Hi,

I went down to the dealer today to take care of a bad window seal, and he told me about the Dinan Performance engine software. He said that it's $300.00, and that it increases horsepower to 175 hp on a stock motor? Is this true? Has anyone done it? And is it actually a noticeable difference?
Most important, is it safe, along with a %15 pulley, intake, and exhaust.

Thank You good people!

 

I'm wondering the same thing . Hope you get an answer.

 

Hi, I just had the Dinan Stage III engine software and CAI installed on my 06 MCS. I've only had it for two days and haven't had a whole lot of time with it, but so far I'm very impressed/happy with it.

There seems to be a little more growl at high revs, but it's pretty close to stock in terms of sound.

With the driving I've been doing (mostly mixed city/highway), it does seem faster with the "butt dyno." The best part so far though is that it feels a lot smoother working up through the gears and the sluggishness in first and second I noticed if I didn't floor it is gone (I have stalled it a few times not being aggressive enough off of a light).

Not scientific, but that's my experience so far. Well worth it for the improved city driving alone I think.

The only other comment I've read repeatedly on NAM that I'd echo is the idea that getting the software to go with the hardware seems to make sense. As I understand it, the Dinan software is specially tweaked to work with other Dinan mods, so its performance will be better with them, but DIY'ers may have different views.

Good luck!

 

You make a very interesting point with the hardware/ software!

I wanted to do the stage one software upgrade, and I want to install a %15 Alta pulley, I already have a CIA, not Dinan, so I'm wondering how the software would work with a pulley and a CIA? I like the idea of having the 7300 RPM redline limit, but I'm wondering how it affects the health and life of the engine?

 

I have Stage 3 software, Madness 15% pulley, JCW "de-flapped" box with Madness Filter, JCW Injectors, ans MSD coil, and 1 ball exhaust. My main MINI tech say's it feels more responsive than any of the JCW cars he has driven. No dyno numbers but seat of the pants it's great!

 

I've my Dinan mods for a few months and have been happy with them. There's a good thread here about the Dinan Upgrades that you should read through. It'll provide a lot of info. See my signature for what I got

 

I would like the stage 4 but i dont have the throttle body...would that work? Also doesnt it bring it up to 7300rpms....and can you buy it online or do you have to take it to them...?

 

The best thing about Dinan is their warranty. I actually think it would be best if Dinan questions were all posted to the other thread I linked to above. This way we keep all the Dinan information and discussion in one place.

Additionally, given all the discussion and the number of Dinan MINIs on the road now, maybe we need our own sub-forum? hmmm admin?

One thing unfortunately though is Dinan has not gotten involved here on NAM to answer questions and assist customers first-hand. Perhaps that will happen one day.

 

Hey Scavenger, hope you are well! I like your ideas for a Dinan-specific sub-forum. Especially because a problem with keeping all Dinan discussions under one thread (as seems to be the preference now) is that you sometimes have to wade through a lot of irrelevant stuff to get at the information you are interested in.

Just to echo your point about the warranty being a big draw for me as well. The Dinan parts match the balance of the standard MINI warranty, whatever's left - so to me that indicates a level of confidence for both Dinan and MINI/BMW in the potential longevity and quality of the Dinan mods.

RaT48, to your question in post #4, I would say discuss thouroughly with your SA all of your current mods before determining which stage software to have done. The reason being (and we discussed this a bit at my dealer MINI of Sterling) is that the 5 or 6 "stages" of Dinan's software are not really progressive, but are actually differentiated based in part on what hardware mods have been done to the car. So, if you already have a CAI, I would think you would want "stage III" rather than stage I, which is for only the reflash with no other mods if I'm not mistaken. But, again, I'd chat it through with your SA.

 

I drove Scavenger DINAN MINI, even just a short ditance, very impressive. I can really feel the PULL......, and the exhaust is so POP..POP..POP..POP..
Love it.

 

I have the Dinan software S3 and the intake as well as the cat back on my 2006 cooper s.

I noticed a large change in my enjoyment of the sound, both the intake and the cat back are great, not over-ly loud, but much more present than stock.

I also purchased the engine compartment stress bar, which is pretty and does stiffen up the chassis some in hard cornering on cambered corners....atleast that is what i think.

On the performance front i would say that i also - as mentioned prev. in this thread - noticed a change in throttle response -quicker , more continuess pull through the rev range and better pull when you apply throttle sharply. More percieved power above 400-4500 rpms. The combination of upgrades feels about perfect, someday i will do suspension, the dinan upgrades look good and i will most likely go that route when the time comes.

I would do it again. The warranty is a huge plus, and the dealer was GREAT!

 

Do you have to take the car to them to get the software?

 

I like the engine software, but there's no way it can compete with a custom tune like the one from LDG.

mb

 

Hi MB, what you say makes sense on performance, but what about on price?

 

Oh on price you're prolly right - the Dinan is a good way to go. But for all of the ponies the LDG tune opens up (according to a few dynos), the price seems justified compared to what many people spend money on to make their MINI "faster".

As far as tuning BMW ecu's, Dinan has been doing it longer than any other company that sells to this community, so next to a custom tune, it's the choice for me, too.

mb

 

Thanks, since I'm in the area, I'll have to keep an eye out for LDG's next open house event...

 

Dinan makes the best stuff for BMW's. Especially if warranty is an issue, otherwise check out the Shark injector. John C. is like Steve Dinan, and is known for his BMW tuning as well. For what it is worth, I have mods and recently the dealer "unisntaled" my Mth, and my Butt Dyno can not tell a big difference. Might not be worth spending the $$$$ for better DSC control.

 

I got the Dinan CAI and Stage 3 software last month. I already have a 15% MyMini pulley and JCW Exhaust on my '06 MCS. Definite change using the butt dyno--more low end torque and the power through to the 7300 RPM redline continues to exceed what I thought I would get. I had it on the track at Homestead for HPDE and was able to walk away from a stock MCS faster than I thought it would.

The sound is interesting. My CAI growls now. It hasn't stopped the beloved whining, but there is a definite angry streak to it now.

The best part of the Dinan packages is the warranty. They are fully backed by Dinan and many a dealer will honor them. In fact, the dealer I bought the '06 from is a Dinan reseller and will continue to support the factory warranty with them, which goes to the quality of the mod.