I am still contemplating doing a re-flash to my ECU. I have looked into the bluefin, but it seems like that wouldn't do much because of our octane level over here being much lower than pump level over there. The uni-chip seems to be a good flash as well, but I haven't heard anything good or bad about it for a justacooper.

Are there any other options? Anyone love their Uni-Chip? Thanks to all who reply.

 

It is possible to do a remote dyno tune, even with just-a-Cooper. Not much to be gained, but a few hp.
I'm not sure uni-chip is even avalable for the non-s, but I'm not sure.
Octane levels in the us+Europe are pretty similar if you live on the east coast and can get 93 or 94 octane...the measuring system used in most of the world gives a higher numerical rating than the US system, which is a bit of a hybird of 2 tests, added together, divided by 2.
One tip...when comparing hp gains for a mod, be careful, since most makers are refering to a best case situation. I have read some of the blufin claims, and I kinda doubt they are possible, or if the motor would last very long.
Most tuners have said, even with a custom tune, unless you dig deeper, there is only a couple more hp to be had on a Cooper, so anyplace that claims more with a canned tune should be throughly investagated.

 

Get a real dyno tune, or save your money for an S. Don't waste your money on a Unichip it won't work well.

 

Custom dyno tune will give you the best possible performance upgrade for your car, versus a "canned" tune that those programmers can upload. Especially if you have tricky fuel issues; why not have a knowledgeable tuner create a customized, just-for-your-MINI tune? Don't think that it'll be much more expensive, because it probably won't, especially if you get in on some kind of tuning party. I don't know if any people do that "over there" where you live, but in the USA, there are several tuners who tour the country and do tuning parties at shops with dynos. That's how I had my car tuned, thanks to Jan at RMW. Worth every penny!

 

Yeah, I kind of figured the custom tune would be the suggestion out of this. To be honest, I think it will be worth it more to me to save the money up and buy some coilovers, and get the 205/50/15 tires that I have wanted for so long. In the end, I think those mods may help this little car more than any other engine items. So far I have a custom cat-back exhaust and the aFe intake, but I am running the s-lites year round right now. Soon though, I will have some Falken Azenis RT-615 tires mounted on my holeys, which should be much better for performance

 

Do you know of anyone who hase done the Lohen stage 1 or 2 kit to actually dyno their car before and after to SEE what they are actually getting.
Their site makes good claims but hard to believe compared to what I have seen first hand here in the states..