Drivetrain Installed Alta's AP... my impressions.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Floss,
Would you hurry up and get this tune so I can see if I want one
I am scared it will make me want to swap the s14 if I get used to more hp in the MINI.
On a serious note, this seems like a well thought out and developed program and I hope it turns out well. I will get one if so.
Would you hurry up and get this tune so I can see if I want one
I am scared it will make me want to swap the s14 if I get used to more hp in the MINI.
On a serious note, this seems like a well thought out and developed program and I hope it turns out well. I will get one if so.
Hey JD!
Yeah...It's tough to stay "un-modified" even though the MINI is the DD. I have done a few light mods (forge intercooler, full JCW factory exhaust, PSS10's, RR bar and CA's) but just can't seem to leave well enough alone.
I may actually wait to get the tune as I only have 2,700 miles on the car. I still need to break this thing in.
It is fun to drive though. As fun as the S14?.....ehhhhhh...I don't know. We will see after the tune. Of course, you can't compare the platforms though....the M eats it in the handling dept.
Hey JD!
Yeah...It's tough to stay "un-modified" even though the MINI is the DD. I have done a few light mods (forge intercooler, full JCW factory exhaust, PSS10's, RR bar and CA's) but just can't seem to leave well enough alone.
I may actually wait to get the tune as I only have 2,700 miles on the car. I still need to break this thing in.
It is fun to drive though. As fun as the S14?.....ehhhhhh...I don't know. We will see after the tune. Of course, you can't compare the platforms though....the M eats it in the handling dept.
Yeah...It's tough to stay "un-modified" even though the MINI is the DD. I have done a few light mods (forge intercooler, full JCW factory exhaust, PSS10's, RR bar and CA's) but just can't seem to leave well enough alone.
I may actually wait to get the tune as I only have 2,700 miles on the car. I still need to break this thing in.
It is fun to drive though. As fun as the S14?.....ehhhhhh...I don't know. We will see after the tune. Of course, you can't compare the platforms though....the M eats it in the handling dept.
lol this ///M i saw on the way to work
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,821
Likes: 1
From: Mililani,Hawaii
I'm curious. With a budget of $800, what mods can you buy that will make more power than this tune?
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Gastonia, NC
Interesting discussion......
After looking at Alta's site and talking to Jeff, it looks like this is most beneficial to JCW owners, stock cars gain about 15 hp and 40tq, which is not a lot for $800.
Stock MCS owners can gain a lot more by changing the exhaust and adding the intercooler, but now you're up to $3k, almost the add on for the JCW itself.
The old addage is still valid - How fast you wanna go? How much you wanna spend?
After looking at Alta's site and talking to Jeff, it looks like this is most beneficial to JCW owners, stock cars gain about 15 hp and 40tq, which is not a lot for $800.
Stock MCS owners can gain a lot more by changing the exhaust and adding the intercooler, but now you're up to $3k, almost the add on for the JCW itself.
The old addage is still valid - How fast you wanna go? How much you wanna spend?
Of course, that is with another $2k of upgrades over stock, but as you say, How much you wanna spend?
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
This makes more sense if one were planning to go on and add other performance parts later, or like I said, if you already had the JCW that can utilize everything the tune can do for it.
Coordinator :: Emerald MINI Car Club
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, OR
I love the tune. It drives smooth and the exhaust can sound kind of mean now with the P&B. It has been the biggest bang for the buck so far. My wife even likes it. A couple of her comments were that it really wants to go fast and it would be easy to get into trouble with it.
Manufacturer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Dead right.....but I still don't think I'd spend $800 to only gain 15 hp, I'd just leave it stock.
This makes more sense if one were planning to go on and add other performance parts later, or like I said, if you already had the JCW that can utilize everything the tune can do for it.
This makes more sense if one were planning to go on and add other performance parts later, or like I said, if you already had the JCW that can utilize everything the tune can do for it.
Here is an example of our car in stage 1 form, which is nothing but a tune!
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,821
Likes: 1
From: Mililani,Hawaii
It is hard to raise the HP numbers on a turbo MINI. Torque is the name of the game with our cars.
What the AP tune did to my MINI is most definitely worth $800.
I just dynoed my mini. it read 219 HP. You say nice, but not real impressive? Try the 267lbs of torque I'm getting at the wheels. THAT is impressive.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
With the increased power and 10+ lbs increase in boost (from what I've read here in this thread), how will the Cooper S internals hold up? Is it safe to keep the engine internals stock or should we be considering upgrades (pistons, rods, etc)
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
I remember the good ol' college days...survived off of canned tuna and 29 cent McDonald's hamburgers. Congrats on almost graduating.
Luckily I'm employed by my professor, so I'm making standard undergrad pay.
Not quite as lucky is the fact that the standard undergrad research pay sucks, and most of that money goes to food and gas.
The engineering job market in my area sucks. I need to go to the west coast or somethin'…………Hey Alta.
Not quite as lucky is the fact that the standard undergrad research pay sucks, and most of that money goes to food and gas.
The engineering job market in my area sucks. I need to go to the west coast or somethin'…………Hey Alta.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 13
From: Ohio
http://www.altaperformance.com/pages/show/155
Stages are what we refer to, when describing the level of performance upgrades you have installed on your MINI. A stock car would be Stage 1. Install a turboback exhaust and now you have a Stage 2. It's a simple way for us to quickly describe your car and the level of performance you are at. Your mapping specialist will help determine the best map for your vehicle at every Stage of Performance. See below
Stage 1 - Stock MINI with no aftermarket parts installed
Typically expect 15-20 Wheel Horsepower, and 30-40 Ft-lbs gain over stock power levels. These maps have several variables that we support, including: Catback Exhaust System, Intake, Intercooler, Boost Tubes and Fuel Octane.
Stage 2 - Turboback Exhaust and no other parts installed
Typically expect 20-25 Wheel Horsepower, and 40-80 Ft-lbs gain over stock power levels. These maps have several variables that we support, including: Intakes, Boost Tubes and Fuel Octane.
Stage 3 - Turboback Exhaust, Larger Intercoolers and no other parts installed
Typically expect 30-40 Wheel Horsepower, and 50-100 Ft-lbs gain over stock power levels. These maps have several variables that we support, including: Intakes, Boost Tubes and Fuel Octane.
Stage 1 - Stock MINI with no aftermarket parts installed
Typically expect 15-20 Wheel Horsepower, and 30-40 Ft-lbs gain over stock power levels. These maps have several variables that we support, including: Catback Exhaust System, Intake, Intercooler, Boost Tubes and Fuel Octane.
Stage 2 - Turboback Exhaust and no other parts installed
Typically expect 20-25 Wheel Horsepower, and 40-80 Ft-lbs gain over stock power levels. These maps have several variables that we support, including: Intakes, Boost Tubes and Fuel Octane.
Stage 3 - Turboback Exhaust, Larger Intercoolers and no other parts installed
Typically expect 30-40 Wheel Horsepower, and 50-100 Ft-lbs gain over stock power levels. These maps have several variables that we support, including: Intakes, Boost Tubes and Fuel Octane.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Anybody know what the numbers might be for the stage 2 and 3 for the cooper S?
I am definitely interested in this tool as I have driveability issues with my RMW. The power from the RMW tune is not the problem for me. 1st gear has its boost limited, I have a rough idle at cold start and I still have hesitation through the rev range.
And while I am on the topic, will the Alta AP be able to install maps for the 'Pop and Burble' that all the RMW folks have been waiting for? And how about the turbo flutter map from the Challenge car? (I know the turbo flutter is JCW only right now, but not sure if it is possible with the turbo in the S).
I am definitely interested in this tool as I have driveability issues with my RMW. The power from the RMW tune is not the problem for me. 1st gear has its boost limited, I have a rough idle at cold start and I still have hesitation through the rev range.
And while I am on the topic, will the Alta AP be able to install maps for the 'Pop and Burble' that all the RMW folks have been waiting for? And how about the turbo flutter map from the Challenge car? (I know the turbo flutter is JCW only right now, but not sure if it is possible with the turbo in the S).
