xtremepsionic, I can email you the movie if you'd like to count the frames. I have it saved two ways: One as a QT movie, one as an AVI file. Let me know...feel free to PM me.

 

Has anyone inquired with their local GIAC installer to see if it is indeed available outside of PA? I think they would need the ECU number to look up the file. The GIAC site only mentions the S, not the NA Cooper.

 

Oh I just remembered something I really dislike with the stock ECU. I find that the way the engine hangs on to revs between shifts to be quite annoying. This is a function of the flywheel weight and I suspect, ECU programming to reduce emissions due to unburned fuel.

Does the GIAC update seem to minimize the revs hanging on when you lift off the throttle? A good test would be to rev the engine to say 4500rpm and let it drop back to idle, then we can compare between stock and GIAC modified and see if there is any change in that regard.

 

I'll try it and re-post. But my sense is (and you can hear it in the video) that much of that slow-to-rev-down effect is gone. I'm pretty sure MTH also addresses this issue.
Since I was the first NA Cooper to get this, I don't think it is widely advertised. My understanding is that Garrett at GIAC and Eric at Helix know each other pretty well, so Helix may have heard about it first. But since the file is written, I don't see why other GIAC installers couldn't get it.

I am really liking how the car performs. Much better pick up. Better torque, smoother acceleration noticable at lower revs. Just more fun! I will be tracking my mileage once I start jumping all over the throttle and will post those results, too.

 

A bump with pictures...here is my MINI at Helix getting the ECU file read, and then a few weeks later getting dyno'd before and after the GIAC remap.

 

Just wondering if the GIAC is better suited for a stock Cooper or one with an aftermarket intake and exhaust. I see that you have a 2002-04 Cooper, the gearing is different from the newer 2005-06 with the Getrag. Will the GIAC work equally well with any Cooper?

 

Good questions, Greg. I think the only one I can answer is the one about gearing, because I belive the ratios were changed in '05 or '06. I would think the GIAC would work well with all Coopers since I adjusts things that all happen before the exhaust. I'm hoping some more Cooper owners jump in the bandwagon and post their results for more reliability.

Still loving the mod! The SA at Prestige MINI in NJ paid me a nice compliment, too, saying that it was the nicest running Cooper he'd ever driven (I'll bet he says that to all the owners :-)

 

I'm curious what the Dyno showed? Although most folks tell me a ecu tune doesn't always produce more power but rather make the power more linear.

 

mdsbrain, click back one page on this thread and you'll see the dyno results I posted.

Dave

 

Thanks!

 

Any GIAC dealer should be able to do it, but if your local guys can't, you can always send your ECU to us..

 

is there a GIAC dealer in san antonio?
Also, is there a back to back result listing from GIAC and MTH?

 

Here you go Justin http://www.robbsmetalworks.com/galle...0coma/GIAC.htm
But, seriously now, ask these fellows here http://www.strictlyea.com/forum/ ; this is the closest Authorized dealer I’m aware of http://english.autodynamica.com/ and they have experience with MINIs.

 

hahah I was having a hard time believing the first site had anything to do with an ecu. thanks keith!

 

After getting the ECU remap, I emailed the fine folks at GIAC who were kind enough to send me a couple of stickers. What do you think? Worth about 5 more HP, right?

 

Firstly, I'd like to thank ProfessorDave for stepping up and going for it (being the first to get this done)! Thanks also to Garrett for developing this software for the NA Cooper and Helix for getting the word out and the dyno runs.

If I'm only the second person in the U.S. to get this upgrade for the non-S Cooper, I can't believe it. Everything Dave has said is true: the car has noticeably more zip, the powerband kicks in sooner, acceleration is smoother, less bog in the engine, driveability is much improved and it's just more fun! I don't think that there is much that I can add to what Dave has already said. I got it done yesterday and I could tell a difference just pulling out of the shop from a stop. It's almost like a different car. It pulls harder in every gear.

I have a 2002 Cooper (August build) with an intake and exhaust. I got the intake first and although it sounded great when I got on the throttle, I didn't notice much of a performance increase, maybe a slightly better response, maybe more top end power--it certainly sounded faster. The exhaust also didn't seem to add any real power to my car, but I was very pleased with its presence. Since I did those mods one at a time, with a fairly big chunk of time in between, maybe that's why I couldn't tell much of a difference. But the GIAC software really pulls the car together. It's complete now. Well, I eventually want some more suspension mods. And I hope my Midlands tranny holds up.

 

I'm in Miami, is there any way I can get this done?

 

Here is a link to the GIAC dealers in Florida. http://www.giacusa.com/dealers.php?sregion=Florida

The closest one seems to be Autodreams in Coral Springs.

Like Dane said above, any GIAC dealer should be able to, if not, just let us know and we will see what we can do for you.

 

Greg, great descriptions of the GIAC effects on performance and drivability. I doubt the small but noticable bump in HP and torque will harm our Midlands (although if you are like me, you get on the throttle lots more because of the fun factor).

My summary at this point: This is how the NA Cooper was meant to perform!

 

........I need to look into this..............

 

Yeah, I might have to go back to the stock airbox because it's a little embarrassing ROARING around everywhere. I just filled up the tank and I'm curious how much of a drop I'll take from 31 mpg in mostly city driving.

If anyone is on the fence about this mod, if you try it and you don't like it, you can go back to stock. Just go back to the installer and they'll reflash the old software. I think there's a 30 day guarantee. And if GIAC upgrades the software sometime down the road I believe it's free. My installation only took about 20 minutes. It was just so easy. I didn't even plan on doing this mod yet, but I called the installer with some questions and they said they were running a special (waiving the $50 installation fee and 5% off). I guess it was a no-brainer.

 

I don't know if autodreams does it for the mini though. It only has brake fluid listed under their mini parts. Other than that, there is one in Orlando...kind of a long drive.

I would LOVE to see GIAC and MTH tuner compared on a dyno for the MC! They appear to be similar in price. I wonder how accurate the MTH claim of 135 hp is...They don't seem too eager to put out dynos for the MC at MTH.

 

I can always call and find out, and my MC is stock, I just need to get some dough together (the holidays have been rough on me ) and I'll give them a call, if they can't do it I'll call up Helix

 

+1 on that. 135 sounds extreme, especially with a bone stock Cooper.

 

*bump*
I've gotten several PMs from fellow MC owners who are considering this mod, so I thought I would post another update, as I am coming up on 6 months with this mod.

I am still very pleased, and would recommend this as the first performance mod to any Cooper owner. While an intake is cheaper, you don't get the performance boost. And an exhaust is nice, but you might pay double for half (or less) the HP gains. Of course, I bought those things before the GIAC remap, so that's a little hypocritical.

My MC has more power throughout the rpm range, but is most noticable at 3000 rpms and then again around 4500. At 3000 you might wonder if someone else is pressing an invisible accelerator somewhere, because all of a sudden you are going faster. At 4500 you get pushed back into the seat a bit. The increase in the rev limiter is a nice feature, too.

Anyone else out there get this mod since December?