Drivetrain The Always Up-to-Date Thread on Tuning 2011+ (N18) MINIs
sounds about right. closer to 2k probably thanks man. all the positive vibes actually worked and Mini WILL be covering the cost of the engine and it will be installed on thursday. they called today and told me i'd be able to pick it up on friday 
. i cant even begin to describe the sense of relief i am feeling right now. yet another reason to like Mini. 
thanks for the positive posts earlier you guys. gotta love the Mini community!
-G
. i cant even begin to describe the sense of relief i am feeling right now. yet another reason to like Mini. thanks for the positive posts earlier you guys. gotta love the Mini community!-G
What dealership is covering it?
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I just buy the RaceChip from MiniDynamics and it is awesome!!
Super Fast Shipping, it arrived in 2 days here to Puerto Rico, and all I have to say is that the Mini is a rocket.
Is an R59 Cooper S Roadster automatic and without the traction control off it 1st gear the tires brake loose at 3.5k revs and when it shifts into 2nd gear the tires brake loose but just a bit, before the RaceChip it was ok, but now is another car.
Super easy installation.
The only thing is that it came set at the #5 setting and it was lame, I open it and crank it up all the way to #7 but then at WOT it started to misfire a bit nothing bad but not normal, so i went down to #6 and holy S#!T it just came alive!!
Awesome Product Im a Believer!!!
JUST TRY IT!!!
Super Fast Shipping, it arrived in 2 days here to Puerto Rico, and all I have to say is that the Mini is a rocket.
Is an R59 Cooper S Roadster automatic and without the traction control off it 1st gear the tires brake loose at 3.5k revs and when it shifts into 2nd gear the tires brake loose but just a bit, before the RaceChip it was ok, but now is another car.
Super easy installation.
The only thing is that it came set at the #5 setting and it was lame, I open it and crank it up all the way to #7 but then at WOT it started to misfire a bit nothing bad but not normal, so i went down to #6 and holy S#!T it just came alive!!
Awesome Product Im a Believer!!!
JUST TRY IT!!!
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I like it man! it feels awesome! and the best thing is that the stock ecu remains intact for warranty. I play with it all day, on and off to see if it was my mind but hell no its fast and for an automatic it brake loose the tires when it shift into 2nd! i love it man!! good product! next is a bigger intercooler to deal with the heat down here in Puerto Rico. 
next is a bigger intercooler to deal with the heat down here in Puerto Rico.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
The only way to maintain reliability, on these cars or on any other car, is to tune the maps. You can trick the computer into thinking whatever you want it to think is happening, but you're asking the ECU to correct for values based on incorrect information.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Northshore, MA
I agree. I don't like the idea of forcing the computer to adjust so far out of its base maps for everything.
The only way to maintain reliability, on these cars or on any other car, is to tune the maps. You can trick the computer into thinking whatever you want it to think is happening, but you're asking the ECU to correct for values based on incorrect information.
The only way to maintain reliability, on these cars or on any other car, is to tune the maps. You can trick the computer into thinking whatever you want it to think is happening, but you're asking the ECU to correct for values based on incorrect information.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
The racechip fools the ECU into thinking the turbo is producing less boost than it actually is, thus the ecu ramps up wastegate duty cycle and the racechip sends a signal out to the ecu that "everything is fine" and makes the ecu add fuel as needed and retard X amount of timing based on what knock it detects.
A tune that adjusted maps, while voiding the warranty, isn't going to knock to begin with because it already has the proper spark curves and fuel trim as a base. Knock protection remains a safety net for when it's needed, just as intended.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
I just addressed this in my personal thread. Had some scheduling conflicts with the kid keep me from making it out to the dyno day. Sucks but hopefully soon.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Northshore, MA
While we're on the topic, here's a pic of my subaru's piston after I built it with a 20g and supporting mods, the oem pistons(high in silicon and cast) couldn't handle a few knocks at a tuned 330awhp, I went with wiseco forged and got retuned to fix the knock issue 
. CHEERS!
. CHEERS!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
i talked on the phone today with the engineer that does the ECU tuning of minis at renntech
lots of good info
both early and late ECUs can be tuned by renntech with the same results
the ECU must be sent to renntech in florida
the tune is activated by the sport button, with the sport button OFF, there is about a +10HP and +10 torques increase over stock, with the sport button ON, the full tune increase is available
the published increase are for an otherwise stock engine, more HP and Torque can be had depending on your mods
when sending the ECU, include a complete list of mods, including the brand and model, ie don't say "i have a CAI", say "i have a VIP CAI", they are familiar with all the mods available
renntech recommends the audi S3 recirculation valve or alternately, the forge recirculation valve, the audi valve is a direct replacement electrically operated valve, and is the same as found on the vw golf gti-r, they say it is much more robust and cost about $60
renntech says there is zero power gain on the N18 by removing the hot side muffler/resonator BUT it sounds better with it gone
an aftermarket intercooler is necessary to get max power, "the bigger the better" ... i said i intended to get the tyrolsport intercooler and he said it is a great choice
you can send your ECU yourself, you do not need to go through a dealer, however, dealers are free to set their own price and it may be cheaper, if you go direct it is $945
they will return ship the same day they receive the ECU
scott
lots of good info
both early and late ECUs can be tuned by renntech with the same results
the ECU must be sent to renntech in florida
the tune is activated by the sport button, with the sport button OFF, there is about a +10HP and +10 torques increase over stock, with the sport button ON, the full tune increase is available
the published increase are for an otherwise stock engine, more HP and Torque can be had depending on your mods
when sending the ECU, include a complete list of mods, including the brand and model, ie don't say "i have a CAI", say "i have a VIP CAI", they are familiar with all the mods available
renntech recommends the audi S3 recirculation valve or alternately, the forge recirculation valve, the audi valve is a direct replacement electrically operated valve, and is the same as found on the vw golf gti-r, they say it is much more robust and cost about $60
renntech says there is zero power gain on the N18 by removing the hot side muffler/resonator BUT it sounds better with it gone
an aftermarket intercooler is necessary to get max power, "the bigger the better" ... i said i intended to get the tyrolsport intercooler and he said it is a great choice
you can send your ECU yourself, you do not need to go through a dealer, however, dealers are free to set their own price and it may be cheaper, if you go direct it is $945
they will return ship the same day they receive the ECU
scott
how much for renntech's tune?
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
got my car back.....ok guys so what are really my options here. since i got the car back, i am strongly dissatisfied with how slow it feels after removing the tune. seriously now...what is the best option for a tune for the N18 engine??? i need my power back!
RennTech best tune and PAW second. With Shipping, spark plugs, and tune for RennTech, your looking over $1,125. They're calling me back second week of July to do it. I just needed my grandfathers BMW for the week till I receive my ECU back.
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
Nm for a conservative tune.
I was all for RMW but he won't touch them. I'm not guessing this, I know for a fact. Jan told me himself just a few days ago, unless a OBD type of crack happens....which isn't happening.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
How about renting a small car?
No point since the guy is going to Romania for a month. I told him I'm gonna borrow it for a week. Since he borrowed my R56 a year ago, I think it's fair;-)