Drivetrain Installed Alta's AP... my impressions.
#76
08-26-2010, 08:03 AM
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EDIT: I also should have mentioned that the RMW tune on a stage 3 non-JCW MINI gives the max boost amounts as the ALTA tune for a stage 3 non-JCW MINI. I got 20 PSI boost with an RMW tune and I get 20 PSI boost with my ALTA tune.
Last edited by SimpsonGI; 08-26-2010 at 08:17 AM.
#77
08-26-2010, 08:13 AM
6th Gear
.Sounds like it's waaaay worth $800
.
#78
08-26-2010, 08:55 AM
Former Vendor
For sure the stock internals will be able to hold up with anything being pushed from the stock turbo.
We have even installed a slightly larger turbo on a R56S the car in the past and did quite a bit of testing, and the internals held up great!
#79
08-26-2010, 09:35 AM
your statement only proves you have no idea what this alta tune does. Don't let 15hp number deceive you. There is a TON more torque and drive-ability is great. The car is substantially stronger.
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.
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.
My car would go from 168 to 183 hp, and to about 200 torques, decent no doubt, but would I spend $800 to get there? That's the part I'm debating with myself.....
And 219 hp is very impressive to me, along with 267 torques, which is a lot! If I could get to your numbers for $800, I'd be all over it!
#80
08-26-2010, 10:09 AM
6th Gear
Look at the first dyno in this thread - it's for a stock S w/the tune.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rt-thread.html
#81
08-26-2010, 10:18 AM
very, very interested in that also.......I want to talk or hear from folks that have flogged the daylights out of as one would do on a track all weekend doing instructor groups, and TT runs/sessions, etc....back to back...temp info, water and intake readings, A/F readings throughout the day.....tranny feel after a weekend of it, etc, etc, etc......watching this closely.... 
#82
08-26-2010, 10:35 AM
Former Vendor
#83
08-26-2010, 11:55 AM
I'd also like to know if the recalibrations automatically take into consideration octane, for example if I can only buy 91 here in KC but can fill up with 100 once I get to the track, will I see an improvement over the levels I was getting with 91?
I'm still intrigued by this whole thing......
We came this close to doing a GIAC for our Audi twin turbo when we got it in 2004, but decided it was too expensive and possibly way too expensive if something blew - like the tranny.
What would this do to your MINI warranty if your engine or tranny blew up, for example? Would it give them an "out" to deny coverage?
Also, I didn't get one thing clear - does the unit have to stay plugged in, or is it used to load the program and then disconnected?
I'm still intrigued by this whole thing......
We came this close to doing a GIAC for our Audi twin turbo when we got it in 2004, but decided it was too expensive and possibly way too expensive if something blew - like the tranny.
What would this do to your MINI warranty if your engine or tranny blew up, for example? Would it give them an "out" to deny coverage?
Also, I didn't get one thing clear - does the unit have to stay plugged in, or is it used to load the program and then disconnected?
Last edited by MINIdave; 08-26-2010 at 12:03 PM.
#84
08-26-2010, 12:44 PM
#85
08-26-2010, 12:46 PM
6th Gear
#86
08-26-2010, 12:55 PM
Well, here it is in a nutshell....
I'm not opposed to spending money on the mini (as proven by spending 4K for the front seats and 1K on the rear seats
) so for me to drop another 800 bucks on a tuning tool is okay AS LONG AS IT WORKS!!!!
I don't want to **** anyway any more money than the next guy for something useless and I do realize I've only had the tuner on the car for a few days but I for one, am very happy with the results I have seen so far.
I think once I've done the track days and dyno runs, I think the icing on the cake will be increased gas mileage. I'll know that shortly.
I would never recommend something like this to someone else for fear of looking like a fool unless I thought it was worth it.
For you that have basically the same tune I have, you won't feel the difference as someone that simply doesn't have a tune. We've already got great HP/TQ readings and IMO, the AP tune only makes it better.
Can you imagine someone that has a mini with no tune on it and getting this? I'd pay big bucks to be a fly in their car just to watch the stupid grin on their face.
If your tune has a few driveability issues, you'll end those.... that much I can say.
Any increased HP/TQ is just gravy after that.
Mark
I'm not opposed to spending money on the mini (as proven by spending 4K for the front seats and 1K on the rear seats
) so for me to drop another 800 bucks on a tuning tool is okay AS LONG AS IT WORKS!!!!I don't want to **** anyway any more money than the next guy for something useless and I do realize I've only had the tuner on the car for a few days but I for one, am very happy with the results I have seen so far.
I think once I've done the track days and dyno runs, I think the icing on the cake will be increased gas mileage. I'll know that shortly.
I would never recommend something like this to someone else for fear of looking like a fool unless I thought it was worth it.
For you that have basically the same tune I have, you won't feel the difference as someone that simply doesn't have a tune. We've already got great HP/TQ readings and IMO, the AP tune only makes it better.
Can you imagine someone that has a mini with no tune on it and getting this? I'd pay big bucks to be a fly in their car just to watch the stupid grin on their face.
If your tune has a few driveability issues, you'll end those.... that much I can say.
Any increased HP/TQ is just gravy after that.
Mark
#87
08-26-2010, 01:18 PM
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MINIdave - I'm not sure if they have done it yet, but Alta COULD give you a tune for 91 AND 100, so when track day comes you can switch to the 100 octane tune.
And I'm unsure if MINI can spot if you have previously been flashed by examining the ECU for things like max torque, max speed and the like, if what you're getting at is "If I blow something because of this, will my warranty be void even if I revert back to the stock tune when I go to the shop?"
If that's not what you're getting at, then see Magnuson-Moss Act. I'm not sure how it applies to flashes, but assuming it falls under aftermarket parts, the manufacturer has no right to void your warranty. If damage is done, you will have to settle with them on the repairs (out of warranty work), but the warranty will not be void. At least this is what I have heard, and also how I interpret the act.
And I'm unsure if MINI can spot if you have previously been flashed by examining the ECU for things like max torque, max speed and the like, if what you're getting at is "If I blow something because of this, will my warranty be void even if I revert back to the stock tune when I go to the shop?"
If that's not what you're getting at, then see Magnuson-Moss Act. I'm not sure how it applies to flashes, but assuming it falls under aftermarket parts, the manufacturer has no right to void your warranty. If damage is done, you will have to settle with them on the repairs (out of warranty work), but the warranty will not be void. At least this is what I have heard, and also how I interpret the act.
#88
08-26-2010, 01:58 PM
#89
08-26-2010, 02:08 PM
Probably a question for Alta, but if they come out with a better "calibration" at a later date, is that an additional purchase?
Or if later I add a bigger intercooler and exhaust and need an update, is that an extra cost too?
And to switch between 91 and 100 tunes as mentioned above, do I have to reconnect the device and upload the other program each time?
And if I wanted to go back to a stock profile, how do I do that?
Or if later I add a bigger intercooler and exhaust and need an update, is that an extra cost too?
And to switch between 91 and 100 tunes as mentioned above, do I have to reconnect the device and upload the other program each time?
And if I wanted to go back to a stock profile, how do I do that?
Last edited by MINIdave; 08-26-2010 at 02:16 PM.
#90
08-26-2010, 02:14 PM
Former Vendor
Minidave,
Eventually all of our ALTA tunes will be pre installed on the ALTA AccessPORT, and you will be able to run the AccessPORT updater and it will automatically update the maps to the newest version. That way, when you upgrade your car, all those maps will be available for free!
We will be updating the maps frequently as we are able to find more ways to make power too!
Eventually all of our ALTA tunes will be pre installed on the ALTA AccessPORT, and you will be able to run the AccessPORT updater and it will automatically update the maps to the newest version. That way, when you upgrade your car, all those maps will be available for free!
We will be updating the maps frequently as we are able to find more ways to make power too!
#91
08-26-2010, 02:15 PM
Coordinator :: Emerald MINI Car Club
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About six months ago my turbo failed. It froze up and turbine wouldn't spin. The dealer tried to blame it on my after market parts saying that it probably failed due to it spinning up to quick. I questioned this and asked them to prove that my parts were the cause. They came back about 30 minutes later to offer me a one time goodwill replacement of the turbo. I had approximately 47k miles on my MINI at that time was just about to go out of warranty so I didn't fight them over the "one time" portion of it. I was later told by my SA that it wasn't completely uncommon for the turbo to fail on the 07s. The quote they originally gave me to replace the turbo was $2.8k
#93
08-26-2010, 02:35 PM
sigh.... here I sit with my new AP in front of me, my 2009 JCW in the garage, and no maps
I know Jeff is going to send them soon but man, this is worse than Christmas!
I will update all on my experience as soon as I have it loaded and do my initial runs.
I have Dynomaster for my Droid X (which I know is no substitute for a true Dyno) but it currently has my car at 216 HP WHP. So accurate or not, i can see what the tune does to that number and at least it will be apples to apples comparison.
(twiddles fingers.......)
I know Jeff is going to send them soon but man, this is worse than Christmas!
I will update all on my experience as soon as I have it loaded and do my initial runs.
I have Dynomaster for my Droid X (which I know is no substitute for a true Dyno) but it currently has my car at 216 HP WHP. So accurate or not, i can see what the tune does to that number and at least it will be apples to apples comparison.
(twiddles fingers.......)
#94
08-26-2010, 02:48 PM
Coordinator :: Emerald MINI Car Club
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sigh.... here I sit with my new AP in front of me, my 2009 JCW in the garage, and no maps
I know Jeff is going to send them soon but man, this is worse than Christmas!
I will update all on my experience as soon as I have it loaded and do my initial runs.
I have Dynomaster for my Droid X (which I know is no substitute for a true Dyno) but it currently has my car at 216 HP WHP. So accurate or not, i can see what the tune does to that number and at least it will be apples to apples comparison.
(twiddles fingers.......)
I know Jeff is going to send them soon but man, this is worse than Christmas!
I will update all on my experience as soon as I have it loaded and do my initial runs.
I have Dynomaster for my Droid X (which I know is no substitute for a true Dyno) but it currently has my car at 216 HP WHP. So accurate or not, i can see what the tune does to that number and at least it will be apples to apples comparison.
(twiddles fingers.......)
#95
08-26-2010, 02:48 PM
#96
08-26-2010, 02:51 PM
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#97
08-26-2010, 02:56 PM
6th Gear
#98
08-26-2010, 03:04 PM
Nope, connected to the AccessPort Manager after updating it and no maps. I've already chatted with Chris, so they know I'm waiting. No worries, they are good peeps and I know they will get to me as soon as they can.
Guess now is a good time to go out and flog the current (stock) tune so I will be more aware of the difference
Guess now is a good time to go out and flog the current (stock) tune so I will be more aware of the difference
#99
08-26-2010, 03:16 PM
Former Vendor