Hello Everyone!

I am looking at buying a mini, and as a car nut I find it imperative that I check the tuning scene before making a buy. As such, after much searching, reading and more searching, I have questions.

#1 - Why is there not a hard-pipe solution for the entire cold side of the intercooler? We have a solution for the upper section.

#2 - Why can you not block off the stock bypass valve when installing a aftermarket BOV/DV? The most definitive answer I got from searching was "causes check engine light". Ok, big whoop, a light. VAG cars give you lights when you talk sternly to them. I have never seen/used the stock BOV/DV with an aftermarket. Why do you guys?

#3 - Manual Boost Controler. I found a thread talking about how the turbo wastegate is electronically controlled. Yet, information stopped there. MINI are not the only cars that have these. Is there still a vacuum actuated wastegate? If so, there are ways to apply a manual boost controller, both as a supplement, or as a replacement. Anyone have a picture so I can see what it looks like?

Thanks,

-Spencer

 

Exhaust Depot makes a hard cold side boost tube, but the elbow to the throttle body is still silicone. It's the best out there though! Just installed mine after my Alta one started to get punctured from a valve cover bolt.

 

Indeed. I'm talking about the tube that goes from the cold side of the intercooler up to the exhaust depot cold side tube. The plastic one.

 

Even if you could gain control over it...it will surely send the ECU into a frenzy. So, why even bother messing with it when you can just get a tune that ups the boost, and alters other parameters to go along with the increased boost? It's a complete solution

 

Every ecu is adaptive to a degree. Meaning, that it ups the supporting parameters to go along with the boost to a point. As such, a MBC would be a nice solution for someone who can't get a tune due to cost or availability. I read that max boost before ecu freakout was 15psi. I guess one way would be to turn the wastegate nut a bit. Remember guys, the mini ecu is a pain because it isn't cracked fully. Not because its some odd new creature.

Has anyone got one to work?

 

Lol....you have lots of reading here to do

Rent a Cooper S or talk your way into getting one for a day from a dealer. Do your wastegate trick and see what happens...

 

I am going to drive one tomorrow. Not like they will let me tinker with it. That would be an odd conversation at the dealer.

But, Thumper, I am not trying to pick a fight.

You say I have lots of reading to do. Point me too it. You guys need some sticky threads.

Also, I did read a thread about the wastegate trick. Everyone who did it said it worked. I will try and find the link...

 

Hmm that's a good point. I think that plastic part isn't exactly removable. I might be wrong. I think I'll double check today after wiping down my car. We all know there is a crappy rubber pipe that comes off the outlet of the intercooler. That's certainly an opportunity.

 

From the pictures I have seen, it looks as crapy as the rest. But, there has to be a reason it hasn't be done....right?

 

Hmm I don't see why not? It is kind of a pain to get to. You've gotta remove the front bumper shell. The pipe isn't all that long either. I think it's still an opportunity.

 

Haha you'd be surprised what you can mess with on dealer or rented cars. Not that I've seen it done first hand or anything....

Anyway, not sure what thread you read where everyone said the wastegate trick worked....these 2 come to mind:


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...s-read-on.html


Pay specific attention to Ryephile's posts in this thread...the man knows his stuff real well:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-power-4.html

 

ThumperMCS, Thanks for refreshing my memory on this.

Unclemeat is going to disagree with this. Just waiting for that post.

 

Mtuning3 did a home made coldside pipe kind of like you are talking about. Check out the pictures here
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-running.html
he said what he used in the thread somewhere. But I agree that would be a nice mod to sell, there is a really restrictive mold right there.

 

MTuning has one of the greatest setups LOL! Lot's of cash and time there! I'd do this in the future if I could though.

 

there has been a few people that have done the cold side of the intercooler. The gain right now seems to not be worth it. Mtuning had to crush that pipe to get it to fit while its still better than factory the juice isnt worth the squeeze there.. the support is to close to the motor to get the full pipe through. once you test drive one take a look at that are of the car and you will realize its a little tight where the stock one is ran.

 

CBS, That is one highly modded car. But is his car running? Have not heard much about it for a while after something about tuning.

Exhaust depot talked about the cold side hard tube after seeing Mtunings. Not sure what is going on there either? Seems like ED also disappeared from NAM.

 

So I drove one today! Wow the little buggers are great!

I am so torn between a Mini and a E36 M3.

Anyhoo, I am short on time right now. But! I did take a look at the cold side boost tube. At one section it shrinks down to about half it's size! It is really tight in there tho. I would be interested to see what I could make if I do get a mini.

Thanks for the links in regards to the wastegate. When I get a sec I will wiz through them!

-Spencer

 

Ooooo thats a tough decision. Big big fan of the E36 M...