I have the MTH tuning flash for my 2005 Cooper S. I'm considering making some more modifications to my baby, but would like to remove the MTH and go with a brand that is supported much better such as GIAC or another. I know I can't put the GIAC system on my MTH modified ECU, but I was wondering, does anyone know how to zero out my ECU (Back to factory) and then apply another system? Is it as simple as going to the dealer and asking for a flash? If so, will it cause damage to the engine if I drove home from the dealership (15 miles) with the stock ECU with all my modifications?

Thanks for any and all insight! Sorry to bring up MTH again.

Keith

 

You didn't list your mods but it shouldn't hurt anything to run it with the stock map.. That said you should hook up with a Jan Tune (RMW) custom tune and skip the others. He will clear anything there when he does it. Jan Tune = simply the best......period.

 

Minimarks,

Sorry!! Here's my current mods...

JCW Injectors
Iridium plugs and wires
19% pulley
Alta cold air intake
MTH tuner flash

I'd like to add the OBX header and probably a borla or alta exhaust, the Alta V2 intercooler and finally the new tune program.

Jan Tune? I haven't followed the forums lately, where can I find information on Jan Tune?

Thanks again.

 

Jan is a vendor on NAM (member Revolution Mini Works). Do a forum search on RMW, and you'll be deluged with enthusiastic testimonials. I previously had an MTH tune, and the RMW was a big improvement. Contact Jan about his schedule and when he might be in your area.

 

There ya go, just give Jan a call or e-mail him your number and he can tell you when he has a tune going on near you if your not in CA.

 

Hmmm... I see in your previous posts that you are an American based in Italy. Contact Jan anyway and see what he can do. He has mentioned being able to do remote tunes over the Internet. You would need access to a shop with a dynamometer and Internet access.

 

Hey RKW, I'm still in Italy. Unfortunately, if your home has internet here, you should consider yourself lucky.....a garage with Internet access? Unheard of. I'll do some searching, but I can't guarantee anything in the local area here.

 

ITALY! OK if your over there you need to look for someone that knows how to use the Dimsport software and is experienced with the Mini.

 

Yes, Dimsport is actually based in Italy, and it is their software that Jan/RMW uses to program the ECU. But Dimsport is just the ECU programming tool. Jan is experienced at choosing which adjustments to make to the ECU parameters, based on the dyno chart. Dimsport themselves may be able to refer you to MINI tuners in Europe, or check with MINI enthusiast clubs over there about local tuning options.

 

Great, thanks for the information. I will try contacting them on Monday.

I guess that just leaves my original question: To get rid of the MTH flash, should/can I just ask the dealership to flash to stock? Or would you recommend leaving it and letting Dimsport take care of everything?

-Keith

 

Why do you think that you must first remove the MTH flash?

When I re-do my MTH tune, I'll ask the tuner to use it as a base, in order to keep features of the MTH that I like, such as reduced ASC aggressiveness. I don't think it will be a problem.

 

OldRick,

The only reason I thought I had to start from scratch is because when I contacted GIAC when I originally started considering these mods, they told me they would not be able to do anything with an MTH modified ECU.

 

Oh - that's interesting. Presumably another tuner who also uses the Dimsport program would be able to work with the MTH-modified code?

 

I had MTH and got GIAC flashed over it without any problem...

You don't need to remove MTH in order to install GIAC. It will just override the MTH file.

 

One ECU map does not 'block' another. I was able to overwrite the OEM JCW tune with MTH. Later, Jan overwrote that tune with his custom using Dimsport.
I am not aware of any security protocols installed by any map/tune that would block another. You can't just take any map and shove it on a different ECU, but there should be no problems when we are talking about the same ECU.

 

I wonder why I was told different then....oh well! Now to just wait for my contract to be renewed, and then more fun fun for the MINI!

 

Why does everyone want to remove the MTH flash?when it came out it was all the rave about being the best.One tuner told me it makes the car run lean,but he sells another flash so am i to believe him?

 

Put simply, there are better options now. A custom tune produces much better results yet costs less than MTH. Moreover, MTH developed a reputation for bad service that only got worse year after year (it got so bad that many of their dealers stopped carrying them).

 

I spoke with Jan at RMW on exactly this issue - the MTH tune added features that I'd like to retain, such as reduced ASC and drop-throttle over-run, and he told me that he can leave those features intact while upgrading from an MTH "canned" tune.

 

A custom tune is not an option for me where i live,i've been runnin MTH Tuner file of quite a while now with no issues,but this comment by a tuner of the car runnin lean concerns me,anyone have any knowledge of this?

 

Knock Knock anybody out there hear of this issue of MTH making the car run lean??

 

If anything, it still runs quite rich, based on the black grunge that still covers my exhaust tips.

 

another vendor on here that actually writes there own programs is mynesperformance. you may want to give them a shout as well. I have met them multiple times, and have nothing but good to say about them, and there operation.

 

from what ive been told, the vehicles come out of the factory running rich. this is to compensate for unknown geographical areas that the car will be shipped, as well as better emissions.

One of the items changed on the ECU is to lean it up. By how much I don't know.

 

That comment aroused my suspicion,i would say my exaust looks sooted and fairly dark not an indication of a lean runnin engine