Ok so I have an '02 MCS, 15%pulley, CAI, Magnaflow, swaybar, lighter wheels and better non-run flat performance tires. The "mod-fire" still burns brightly inside. I'm thinking of ECU upgrade next. I enjoy spirited driving...do about 5-7 autoXs yr for fun/ and cpl track events/summer for fun as well. The car is low, low, low miles...and my "fun car", not driven in the snow, salt...etc. (only have performance tires)

I've read bout every post out there on the various ones, MTH, Evotech, GIAC, UNICHIP...etc....still cant seem to find some 'expert' consensus.

Takin $$ out of the equation...which one is truely the best?

Keep in mind that there isnt a "tuner" that I can seem to find locally (SE wisc. know anyone local??? any help???? . who can custom tune a unichip), and I am considering Webb's Unichip set up w/ my other mods...pulley etc...

Not sure I could tune anything my self w/ my crappy dinosaur laptop (pentium 2/ win 98) and my general lack of knowledge in this arena.

Is the Unichip worth 2x the cost of some of the others, with a "tune" that comes with it, ie from Randy?

Help Please,

Turnin 40 next month (wow that sounds old ) and wife want's to get me something nice for my car for Bday /Xmas


I

 

I've been researching as well (my next mod), trying to decide and there is no consensus! This is what I have figured out so far:

Basically there are two types - 1) an actual ecu reflash like MTH, GIAC and there are the ones that go infront of the actual ecu (like UNichip). Andy of ROSS Tech did a good post explaining and opining on the two types.

Based on this and personal mods, I decided to look at option 1 for my car and researched them. here are my findings.

GIAC - you pay, they flash, you drive off. I'm under the impression its permanent (i.e. dealer can flash on top) if wrong then you simply go back and they reflash at no addl. cost - its one of the two. You need to have a dealer available. They ONLY offer two flashes - stock upgrade and a 15 pulley upgrade so extensive modders won't go this route.

Note: Andy Ross is running it and he is pretty demanding kinda guy so if he has left it on the car - it must work or he would be expressing an opinion to the contrary.

Note: SpiderX who has modded to the hilt, couldn't get them to create a file that would address his needs. He is running Unichip and speaks very highly of them. One negative for me is that the UNchip does not change yr redline which is something I seek. I also don't see the need to have to buy hardware when there are options that don't require hardware - hence price!

MTH - you pay, they email file, you buy cable, you load software on your PC and you do it yourself. If dealer flashes over, you just repeat process.
Able to provide custom tunes based on mods and does things as change yr redline which others don't.

Note: a lot guys running MTH because as they mod they can upgrade for free for 12 months and they seem to be very happy with results. Additionally, they seem very dedicated to the MINI (unlike GIAC), I've been emailing Volker in Germany and I get the sense that they will work with you until happy.

I had decided to go with the GIAC because of ease. I drove two hours to the nearest authorized dealer. I get there and the guy that does it doesn't show up. The shop gets him on the phone, he tries to walk them through the process - total failure. I get involved manage to get to the point of downloading the file from their website and its down. We go to thier backup site and its down. I blow 5-6 hours and get nothing. No GIAC for me.

I have since turned my attention to MTH - 1) beacuse I will not drive to GIAC again and 2) because I aded a few more goodies( am hopeful that MTH can provide a file that will try to get the most out of what I have on the car) and 3) a lot rave about the performance enhancement running an MTH file.

So ther'es my dollars worth of knowledge, opinion and story.

What is needed is a dam shoot-out

 

I assume you read this thread which might have something in there of use ... https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rstanding+ECUs

The only problem I see with MTH, or any that rewrites the actual original program, is that you have to re-rewrite with the original before going back to dealer for warranty work (I assume).

BTW, with the "level 1" mods you have, as Spyder has named them, you can probably just go to MINI and ask them to flash the ECU with the JCW SW. Except for the injectors its probably just as good and most likely free. I think I read someone had it done free.

It wont hurt to ask and if you dont ask, you will never know

 

REALLY - very interesting ? HAS ANYONE DONE THIS ?

 

Check L8RG8R sig line. Pretty sure.

 

I believe you're assumption is incorrect. I don't think your dealer will be aware of MTH unless they are really looking for it. If the dealer flashes an upgrade over your MTH file, I believe MTH will send you a new one N/C. I have taken mine to the dealer for warranty work with no issues, but they haven't upgraded my ECU either.

Check with Volker to be sure.l

 

I only mentioned that because some people have said the dealer will automatically reflash when they have an update and not even tell the owner they did it

 

when i click on it its says can't find member.

Bart

 

I wasn't making the point that they would reflash because they found it - merely if they reflashed you would lose your MTH.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...er.php?u=17730

"JCW ECU"

 

- email sent - thanks

 

A couple of clarifications:

1. MTH files (A/F maps) are installed in your MINI's ECU via MTH's CarTune program. The program is given to you (you download it) when you purchase the MTH product. Thus, you are in control of loading/reloading the MTH files and do not need MTH to play a role in the reload.

2. The CarTune program is actually quite useful as it allows you to "catalog" all your ECU files in a "library". Any of these ECU files can be loaded into your MINI's ECU anytime you want to. I have MINI's ECU v.36, v.37 and v.38 in my library along with v.38 JCW, V.38 JCW w/210 and their MTH counterparts. I can switch to one of these versions at will using my laptop, my OBDII cable and the CarTune program.

For me, the library feature was worth the entry price. But I really like the higher ASC+T thresholds, the 7,200 redline and the kick it has given to my setup.

Note that I also have a UNIchip, but I found its "A" map to be similar in performance to the MTH base map. However, with some high otcane fuel and the UNIchip set to the "B" map, there is a very noticeable improvement. For my "around the town" driving style, the UNIchip's "B" map would only be of benefit in a track environment.

IMHO, for normal, spirited driving the MTH and UNIchip "A" map are very close. But the ASC+T modification, the higher redline, and the ability to catalog and switch maps makes MTH a winner. Add to that an initial investment of about $200usd (MTH softwarfe, maps and USB cable) versus the $600-$700usd investment in the UNIchip, and MTH is quite attractive.

For the very serious competitor and extensive modder, I think that the UNIchip may be the answer, however. The "B" map on the track is snappy and the ability to re-adjust the UNIchip A/F ratios as mods are added/changed provide the ultimate ECU performance and tuning flexibility.

YMMV,

Theo