I'm pretty maxed out on bolt ons, and really the only thing left is a turbo upgrade. I've always been leaning towards the Alta turbo, but reading a bit about some of the hybrid setups other users have, and the relative costs of the two.


Anyone that has an Alta turbo, what are your thoughts? Also dyno charts/supporting mods would help. I'd like to see if the Alta turbo is really the way to go, or if I'd be better off with a hybrid.

 

I was precisely where you were and making the same considerations, I chose the Alta Billet Turbo and am very pleased with the choice.

No dyno results I can share, however the Alta turbo is simply awesome. Crazy power, all the boost you can ask for through 6500 RPM. Even at low RPM you can hear the turbo start to spool and claw at the air to give boost. Open the hood and the thing looks 100% stock, even the dealers can't detect that the turbo is different (two mechanics handling warranty have commented - -Accesport uninstalled) that it's the most powerful MINI they've driven). Yes, the turbo alone with the factory tune even delivers more power throughout the band. Power does roll on about 200 RPM later than stock, but it sure makes up for it after that.

My problem (and yours, it appears) is I'm in CA and limited to 91 octane at the pump. If I had 93 or better octane I'd get even more. Chris and I had to tame the Stage 4 tune for 91 octane fuel. We initially were bouncing the boost above the 21.5 boost cut and had to carefully limit boost. This is a screaming yet drive-able setup for everyday use and awesome power without all the problems associated with other turbos. It is really a plug-and-play solution that offers more than I can support on 91 octane.

And, I've got 25,000 miles on this turbo without any issues whatsoever.

Mods supporting the turbo: Riss Racing uncatted DP, (or I run the Alta 3" catted DP) Helix FMIC, Alta 3" catback, Alta BOV.

 

I'm here in the HELL of CARB CA as well. What are you doing when it comes time for smog with your exhaust? Changing it out each time? Any issues passing with the new turbo and the stock exhaust installed.

 

I've become very adept at swapping the down pipes. Since the factory pipe will only be in for 20 miles for smog, I don't put the lower heat shield in. With the factory DP, Alta cat-back and factory tune in, it sails through smog and still has more power than stock. I always install a new turbo to DP gasket and a DP to mid-pipe gasket to ensure I never have an exhaust leak.

 

That's what I figured

If I installed the Akrapovic DP with the High flow cat and mated that up to a q300 exhaust think that would pass smog? It's hard to see the DP on these things doubt a smog tech would even notice that visual. Just want to know if would pass the emissions.

 

I'm uncertain. I suspect that if the Akrapovic does not throw a CEL with the stock tune you'll be OK. I've only smogged once and swapped in the factory DP. All my other swaps were for warranty/maintenance work @ a dealer and I did not want it in their hands without the stock DP and stock tune.

 

Any aftermarket DP will give a CEL

I have the Alta AP which will IGNORE the code. I basically just answered my own question LOL!

 

Wow this was exactly what I was looking for. How many total miles on your car now? I'm fast approaching 45k, but with all the horror stories on here with people grenading pistons, I've been really hesitant to push the car. I will only run the stage 3 map if I fill the car with 94 octane or higher. Otherwise I stick to the stage 1 map when on 91 octane.

We've got similar mods, so I would imagine power would be close. Have you thought about a water/meth kit? Have you had any crazy AR readings, or knocking issues with boosting that high only running 91 octane?


Edit: Forgot to ask, can you elaborate more on the stage IV map? Is it specifically for the Alta billet?

 

I'm running stg3 w/ turbo back Akrapovic, Forge FMIC, DOS CAI, and Aquamist HFS-4 water/meth kit and haven't had any issues in the last 10k miles and I'm at 43k miles

 

I've got 43K on the car total. The boost is seriously curtailed from what the Alta Billet is capable of. If I let it run to where it's capable, the engine would have been gone long ago.

Stage 4 map is just for the Alta Billet.

Each octane has a map written for each stage, (e.g., Stage 1 - 91 octane. Stage 1 - 93 octane; Stage 2 - 91 octane, Stage 2 - 93 octane) In my case Chis and I began with a 93 octane tune and modified it to suit 91 octane. Boost, timing and fuel curves were altered to suit the low octane and high heat were I live. Big power drop 93-91 octane, but that's to be expected.

Have I thought about a water/meth kit? No, my really quick car is a tuned Audi TT RS, the MINI is the fuel efficient daily driver.

I've had no unusual AF readings. What I must be careful of is a throttle stomp at low RPMs on a hot day (100°+) when the engine/FMIC is heat soaked. I have twice had detonation under those conditions so I avoid it.

 

Very cool. Thanks for all the info, this really helps. Once I finish up the suspension I suppose it's time to work on that Alta turbo afterwards haha. Where about in SoCal are you? I'm down in Anaheim probably every other month or so. I'd love to meet up and check out your car if you're ever free for a few minutes?

 

Rancho Cucamonga. Send me a PM if you want my number. I also have the original low-mile factory turbo that I'd sell so that you don't have to take your car off the road waiting for the exchange.

If you're working on suspension, I strongly recommend Eibach springs, Koni yellows, Hotchkiss Racing RSB (big 25.5 mm set on soft) Hotchkiss rear control arms. They work amazing together. I also have street alignment specs that work really well for this setup if you are interested.

 

Was just in Rancho yesterday...actually wasn't 100 degrees finally.

Who would have thought someone with an Alta turbo lives up the street from me haha.

 

Yeah I might take you up on that offer. I'll probably be looking to do the turbo upgrade after the holidays. As for suspension, I've got H&R springs, koni yellows, and an Alta rear 22mm bar and endlinks here at work. Still waiting to purchase some vorshlag plates, and the H&R front bar/endlinks, as well as rear control arms.

Just had my brake service light come on and halted all other projects until I do front and rear brakes, fluid, and lines in the next couple weeks.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

I'm looking to do the same thing with swapping out the DP's before inspection. I just recently bought a Akrapovic DP and have found the turbo to DP gasket on RealOEM but can not find a gasket for the DP to mid-pipe. Would you give me the part number that you're using for the DP to mid-pipe gasket?

 

The seal is only available as a seal/clamp assembly. It showed as #6 in Real OEM if I recall correctly. I always save the old seal/clamp as spare.

 

Thanks for clarifying.

 

For those that are looking at doing a hybrid on the factory turbo what tune are you running? Would the Alta stage 4 tune work or the regular stage 3? I’m looking at doing this this winter but don’t want to run the wrong one.

 

Alta's turbo has been sold out for some time now. I'd really like to order one soon!