Drivetrain E C U ... confusion
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2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I'm not sure I understand the different ECU mods .... Helix is working on a CHIP? But doesn't something like a Shark Injector reprogram the OEM chip? And if you change the ECU chip, what happens when MINI comes out with a new software upgrade? ... Am I mixing apples and oranges here?
I'm getting a helix pulley at the Helix Pulley Party at the Dragon next week. Do I need to have something like the Shark right off the bat? Or can I run the smaller pulley with standard specs? .... I'm going for the 17% ..... AND finally ... I haven't even had my 1st scheduled maintenance done. Only at 6,400 miles. Do dealers get pissy at mods made during the first year instead of those done after 10,000 miles?
I'm getting a helix pulley at the Helix Pulley Party at the Dragon next week. Do I need to have something like the Shark right off the bat? Or can I run the smaller pulley with standard specs? .... I'm going for the 17% ..... AND finally ... I haven't even had my 1st scheduled maintenance done. Only at 6,400 miles. Do dealers get pissy at mods made during the first year instead of those done after 10,000 miles?
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
>>I'm not sure I understand the different ECU mods .... Helix is working on a CHIP? But doesn't something like a Shark Injector reprogram the OEM chip? And if you change the ECU chip, what happens when MINI comes out with a new software upgrade? ... Am I mixing apples and oranges here?
The ECU is the computer chip that controls the engine for performance and economy. There are many options available and some that are still in development like the GIAC (Helix13). The shark injector is possible at a lower cost but has less benefit as well. EVOtech and Powerchip are ECU upgrades.
If you install the ECU upgrade then you would't want to reflash the ECU with the stock software upgrade because that would overwrite your upgrade. Usually you'd upgrade the ECU stock software first to v.37 then purchase the ECU performance upgrade and install it over the stock software.
>>I'm getting a helix pulley at the Helix Pulley Party at the Dragon next week. Do I need to have something like the Shark right off the bat? Or can I run the smaller pulley with standard specs? .... I'm going for the 17% ..... AND finally ... I haven't even had my 1st scheduled maintenance done. Only at 6,400 miles. Do dealers get pissy at mods made during the first year instead of those done after 10,000 miles?
If you are doing the reduction pulley upgrade you do not need any ECU upgrade.
The pulley will work with the stock ECU. Later on after you have done all of your major mods you can think about the ECU upgrade.
The dealership's approach to handling problems will vary from location to location. I would not think that mods done before or after a year would make any difference. However as you do more and more mods it will complicate troubleshooting so bear that in mind.
My dealer told me that they could not install a software update for my ECU because I had ignition upgrades so I had to remove all ignition upgrades and return the car to stock first. I also had a headlight that went out and they had to return all wiring to stock to troubleshoot the cause which meant I had to disable my aftermarket alarm and remove my aftermarket subwoofer in the boot to access the battery.
The ECU is the computer chip that controls the engine for performance and economy. There are many options available and some that are still in development like the GIAC (Helix13). The shark injector is possible at a lower cost but has less benefit as well. EVOtech and Powerchip are ECU upgrades.
If you install the ECU upgrade then you would't want to reflash the ECU with the stock software upgrade because that would overwrite your upgrade. Usually you'd upgrade the ECU stock software first to v.37 then purchase the ECU performance upgrade and install it over the stock software.
>>I'm getting a helix pulley at the Helix Pulley Party at the Dragon next week. Do I need to have something like the Shark right off the bat? Or can I run the smaller pulley with standard specs? .... I'm going for the 17% ..... AND finally ... I haven't even had my 1st scheduled maintenance done. Only at 6,400 miles. Do dealers get pissy at mods made during the first year instead of those done after 10,000 miles?
If you are doing the reduction pulley upgrade you do not need any ECU upgrade.
The pulley will work with the stock ECU. Later on after you have done all of your major mods you can think about the ECU upgrade.
The dealership's approach to handling problems will vary from location to location. I would not think that mods done before or after a year would make any difference. However as you do more and more mods it will complicate troubleshooting so bear that in mind.
My dealer told me that they could not install a software update for my ECU because I had ignition upgrades so I had to remove all ignition upgrades and return the car to stock first. I also had a headlight that went out and they had to return all wiring to stock to troubleshoot the cause which meant I had to disable my aftermarket alarm and remove my aftermarket subwoofer in the boot to access the battery.
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