What are all the available ECU options for the R56 Mini?

 

Alta UniChip Plug-N-Play.

 

additionally there's the mini madness one if I remember correctly and apparently both helix and RMW are developing their own.

 

I have an Auto so no Alta

 

nor jcw for awhile.

 

If any developer can create a bulletproof R56 s ECU performance-enhancing map, I'll be interested.

I experienced a number of boost cuts and CELs in 4th, 5th, and 6th gears while using the Unichip pnp and this created a lack of confidence in the product. After putting on 3 generations of wiring harnesses installed by the (anonymous) vendor, I returned the product and was told there are no plans for further r&d. Every other modification on my MCS has worked perfectly except the Unichip tuned for my specific mods. Had I been passing someone on a 2 lane road and had that same boost cut, I might have been killed or killed someone. Ultimately, I would be responsible but in truth the product would have contributed to the accident. I need a solid product. Once the Unichip was removed, the car has run perfectly ever since.

So I am looking for other ECU tweaking options that will work almost perfectly. My heavily modified WRX had ECU tuning done by a tuner in Toronto and I never had one ECU-related problem for years so I know, at least on a Subaru, that near perfection is possible. Good luck to all those working on product development.

 

+1. i've had nothing but problems. i had cel's on a daily basis and have had my engine hesitate which at one point locked up my tires when i was in second gear. if there was anything else out there, i recommend that.

 

What????

Do share more... does it run fine without the tune?

What has been done to address the issues

 

i had no problems before the chip if that is what you are asking. i have asked adam about my isssue and i got the troubleshooting that i wasn't looking for. i got "maybe the harness is hooked up wrong/ loose or the wrong gas was put in or maybe the gas cap is not tightened"??? well its hooked up fine, the gas cap is tight and my wallet is lighter because i buy 93 octane everytime! sometimes it runs like the ecu isn't installed and i get the p115d cel alot in both settings. as always i am still waiting a word from adam or jeff or anyone who works at alta to give me a straight answer. till then......

 

has anyone tried to get a hold of a jcw tune. i know that the tune is on a disk and it has to be downloaded into the car. if someone was able to get that disk and see what can be done with it we all might have a real option for the car. i know a guy that can probably do something with one if he could get his hands on it. i asked my sa about buying just the tune and he said i would have to buy the whole jcw kit and at the price of it nah i will wait. anybody know where to get that disk?

 

I've sent out emails today to a couple of companies regarding chip tuning so let's see if any reply. What I have heard in the past is that there is not enough sales potential to bother. But with Mini sales growing month after month, maybe this will change. There are lots of fast cars to choose from, but from this point on, I, for one, want a 30 mpg or higher sports car so that rules out many choices.

 

It is still a bit early for the mass flooding of ECU tuning options to be released for this newer MINI. I know that many are "in development" right now, but the ALTA Unichip is one of the first to market.

Be patient; there are more on the way.

 

That's a tall order . A modded R56S is about as good as it gets (200+HP and I'm getting over 35MPG average!)

The Lotus Elise/Exige and Corvette are capable of getting close to 30MPG but at more than twice the price

I rejoice in my choice!

I would LOVE to see other ECU options... there will be soon enough. At least three tuners that participate in the forums are working on non-unichip solutions now.

 

definitely an old thread, Alta's had the Unichip for the Auto for a few months now. Check out SimpsonGI's Mini.

 

Lucky Dog Garage (www.beheperformance.com) has just developed the R56 software. If it is as good as the R53 tune, you will never experience an error code. Since John has over 600 hours of development time into it, he is charging big bucks, but getting big horses. About the same price as a stage I Jcw tune, but more horses than the new factory JCW coming in July.

 

Lot claims there but no real data on the site, or information anywhere... perhaps you could supply more info or your source? I would be very interested.

 

bump on that

 

Yep, I love my Alta PnP ECU!!! It has been an option now for several months.

 

I received no replies from any of the vendors I emailed last week regarding chip tuning for the R56 S. Yesterday I saw double the number of Mini Coopers on the road than I have ever seen in the Portland area so the market is ripe for choices. I'll wait for a Unichip alternative since that product failed on my car. With the newly installed coilovers, I could enjoy the extra power.

 

I don't think you emailed me. Here's information on the GIAC flash for the R56:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=giac

give it a look, and if you have questions, please don't hesitate to call.

 

[quote=Helix13mini;2214096]I don't think you emailed me. Here's information on the GIAC flash for the R56:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=giac

You are correct. I emailed West Coast vendors only.

 

Helix,
I re-read the GIAC flash string. Maybe you can update us on the R56 testing and include any before and after charts, etc. I prefer to have my car within a reasonable drive to the installer in case of problems/bugs but everyone interested would like more info on your progress. The flash sounds very promising.

 

Here is the link on the GIACed R56 in European Car for those interested.
http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/e...are_flash.html

 

The source is John at LDG. I'll see if I can get from him the before/after charts on his latest R56 tune.

 

I would definetely recommend GIAC from our perspective in Audi/VW scene. They have been in the game for a while and they sure know what they are doing. There are thousands of GTIs, Audis running high boost for years without any issues.