:
a) stock JCW maps
b) modified parameters to make them less prone to dropping into limp home mode
c) environmental / fuel conservation features disabled eg shutting off fuel when over 1800 rpm and 0% throttle.
d) tweaks to let it run with the waste gate controller disabled. (sounds like the waste gate is set up in a fixed position but I have no idea how they stop it overboosting? - the actuator is removed and blanked off).
e) further tweaks to let the ECU be swapped between cars without coding to allow for the ECU ballots.
I have just started using my challenge in the Norwegian GT championship, and i am allowed to remap the ecu in this championship. So i ordered a Evolve R-cable tune wich worked fine on my road car, but i cant remap the ecu on the Challenge car. There is some kind of restriction to access the ecu. Is there a way around this?
Did you go through the process of downloading the maps specifically from the Challenge car and send off to Evolve?
Sorry to hear you've hit that hurdle. Could possibly be by design to stop people tweaking them?? Sounds like I'm lucky to have a road going ECU that I can remap at will. That might be your only other option.
Hi,
I am wondering about the same problem and found this thread. I have a Mini JCW Challenge (right hand drive) race car which I am in the process of converting into a tarmac rally car and registering for the road (can be done in NZ).
There is no restriction on remapping or upgrading the ECU.
I have contacted a couple of tuners in the UK. Evolve Automotive said "We have tried to communicate with 2 Challenge cars and have been unsuccessful. The ECU’s are the same as the road cars but BMW seems to have put some kind of block on them".
Has anyone solved this problem or put an aftermarket ECU in?
So far no joy on that front. Have done heaps of research and appears a no go. I wouldn't be surprised if they have physically disabled the ability to flash the ECU to eliminate tampering.
On the good news front you can use a stock JCW ECU. Mine came with a road ecu (they wouldn't release the race ones) and it runs like a charm. Only thing to watch is that the race ECU has limp home values pushed out so the road ECU is more likely to enter limp home mode. And from there you can reflash as much as you like! (It will likely need to be paired to your car whereas the Challenge ECUs don't and can be swapped form coar to car).
And BTW I'm doing the same. Have fitted a horn and windscreen washers, along with passenger seat. Just need to go through inspection for rally reg.
Yes the Challenge ECU won't allow changes. You can make them with a tune, but they just don't do anything.
I'd say stick with the road ECU and tune it.
Pfffft. Even with a wad of cash or a platinum credit card BMW haven't sold me one yet! I've seen a Romanian online store offering them for around $350 US. But that was one of those sites that has a price against every known BMW part ever made, so can't vouch for its accuracy.
Oh, and the other items there are stock as a rock except they have a tamper proof holographic sticker on them that's checked during scrutineering at the Mini Challenge race meets.
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Mini JCW Challenge 
