I know the situation well. I was concerned the car was going to have a catastrophic failure much earlier so this doesn't surprise me. There were risks being taken before the turbo upgrade. I don't question its a great tune. I love mine! What I wonder is should people be pushing 27+ psi on a stock Cooper S engine at all? I know there is a stage 3 and stage 3+ tune with the latter requiring upgraded internals. When is this line crossed?

 

Mario

Is this gap your preference or something coming down from Nick? I ask because other than recommending these plugs along with the tune nothing was mentioned to me about them needing to be gapped. Thanks in advance!

 

If he was pushing close to 30psi that would be his problem. His Map C is only 1.5 bar=21.75 psi. Not sure how he made it overboost to those numbers or if it was just a faulty boost gauge reading but No Manic tuned cars have been set to 30psi at this point in time.
There are some fuel system upgrades that need happen before anyone gets up to those numbers.
1.8 bar or 26 psi is the highest we have seen tuned and that was for a car running 108 octane plus meth injection with Owens turbo.

I am sure we will find out more about what happened but some of the numbers regarding boost levels are not adding up.

 

The plugs where suggested by Nick when I met him in LA. The gaping is something, I believe was suggested and agreed in my group. I do check the gap before installing because I have found some inconsistencies. I have been running these plugs with a combo of fuels, and 20-22psi for 7,000+ miles

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

so you recommend changing plugs every 7k?

 

I guess it depends how your car is maintained and driving habits. I drive hard,, so every 10k for me, but I do check them every few months, for damage, color and gaping

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

I wouldn't suggest anything over 22psi on a stock block or a Mini that isn't maintained really well or isn't FBO (full bolt ones). There is always a risk of modifying the the car, but it's a risk all of us car lovers do, because stock is ordinary and boring. There is no magic line, that separates a car that will and won't blow up, but for me, anything over 22psi with FOB and high octane, better have forged internals. I do think 25psi a mini daily driver is possible

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

Fun and Interesting read so far! I have been using the JB+ which offers a real nice boost in performance;


When I bought the JB+, I also bought NGK plugs (1 step colder) from Burger, and gapped them to .022" as recommend by them.


I just shipped out my ECU this morning to get a Manic stage 2+ tune! Can't wait!


Will be installing new plugs ILKR8E6 this weekend along with new DP - while I'm in there i'll be installing a Detroit Tuned turbo oil line.

 

Ohhhhhh you will be happy! Trust me

 

Your going to love the Manic Tune, not sure if you already have the Alta stiffer Diverter Valve spring?
Keep us posted on your on your Mini progress

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

Yes, like a kid at Christmas! - Oh yeah, it is Christmass😊

 

Yes, I forgot... I do have the Alta spring to put in too!


As soon as you get my ECU back to me I will post here!


-Sonny

 

Thanks Mario. I hadn't heard about any gapping via Manic so was curious. If It's recommended that's good to know.

 

Ok good point thanks. I thought 30 sounded insanely high and as far as I know he has no other mods on his car other than the recommended stage 3 mods. I do know that it was running in race map occasionally while the stock turbo was still on which may have contributed to the end state. Either way like Mario said the car had some miles on it and I know Kyle likes to drive his MINI like it should be driven....hard

 

Does the spring make much of a difference? Do u recommend it? It was so cheap that I'll be putting one in when I get my replacement DV. Don't know what to expect.

 

It works well and makes the sound sharper because of quicker response time. The spring is expensive for a spring, but cheaper than buying a Forge or something.

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

I'm with Ya! Half the fun of owning a car is working with it. The other half is enjoying the fruits of that labor. I have an alta spring as well just in case I need a back up dealing with boost. So far the DV that came with the Jmtc turbo is doing fine. Mostly I'm just hoping to avoid having to remove the dv. It's a *****!

 

I should be wrapping gifts, but I have to ask, what turbo do you have?

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

Sorry I missed this. I can guarantee I was wrapping presents too haha! I have the Jmtc 47mm ported.

 

Are you liking it, how is first gear take off or lag? I'm looking to buy 5 of them

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

So far so good. I'm loving it. It's been on about 2 months so far. First gear is average unless you get the revs just right and then it boogies but to be honest first gear in my car has always been that way (Big JCW Paceman). 2nd gear + with the Manic stage 3 tune it roars to life about 2600-3K rpm's and doesn't stop giving till you get scared....or smart lol! I really was surprised the lag, when compared to the stock turbo and my former stage 2 tune feels no worse. Perhaps a hair better.

I should add I do have a catless 3" turboback installed.

 

Headed in today for my free service maintenance, drove the fist 70 miles in Map A. So much fun to drive my Manic Tuned Stage II+ MCS, even in the lowest Map. Saw a couple MINIs in route, no waves but definitely had been noticed, LOL.. Switched to stock Map 10 miles out (Thanks to my SPS Switch)...

Dealer hooked me up not only w/oil change, but also front and rear brakes plus car wash= $0.00, informed me of needing new tires, to include me finally realizing I actually had run flats😮... Quoted = $1200.00 for a replacement set, my reply of course was Hell No!!! The ability to drive home afterwards on Map B w/a fresh oil change, new brakes, in 55* weather = Priceless. So must be my ECU has had the most up-to-date flash, or my dealer does not like tampering with Modded MINIs😁

Never-The-Less, thank you Flow MINI👍

 

$1200 for run flats, I have no words only shock! ~

 

My 215/40/18 Hankook V12's were only $560 out the door

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

This Manic Stage 2+ tune is Awesome!


Sorry for repeating what everyone else has said. Feels like a whole new car!


Now I need better performance tires! Conti runflats not cutting it


I really wasn't expecting this much difference.