Alright, the install was terrible... I just could NOT get the fog lamps to rotate, took me about forever.... as if that wasn't enough, I got a CEL halfway through my test drive!

I followed the instructions by the letter, and while driving, I felt a slight jerk, and low-and-behold, it felt like I had no turbo. Literally, it felt like a standard Cooper. The CEL did not come on until I shut the vehicle down and started it back up.

I do not feel like taking the whole damn car apart again tonight, but are loose tubes the only thing that could cause this? I'll check it out again tomorrow, but it was a real mood-killer. This is my first big mod on any car I've driven (because it was on sale!)

Thanks for the input ahead of time? I'm headed to bed.

 

Yeah maybe a boost tube blew off....when i first installed mine, i didn't get the driver side tube on enough so when i hit 20psi it blew it off, and it was quite obviously, sounded like a big rush of air....so then obviously it didn't run properly....put the tube on properly and all good for thousands of miles.....check for a tube being off, it'll be obviously and you don't have to pull the nose off or anything to check for that.

 

1) Agree with scott48, sounds like a slipped boost tube.
2) Haha, I'm heading into my third day of the install. I hear ya, man. The "Five hour install" always turns into something else. For me, it's the fact that I work from 8-5:30 and the fact that the pop-it tabs are the vain of my existence. Also, I'm working with a 4.5 volt Dremel which will run for about 5 minutes before needing another 45 minute charge. Freaking ridiculous. I'm about 65-75% sure that my driver's side tube is on enough as the test drives have all gone well, so I'm throwing the bumper on currently. Hopefully finish tomorrow and I'll inform of any similar problems.

 

Alright, thanks for the responses, but without taking off the bumpers, it appears that the tubes are indeed still attached.

The CEL is an "Increased Emissions" CEL, according to the Navigation Screen. Perhaps I did not tighten the tubes enough? I didn't know how tight to screw the clamps on, but I thought super tight wasn't good for plastic tubes. Am I wrong?

Do I need to strongarm the tubes? How tight do these clamps need to be?

I'm off to take my dogs to the vet in my new non-turbocharged Cooper S. I must say, the power delivery is much smoother now, albeit significantly slower! Thanks in advance again, and thank you for the replies!

 

that cel doesn't sound like its caused from the intercooler

 

So I finished the install a few hours ago. I first drove it around the neighborhood for a bit without the bumper to make sure that there would be no CEL or other problems before putting the bumper back on. I got a CEL the first time I took it out so I figured it was because the air-temp sensor was disconnected. I connected it and tied it back and drove around and the problem was solved (had to unplug the battery to reset it). Then I drove it around town for a bit with the bumper on--no problems.

After that, I did something that I would have preferred to not do, but had no choice: I drove 200 miles back to my hometown. Not something I usually like to do within an hour after installing a mod, but I had to be back in town. Like I said, the install spanned over 3 days so I expected to be done earlier. At any rate, after all of that driving I've still had no CEL. Like I mentioned in my earlier post, I would say I'm 75% happy with my pre-intercooler tube and about 90% happy with my post-intercooler tube. I'll keep you updated if I have any problems in the future.

Oh yeah, about the performance: seems definitely to be more peppy, almost as if the throttle is more sensitive. As far as overall powerband changes, it's hard to guage. It's definitely quicker, but I haven't had time to toy enough with it to tell where the biggest differences are. Overall, I'd say it was worth the $400 I spent (gotta love Christmas sales!).

 

Yup, I finished the install as well. The CEL was caused by the loose tubes, because a few starts after I tightened them significantly, the Increased Emissions CEL went away on its own.

Although a pain, having just the intercooler is actually not a bad increase in the upper RPMs in higher gears. There is definitely more zoom in 3rd-6th, not significant, but it is there. Also, the zoom doesn't disappear after a while of spirited motoring, so I would think this was a $400.00 well-spent.

Now if ALTA would just ship my Intake and Inlet Hose, I'll be happy. Tires are on the way... can't wait!

Thanks for the help!

 

I am glad to see your situation was resolved. I just kept tightening those clamps till I thought they might break when I put my Alta IC on. Enjoy the new power!