Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum I just got my 2002 yellow R53 Cooper S in May and I'm planning to start mods in a few months. I've done a lot of research on MINI's for the past few years. I've always loved them. Does anyone know which ECU would be best to go with that comes with a software for the laptop to plug into the OBDII sensor port? GIAC and Megasquirt are the only 2 that I've found. Any other recommendations? Thanks

 

Do you plan to replace all your factory gauges with aftermarket and are you prepared to loose most of your electronic accessories? The MINI ECU controls a lot of things, including climate control and all factory instruments and replacing it with a megasquirt would render it all non-functioning. Someone else can better explain how the fiber optic connection and C-Bus all inter-relate in it, or you can search for the Hydra engine management discussion (another option you have) for exactly why the MINI ECU isn't as tuner friendly as say a Mitsubishi or Miata might be.

 

hmm. Now I don't know. Because everytime you upgrade something in your car, you could always tweak the ECU to provide more horsepower. So i was thinking if i could plug laptop in, everytime i got a new part I would be able to screw around with the program. With the megasquirt you could get everything working but theres a lot of work to be done through soldering right? How about GIAC they over some kind of software I heard. Cuz Hydra is just a little box u plug in right?

 

i have heard great things about the megasquirts. alot of people are using them and making good power. not sure if it would suit the MINI with all the electric bits and bobs, unless you wanted a all out racer.

is there any plug and play engine looms/ECU combos out for the mini?? i have seen other guys often run the stock ECu for the electy bits and a standalone for the engine. just a thought

thanks CHris.

 

I'm going to go with an Interceptor or Miniceptor from Haltech. It should allow me to change air/fuel/timing, etc. everything a standalone would do except resetting the rev limiter. And I get to keep my cruise and auto climate control. I haven't installed it yet, I'm waiting for my header and exhaust to come in. I have found several interceptors on ebay for around $100. So I'll keep you posted.

 

I got a GIAC flash, AMAZING you can feel the difference even if its your only mod, and you even gain a little, if you have the knowledge yourself or a handy mechanic (like mine) then you can mess around with the GIAC flash, just not toooo much

 

How did you "mess" around with your GIAC flash?

 

well my MINI mehcanic at Tyrol Sport said the flash came ready to incorporate a pulley, but he also tweaked it for my colder plugs and then my intake, just lil thingies but i dont know the exact details

 

There are 4 different ways,
Can food (pre-mapped), Fast food (semi-customize), Restaurant food (customize) and homemade food (cook your own).

 

Ah, I wasn't aware that there was any adjust ability with the GIAC flash.

 

well maybe its gotta do with ma crazy mechanic

 

and from what hes told me its still pretty limited

 

see this thread guys

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=118423


looks like ALTA might be comeing out with a ECO soon!

Chris.