Drivetrain 3rd day on track with Alta's Access Port and tune... review
Hey all, I'm still up at VIR. I've spent Thursday and Friday on the track with Alta's tune. I installed Alta's tune last week and though it was initially impressive, I did want to see how it held up at the track.
Here's the scoop....
Jeff sent me 3 different tunes. They were all stage 3 tunes with with the same maps but the throttle/gas pedal settings were different, one was linear, more linear and SUPER linear.
.............
I talked to Jeff before I left the track and he sent me a 4th tune. (the P0490 code was blanked out but the tune was a "special" tune which ran even better powerwise. I don't think the object was to release this to the public quite yet but since I was going to the track, we decided to try it.
.............
So Friday morning I install one of the two new maps. I ran the first session, no problems at all.
...............
Now, the second of the two maps Jeff sent me was one that was tuned down a bit. The HP was approx 240 at the wheels and the torque down to 285'ish. I decided to try it.
Mark
Here's the scoop....
Jeff sent me 3 different tunes. They were all stage 3 tunes with with the same maps but the throttle/gas pedal settings were different, one was linear, more linear and SUPER linear.
.............
I talked to Jeff before I left the track and he sent me a 4th tune. (the P0490 code was blanked out but the tune was a "special" tune which ran even better powerwise. I don't think the object was to release this to the public quite yet but since I was going to the track, we decided to try it.
.............
So Friday morning I install one of the two new maps. I ran the first session, no problems at all.
...............
Now, the second of the two maps Jeff sent me was one that was tuned down a bit. The HP was approx 240 at the wheels and the torque down to 285'ish. I decided to try it.
Mark
So - Mark - back to the start of this thread (yes, I did edit the above). I am a bit confused. Over the course of 2 days you tried out 6 different Tunes from Alta, of which the last seemed to work the best. A little lower in power/torque, but worth it given that it didn't throw any codes. Hopefully I got that right. Now, if I go today to the Alta web page and buy their tune, which version would you expect I would get?
Here's the deal... It doesn't matter who makes the tune, what works on the street may not work on the track.
Being on the track for hours on end would make a the ECM have the chance throw a code much more so than that same tune on the street.
What works on the street doesn't necc. handle the abuse the track gives... that's why many people run two tunes... one that will ease off the engine for hours at a time.
Mark
Ouch, sorry about the hit. 3:20's is moving pretty good. get an idea of grand course lap times I found the car and driver lighting lap. Looks like they managed a 3:22 in a 2007 cooper S. I'm sure they had a pro in it so 3:20's isn't to shabby. 
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...p_2009-feature
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...p_2009-feature
I'll be better prepared next time, my new front sway bar is in, new rear lower adjustable control arms and brand new coilovers are sitting at the shop. By the time I get some better tires, I'll ready.
Mark
Not so much caster as much as camber. Right now, this (was) my street ride and there's a fine line between a street car and a race car.
When I install the coilovers, I'll have adjustable camber plates so that will definitely help.
Mark
When I install the coilovers, I'll have adjustable camber plates so that will definitely help.
Mark
the stock MINI R56s have something like 5.6 degrees of caster stock i think (don't quote that number but i thought i read it in a euro spec sheet) if you look into most european cars, the caster is high enough that static negative camber isn't necessary to increase handling grip as much as say an asian car would need it... I only run -1.5 front and rear in my setup and for track i actually lower front to -1 so caster does its thing, at full lock it's kinda ridiculous how much negative camber there is...
the stock MINI R56s have something like 5.6 degrees of caster stock i think (don't quote that number but i thought i read it in a euro spec sheet) if you look into most european cars, the caster is high enough that static negative camber isn't necessary to increase handling grip as much as say an asian car would need it... I only run -1.5 front and rear in my setup and for track i actually lower front to -1 so caster does its thing, at full lock it's kinda ridiculous how much negative camber there is...
If the numbers you quoted for the Euro specs are correct, that is what I would like to go to. This could be built into the camber plate by just moving it back about 0.5 inch (~1 deg more caster). Other NAM threads say this should be a good thing and the experience is another leap beyond the feel that the camber gives ya
Hey Mark, just heard about your crash. Glad you're unhurt and the MINI's not totaled. Get that MINI up and running again! Might see you at RR in November. Maybe this time with a roll cage? =)
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