Cooper (non S) Modifications specific to the MINI Cooper (R50).

GIAC for the NA Cooper

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Old Mar 20, 2007 | 02:33 PM
  #76  
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From: bryan tx
now if I can just figure out how to get this done in texas (without sending my ecu in)
 
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Old Mar 20, 2007 | 02:34 PM
  #77  
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From: bryan tx
Originally Posted by ProfessorDave
*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?
also, you said the rev lim. was raised to 7200.. isnt that bad for the stock motor?
 
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Old Mar 20, 2007 | 04:55 PM
  #78  
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Originally Posted by justintime
now if I can just figure out how to get this done in texas (without sending my ecu in)
I did a quick check on the GIAC website, and it says there are two dealers in Texas who are able to perform the flash on a MINI. One is in Houston and the other is in Dallas. I know that Texas is a mighty big state, and that they might not be too close to you, but if you don't want to send out your ecu, you can just drive over to them.

Here is the link for GIAC Dealers in Texas. It has the websites of the companies and their contact info so you can call them up.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2007 | 07:00 AM
  #79  
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From: Oswego, IL
Originally Posted by ProfessorDave
*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?

PD, a question....How has gas mileage been since the reflash?

There's 3 dealers in IL and I'm going to be writing them today and seeing if any Coopers have been done. Could be my pre-dragon mod if it's doable locally.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2007 | 09:13 AM
  #80  
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PD, a question....How has gas mileage been since the reflash?
No change that I can't attribute to driving style. I consistently get 25-27 city, and 36-38 highway (using the OBC to calculate, a bit more if I calculate the mileage the old fashioned way), same as before the remap.

And Justin, I've only gone up to 7000 to confirm the rev limiter was raised. I want to get another 50-80k out of this engine! But I understand this is appealing to those who autoX or track their MINIs.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2007 | 02:32 PM
  #81  
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From: bryan tx
Originally Posted by ProfessorDave
No change that I can't attribute to driving style. I consistently get 25-27 city, and 36-38 highway (using the OBC to calculate, a bit more if I calculate the mileage the old fashioned way), same as before the remap.

And Justin, I've only gone up to 7000 to confirm the rev limiter was raised. I want to get another 50-80k out of this engine! But I understand this is appealing to those who autoX or track their MINIs.
yes it sounds wonderful but I would hate to do it and then next thing I know Im in need of a new motor
 
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Old Mar 21, 2007 | 02:33 PM
  #82  
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From: bryan tx
and thanks ALOT helix, I was writing out my mod plan today and I just wasnt sure where to put the flash into the mix due to that.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2007 | 05:07 PM
  #83  
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S owners over at NEMINI are planning a big install day at Helix and I was considering tagging along just for the cheesesteaks but now I know about this I might have to investigate it more while there.
 
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 11:10 AM
  #84  
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From: Clarks Summit, PA
*bump* Anyone else commit to this mod on their MC?
 
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Old Apr 12, 2007 | 02:19 PM
  #85  
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From: oh10
Originally Posted by ProfessorDave
*bump* Anyone else commit to this mod on their MC?
I spend my summers out in Jersey and figure that once i can afford it, i will run to helix and get it modded.

Just a question though...with talk of the rev limiter....anyone know how the GIAC works on the CVT? I had MTH for a while (back when it costed $75) and it changed the CVT in a great way with the throttle response...just wondering if this can be put on CVT's
 
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Old Apr 17, 2007 | 09:51 AM
  #86  
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I don't see why this wouldn't work on a CVT, but would recommend you call the crew over at Helix for sure.
 
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Old May 9, 2007 | 04:12 PM
  #87  
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Hey RallyMINI,

Did you see if the GIAC ECU works on the CVT? It's something I'd like to do later if it works ok.
 
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Old May 9, 2007 | 06:56 PM
  #88  
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When I was at Roadshow last September I got the lastest factory reflash. My MC seems a lot more responsive and seems to rev more freely than before. Can't remember what the reflash was called, but improving the performance of your MC might be as simple as asking your dealer for the lastest reflash, which, if you are still under warranty, is free.
 
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Old May 13, 2007 | 04:18 PM
  #89  
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Good idea Resmini,

Actually, I'll be at the MINI dealer on May 25 for a 20,000 mile service check and will ask about that (yeah I don't put many miles on my MINI). I think the dealer gave me an updated ECU chip once but that's been a few years ago. I still want a new ECU chip, but can wait on that.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2007 | 11:53 AM
  #90  
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Just a bump, with some questions...

I'm now on the market for a custom built ECU, and I was set on the MTH, but this thread has me thinking. I e-mailed Eric at Helix, and am awaiting his response tomorrow, since it's the weekend.. lol.

My questions were: (maybe somebody here would be able to help me).

Does GIAC do completely custom work on the ECU's? Since my car has more engine mods than intake and exhaust, I was wondering if there was a way to "program everything together" and make all the performance mods work better with one another...

And since the car is an '02, it's time for a re-map ECU. lol....

Oh, and one more question, how long does installation take - more or less? I see a dealer here in Florida almost literally next door - about 25 miles; and was wondering if it's a 20 minute job or if I'd have to take the car in one day, wait another week and take the car back for install... Or even if I'd have to leave the car there??

Thanks for the help,
Leo.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2007 | 12:01 PM
  #91  
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From: sierra vista AZ
any one in the Tucson are who can performe the flash?
 
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 08:10 PM
  #92  
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IA Performance, 4475 W Ina Rd. #101, Tuscon
 
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Old Jun 11, 2007 | 08:38 PM
  #93  
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I loved to hear what you come up with.

Originally Posted by xxTHIR13ENxx
Just a bump, with some questions...

I'm now on the market for a custom built ECU, and I was set on the MTH, but this thread has me thinking. I e-mailed Eric at Helix, and am awaiting his response tomorrow, since it's the weekend.. lol.

My questions were: (maybe somebody here would be able to help me).

Does GIAC do completely custom work on the ECU's? Since my car has more engine mods than intake and exhaust, I was wondering if there was a way to "program everything together" and make all the performance mods work better with one another...

And since the car is an '02, it's time for a re-map ECU. lol....

Oh, and one more question, how long does installation take - more or less? I see a dealer here in Florida almost literally next door - about 25 miles; and was wondering if it's a 20 minute job or if I'd have to take the car in one day, wait another week and take the car back for install... Or even if I'd have to leave the car there??

Thanks for the help,
Leo.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 02:56 PM
  #94  
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From: Weston, FL
Originally Posted by DragonSlayer
I loved to hear what you come up with.
Since my post, about 3 weeks ago, I've not heard anything from Eric or Helix at all (through e-mail). I PM'd Eric here on NAM, and got a response saying that he was about to step out of the office, but was letting me know that he had read the message (PM) and would reply to it when he had a chance... That was 2 weeks ago, and still nothing. Last week I sent him a back-up message asking for further details about it and have not received a PM back.

Sorry...
Leo.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 03:06 PM
  #95  
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From: oh10
dude....just hit up ralph over on MU.....he responds instantly and has been posting pretty regularly
 
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 03:48 PM
  #96  
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xxTHIR13ENxx
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From: Weston, FL
Originally Posted by RallyMINI
dude....just hit up ralph over on MU.....he responds instantly and has been posting pretty regularly
What is his screen name over there? "iggy" has Alex on his sig, so I'm not sure that's the dude you're talking about... Is there somebody else on M|U that works with/for Helix??

Let me know, this sounds promising.
Leo.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 04:47 PM
  #97  
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From: oh10
Originally Posted by xxTHIR13ENxx
What is his screen name over there? "iggy" has Alex on his sig, so I'm not sure that's the dude you're talking about... Is there somebody else on M|U that works with/for Helix??

Let me know, this sounds promising.
Leo.

yah ralph works over there...i think his screen name is like ralphzmcs or something.

Just search for helix and check out the helix thread
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 07:12 PM
  #98  
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Any updates?
 
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 08:48 PM
  #99  
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From: Philadelphia, PA
Originally Posted by xxTHIR13ENxx
Just a bump, with some questions...

I'm now on the market for a custom built ECU, and I was set on the MTH, but this thread has me thinking. I e-mailed Eric at Helix, and am awaiting his response tomorrow, since it's the weekend.. lol.

My questions were: (maybe somebody here would be able to help me).

Does GIAC do completely custom work on the ECU's? Since my car has more engine mods than intake and exhaust, I was wondering if there was a way to "program everything together" and make all the performance mods work better with one another...

And since the car is an '02, it's time for a re-map ECU. lol....

Oh, and one more question, how long does installation take - more or less? I see a dealer here in Florida almost literally next door - about 25 miles; and was wondering if it's a 20 minute job or if I'd have to take the car in one day, wait another week and take the car back for install... Or even if I'd have to leave the car there??

Thanks for the help,
Leo.
Leo,

Sorry, I havent seen this thread in awhile. Im pretty sure you already spoke to Ralph, but just to make sure your questions got answered.

GIAC does not do custom tunes. They make files for the most common mods; like pulley, intake and exhaust for the MCS and intake and exhaust for the MC; but not one off custom tunes.

For the install question. GIAC is a very quick install. We scan your dme, send it GIAC via e-mail, select the correct file onto your car and flash your dme. The entire process should take no longer then 20 minutes.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2007 | 10:04 AM
  #100  
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From: Sedona, AZ.
I talked with a Jason at evolution motor sports in Tempe AZ. and asked about the r50 ecu flash and he said there was no such thing. So I went to the GIAC web site and sure enough there was no mention of this mod anywhere on the web site. I have cash in hand and my hopes are diminishing quickly. Maybe I'm asking for the wrong thing (I don't think so since they understood what I was requesting and they claim to be the #1 retailer for GIAC). If someone could help me with this (maybe a contact # to GIAC so I can go around EVO motorsports and find someone willing to get the job done). I don't really want to send in my ECU to be flashed so I am considering buying a new ECU from the dealer and sending that one in to be flashed, that way if I want to go back all I have to do is change out the ECU (if it is even possible). Might be easier to just break down and get an S.

Clinton
 
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