MTH would cost about $150 more than GIAC if I got the cable too. Is MTH worth the extra money? Does anyone have any experience with both sets of software?

 

Do you plan on more mods?

 

Maybe a one-ball or some other exhaust but that's it.
And that's maybe......

 

I just got the MTH Tuner File recently and I love it. Love the ability to change programs and such. Driving, it feels soooo smooth and there seems to be power/torque gained, especially up high.

However I just got back from the dyno, and the dyno definitely says otherwise, was losing power...too much for me to feel comfortable saying. It baffled us as to why it was happening. After much thought, we concluded that the timing was too aggressive for the 109 temperature that it is today & also the AZ 91 octane summer blend (its complete CRAP!). You can see on the dyno sheet how much the ecu pulled back timing, and then looking at the A/F ratios, you can see at that exact same point, it goes completely rich and dumped a bunch of fuel. I still believe in the program though and think its good, its simply the heat+crappy gas combo.

I also had MTH make a 100 octane file which I have not used yet, should get a chance to use that in a few days. Also, I'm moving to California near the water this Friday, so then I'll actually get to see how the MTH 91 file likes cool air!

I've decided that MINI's and Arizona simply do not mix!

 

I'm confused: losing power compared to what?

 

probably stock

 

Losing power compared to the week before I uploaded the Tuner File. By a significant amount too.

Same dyno, same operator.

 

Can you define significant? The conditions weren't the same but were they similar? How about the oil and water temperatures? Same summer fuel? Same IAT? What cat are you running?

 

I recently got the giac for my 17% and injectors. What a difference! The car didn't feel sluggish in the head, and it pulled better all the way to redline. I can't recommend it enough.

 

I am really confused about ECU upgrades.

Some say it's awesome, others says its not? Does the software make as much difference as going from stock pulley to 15% pulley?

 

Giac Ftw

 

I'm sure I'll get nailed for this...but, I wouldn't go MTH if I had to do it again. I was an early adopter, so the cost was low back then. It worked for me, but I didn't really feel a significant change.

My brother, on the other hand, has had NOTHING but problems since uploading the MTH file. He purchased the "tuner" file at a very hefty price. From the moment he uploaded the file, the car ran like crap.

My car could outrun his significantly from off the line, to rolling acceleration. He had ALL of my mods done PLUS new head, schrick cam, ported/polished supercharger, crank pulley, plugs, wires and ported/polished intakes. There is NO way I should have ever beat him. We both own '05's. He took it to the dyno, and he was only putting out 189 WHP...which was less then mine. Please don't ask for dyno sheets...I refuse to get into that whole argument.

Disgusted at everything, he was unsure where the problem was. He paid $600 to have it shipped out to Steve's Auto Clinic (from AZ to CA) where all of the work was done. Steve went through everything and realized the car was running waaay too rich. He was running so rich, he ended up fowling some of his expensive plugs.

Steve uploaded the JCW file, overwriting the MTH file...and the car ran MUCH better. When the car arrived back in AZ, my brother began working with Volker. Volker somehow couldn't believe any of this, but decided to send my brother a few new files. MTH had all of the specifics, they knew all of his mods, and knew it WAS running way to rich. My brother receives the new tuner file, we upload it, and we feel a significant loss in power. He gave it the benefit of the doubt, and ran with the file through a few tanks of gas...just in case the ECU had to relearn everything. In the end, he was thoroughly disappointed once again.

We pulled the MTH file off, and put the JCW file back in. The car again began to run much better. Volker seemed to turn his cheek on everything, so my brother lost his $350 plus $600 for shipping plus ??? for new plugs plus his time. It has been a major nightmare for him.

Would I do it again...probably not.

 

That story sounds very, very interesting. I just purchased MTH and at first I liked it, but my car was horrible on the dyno with it. A/F and timing was completely askew of what it should be. I think it was the heat and crappy gas, but after hearing your story, I dunno. Hmmmmmmm....

I really want to know what parameters in the software MTH tinkers with when they tune each file. I'm still waiting for an answer on that.

I'm starting to think a custom tune is the only successful way to go when it comes to software for the MCS. And by "custom" I don't mean list your mods for MTH and they write "custom" software for your car. I mean spend a day at the dyno, custom tuning YOUR car, using an SAFC, etc.

 

I've heard scary things about MTH. Why don't they provide a dyno? Why do they say MCS gets 200hp from tuner file?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...MTH#post760662

 

So is anyone running GIAC on an 05?

 

Mini-Hype: That is an interesting story; one that I am unfamiliar with. There are a few things that could be an issue with your brother's car such as the Shrick cam, head, and headers (?). Please bring me up to speed and I will try to help.
ThumperMCS: Will you please help me by answering the questions from post #8?
SAFC is not an ECU tune but rather an air/fuel trimmer. And dyno tuning is the start, not the end, to tuning.

If you are experiencing a problem with your file you should send it back with data for a retune. We are here to help. But if we don't know of any problems...

 

All in all..... a pretty damn good response....

 

Yes, I am. I had the 19% done at Helix around Labor day of '05. Prior to that , I installed the Alta CAI. Great improvement of course with the 19%, but it was a little 'frantic'. Around xmas of '05, I had JCW 380cc injectors fitted, and the GIAC tune done at Helix. Fantastic improvement, smoothed everything out, pulled harder, etc. I recommend the GIAC on top of these mods (19%/injectors). I have no experience with their maps for the 15/17% pullies. It is my understanding that Eric@helix was involved with GIAC's development. A worthy upgrade I think.

I have no experience with MTH, so I am not in any position to tell you GIAC is better. However, I am happy with my purchase, and I'd do it again - that I can tell you.

Since adding GIAC, I have recently added a Milltek cat-back and this is another thing I'd do again in a heartbeat. Night and day difference. Revs faster, breathes easier.

 

You are not alone!

 

Don,
You seem like a great guy to work with. He wasn't getting too much assistance before, which led to a lot of frustration on his part. He did have an exhaust leak that was fixed (someone did a poor job mounting his Miltek catback and headers), but he continued to have the issues when running MTH.

He's in CA on vacation for another 2 weeks. I'll see him today (I live in CA myself), so I'll pass on your name. He's a member of NAM, so I'll have him contact you. He might be pretty happy if he can work this out

Thanks again!
Gary

 

Andy@rosst-tech used to have on his signature a link of ¼ mile times, listed were the mods done on the cars, (any one know where that link is?) Of course the most modified cars had the best times but what was interesting was a lot of the cars that were using only CAI, Cat-backs and pulleys had very similar times no matter what ECU they used. I’m glade I didn’t spend money on an ECU upgrade.

 

I too have GIAC and love it. The revs are smooth, power is linier and the e-throttle is progressive. I drove a friends car with similar mods and MTH, and it seemed less smooth, more jumpy. It could have just been his car, but i was not imperssed, especially for the extra money.

 

On your homepage it says:

Can you please explain this to me?

 

I also had Eric load the GIAC on my 05. I have a 15% pulley, Borla and HDI. I have noticed the same as Chaincoopers, stronger pulling, idles better I love it. I am scheduled for Base line dyno runs at Helix on the 6th of Sept.

 

This is what you are looking for:
http://www.ross-tech.net/andy/mini/d...artermile.html

Sure do miss Andy around here....