So before I get into modding out my new (to me) r53, I figured it would be a good idea to find some sort of ecu upgrade that would allow me to tune my cooper s without having to pay out the a$$ everytime i add a new mod, that alta module seems pretty cool but it seems to only be only for the newer coopers, not the r53. sooooo on to the punchline, does anyone know of a good ecu upgrade that i can use to tune, and possibly monitor the engine and etc for my r53? I'm a little new to the cooper world (finally got out of american cars, even though I work for a big-3 company) sooo please be nice (and generous!!!) with advice giving! I'll take any advice, you're the experts!!!

 

There's a guy on here goes by ****'s garage, he does exactly what your talking about I believe. Hope he chimes in with the name of the software

 

Or this: http://www.bavariantechnic.com/

 

Check this thread out . I think the OP is your guy .

Randy
M7 tuning

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3314225

 

I don't you can tune with that, that looks like a scan tool rather than a flash tool...

Basically it comes down to two options. Mynes bytetronic, and you can tune yourself. About a thousand bucks.

Or RMW remote flash tool--RMW does the tunes via email. This is the route I went--I'm not comfortable tuning myself, RMW/Jan is quick with the tunes, it's just easier for my situation. Check with RMW/Jan for prices.

Best bet is call both Myne's and RMW, talk to both, and go with what fits your needs the best.

 

If your looking for a tuning kit to do your own tuning, and data logging I would suggest the Bytetronik FullAccess tuning kit
http://www.waymotorworks.com/bytetro...uning-kit.html

It will allow you to do your own tune and modify as you want without having to call a tuner everytime you want to make a change.

 

.....that's the one

 

YES ByteTroniK is the way to go if you have a basic understanding about tuning! I was one of the first to jump on the kit when it hit the market back in January, and have been loving it ever sence.

At first I was using a "tuner" who is really good in the Japaneese market stuff, but had to give up on him because it takes way more work than tuning an EVO or STi, and he wasnt exactly willing to learn. After watching what he was doing for a couple days I felt confident enough to do it myself. Without a dyno, I have done GAS tunes with noticable results. Over the last two weeks, I have converted my car over to run E85 and WoW what a kick in the shorts!

 

thanks! I think I'll probably end up going with that one! bummer though that theres nothing sweet with the extra functions like the alta one, but seems like a reasonable excuse to buys some new gauges =)

 

The only gauge you need is the INNOVATIVE LC1 WIDEBAND AFR meeter, it is the only one that works with the data loger.

 

but can the innovative LC1 be used to actually do ecu tunes?

 

The LC1 is just the AFR meeter, it has NO tuning capabilities by itself. The LC1 is the only AFR meeter compatible with the data logging program for ByteTroniK, that does let you tune the ECU. Without the data loging capabilities and knowing your AFR's and how they relate to everything else the engine, and ECU is doing, tuning your car correctly, plain and simple ain't going to happen. Information is key when you start tuning a modern car, especially as complicated as our ECU's can be.

 

This is why I let someone else tune my car....

 

I'm a ME, I have to do everything myself!

 

anyone know anything about this one?

http://www.minituner.com/products/?v...productID=2201

 

The e-manage system is a totally different animal. Its a total stand alone system, that will take a lot of work to get to work properly. Yes it probably can work, but is it worth all the headaches? IMHO NO, the system might be a couple hundred $ cheaper but what is it going to take to get it working? The ByteTroniK system was in development for the better part of 2 years, in order to make sure that it could do exactly what it's supposed to do, all while keeping the factory ECU.

Ask yourself this question whenever you run across something like this: Do theese people drive, and work on, or even understand how the MINI's electronics work?
GREDDY is a big company in JAPAN, that alone shuld answer that question.

 

Ok, I think you guys have got me sold!

So in all reality, is it the right thing to do going for the tuning computer before I get into the actual physical mods?

 

The more you can do with a stock MINI, through exparementation, and familiarisation, the more you will have learned when it counts.

 

thats a good point, a really good point, so to ask the most over asked question on here but in a hopefully more intelligent way, through tuning would it be possible to achieve noticeable power gains? also, do I have to buy gauges, or would the logging feature be sufficient?

 

To answer question number one in a different kind of way, All engines are not created equal, but the software that controlls them is. Explanation, Manufacturers build things within tolarances, how strict they are on the differances is up to them. That is why you can pull two or more of the (on paper) exact same cars off of the showroom floor, strap them to a dyno, and have sometimes way different results. Verry seldom do two engines run the exact same, yet the software in the ECU of each car has the exact same programing.

Tuning a stock car can hold noticable gains, by just matching the programing to your specific engine. Then theres the factor of the stock programing, most of the time its set to maximise fuel efficiency and reliability over performance.

The only gauge you will need is the LC1 wideband, they even hide nicely in the glove compartment. Other than that all the other information is pulled from the factory sensors that the car already has.

 

I learned how to tune myself, I admit that I can do an OK job, havent had to spend much time to do it. I now leave it to the guy who tuned stuff in JAPAN for 5-10 years. Most of the experiance is just having a feel for what you are doing I have found, which take time to develop. Point is that you can do it yourself, but somebody who has been doing it 10 years can certainly get it done faster and likely better. That said given enough time you can certainly get a good result doing it yourself, no doubt. You have to experiment, a stock car has more margin for error, just remember that you are BOOSTED!

Search engine tuning on Amazon, there are actually some decent books on the subject, if it is completely new to you PM me and I can recommend you some reading to get you started.

 

I saw your post and there are avenues. I wanted to share how you can do this. I can send you my 2004 JCW bin file, I can also help you get dialed in. It was such a ***** finding tuning solutions I had to kind of create my own way so I know how it goes and there should be access to bins just like for other cars so let me know.

 

Can anyone recommend an ECU tuner in SoCal (Orange county) that have had a good experience with?
I have an R52 w/cold air intake, MSD, 15% Alta pulley and Milltek cat-back. Looking to optimize the mods yet be streetable.

Tks, jeffjk

 

RMW is really the only option for a tune on your car. Have had my tune for over 13 yrs now.
https://www.revolutionmini.com/

 

Definitely not limited to one company...

Hit up Church’s Tuning just south of LA and see if they can help. If not, contact Pacific German in OC and see where they send you.

There’s plenty of dyno tuners in SoCal, just gotta find the ones that play with BMWs (I only had VWs and a Miata while I was living in SoCal).