Hi. Does anyone know or has anyone ever heard of someone successfully retrofitting a Chrono Pack into an R53 that currently has NAV? I had heard or read that it is not possible unless you change out most of the receiving car's electronics or ignition, or something like that. Possibly to do with the odometer.

Any help or 'rumors' would be appreciated. Especially if documented!

Thanks,
Lee

 

Talked about here going from chrono to nav.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-nav-pack.html

Chrono Pack retrofit

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-retrofit.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rono-pack.html

Thanks

 

Just give up...the parts are NLA
ALL 3 clusters must be replaced and vin coded and the miles entered...
And only some ECU's...the 2005 (yes, the computer were not exactly the same for all 6 years)...
It's been said before...if it is a must have, get a different car.

 

I would just do the gauges.
Retrofits on MINI are a (insert whatever word here).

 

The three clusters don't need to have the VIN coded, only the center cluster does. The speedo/tach cluster just needs to have the amalgamated vehicle orders coded, along with the rest of the associated modules. The mileage on the center cluster can be zeroed and the ECU will supply the correct value upon ignition.

While not impossible to complete, it does end up costing a lot of time and money. Even if you buy used clusters and programming tools, it's still going to run at least $500.

It is true that the ECU's aren't completely compatible with all of the module versions though.

 

Thanks for the correction!!

The reality is, aftermarket guages can be you 100% of the info in the chrono kit...even better...
The coolant temp is trivial to add, and the oil psi is pretty easy...
The oil temp is not a "real" value, but a generated value based on the water temp...there is no sensor...that having been said, it us pretty accurate based on a few folks that did add real guages...
Heck a scanguage II mounted on a nice craven-speed mount has more info for much less $$.

I had a car with the chrono pack for 10 years ...I did like it. But having read of more than one failed swaps, I'd say live without it if the car didn't have it...some folks got most of it to work...but had the wrong warning lights light up....usually a VIN# and/or mile mismatch warnings..sounds like there are tools to program this on a used part now, but an extra $$....good luck...

 

Thanks for all of your input, guys. I do realize it will cost but having no gauges at all with the NAV is VERY frustrating, especially doing track events! Also, there is not much room to add aftermarket gauges, so I am willing to try it.
Also, I do realize that I have to watch for the model year variation in the used units that are offered for sale. I hope to have a NAV unit up for sale before too long!

GodSpeed,

Lee

 

The.car MUST be a 2005+
The ecu didn't support it in earlier versions...you can't get the right flashes for the earlier cars...
The 2005 ecu DID CHANGE...HAD an extra sensor added, and the maps, and adaptations the tuners could do to it were different...
If the car if before a 2905 refresh...I'd skip the attempt and just do vent guages or make pods for next to the windows....
Good luck...if you find s junked car, you can get the parts with the extra wiring you need....

 

You can try this mod and use your NAV display for gauges.

 

Please tell me where to go for that app!!! I have one now that works with my iPhone but on the dash would be MUCH better!

 

Go to youtube and click "show more" in the video description. He has some instructions and links to the apps and products needed.

 

Many rip the screen out...and clip in a tablet...then run an app...works ok in temperate climates...but hot or very cold areas ..not so well...
Try to mount a tablet and an odb2 wireless transmitter?

 

That particular app is Torque, which is Android only. However that isn't important.

The general approach is to mirror a phone screen on the Nav. You need to get a video signal from the phone, and then there are aftermarket adapters to display an video signal on the Nav screen.

 

Hey Zippy from reading through a bunch of threads on this topic, you seem very knowledgable and I was wondering if you could help me out. I'm looking at purchasing an 06 JCW and pretty much the ONLY negative is it has the NAV option. I much prefer the chrono look or just the regular non_chrono look. If the car is a after the build date you mention below, is it possible to swap the NAV unit out for a chrono pack? It sounds like there used to be an official retrofit kit but that is no longer avail? Any advice you can give me would be great.

 

I think it's possible to swap between multiple sets - it's just difficult because everything has to be reprogrammed to the car and for the options in the car. There is no plug and play.

 

The navi suck. Dont bother with it.