Hey guys. 2008 Clubman S N14. I have spent way too many hours scouring the threads (and using the search function). Why does it seem there are so few posts related to the NM engineering ECU tune? Any input from people running it would be appreciated! Evolve is $500 also but you have to buy the Evolve-R cable which makes it really a. $700 purchase. Manic sounds good but has to be done at an authorized dealer and there are none anywhere close to me in Louisville KY. I realize the NM may be a bit more conservative than Battle/DNA but I assume it is still well worth the cost? I know there is a Clubman section but I thought the greater population would provide a better chance.

 

We have a few customers running NM eng tunes and they add power . We verified stage 2 added 20whp and 15wtrq if I recall correctly. Like Manic they require mailing in your ECU so there is down time. It's not a bad tune but you cannot eliminate the cat since they will not turn that monitor off. I am not familiar with Battle/DNA but know they have a thread that has a few dyno sheets. I guess it all depends on how far outside the box you want to go with mods. Since you have an N14 you could even pic up an accessport since they are popping up used pretty regular these days.

 

I can't speak on NM, but I have an evolve tune. Contact Alex through PM. The price is better if you are a NAM member and even better if you bundle with parts.

 

I appreciate the insight. Those numbers do not sound that impressive - for torque increase specifically. Were the guys running the NM happy with it? Also, I was unaware that you could ship your ECU to Manic. Would that be a better option?

 

Thanks! Your opinion of Evolve?

 

Manic just found a way to bench flash the ECU on n18's. I'm sure they could do they same on n14s. Just have to find a dealer close to you

 

Cannot speak for every Manic dealer but some of us have the SPX bench flashing equipment that works for both N14 and N18 ECU's.

 

So I could send my ECU to bench tune and send back? If this is correct, could you PM me pricing and expected increase?

 

I'm fully satisfied. Stock PSI would top out at 10.5 in my environment. Now I peak out at 20+ in higher RPMs. It's dabomb.com

 

For ease of use, no travel, no down time, I chose Battle/DNA for my tune. Using the powergate handheld tuner you download parameters from your car and email Battle. They build the tune with this information and send you back a tune. You upload the tune using the same equipment and away you go. There is a lot more information on the dedicated thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ne-thread.html

 

Thanks. I have read through that thread previously and their dyno maps look pretty impressive . I was really just trying to stay closer to the $500 mark.

Any more feedback on the NM tune? I have a local shop that will tune my car . They download my car's info and email it to their tuner in the UK who apparently "writes the tunes for factory BMW and Mini". He writes a tune for my car. They load it. $540. Not sure about numbers exactly but the Mini tech says it is well above a JCW tune but still conservative compared to a couple others in the market.

 

Is your Clubman and auto or manual transmission? Some tunes have a hard time dealing with automatics, because the autos, tend to fight the increased power and tq.

 

Auto. Sorry for not stating that. I called NM (Neuspeed) and, for their tune, the problem is isolated to late model n18 engines with automatic.

 

I've riden in a N14 NM tuned MINI, it's nothing special. Boost heavy and front loaded. Nothing special on the top end. Not what I like, but it is a decent tune. $500 can be utilized elsewhere for better. If you didn't like their tune you'd likely have to send in your ECU again to get tweaked, more of a pain than a benefit at the end of the day...

 

With bench tuning they don't necessarily have to take the ECU out. They can do it with it still in the car. Depending on dealer I guess

 

Ok, you can ship the whole car to us and we can leave it in the car to bench flash it but it might cost more than shipping just the ecu.

Assuming you are stage 1 you can find your car on the chart with expected gain range. Of course there is not a set number due to 3 maps available with all Manic flashes. See the Manic thread for more info.

 

Or you could leave the car in your garage and get it demolished off the side of your house and send it in that way so your car won't get scratched.

If you live in an apartment building with a large underground parking lot it may cost more

 

[QUOTE=ra2fanatic;3984087]I've riden in a N14 NM tuned MINI, it's nothing special. Boost heavy and front loaded. Nothing special on the top end. Not what I like, but it is a decent tune.

Great information and entertainment from others too! Glad there is a sense of humor on this forum. I have visited a few where that is lacking.

 

The local shop that does it uses Autologic. Anyone heard of them? Apparently they make diagnostic software for ECUs but also do this. The guy that does it used to write the factory BMW tunes.

 

Autologic makes a very nice and very expensive scan tool. They post a MINI dyno sheet on their website with expected gains but it is for a MINI one. I would imagine it would similar to MCS to JCW tuning kit type upgrade.

Would be interesting to see what it puts out compared to other stage 1 tunes.

 

PM sent

 

I have pretty much decided on a Manic tune. I can always get the SPS switch later. Seems like Nick is doing great things with these cars. Any feedback on R55/R56 owners who have a Manic tune would be appreciated! Are you guys getting the numbers that Manic is publishing? I have 93 octane available in this area.

 

What's a bench flash?

 

We flash the ECU while it is on the bench. Used to flash when customers ship the ECU in to us. The SPX unit powers the ECU as if it was mounted in the car and gives us an OBD port to flash thru.

Like this

 

I'm not new to building (water cooled) computers, but that's some serious hardware you have there!