So i installed a boost gauge last night and i took her for a spin. I got readings from 6psi to 12psi and this did not matter with sport button on or off. the only mod i have is the M7 Super AGS intake. Anyone notice this ?

 

I understood the sport button to affect the throttle mapping and steering response, but have no affect on boost. I may be mistaken, though.

 

Yea either way i more worried about the lack of boost control. Im wondering if i should go with a manual boost controler or external gate or what. its the direct injected engine that i'm not used to. im not sure how the ECU will react

 

The '08 MCS programming should achieve about 11PSIg from boost threshold to 5500RPM, and from there it will taper to about 8PSIg to redline. You will only see a proper boost curve in a higher gear [3rd and above] and starting at a lower RPM [like 2K RPM] and keeping it to the floor with the traction control off, to redline. Obviously this is usually an unsafe idea on open streets.

Since you added an aftermarket piece, it's difficult to estimate whether boost would be changed from stock. The R56's boost controller has a extremely odd algorithm and can add or reduce boost depending on the parts changed and how they impact the system.

For the record [again], Sport button only alters steering rack assistance and throttle pedal response. It has no impact on engine boost levels, timing advance, redline, or anything else you can think of. Only steering rack assistance and throttle pedal response.

Where did you aquire the signal for your boost guage? Are you tapping from the intake manifold, on either side of the intercooler, or at the compressor discharge? All locations will offer different results.

Finally, you'll want to do some more research regarding aftermarket boost control on the R56. This isn't your old DSM or SRT-4. The R56 uses an electronic boost controller with a vacuum operated wastegate actuator [not boost pressure from the compressor], and the diverter valve is a servo controlled directly by the ECU [again, not controlled by intake manifold pressure]. The fact this engine is DI relates more to how much dynamic compression ratio you can get away with on 93 octane, what AFR's are appropriate, and what typical timing mapping looks like, not how to control the boost. Now, I'm sure you can just go in there and make the system operate old school with a traditional wastegate and blow-off valve, but be assured the ECU will not be pleased to be cut out of the equation!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

my gauge said i hit 11 w. sport on... doing a similar test (entering highway) w/o it only got 8 or so...

 

I have not datalogged an '09 MCS. On '07 and '08 MCS's, no matter how hard you want to discount it, Sport button does not impact boost pressure.

If you can record the data with an OBDII datalogger and post your findings using several samples per test, that may help determine if MINI has changed the programming again.

 

Yeah, I don't notice a difference in acceleration with or without Sport button on... however, since I have an automatic, it affects with the shift points, and will not shift into 6th gear, no matter what! But it doesn't feel like the engine operates any differently... just the throttle.

 

I have an 08 MCS JCW and I installed a "Scan Gauge II" @ the OBD plug,left front dash.This arrangement gives me almost every gauge possible,including boost(called MAP manifold absolute pressure) but, strangely,not oil pressure.Today(18jan09)I was going up the on ramp to enter the highway and a Mercedes 2 seater was in front of me.I floored it in 3rd,didn't sport,shifted to 4th @ 5500rpm and the gauge showed 20.something lbs boost. Jason

 

The boost is ont changes on the JCW not the MCS. From what I read.

 

This is true! Affects when you get boost as it changes the throttle position artificially.

As a general rule, the latest cars should see 12-ish max lbs of boost. 2007 and early 08's that have not had the latest dealer ECU reflash will see 14-ish.

But we ALL want more though right?

 

Adam
Is this also true for the JCW? I thought I read that the remap give the JCW an over boost for a short period when in sport mode.

 

Well Borat,

ALL of the cars have an overboost function. That is why the clients are seeing a short burst to a higher number, then a taper down.

The JCW car just moves those numbers up slightly. But since the turbo is larger it flows more CFM at the same boost level, so the increase in pressure isn't as necessary as it would be on a smaller turbo. Meaning if the car had a dealer installed JCW package, they would likely run higher boost levels, vs. the OEM installed JCW Cars.

Hope that helps! Chat soon!

 

Very niceeee.......thanks LOL

 

Adam,

i have seen the numbers on some of the guys that bought your old plug-in ECU contoller and they are showing 20-21psi. It that attainable with this size turbo?

 

It IS for a portion of the RPM band and is 100% safe at that level. As we move beyond that mid-range the boost is forced to taper. (Far less so on the JCW version of the car.)

Hope that helps!