I know I'm opening up a can of worms here and have been debating whether to post this at all, but here goes. I purchased and installed the Shark Injector.

I know it isn't the same as a custom tune, but after long consideration I decided to go for it. My goal was to smooth out the idle and to remove the throttle delay. Also, the SI was $299 shipped (same as SprintBooster) as opposed to $600-700 for a remote tune from Jan or Mynes or the cost of going down to SoCal for the custom tune.

Previously I had purchased the Uni-chip which was a waste of time and money. I didn't notice any difference from it and didn't like the way it junked up the engine compartment. I removed it after 2 weeks.

I am familiar with Jim Conforti's abilities as I have a chip in my BMW that really improved its power and drivability. I did some research and believed the SI would do what I wanted for the MCS.

The injector was easy and quick to install. No drama and no CEL. The first thing I noticed was how much easier the car started. The usual procedure was to crank the key and then give it gas as soon as the engine caught to get it to idle. With the SI, the initial start was immediate and no throttle work was needed. It idled smoothly from the start (first requirement met). I took it out for the initial drive and noticed how much better it took off from a stop. Previously I had to feather the throttle while releasing the clutch to get a smooth take-off. Now I had to change my driving style. I can now take off normally giving gas as I let out the clutch. The hesitation was gone - as was goal #2.

I took it out to the highway for a couple of quick sprints and was pleasantly surprised. Redline was now about 7,000+ rpm and it pulled hard all the way to it. The real surprise was shifting to 2nd at 7K and breaking the drive wheels loose. I had never had that happen in the MINI. A couple of runs from standing start had me smiling. First run, without traction control on, gave loads of wheelspin. The second run with traction control gave the best launch and I was at 90 in no time.

I hadn't planned to take it to a dyno, but after my initial drive decided I had to know how much power it is putting out. Hopefully after the holidays, I'll be able to find the time.

So, my take on the Shark Injector is very positive and much better than expected. I may in the future still go for a custom tune, but for now I'm happy.

Putting on the flame suit now.

 

It's pretty simple.

Take the shark injection off.

Dyno your car.

Put it back on.

Dyno your car.

Compare the results. Smile or frown.

Enough said.

End of thread.

Everything else is "subjective".

 

Interesting read. But if you had to hit the throttle on startup to make the car idle something is wrong with the car, you shouldn't ever have to do that to make it idle.

As for what the shark injector did. I do tuning and can tell you I've seen their maps. The only thing the shark injector changes is timing and rev limiter. Just a little FYI.

 

best plan of action for a shark injector.

1) remove it
2) a) sell it
---b) throw it in the garbage
3) get a proper tune make power and avoid damaging the engine due to a poor tune.

 

I'll assume you have first hand experience with one?

 

Yes I do.

It does not take first hand experience with one to understand why it is a poor choice for tuning compared to other options.

 

You are contradicting yourself. Either you have installed and tested it yourself or you haven't.

I like to try things myself instead of relying on opinions of those who haven't. I have seen all the negative posts against the shark injector. I have admitted it is not the same as having a custom tune done on a dyno. I have not dissed any other products except for Uni-chip (which I did try myself).

I was stating my experience for others who may be considering this tuning avenue. I my first hand experience, the shark injector makes the car perform better. Even if it only advances the timing - in my case that is apparently what I needed. By the way, I have had experience with other cars in advanced timing and it can greatly increase performance.

Someday I may go to Jan or Mynes to get a tune, but for now the Shark Injector does everything I needed it to do.

 

I made two separate statements, which is why it is separated by a space and a period if you want to get into analyzing the text.

 

In all of the years of Helix, I have only replaced two pistons: both burnt #4. The common modification with these cars was the Shark Injector. I'm not saying that it's the fault of the SI, just that they both had the SI.

 

Helix,

I'll just hope that was a consequence or related to how those cars were driven. I don't drive mine that hard, I just like to know the power is there.

 

Too bad A) is not a choice...
They "Bond" to the car for life...you can unshark a car, but never use the shark on a different car...
So unlike many mods...once you buy it, you own it for life!!

 

Do you put the cheapest, low quality oil in your car just because you haven't tried it despite others telling you it will provide inferior lubrication?

How about driving 15 000 miles on one oil change just because you haven't tried it when BMW tells you it is too long?

There is no difference.

You are putting a poor quality part on your car with potential to damage your engine just because you haven't tried it despite what others have said countless times.

I highly suggest doing some reading on engine management (not on forums, perhaps a book) so you understand the problems with it and see why a real tune is the safest / most cost effective way to go on both the HP/$ ratio and the chance of your engine exploding scale.

 

rotflmao - well at least the OP said let the flames begin...

Merry Christmas y'all.

And to the topic at hand, Turner Motorsport relies on the Shark Injector system for the BMW clients. That suggests it works, as Turner's reputation on the tuner side is pretty obviously outstanding. Their competition record is too of course...

I'd have worked with Marco up at Turners to put the Injector on my '04 S but the JCW tune defeats it, and thus far Conferti hasn't elected to aim at the JCW specifically.

Anyway, I'm glad it's working for you, and I'm glad you have a sense of humor regarding some of the posts on this thread.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

well, Turner is legit, shark has very good tunes for BMW NA cars, not sure about the new N54... I do know Active makes HUGE power from those boosted motors stock.

The primary difference is that all the tunes from shark that are so great are for NA motors, adding timing to an NA motor is not such a bad thing as long as the fuel is adequate, and in a BMW, the fuel delivery system is usually WAY overkill for the stock numbers, thus not a problem.

in a boosted car adding timing can quickly become dangerous (IE #4 piston replacements as stated by Helix)

I'm happy to have a positive review of this tune, I dont think it's a horrible horrible monster that needs to be smashed, but there are some concerns as stated above.

 

Ok so just cause Turner sell it, it's good???????????

Come on that is just crazy. I have a bunch of stuff on my site I don't recommend, but I have to sell it cause that's what people want. If they ask I'll tell them what I think, and trust me ask anyone I meet I have no fear of speaking the truth.

So don't think just cause a company you trust has something on their site that it is good, do the research or talk with actual users of the product.

 

Careful now...

Merry Christmas.

Charlie

 

The shark does some neat stuff on the turbo bmw's...but with a different engine control system than on most bmw's, they just did not get it right...on a turbo BMW it does ok, on a mini...
There are simply better, safer options for the $$.
Heck WMW speaks the truth...he once called me, and "verified" an order for an item, told me some info, and I changed my order! When it comes to cars, wmw is run by a mini lover, who wants to help folks out with their cars, and make a living doing it. Simple. He knows if people succeed on the whole, the brand, the car, and the users will grow, and he will thrive. He knows if folks waste their $$ on junk, folks will get disappointed, and move onto differnt hobbies, taking their $$. The car modding/hotroding market has had some very tough years...the good companies are thriving. The bad or simply ok ones are going away.
The maker of the shark is local to me...a mini in their parking lot is a rare thing...that should speak volumes. Notice they sell leftover r53 parts....where is there new stuff? Just like Dianin, they are not active...they could not hack it. Each had/have valuable items, but I will say the shark is not among them.

 

Just to stir things up a bit, here is an old post on the SI from Stratmosphere.

 

any mini tuners in northern NJ?

 

Key is old....our cars have gone through many software updates, and the 05+ cars even has a much updated computer. At onetime the choices were slim...nothing, piggyback (hardcore at the time), and shark was the new option...
With custom tuning...done remotely, why bother...even a canned tune like WMW's "quick tune" will be safer, and offer better power...usually at lower cost, if slightly less convient. Sure you may need to buy a remote flash tool, or ship your computer off for a bench tune...but it is the price you pay to play...each level has its own costs and rewards... I'm glad mine is tuned!!

 

i have a tune uploader, used it to up load a new program to my 2006 VW tdi,
the new tune was e-mailed to me.
can this be done with a 2006 mini s auto?

 

Yes, but you may need a new tool since they are often tied to a VIN or it may not be the correct one for the mini. You have to research it.

 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I recently bought my Mini and the Shark software was installed on the car when I bought it. The Shark was installed as part of their Stage 1 kit (15% pulley), the car also has an Alta CAI and Milltek Catback Exhaust. Car also has a Sprint Booster.

Should I remove the Shark software? Will I notice a difference?

Thanks for all the help. I am a bit of a newb in the Mini world and appreciate the help available here.

 

May I suggest that you call Marco at Turners, and ask his opinion?

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Your MINI has two separate systems attempting to tune the engine. To me, that means each one may be fighting the other. Not sure if they should be run together. One or both may rely on the stock ECU setup to function properly.

When I was first checking into tuning my MINI, I considered several alternatives, including the Shark Injector and the Perfect power SMT-6 (which is now the SMT-7; it is a piggy-back setup that is between the ECU and the rest of the harness). It was explained to me the MINI ECU would eventually "learn" the programming of these setups and override their communications to keep it stock. The Sprint Booster is the only product I am aware of that can function as an ECU-assist device (if I am even saying that correctly; anyone else chime in and correct me).

The only true way to do a tune is to remap the ECU. That would mean going to WMW, RMW, Mynes, etc.