OK, not sure what's going on, so maybe I'll get some feedback here. For the third time since getting the Dinan mods, I've thrown a SES light. Interesting thing is that the conditions were similar each time. After several miles at highway speeds. Two of these times, I'd driven through heavy rain, one not.

After the first two, one rain, one not, it seemed to be a "bad gas" situation. However, I can't believe that there's so much bad gas out there and that the MINI is that picky about it that it would throw an SES light that often.

I'm still leaning towards the issue being related to the Dinan exhaust, due it's extremely low back pressure - but I just don't know at this point.

I drove the car bone stock for over a year without any problems before having the Dinan mods installed.

Thoughts?

 

most cel lights come on due to intake manifold pressure out of spec with certain mods.

as for your gas. gas is sucky everywhere. stay with shell or chevron if possible and use chevron gas treatment every 3k miles which is recommended from MINI

 

I've followed this thread for some time since I've been interested in modding my wife's 05 MCS. I sold my 05 WRX STi about 8 mos. ago and I've been car less ever since. Coming from the STi I am craving a bit more power/suspension out of the MINI. I've nearly decided on the Dinan S2, but the exhaust is the only thing stopping me.

I saw a really sweet looking exhaust (or maybe just tips) yesterday. It looked like a sideways number '8', without the middle cross section. Or said another way, two slightly overlapping circles joined together. Anyone know what that is? Either way, my question is if I can use it effectively with the Dinan software. It seems they use an axle back and I am leary of introducing a non-standard component to the Dinan software. Obviously I can do it, as others have, but I'm guessing Dinan tuned their ECU software to work specifically w/ the backpressure delivered from their exhaust. Can the dinan software be tuned for another exhaust?

Thanks,
/zp

 

Check out this thread about exhausts
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=23789

As for the software....No, there software is made for there products and cannot be altered. I dont think using another exhaust with there software will make a difference.

 

Thanks 1FSTMINI,

Now I'm on to 14 pages of exhausts

/zp

 

no problem.

 

Nope. I had my Borla exhaust on my Mini BEFORE installing the S2 Dinan kit. Funny, my service advisor even said that the Dinan exhaust "wasnt worth it" and that the Borla i already had on the car was much better. I havent seen a Dinan exhaust in person, but the tips dont even look like theyre rolled and i think i read complaints from a few owners about the tips rusting!

 

PortMCS: So any problems using the Borla w/ the S2? I much prefer it over the Dinan exhaust.

Has anyone dino'd an S2 w/ another exhaust?

/zp

 

^ No, not at all. If i did have a problem, i def wouldve posted something about it I had it installed back in Feb at my dealer when Dinan was offering the 10% rebate on all thier parts. No regrets and the car is more of a blast to drive since i had the S2 installed.

I havent had it dynoed yet, but i am tempted to make an appt with Helix in PA to dyno the car. That'll have to wait till i get back from vacation though. However, the Dinan rep i talked to says the kit is confirmed dynoed at "205 Real hp" but somehow the car feels like it has more

 

Nice. Thanks for the responses.

/zp

 

OK, got the car back today. SES light cleared. Again, it was a P0172 - System Too Rich code. Dinan has been contacted and they're investigating. I've seen some other discussion of this code here on NAM in various places, I think I'll do some searching.

 

if its what im thinking....they had a problem with the FPR in the tank.

 

Dunno, they did have a problem with them being noisy. I fortunately wasn't affected by that issue. Could be something new though.

 

UPDATE: Dinan discovered that MINI had made a change somehow related to the fuel system between '05's and '06's. So they released an updated ECU flash to address the "system too rich" situation.

I got the re-flash done today. I'll drive it for a week or so and see how it feels.

 

Ill have to stop into my dealer and have them upgrade my software to see if it makes a difference.

 

So far, it seems to be running very strong. I want to say it's pulling a little better now, but it could be in my head. I don't know whether the older ECU mapping was running the engine too rich all the time or only at higher RPM's or just what was different. I grew up tuning good ol' rochester carbs so I know what it feels like when a mixture is too rich/too lean. The exhaust also sounds a bit quieter too.

 

I think the exhaust you were looking at is this one:
http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/uploads/p...r_Skirt_01.jpg

This one is an AC Schnitzer exhaust. Really expensive. Not sure of the specs on the R56. The previous version is not a full catback and it's basically a rebadged Remus.

The tips ARE nice though.

 

I'm looking to do a pully upgrade and was wondering about the software as well. I already have a Borla exhaust and Recently installed the Dinan CAI. What would the total be to get these mods and have them installed? I have waited becuase I was wondering about warranty coverage.

 

If you order through a MINI dealership which support the Dinan upgrades, you'll have full warranty on the parts. As for cost, ask your dealer what their labor rate is and then multiply that by the hours shown for each item on the Dinan website. Then add the parts costs and you'll have the total. Dealers don't discount and generally use the same numbers that Dinan advertises.

 

Scavenger - I am about to pull the trigger on the Dinan Stage 1 (and rear swaybar based on what I've read in the Suspension forum here) at Mini of Sterling. Any particular individual I should ask for? I'm assuming that's where you had your Dinan work done.

I have a 2002 MCS w/ 25k on the clock

 

Not particularly, MoS is familiar with Dinan and has done several MINIs by now, so your SA should be able to help you. Have a complete list of items with part numbers though beforehand. You should be good to go.

 

I have to credit my dealership MINI RICHMOND British Columbia Canada and DINAN (California) with an amazing response. On Friday July 20 I had the car trucked into the dealership as the car went into "limp mode" with total loss of power whenever RPMs exceeded 2500. That day, the diagnosis was that the throttle body was at fault. Over the weekend the part was shipped and the unit installed by the dealership by Monday by 4pm. All that I was told was that the throttle body had an internal fault and that all was covered by the DINAN warantee. Meanwhile, a 2007 Cooper was supplied as alternate transport. All I can say is that both DINAN and MINI RICHMOND provided the best service imaginable. BLKDINAN is back to normal and as usual, great fun.

 

Quick question for you,
are the s2 package available for 06 s convert?

thanks

 

If you go to the DINAN website you will see parts listed for the Cooper S coupe and convertible years 2002 to 2006.

 

Hope nobody minds if i "tag" this thread for when i get my Mini.