GIAC has just announced that they have developed a tuning chip for the Cooper. We didn't have a hand in its tuning so I can't yet give all of the details, but please don't hesitate to contact us for the info. I'll be calling them today for the low down.

 

That's good news to me - I've had GIAC software for my audi for 5 years & 90,000 mi. with no problems - that's a 1.8 turbo so the difference is far more noticeable than it would be on the Cooper, but its nice to have another choice from a reputable chip tuner

 

Good to hear, I'm interested

 

+1 for being interested.....GIAC has great products. Also had their programming on my Audi allroad...very riliable.

Please post up info as you get it, I will be watching closely

 

So, any news?

 

Would like some details posted as well, thanks!

 

I'd be interested in details too, they have some cool stuff on the GIAC site. I especially like the dongle that lets you pick different settings, standard, valet, sport ect..

 

I am very interested also. I want something reliable and not really sure about MTH programing.

 

Hey Helix - ???????? We've been throwing hints for days - anything?

 

Sorry, I'm slammed here. Garrett is still on vacation for another week. I'll see if anyone at GIAC has the details...

 

helix 13 should be thanking me for all the ecu remaps they sell in the near future. i'll tell you why.. about three months ago i called them up and said," i have a non-s cooper and i would like to remap it".they said "uhhh. , i don;t know if we can even do that. we do s models but not standard coopers ". so then i said "okay ,well let me schedule an appointment so you can maybe check the car out or something". then you guys said "okay, how about thursday next week". and i said "okay sounds like a plan" then you guys replied i'll have erik or whatever the dudes name is call you back on monday when he gets back from vacation. i said " yeah sure". to make a long story short , i never recieved a call back .i must have sparked sometype of an idea in their head. hence the sudden remap for non-s coopers when they' ve had the s model for years now. you can say that it was giac's fault but i beg to differ , especially since mth is cleaning up with their remap right now. anyway , i went with the mth tuner file and i am pretty happy with the results. will i ever call helix again ? no , i get the feeling that they don't give a **** about the non-s cooper's . whatever , it's pretty sad when someone like me calls a mini tuner in my hometown and i don't even get a call back from them.you know i'm dead serious about about my car when i call up asking for a remap for a non-s cooper. most of the people that buy them (standard coopers)around here are 30- 50 years old and just buy them cause there cute looking.helix - your welcome for the future business. thanks again for the call back and all the helpful info.

 

it is not Helix that is doing this remap.....It is GIAC. There are many dealers/tuners that can flash GIAC, Helix is one of them. I doubt Helix has any real input on the MAPS for this set up since GIAC is it's own entity.

Here in Denver, there is only one shop that can flash GIAC....thankfully I know the owner, a personal friend.

I doubt your issues with Helix had anything to do with the GIAC decision to do a MAP for the standard cooper. Just don't take our your personal issues with Helix on the folks at GIAC, 2 completely seperate corporations.

 

Helix mentioned in the first post that they had nothing to do with the development of the Cooper GIAC program. besides these remaps usually take the tuners months sometimes more to get right, so it looks like GIAC had this in development already. Helix is top notch dude you really should give them another shot especially if you're local. remember i think they're only three guys there fielding calls from all over the country, give them a break.

 

Umm, wow. I'm not sure I understand. Neither of the guys that were here during my vacation took any appointments to 'maybe check out a car or something'. We have no messages to that effect. You have a PM.

 

i got your pm . and i pm'ed you back. i'm not lying about making an appointment and waiting for a call back. this definitely happened.i just figured i'd be able to get some help from my hometown tuner. guess not. i wouldn't bash you for nothing . thats not like me . iwas just stating my own personal expierience.you can't make em all happy, right.i'm sure helix is a great company. i guess i just expected too much from them.

 

Garrett is still on vacation for another week. I'll see if anyone at GIAC has the details...


My God - when is this guy coming back from vacation, inquiring GIACoholics want to know

 

OK, so how can we get word to Garrett? I mean, is he in the middle of Greenland or the middle of the ocean or someplace? There has to be cell phone service wherever he is, right? I mean, this GIAC development is pretty important, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind being disturbed over something of this magnitude?!

How about a pigeon with a message wrapped around its leg?

Or a message strung between a pair of unladen swallows?

Seriously, I'll be checking back with this thread with interest!

 

I've come to the realization that there is no Garrett Lim - he's like "Tommy Bahama" - fictional character invented to sell product - c'mon - someone throw us a bone - lie to us - tell us Garrett is descending the face of Everest, and you've got Sherpas taking him electronic files ready for downloading when he reaches base camp.

 

Look, take it easy... Helix does great work and you're actually pretty lucky to have them in your area - although right about now you probably don't agree. Eric is a stand-up guy who knows his stuff. He flashed my ECU last year (and did a pulley upgrade and a catback install during the same appointment). He works A LOT and is busy - so let's try to remember Eric is human like everyone else.

Guess what I'm trying to say is: S*@t happens. Sometimes stuff like 'call-backs' can get inadvertantly missed. It happens. It's an honest mistake, so don't take it so personally. I'm sure no one meant to purposely insult you or anything.

- - m

 

Okay, the sherpas and carrier pigeons have returned, and 'Tommy' has spoken. GIAC have done a chip for a Cooper in England, and are able and willing to do chips for us as well. It will require that we read your ECU and send it to GIAC to get the proper file for your car (so the first couple of installations will take more time than the 20 minutes that the MCS takes. We can bench flash ECUs as well. The chip is $325 (installation with us is free). Since we have not done one of these yet, I would like to combine the first installation with dyno runs (at my expense) so we have real power data.

 

Yay! Steps in the right direction!

Since my MINI is my only car, and Philly is a fair bit away from northern Vermont, I cannot be one of the test mules. At least I'm assuming the first few would take more than a day to turn around...

 

I am going to be contacting my local GIAC dealer and see what he has to say on availability...might have to do this real soon!!!

 

awesome. Keep us posted.

 

yeah sounds great!

 

Helix,

Great news...I'm interested, and 2 hours outside Philly. I'll PM you for more info!