R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 What Happened To Alta

Old May 25, 2004 | 01:57 PM
  #1  
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Guess I must be asleep at the wheel, but I cannot find Alta, weren't they a sponsor on NAM at one time? Can't find them through Google either are they still in business? :smile:
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 02:04 PM
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http://www.altaminiperformance.com/

 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 02:05 PM
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Thanks Bisch :smile:
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 02:36 PM
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MGear, what kind of guages do you have in the pod? Autometer? Also, how does the color match up to the normal lighting in a MINI? One last thing if you dont mind me asking, how much for your whole guage setup?
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 02:52 PM
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The gauge set up is the one from ProMini and the gauges are Autometer. The exterior finish is a dead ringer match for the rest of the Mini's interior and the lighting color is the same orange red glow as the rest of the mini gauges. When I first got the set up installed the S had a maximum boost of 7.5, after the JCW upgrade I have had the boost up to 16, its really cool to see that needle jump that high. The gauge pod cost $495.00 if I remember correctly.
The only negative comment I could say about the gauge set up is the AUtometer gauge faces, I wish I could open them up, because I can do a custom photoetch job on creating gauge faces that match the Mini perfecly. If anyone knows how to take these puppies apart and they would like to have custom made gauge faces to match the Mini let me know, it's really not the expensive, especially iof we get a group together. :smile:
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 03:11 PM
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I game for that! I have the gauge pod too (I find the lighting to be a bit too red, not enough orange to be a perfect match) and was probably going to install and A/F and Oil temp as well. When I purchase those, I can try to crack 'em open.

Chuck
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 03:27 PM
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ALTA/Perrin is still alive & kickin'

The still make beautifully machined supercharger pulley's, the best CAI on the market, and an awesome air-to-air intercooler, as well as a host of other goodies.
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 03:53 PM
  #8  
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hiya ryan, i agree. i had the pulley installed yesterday and ordered the CAI today. thanks for the great advise. their products are excellant. and my time with randy was great too. :smile: :smile: my car is fast now and soon to be faster.

 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 04:31 PM
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cdconsor, let me know what you come up with once you get your gauge pod. I can do the art, have the tooling made and get the photoetch plates produced rather easily. But getting the gage faces removed will be key to doing the work. :smile:
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 09:47 PM
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Heres what I came up with:

Alta Guage Pod: $145
http://www.jscspeed.com/mini/interior/alta_pod.htm
Autometer Boost : $51
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...art=ATM%2D4303
Autometer Oil Temp: $48
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...art=ATM%2D4348

Thats like half the price for the same thing! $495 is outrageous!
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 09:55 PM
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FYI I dont think you are comparing the same boost gage as the 495unit from BMP. They have a lower priced version I beleive with the gage you selected.Autometer has two different boost gages available. The one I have has some electronic functions which may or not be useful to you therefor the higher cost of the pkg.

Randy
Team M7
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 10:05 PM
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But double the cost of the entire thing??
 
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Old May 26, 2004 | 04:45 AM
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Jcampos, Randy is correct and I forgot to mention a small but significant detail. The BMP Promini gauge pods come with two electronic functioning buttons for the boost gauge that allow you to make adjustments to the electronic read out which is really cool to fool around with. The Alta pod I don't believe comes with that stuff. Also, I am not crazy about products that splash big logos all over themselves screaming 'look at me, look at me' :smile:
Now, if anyone is interested in custom gauge faces for the Autometer gauges let me know. The only help I need is to know how to take the gauge apart and separate the face from the barrel. I will creat the art, the tooling and have the etching and silk screening done. :smile: :smile:
 
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Old May 26, 2004 | 10:05 AM
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I thought that was the Alta pod, my mistake! Kewl about the buttons. We will see when the time comes what I will do. Thanks for the info!
 
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Old May 26, 2004 | 10:27 AM
  #15  
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MGear,

I took apart an Autometer Sport Comp boost gauge years ago. The trim ring is crimped onto the barrel. Mine looked rather ugly after I got it back together.
 
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Old May 26, 2004 | 10:31 AM
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This is also kind of an intangible but the Promini gauge pod also comes with mini specific instructions and a pre-organized wiring harness. As that was my first ever gauge install, I found it pretty useful.

Also, as far as the actual boost gauge that they sell is concerned, its electrical, not mechanical and thus is quieter but costs more. Before I bought the promini gauge pod I did price it out (electrical boost and oil pres gauge with sending usints and all that) and it did come out pretty close, definitely not 2x.

MGear, I'll let you know when/if I have any luck with the gauges (but after Andy's comment, now I'm a little hesitant to risk it)

Chuck

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Old May 26, 2004 | 06:31 PM
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Andy, I was afraid of that, after examining it for awhile it appeared as the the attaching mechanism was not one that allowed for easy open, easy close, that's too bad
 
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