Jarid，

i have a 2002 MCS, so there is no turbo hose issue.if i bought the 300, could i easily install it with OEM hose and pipe? pls advise, thank you!

sj

 

Give me a call and we can chat! 503-693-1702

 

I have MINI cooper s R56 2007 Automatic Transmission EU Spec so no MAF sensor, I will Upgrade the Intercooler, CAI, Exhaust with downpipe, BOV, Crank Pulley and I will install H&R lowering Spring, Sway Bar 22mm and front and rear sway link.

my questions are:

1- are these items compatible with my car?

2- what is the best sway bar setting for daily and track driving?

3- I will take to a shop and tune the ECU after installing all the above items can the car handle the additional power?

4- do you prefer installing the BOV in place of the noise maker and keep the OEM or block the OEM? if you prefer blocking the OEM should the ALTA BOV be installed in a different place?

5- any of the above parts will cause CEL, and can I remove them when I tune the ECU?

6- what is the advantage from not having a MAF sensor?

7- How to DYNO an Automatic MINI?

 

Don't buy anything from ALTA! The fit and finish are not correct, you'll just be their test bed. Their products throw codes and they will not stand by their product, they blame MINI, manufacturer or anyone else! Read these threads, DON"T BUY ALTA!

 

Thirsty,

Thanks for asking! Happy to be considered for your car!

1) Yes all of those items are compatible, but you need to mention to your ALTA dealer or to your sales rep here that it is an EU non-MAF model. We offer a specific intake for that car, as well as the Downpipe you will want is the single cat version (also saves you money!)

2) Bar choice depends on driving style, tire size and compound etc. But the general rule is for street driving on street tires the 19mm is ideal. If you are more aggressive driver, or use stickier tires, participate in track days etc. then the 22mm size is a better choice.

3) The stock ECU will compensate for the air flow mods without need for reprogramming. BUT if you have a local resource that can program the ECU for you, then yes higher gains will be seen.

4) The BOV isn't required and I don't recommend it for the A/T version.

5) No CEL's on EU models with those mods listed above (again no BOV.)

6) No advantage that we are aware off. Only an emissions difference and thus required in the USA.

7) You can e-mail Tech@ALTAPerformance.com and they can help you with that. It will depend on the dyno you are using, but the dyno technician should know ahead of time how best to do that.

Thanks again! If I can help in anyway further, PLEASE let me know!

 

what is the difference between the EU and US Spec Downpipe? is it ok to get the one for US spec?

thank you for your reply

 

EU models have a single catalyst. US models have two catalysts in the Cooper S models. (US JCW models are the same as EU with a single cat.)

Better to get the single cat version to match your car original spec.

 

Dont Hate On A Company That Actually Makes Good Stuff, Chris Over At ALTA Has Helped Me Out With Just About Every Upgrade I've Gotten From Them. None The Less Every Part I Have Bought From Them Has Fit To Their Specifications. If You Got A Problem With Them Why Don't You Just Be A Grown Man And Talk To The Company Straight Up ?!?! No Need To Bash On Them On A Forums

 

Yeah, their suspension products speak (or should I say, CLUNK) for themselves. Just check out the review section of this forum to see the poor marks ALTA gets. It's not just one or two dissatisfied customers. Giving a heads up to potential customers is doing the right thing. Producing shoddy product and not standing behind it is not.

 

Wow, Talk to them, Why didn't I think of that. Just wait until your cel come on and see how Chris helps. I tried it your way and I'm 3K poorer. Only fools read these comments and buy from Alta. They deserve to go out of business.

 

Hello, When I try to log into the Alta site I get a warning from my computer that your sites security certificate is bad and that no personal information should be given, cant place an order untill this is figured out, not getting a warning on other sites. BTW I emailed this concern a week ago at least and never did get a response.

 

I've ordered ALTA Sway Bar 22m, H&R Lowering Springs for my 07 R56 S and Outmotoring suggested to get 4 rear links to be installed in the front and rear because i'm going to lower my car. what do you think? and do I need to Install any additional parts? I will drive my car daily and in Track couple of times a year.

 

From My Conversations With Chris The Endlinks Help Support The Sway Bar Better... You Don't Need The Front Though, Those Would Be Just For Show

 

Are you planning on making R53 exhausts again? I haven't seen any pn the site in a while.

 

Our site is secure, but there is an issue with a security certificate that we will be taking care of shortly! Sorry for not getting back to you sooner!

For most customers, I would recommend going with 1 pair of rear control arms to replace the OEM bottom pair to correct for additional negative camber. But if you are going to be driving your car aggressively, or be doing track days, you can get more adjustment and the best handling if you went with 4 rear control arms.

As of right now, I'm not sure if we will be making an R53 exhaust. Sorry!

 

Don't you think that this is going to make your current customers become "former" customers? Alta no longer makes an intercooler, intercooler diverter, or exhaust etc for R53's? How long before the pulleys are pulled off the shelf. I just believe it's a bad decision that will affect loyal customers in a even worse way.

 

Thanks for the note. As a company we are constantly revising our inventory/product line. Some of the products you mentioned (R53 intercooler,diverter,exhaust) showed declining sales in the past several months and have since been discontinued. We of course could bring the products back at a later date. This also gives us a chance to look at the part itself and see if there are any ways to improve it. We just came out with a new product (a version 2.0 if you will of our silicone turbo inlet) which is our R56 Turbo Inlet Hardpipe and have a few other new products in the works.....so some other older products that arent big sellers must be seriously looked at to see if they are worth keeping. Of course if there is enough interest to revive a product we will definitely do so!

 

i've only bought the 4" antenna from ALTA, but i am considering buying the cold air intake. I didn't have a problem with ALTA at all, I understand people have their issues with companies, but no need to bash them on their own forum.

 

I only post issues after I've exhausted all communications with the company (Alta). I am stuck with their products that cause CEL to remain on (downpipe), Poor fitting parts requiring fabrication (intercooler) and re-engineering (exhaust brackets) and products that are a poor fit and wear too soon (hoses). If you buy from them after reading these comments you are wasting your money and a fool.

 

If I worked there I would ask you to box up the items and send them back and give you a refund just to shut you up. How can you be sure that it is the Alta product that is causing your CEL issues? As for poor fit and wear, it is up to the installer to make sure that all hoses are clear and not rubbing and if they are make small modifications to ensure they aren't. Every car is a little different and sometimes you have to make things fit better.

As I said earlier, I have never had a problem with Alta and I have bought a few things from them and directed many others to buy their products so that I can install them. Never once have I had a fitting issue or a customer service issue.

 

That is a great piece of info.

 

10 out of your 10 posts on NAM are about your CEL from the ALTA DP (four of them in this thread alone). If you look around on NAM 99% of performance downpipes throw the P0420 code, luckily this code does not affect performance, but I understand it is an annoyance. What did you have to fabricate for our intercooler?

 

So after ten posts, I’ve got your attention? Background: I order my Mini and your products while I was still in Iraq, March 2008 before your site listed disclaimers that these might cause faults. I installed the hoses, Air box, intercooler, chip and exhaust. I did provide your company feedback (instructions, drawings and photos) on the modifications needed to be done to make the ALTA supplied parts fit correctly. After 50 miles my cel came on. I was promised a fix by Christina with a new down pipe. After a few months I contacted Alta again asking about a fix. I was given exhaust(spark plug) extenders. When that didn’t work I was promised a fix, “at a discounted price”. Since then the Uni chip harness has failed and the silicon hoses have worn through (thanks to the NAM site for pointing that out). Realizing that ALTA had no intention of honoring its products, I feel it my duty to warn others of what they are getting when they buy products from ALTA. BTW, I have a MS in engineering, Have been building hot rods and bikes for 30 years. I currently own 10 cars and 2 bikes and do all my own work.

I do not believe you when you state the CEL code p0420 does not have performance ramifications. My Mini runs better with the light out. Placing the blame on the other 99% is what I’ve come to expect for spokepersons from ALTA. “It’s Uni Chips fault, the down pipes are ceramic not metal, Mini Tighten the specification”…. And I have asked for a refund but NEVER received a response from ALTA.

So let the buyers beware.

 

So basically all of the mods that you have done to your car have failed?

Interesting.....

Since you have been doing this for 30 years and do all your own work then you should know that minor adjustments have to be made to make things fit right. I can't believe that you guys would run hoses and not ensure that they aren't rubbing. As for the Uni Chip, that isn't an Alta product and if the harness failed then it is on Uni Chip.

The code is interesting to me but I am also curious why you didn't just remove it and send it back if you were having so many problems. It sounds like they were trying to make it work but I know of several catbacks that also tossed oxygen sensor codes or it could be that you have a bad sensor. Have you tried replacing one or both?

For what it is worth, coming on here and bashing the vendor is a pretty stupid move if you intended to try and get a refund.

I have no stock in Alta but I will say that I have never had a problem and I have installed many of their items for both Germans and troops in Germany. I have yet to have a problem with any of the items. That does not mean that it won't happen but it seems that they are responsive to people so I fail to see why you are having such a hard time.

 

Failed is not the correct word. I was un-impressed with the fit and quality during installation. For example the intercooler required major trimming of the existing radiator support because the inlet and exit tubes are not the same orientation of the original, And there are zero mounting tabs, only held in place by the hoses. Poor engineering. Likewise the exhaust rubs against the belly pan. I agree that this could be a tolerance error but when taken with all the other issues.. Hoses too short or too long. Just sloppy design.

After months and tens of emails + calls to get my down pipe replaced, I realized it wasn’t going to happen. I happy you’ve never had a problem. But I speak for the other “99%” of Alta customers who want to warn the public. So let the buyers beware Don’t buy from Alta