F55/F56 Boost pressure
#1
#2
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: California Native still livin' in LaLa Land
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NM is 3 or 5, user adjustable at the box.
3psi added boost works well with 91 octane gas or higher
More than 3psi added boost really needs 93 octane or higher -- some feel 100 octane is necessary if one is running 5psi
Boost of 16 ~ 21psi has been noted with these boxes. On hard acceleration the overboost function of the engine's factory DME might factor in, adding more or faster boost.
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Raven99 (06-29-2019)
#5
#6
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: California Native still livin' in LaLa Land
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Somewhere I read 8psi is high boost for the stock engine without a box or tune, but that seems low to me.
All I know is the S is a different beast with a box attached. Can't imagine livin' my MINI life without it.
#8
#11
Join Date: Aug 2016
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And I read somewhere that someone with an NM box was running on the high setting with fuel that was too low octane and got some stuttering.
Also, there are a BUNCH of sensors on the car that talk to the DME, and there have been cases where a faulty sensor caused codes -- sensor replace, issue resolved. Nothing to do with the tuning box.
Point is, these are very complex engine systems. The simple tuning boxes mess with a single parameter. The word is that the new DME's are so fast in processing and adjusting that worries about over-lean or timing are thought to be unfounded.
It really depends on how hard one drives, how far one pushes the limits, what other mods might be in play, and, of course, fuel quality.
Have NOT read any reports of cats or oxygen sensors being fried due to high exhaust temps and the stock air coolers seem to be up to the task, though some have installed higher capacity intake air cooling.
The ONLY near-issue I have experienced was in stop-and-go in over 100 degree ambient temp. I had my Dinan set to Race (+4psi) using 91 pump gas. Started to get a little knock/pre-ignition. No codes. I went down to Sport+ (+3psi) and have had no recurrence of the knock and no other issues. And I discovered that 3psi boost makes for smoother driveability with plenty of extra grunt for my daily driving, so I'm just keeping it there.
I can't imagine blowing a turbo due to a few extra pounds of boost -- these same turbos on BMW cars are cranking out almost 250HP stock off the lot, so I am comfortable.
As always, buyer beware. And if you still have worries, the Dinan Elite, for a lot more cash, comes with the Dinan warranty coverage that runs parallel to the car's factory warranty. If MINI won't cover it, Dinan says they will, IF an issue is shown to be linked to a Dinan box.
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Raven99 (06-29-2019)
#12
Thanks for this new complete answer
THE problem is that I'm a french mini owner, far away from Dinan or NM companies !!
And, in case of problems, I will have to set them by myself.........
In France, we have 95 and 98 pump gas ( I use the 98.), so no problem on this side.
I'm not a "hard driver", I'm just interested in a little more power for overtacking and have some more fun ( my three last cars were Porsche 911, 3L2/964/993 ).
And I want a system that is easy to take of if I have to let the car at the dealer shop.
That's why I 'm thinking about these boxes !!
I just have to make a choice between NM and Dinan.........
THE problem is that I'm a french mini owner, far away from Dinan or NM companies !!
And, in case of problems, I will have to set them by myself.........
In France, we have 95 and 98 pump gas ( I use the 98.), so no problem on this side.
I'm not a "hard driver", I'm just interested in a little more power for overtacking and have some more fun ( my three last cars were Porsche 911, 3L2/964/993 ).
And I want a system that is easy to take of if I have to let the car at the dealer shop.
That's why I 'm thinking about these boxes !!
I just have to make a choice between NM and Dinan.........
#13
You could try RaceChip. They are located in Germany. I have been using it in my 2017 JCW. I also used the Dinansportronics and switched to the RaceChip. I find myself not using the Sport Mode as often. I am very happy with the performance of my car. Always looking forward to getting out and driving. My RaceChip is the Ultimate model which is a bit more costly than the DinanSportronics.
#14
#17
Out of curiosity, pulled using Torque Pro, I need to set the rate faster...
2017 MC JCW 2 DR - Stock
Each pull up to fourth was on a deserted road. I didn't do first gear, sample rate isn't fast enough to catch it, yet. I tried to start at 2k RPM's and a fairly quick roll on to WOT. Fifth gear had to be done on the highway. The fifth gear run I'm not real sure was captured, so the fifth gear on the sheet might just be fourth And there isn't enough room to run uninterupted to get sixth.
2017 MC JCW 2 DR - Stock
Each pull up to fourth was on a deserted road. I didn't do first gear, sample rate isn't fast enough to catch it, yet. I tried to start at 2k RPM's and a fairly quick roll on to WOT. Fifth gear had to be done on the highway. The fifth gear run I'm not real sure was captured, so the fifth gear on the sheet might just be fourth And there isn't enough room to run uninterupted to get sixth.
Last edited by 2017JCWerks; 09-01-2017 at 09:15 AM. Reason: Attachments
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2017All4 (09-01-2017)
#18
My butt dyno feels this on manic stage 2 map C (~22psi) not being as big of a jump as from map A (~18) to map B (~20) at full boost. Low to midrange power, however, is still improved nicely. The stock boost levels have some wiggle room in case the car is driven at higher altitudes. It has to up the boost to make even stock numbers. The piggybacks are making it run 'at altitude' even at sea level giving you gains.
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Raven99 (06-29-2019)
#20
Thanks for this new complete answer
THE problem is that I'm a french mini owner, far away from Dinan or NM companies !!
And, in case of problems, I will have to set them by myself.........
In France, we have 95 and 98 pump gas ( I use the 98.), so no problem on this side.
I'm not a "hard driver", I'm just interested in a little more power for overtacking and have some more fun ( my three last cars were Porsche 911, 3L2/964/993 ).
And I want a system that is easy to take of if I have to let the car at the dealer shop.
That's why I 'm thinking about these boxes !!
I just have to make a choice between NM and Dinan.........
THE problem is that I'm a french mini owner, far away from Dinan or NM companies !!
And, in case of problems, I will have to set them by myself.........
In France, we have 95 and 98 pump gas ( I use the 98.), so no problem on this side.
I'm not a "hard driver", I'm just interested in a little more power for overtacking and have some more fun ( my three last cars were Porsche 911, 3L2/964/993 ).
And I want a system that is easy to take of if I have to let the car at the dealer shop.
That's why I 'm thinking about these boxes !!
I just have to make a choice between NM and Dinan.........
I would say Dinan would be the best choice.
#22
Just get the NM and be done with it. Plug and play in 20 minutes and no adverse effects for the 99.999% of owners whom have them. I just hit my 20k service this morning and it was at the dealer along with a software upgrade. They didn't even mention that it was there, and the update hasn't effected its performance in the slightest. Cheers 😉
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2017All4 (09-06-2017)
#23
#24
I don't think the original poster mentioned his altitude as a factor in his decision process, however that is an interesting fact that it would throw codes if you live in that environment. I would have thought the ECU would compensate for those adjustments. I'm sure whatever his final decision will be, he'll be happy with the results. 😉
#25
NM has good products (I have their intake, sway bars, etc.) but like any machine, they cannot be perfect under all conditions. Their customer service has also been outstanding. We had a 1985 Jaguar XJS (heavy V-12 Camaro-like) and when you went high altitude (mountain driving) you were suppose to pull over, pop the trunk, flip a switch on a black box. Like everything on that car, it was a factory patch. At least we now have software updates.