I'm getting my car back from the dealer in a couple days…

It all started about a month ago when I downshifted into fifth on the freeway and heard (and felt) an absolutely enormous backfire. Since then, the car just didn't feel right. It seemed like I'd lost some power, it never idled at a consistent RPM, things were bad. I had just moved to NorCal, and had the car towed to Niello MINI in Sacramento, who did a diagnosis. Long story short - massive failure in cylinder 3, with leaks everywhere and significantly less pressure compared to 1, 2, and 4. They quoted me an insane cost, completely unsubsidized, because of the mods on my car, and were unwilling to have a conversation with MINI USA to see if even any of it could be good-willed.

Flash forward. I had the car transported to Crevier MINI in SoCal, from which I had bought the car back in 2012, brand new. My trusty service adviser, Marshall Jung, pulled strings, talked to MINI, and brought the cost down by more than half. I went forward with the repair. Along the way, the techs found out my clutch was shot. At 38,500 miles. Joy. Authorized that.

The question for me, once I get the car back, is not whether I will mod it again, but when. I'll have all of my parts back on the car within a week, but the tune is honestly scaring the living daylights out of me at this point. Everyone seems to agree that my engine was running too lean. For about 30k of the first engine's life, it was running a Cobb/Alta AccessPort at various stages of tune; probably ran stage 3 for about eight months and a little over 10k.

The plan, as it stands, is to finally take the next step to forged internals and likely a hybrid or some other type of larger turbo to really push the car beyond where it was before the failure. I'm getting the hardware nailed down, but the tune is up in the air. I want something custom finally, completely not interested in anything off the shelf. I was wondering what you guys really trusted on here. After all, what I DON'T want is to have spent thousands on this new engine and find myself in the exact same position 10, 15, even 30k miles down the road. I want mad power, but also a reliable tune that won't cause catastrophic engine failure again. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated!

 

Look into Manic.

 

If you want to keep the AP, there's an outfit near Salt Lake City (Ziptie Dynowerks) that still does dyno tunes using AP. Long drive, but definitely a custom tune. Otherwise, the LA area has a couple others that can dyno tune, just not with AP. Don't even think about another data log / remote tune, if you're running serious mods! Check out Battle and DNA too.

Guess I'm one of the few that's happy with the AP --- never used their canned tunes, went straight to the dyno, compliments of Jeff Perrin and Tim Bailey, 3+ years ago.

PM me if you consider Ziptie.

 

So I live in SLC and have been trying to find info on where to get a good tune. But here's the thing, I know next to nothing about tuning. Care to answer a few questions for a noob if I PM you too?? :x

 

I'll answer any and all questions I know the answer to, including free advice for your consideration.

 

PM sent

 

Hi guys

I ran across your post, so I was hoping I would be able to get some feedback as well. Dont mean to bombard you with questions oldbrokenwind, but I have some questions myself. I am new to the mini world, but have some experience in the field of driving and suspension tuning. Let me know if I can PM you as well,

Thanks,

 

I'm happy to provide help to anyone IF I can, i.e., I know very little about suspension, but will share my experience on all Mini-related subjects. For forums, PM is probably the preferred comm method.

 

BattleTuning and Manic seem to be the most popular. I have a BattleTuning stage 3 and while it doesn't produce some of the high numbers of other companies, but the customer service and constant support are second to none. Plus they are introducing a Stage 4 to go along with a K03/K04 hybrid.

 

Unfortunately I'm not really aware of anyone currently selling/supporting a solution for custom tuning on a dyno. The AP used to be an option but they don't sell them new any more so you'd have to buy a used one. Most of the tuning solutions now are using either OTS tunes or remote tuning.

 

Manic is what a lot of people have used and had sucess with. I personally have a tune from JZW whose based in Denver, but he does remote tunes for ~$500. I have a 93 tune and an E85 mix tune.

 

Excuse my ignorance... but is this a ECU remap? Or does he provide a tune box?

 

It's been over 5 years between your post and the last post. I suggest you either re-phrase your question, or start another thread asking a question that makes sense. Lots of changes in these 5 years and there's a whole new set of tuners out there.

 

2020/21 F56 JCW Vehicles? Are we included?

 

You need to do a bit of searching, this is for the n14 engine, basically the first run of the gen 2 cars, and you are definitely in a gen 3. https://bytetronik.com/ might be a good start for you.

 

I have mine tuned by Tork Motorsports in Washington. I have had several tunes by them over the 7yrs of knowing the owner and all have been insane. I am awaiting my next tune and I should be right around 250whp. I am planning a trip to go see him and have it finally thrown on the dyno to see what she can do. I am planning to run their Stuffed turbo shortly and hoping to hit about 275whp before I do internals and clutch. I would contact them and see what he has to offer for you and what kind of power he can get from your mods.

 

Manic. Had my 2014 JCW Coupe done in Tempe AZ around 2017. Was great and got more exhaust pops too. Around $500 as I recall. Mine was an N18 engine though I think.

 

I hot-tuned my '15 F-56 @ Renn Haus in Sarasota, Fl. check their website. yeh