Drivetrain RMW tuning day at Helix in Philly Mar/Apr '10
Yes you do. Relax and enjoy your MINI & congrats on the tune.
I had the 9am tune slot Weds, and it was just starting to get warm then - I can only imagine how "pleasant" the dyno room was in the mid afternoon.
my numbers came in pretty modest:
initial: 172 trq 157hp
post: 177 trq 174hp
but with nice gains in torque between 4K and 5K.
My starting numbers were based on a LDG (Behe) bench tune for 15% pulley. I'd since added JCW exhaust and injectors and colder plugs.
I don't have a CAI (not necessarily looking for more "audio"), but I was wondering if I needed one, or something else to try and flatten out the torque curve. What would the next step towards a 195 target? I don't need to go as crazy as Chili MINI (who does have the best looking MINI I've seen as well. Super clean, right mix of CF - very nice setup (and immaculate engine compartment!)
Any suggestions from folks who found themselves in this middle ground?

my numbers came in pretty modest:
initial: 172 trq 157hp
post: 177 trq 174hp
but with nice gains in torque between 4K and 5K.
My starting numbers were based on a LDG (Behe) bench tune for 15% pulley. I'd since added JCW exhaust and injectors and colder plugs.
I don't have a CAI (not necessarily looking for more "audio"), but I was wondering if I needed one, or something else to try and flatten out the torque curve. What would the next step towards a 195 target? I don't need to go as crazy as Chili MINI (who does have the best looking MINI I've seen as well. Super clean, right mix of CF - very nice setup (and immaculate engine compartment!)
Any suggestions from folks who found themselves in this middle ground?
Last edited by jerzrunr; Apr 9, 2010 at 07:51 AM. Reason: added picture
Oh yeah, props to Jan and Eric for explaining things to the beginner.
Very laid back. Completely took the stress off me whipping in there 15 minutes late from some crappy I-95 traffic. (gawd I hate that road)
Very laid back. Completely took the stress off me whipping in there 15 minutes late from some crappy I-95 traffic. (gawd I hate that road)
I had the 9am tune slot Weds, and it was just starting to get warm then - I can only imagine how "pleasant" the dyno room was in the mid afternoon.
my numbers came in pretty modest:
initial: 172 trq 157hp
post: 177 trq 174hp
but with nice gains in torque between 4K and 5K.
My starting numbers were based on a LDG (Behe) bench tune for 15% pulley. I'd since added JCW exhaust and injectors and colder plugs.
I don't have a CAI (not necessarily looking for more "audio"), but I was wondering if I needed one, or something else to try and flatten out the torque curve. What would the next step towards a 195 target? I don't need to go as crazy as Chili MINI (who does have the best looking MINI I've seen as well. Super clean, right mix of CF - very nice setup (and immaculate engine compartment!)
Any suggestions from folks who found themselves in this middle ground?

my numbers came in pretty modest:
initial: 172 trq 157hp
post: 177 trq 174hp
but with nice gains in torque between 4K and 5K.
My starting numbers were based on a LDG (Behe) bench tune for 15% pulley. I'd since added JCW exhaust and injectors and colder plugs.
I don't have a CAI (not necessarily looking for more "audio"), but I was wondering if I needed one, or something else to try and flatten out the torque curve. What would the next step towards a 195 target? I don't need to go as crazy as Chili MINI (who does have the best looking MINI I've seen as well. Super clean, right mix of CF - very nice setup (and immaculate engine compartment!)
Any suggestions from folks who found themselves in this middle ground?
But... my dyno numbers were about 20 hp and 20 tq above yours - same dyno, only three days later. I'd say it is time for you to pull the cork on the intake side! You've already got a free-er flowing exhaust, so you should be able to put down better numbers than me with a CAI.
I do not need to "relax." I need Jan to explain what he did and why he did it and if its normal. Eric does not have an answer for me on this.
Back from my business trip in Boston. Here are pics and a scan of the dyno results.
Hey Ralph...is it that loud in there?

Ralph on the left. Eric on the right. Dyno station in the middle.



And finally a view of the Helix service area. The Laser Blue Cooper S belongs to Dunphyj, When I showed up he was waiting for his reworked turbo to go back into his car. From an earlier post in this thread he stated that its all back together and on the road.

And finally my dyno numbers 211whp and 243wtq
Hey Ralph...is it that loud in there?

Ralph on the left. Eric on the right. Dyno station in the middle.



And finally a view of the Helix service area. The Laser Blue Cooper S belongs to Dunphyj, When I showed up he was waiting for his reworked turbo to go back into his car. From an earlier post in this thread he stated that its all back together and on the road.

And finally my dyno numbers 211whp and 243wtq
Last edited by onefish2; Apr 10, 2010 at 08:02 PM.
Onefish, what are your pre tune numbers?? Some JCW's on here are putting down 210whp stock, no mods at all. To me, those post tune numbers are pretty disappointing for a turbo car, especially for $800. I personally don't think 35-45 wtq, with barely any extra HP, especially when your JCW has all the bolt ons possible except for downpipe and exhaust, is worth that much money.
Onefish, what are your pre tune numbers?? Some JCW's on here are putting down 210whp stock, no mods at all. To me, those post tune numbers are pretty disappointing for a turbo car, especially for $800. I personally don't think 35-45 wtq, with barely any extra HP, especially when your JCW has all the bolt ons possible except for downpipe and exhaust, is worth that much money.
I sent this message to Eric at Helix a little while ago. This sums up my feelings at this time...
I put the original file back on my car and went for a ride. I drove about 5 miles or so both on the highway and on local roads. Pulled back into my driveway and put the modified file on the car and went for a ride on the same route.
I can definitely tell the difference. Its not a big change. It is subtle. The car feels more refined, a bit more powerful, more focused, the turbo recovers faster and spools up quicker. The car feels like it has been tuned. Sounds goofy but that is the best way to describe it. I think Jan can get more out of this. At least I hope so.
Overall, I am a bit more satisfied than the other day. At least I know about the new sound with the turbo blow off. I do not know if I would recommend others with JCWs to do this.
That crazy blow off flutter
From Jan via Eric at Helix:
I talked to Jan about your BOV 'flutter'. It is something he purposefully puts into the JCW cars. It keeps the car on boost between shifts, for quicker acceleration.
OK. I am relaxed and "dealing" with it.
I talked to Jan about your BOV 'flutter'. It is something he purposefully puts into the JCW cars. It keeps the car on boost between shifts, for quicker acceleration.
OK. I am relaxed and "dealing" with it.
Id take it 
I cant believe I missed the tuning session. Never seen the announcement or anything on it until now. Thanks Ralph

I cant believe I missed the tuning session. Never seen the announcement or anything on it until now. Thanks Ralph
I was very disappointed when I left Philly Wed. It seems that my car has some weird programing so Jan wasn't able to tune my car. It was nice meeting him, and the guys from Helix as well though. They're all great guys.
Jan is taking care of me all the same. Monday I will overnight my ECU to him. He will then read it and overnight it back to me. This will allow him to make a tune for my car. I'll meet up with him in CT and get my tune at the end of May.
I'm actually glad that I couldn't get my car tuned in Philly now. I just ordered one of these:
And one of these:


Now I just have to install the darn thing.
Darn you Chili_Mini_PA, darn you...
Jan is taking care of me all the same. Monday I will overnight my ECU to him. He will then read it and overnight it back to me. This will allow him to make a tune for my car. I'll meet up with him in CT and get my tune at the end of May.
I'm actually glad that I couldn't get my car tuned in Philly now. I just ordered one of these:
And one of these:

Now I just have to install the darn thing.
Darn you Chili_Mini_PA, darn you...
Last edited by 09MellowJCW; Apr 10, 2010 at 05:16 PM.
Every one knows torque is where it's at.. That is a ton to be gaining.. as I'm sure was seen some cars start off with more HP & Tq some cars start off with more so they don't gain as much.. Be interesting to know what kind of gains were expected vs what was achived..
Plus some times it not so much the gain but the curve of it all....
If it was truely a stock JCW there are some cars with lots of mods gaining far less..As is to be understood, not everyone is going to be happy at a tuning day..
Yeah, I was sorry you had to leave empty-handed, but it looks like Jan is going to take care of you. Look at it this way, you got to hang in beautiful NW Philly
.
Keep us posted on the Meth Kit installation. I have yet to put one in a R56, or any direct injection car for that matter. We're going to do some testing for Howerton Engineering on our 135i.
Keep us posted on the Meth Kit installation. I have yet to put one in a R56, or any direct injection car for that matter. We're going to do some testing for Howerton Engineering on our 135i.
I was very disappointed when I left Philly Wed. It seems that my car has some weird programing so Jan wasn't able to tune my car. It was nice meeting him, and the guys from Helix as well though. They're all great guys.
Jan is taking care of me all the same. Monday I will overnight my ECU to him. He will then read it and overnight it back to me. This will allow him to make a tune for my car. I'll meet up with him in CT and get my tune at the end of May.
I'm actually glad that I couldn't get my car tuned in Philly now. I just ordered one of these:
And one of these:


Now I just have to install the darn thing.
Darn you Chili_Mini_PA, darn you...
Jan is taking care of me all the same. Monday I will overnight my ECU to him. He will then read it and overnight it back to me. This will allow him to make a tune for my car. I'll meet up with him in CT and get my tune at the end of May.
I'm actually glad that I couldn't get my car tuned in Philly now. I just ordered one of these:
And one of these:

Now I just have to install the darn thing.
Darn you Chili_Mini_PA, darn you...
Look at it this way, you got to hang in beautiful NW Philly
I also got some great pizza and a free hat
I tried putting the RMW hat in the engine bay. It didn't have the effect I was hoping for
I can't wait for CT!
I had the same ECU software issue when I downloaded my ECU maps with the Remote Tuning Tool. I put my ECU in UPS's overnight delivery so it will be there on Tuesday. Jan mentioned seeing a JCW with the same issue. Any idea when your car was last reprogrammed? Hopefully, it won't take too long to figure out as Jan will be out here for a tuning session in two weeks. If you aren't too far from D.C., I think there are a couple of slots open down here on the 25th/26th of April. Dan at Mach V (dan@machv.com) has the schedule if you are interested.
Craig
Craig
Downloading is not the problem, uploading to the ECU is. (Checksumms are different) No worries Jan has it undercontrol.




I'm confused, isn't a 35 to 45 wtq gain on a Mustang dyno (or any other) profound? Give me that and I'll show you a dramatic drop in lap times!!
What is the issue with downloading to certain ECU's?