I know that both WMW and RMW carry these, just wondering if anyone has any experiance with them?

Due to time constraints, a custom tune at a dyno shop is not possible right now; so do either of these come with preloaded tunes?

 

You can do that, but the best option would be to have the car dyno'd and have the graphs sent back to the tuner for him to make a map which is optimal for your car.

 

Agree'd, while a preloaded tune from Jan or Way are far superior than one of the "one size fits all" tunes don't forget every car is different, and if you want to get it right and get the most out of your dollar, be patient and do it right the first time.

 

I have the custom tuner; it runs about $300. Jan's cost for tuning your R53 is $350. If you go with him, go to http://www.tunertools.com/ to get the OBD-II link tool (http://tunertools.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ST-423000) and ScanXL Pro software. Tool is $45 and software is $139.50. It will allow you to datalog, observe real-time sensors (like the Scangauge II tool), and read/reset Pxxxx codes. Jan is really good and will adjust your tune based on your datalogs until it's right.

One point to note... do all your mods before you tune your MINI.

 

I do understand that dyno tuning and/or data logging would deliver the best results; I'm not in a position to shell out the cash or the time required.

Does the tuner from Jan allow you to tweak the tune directly? (ie. Predator allows you to modify certain parameters by 10%, such as Fuel, Timing, etc.), things that you could monitor with a Scan Gauge & Wideband.

 

No, you don't want to do that. Jan has a vast knowledge of the tables and studies them thoroughly before making adjustments. You take the tuner and download your stock tune from your ECU. You use the software to do the datalogging, then you e-mail the results to him, along with your original tune file. Jan makes the adjustments and e-mails you back an updated file. You load that from your computer to the tuner, then plug it into your ECU and upload it. Then you start the process over. This can go back and forth several times and is all included in the price. You are only charged more when you make additional modifications to your MINI.

 

let you have access to much more than we get for MINIs. (Or BMWs or other EU cars....) the US companies sell the ECU information to the larger companies that make the tuners. All the stuff for our cars is reverse engineered.

Kinda sucks really.

Matt

 

This first paragraph isnt directed at the OP, or anyone in particular. I am willing to bet I get flamed for this.

Getting a "decent" tune isnt rocket science. A wideband, a well calibrated knock sensor, a willingness to take your time and willingness to stay on the side of caution can get you close, or at least ensure that your car is running safe. If you know what you want your AFR target to be it's not to hard to write a spreadsheet, punch in your current VE and measured AFR and have the spreadsheet punch out your new VE to get you to your target. DIY tuning is nothing new or exotic, it has been going on since cars hit the road. As DR. O said there are many other Auto marques out there with extensive DIY tuning products. I will not deny that it does take extensive amounts of experience to truly get the most out of a motor however.


I dont know anybody who sells a device that lets you go in and modify the maps on the ECU itself. Knowing what I know now I like to think that if ther was something that gave me (the end user) full access to the ECU I would be all over it. So you are stuck running something like an Apexi AFC if you want to DIY it. Of course doing that means dumping time into wiring stuff and then tuning on top of that, and of course that only does AFR.



I'll say that all of what I have learned has come from NA sportbike engines running a stand alone and I have only about 50-60 hours of time tuning, so maybe my advice isnt the best. Those bike motors tend to be very forgiving, and eat timing advance for breakfast so something like 40* BTDC by 6000rpm, fully loaded, isnt all that odd.

 

but so far I haven't found anything. I also don't say anything when I find a lead, cause so many of them haven't panned out. But I keep hoping! I'd be happy if there were a DIY SW package at about $500 where I could tune my own car.... But so far... NADA.... Boo hoo!

Matt