We have had tons and tons of great ideas over the last few weeks on how to setup the Sport button on our ALTA AccessPORT. But i would like to reach out to NAM again to gather everyones ideas into one place.

The last poll i did was very helpful in understanding what cars and parts NAM'ers have, so i expect similar feedback here.

With the Sport Button, we can do alot of things with it and there are endless possibilities but i want to narrow down the popular choices for our future customers and for our first big release of the Stage 2 and 3, and 91 octane Map Packs.

Ideas people have are:
-Keep the throttle the same as stock
-Make the throttle linear like one of the ALTA TPS maps
-Keep the throttle the same between the buttons(giving sport mode only heavier steering.
-Make Sport button make more power, but keep the throttle the same.
-Make the Non sport mode a vallet mode with limited power and RPM.
-Make the Sport button different for different fuels
-Make Non sport be an economy map with heavily reduced boost.

I have gathered from most people that they want the throttle to be the same from one to the other as they don't have to relearn how to shift everytime they poke the button. Where this isn't a problem for the guys testing the Auto maps. Since there is not as much lifting of throttle they just want one to make more power than the other.

Anyway, even if you do not have an ALTA AccessPORT yet, i want to hear your ideas!

The whole idea here is to get really good base maps that customers love, then customers wanting more features would look to the custom tuners (we will be adding shortly). With 96 maps already in the database (12 per ECU type) and Autos will add another 60, it is already a pretty hard task to make changes to throttles and other things.

Our idea is to provide customers
-Stage1,
-Stage 1 FMIC
-Stage 2
-Stage 3
-Both 91octane and 92octane or better fuel for all those options
-Valet Map
-Then settle on a sport mode option.

I just wanted to get opinions to see what everyone is thinking.

 

i have an auto clubman and i would like the steering to get heavier, add more power and put the transmission into the sport mode as well. I can tell a difference between manual shifting in sport and nonsport mode. Not sure about the throttle changes as i don't have the tool as it sits now i would like it to stay like it does in nonsport mode as sport mode is way too touchy.

 

I think I'd like linear on non-sport and stock throttle setup on the sport button (as in stock without sport button pushed)

Of course I'd want max power in each. If the sport had the stock mapping and the non sport had the linear - it would make the sport button like it used ot be - more ommph with less push but not so much that it'd be unusable.

I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately. The linear setting is exactly what I would want while racing because you have such fine control over the throttle. Just driving around normally though I kinda miss the surge of power from just a small pedal press.

 

I think "valet mode" would hardly ever be useful. Can't speak for everyone, but I doubt a valet will ever drive my car as long as I own it.

Economy mode, though… I'm really liking that option. I'm thinking you get mpg like a justacooper (or MCS) and performance of a tuned MCS (or JCW) at the touch of a button. Sometimes I like to take it easy, and sometimes I like to hit it hard. Really, isn't that what a "sport mode" should do?

 

What about a "wife" mode in case the wife has to take the car?

 

I would hope the girlfriend would be able to enjoy what the car has to offer as much as I do … if she ever got to drive it, that is.

 

That is the opinion i am getting from the guys tracking their car, they want that control of the smoother linear map.

Also a common thought amongst the Auto crowd. Just more power, no changes to the throttle (leaving non-sport mode).

For me personally valet is never needed, but it can be used if you had a friend drive the car or it went to a dealer or body shop and you don't want them to mess with it.

Regarding an economy mode. This is a tough one to explain, but there is no way to make more MPG's while cruising down the road at a steady state. Where the economy maps come into play is when you are shifting and you are asking the engine for more load. Instead of it say hitting 5psi of boost evertime you shift, we can tone that down to 0psi. That is the easiest way to explain.

MAking the engine run leaner than it already does isn't really going to save much fuel as you loose power making you have to push on the gas more meaning more load more fuel.

Sorry, i said valet, i should have said valet/wife map

 

Having a MCSa, I am really enjoying how my throttle response is set up at the moment. Jeff set it so I have the sport mode throttle response in non-sport mode. I'm not lifting my foot from the accelerator to shift so it isn't "twichty" and I really like knowing that if I step on it, I'm going to go. I imagine it is very similar to having a sprint booster installed on it. My map is set up with both sport/non-sport making the same (more) power and they both use the sport button throttle response. So the only difference for my current map file when using the sport button is the tightened steering response and the shift points change to keep it in a lower gear longer before upshifting.

I had thought I'd read that non-sport in an automatic uses gears 2-6 while sport mode uses gears 1-5. With the AP, I've actually found that in non-sport it still starts off in 1st, not second, but it does shift out of first very quickly.

I do like the idea of a valet mode, but I think it should be a separate map as I think both sport and non-sport should be set up with no boost with a valet map. It doesn't make sense to me to do this with the sport button as I would think they might try pressing the sport button or turning it off, just set it up so it is limited no matter what they try.

Having multiple map choices for throttle response is a good thing. Granted I don't think I've tried the completely linear response. it takes less than a minute to change the map to a different one so having multiple choices to pick from depending on the driving you are planning to do and who is going to be driving it is a very good thing.

I also like the idea of having another map file for an economy choice. So if I were to go on a longer trip or something I could flash the new map and go, yet I still have the more aggressive mapping readily available if I wanted to pull over, and flash the more aggressive map back onto the ECU so it is back in "fun" mode.

 

a problem with valet mode is that you'd probably have to disable it every time you turn the car on. and we all know how much some people were annoyed at having to hit the sport button on start-up on the stock configuration.

 

That is part of why I think a separate map file should be used for valet purposes. It could not be turned off unless the ECU is flashed again to remove that map file from the ECU. You flash it just before dropping it off and then remove the flash by loading the "fun" map back onto it after picking it up.

 

if it's possible i'd like to see the option of an economy mode nromally then a boost mode with sport on... or lower boost normally and a HIGH power on the sport button.

 

In my opinion motormouth couldn't have said it better. i personally love the TPS map sent to me. It is VERY smooth and is optimal for racing because, as motormouth said, you do have fine control over the throttle. After driving around with the TPS map for a day, i said 'heck let me do the stage 2 flash with stock throttle" and right away the grin grew on my face because of that surge of power you get in sport mode.

disclaimer: i always drive in sport mode. i dont remember the last time i drove my car without sport mode on lol

 

I would think the linear map would be great all the time and leave heavy steering and upped power (and maybe some slightly changed stability control settings ) to the sport button... Mainly because throttle control is important for fuel economy in non sport and in sport mode upped power needs more precise control so linear still applies. I'd say if you get a valet mode take away all boost, no revving past 4000rpm, and speed limit at 40... But to make it still peppy enough to say cross a busy street, put the old stock throttle maps on that valet setting.

 

I would like the non linear throttle in sport mode and the pop and burble. It would be awesome to turn the pop and burble off when you did not want to hear it. I think this is how the new R56 is going to be...

 

Jeff just gave me a crazy map that acts like sport in normal mode and then really kicks it up with sport button. Only problems are:

1. Sport mid kicks the idle from 800 tp 12-15k. Hard to hold with the brakes.
2. The steering is too light in both modes.

I just took a 100 mile trip through the mountains and had a blast.

I just have one big question. What's normal for the temp in the R56? I used to run right at 220. Maybe see 224 on a real hot day. On my trip I had the water temp as high as 232 and the oil temp at 237, with the manifold air at 119 degrees. What is too hot for these Prince1 motors.
Thanks guys, I'm sure it is posted somewhere in the forum. I just can't find it.

 

Not the best or most exact answer, but my JCW water temp gauge add-on red lines at 115 ºC (239 ºF). Usually runs between 105-110 ºC (221-230 ºF), if I remember correctly.

 

!

 

to change the possibilities of sport button is a great idea!

I would definitely purchase it if the sport button apart from making the steering wheel heavier, throttle more responsible and auto tranny shifting faster would raise the boost (and change the ECU) and thus add more power! In this case the sport button would an ideal "weapon of mass destruction" making my mini really BAD

I will keep an eye on this thread!

 

That is possible for sure. Imagine the sport button can control boost, with that, we can raise it for more power or drop it down to save fuel.

So you favor the Stock throttle settings? Interesting. My fear is that some people wouldn't like the stock settings as its kind of twitchy, especially with a Stage 3 setup. I really think that we have to offer both versions with our maps.

I can't make sport do the pop and burble using the methods i currently do. If we offer a pop and burble map, it would be on both non-sport and sport.

1. Ya, it shouldnt' do that but i think you have an Auto?? That may be part of it, but none of the other Auto testers have had this.
2. Steering is not something we can change at this time.

232F is scary but normal. Its part of how the engine is so efficient running hotter.

I will look for a call from you then
We for sure can actually make the sport button make more power.

I think what i am finding is that our ALTA maps should have both stock throttle settings and also linear mapping and sport button should make more power. But how much more power? Really its how much LESS power do you want from non sport mode?

The whole idea of this poll was to figure out what our base ALTA maps should include when we do our release on all the maps. Then as we sign up more and more custom tuners, we will leave it up to them to custom tweak each map to each customers likings.

This is my list i have going.
-Stage1,
-Stage 1 FMIC
-Stage 2
-Stage 3
-Both 91octane and 92octane or better fuel for all those options
-Valet Map
-Stock Throttle Settings Sport mode makes more power
-Linear Throttle Settings Sport mode makes more power

 

Stock is a good place to start for how much less power from non-sport mode.

I suspect that if you had a pop & burble option in the poll, that probably would've been fairly high up in the voting.

 

This thread was the first I have seen before the official and it inspired me!
As I replied you in the official thread, it will be a great pleasure for me to become your first client in Russia.
Regarding the ability to add more power with sport button, I would prefer is button added 25% of power (so that without button I could drive 75% of boost to save the turbo and engine), but this is only my point of view.

The idea is to be fast enough without button and to be sure that turbo is working without sufficient load. If there is not enough power, I will push the button for a short period of time to unlock the rest of power.

 

I bought the RMW Dimsport tool and tune just before Alta announced their product... I'll probably be buying the Alta tool now...

My thoughts. I have a 2010 MCS 6 speed. Even before the tune, I can't drive the thing in normal mode. I almost always stall taking off from a stop, I have to push the throttle way too much. To fix this I installed the Autosport module. Problem fixed. It's always in sport mode. It feels like the throttle is linear in sport mode stock. Non sport is just weird...

Now what I'd like to see.

Sport mode throttle response, (linear) but normal mode steering feel.
Power is controlled by your right foot. If I want more power? Push the gas harder. (as it should be) Who the heck wants to push a button to get full power?

Fix the 3000ish rpm stumble.

That's it.

 

You are right that non-sport is really weak feeling at light throttle. At 2000 RPM 10% throttle is actually 4%, and that is why its weak feeling. Then at 50% throttle its actually 90%!

Its all about what you get used to. I still have people that like the Non-sport button feel for both throttle and steering. But its only because they are used to it. I drove around on the super linear map for a while and i got used to that and now the stock throttle really bugs me!

 

When do you expect to release the "-Linear Throttle Settings Sport mode makes more power" map for 92 octane or better?

 

Ideal setup for me:
Normal mode: slightly lowered boost to improve mpg.
Sport mode: max power, linear throttle.

Everything else the same...... Oh with plenty of pop and burble on sudden throttle-off in the sport mode especially! (could the two modes have different burble levels in the future????)