So I've finally gathered up the funds to do a tune on my daily driver... I want to go with the manic stage 1 tune for now but I have to have my car. My question is, could you just buy an ecu off of eBay for our mini and send it off to be tuned? (I have a 09 r56 with the n14) if so could you get an ecu that was on a r56 with the n14 that is a different year?
Thanks guys!

 

You could, but you need to make sure it's the correct version. Then take your Mini to the dealer to have them marry it to your car, ($200-$300) I have seen people do this, to replace their ECU, but not to have one tuned and then being able to switch them out at will. I believe it's one ECU, per car, per time. mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

Seems like renting a car or driving to a Manic tuner if close enough would make more sense.

 

Very true...

 

Coding an ECU to the vehicle requires either ISTP (dealer) software as the ECU programming is VIN specific, or both ECU's can be provided to a tuner with the right hardware and software. The tuner can read the original ECU flash data and overwrite the new one with the same data. Failing to do either of the above will trigger the immobilizer and the vehicle will not start.

 

If one were to drive to Manic to get a tune, how much time would that actually take to have the tune done?

 

I think no more than 30 minutes. It just is the click of a button and then reinstall the ECU.

 

Installation time varies. N14's are quicker to load than the N18. Two megs of RAM vs four megs and the encryption portions are different. Tuning through the ODBII port also takes longer. Manic bench tunes takes about an hour or so, OBD takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. For OBD tuning I typically run a diagnostic first to check for errors then data log each map afterwards to make sure everything is performing as expected. So start to finish is about 2.5 hours.

 

Very good, thank you. My original goal was to do a stage two tune with various parts (obviously) but I ordered a Focus RS due in October so, to save a bit of cash on parts, I am just going to do a stage 1 tune with some minor suspension upgrades for the Autocross events. I have an intake, and doing a DP within the next week or two. What other upgrades for a stage 1 would you guys recommend?

 

I recommend a larger FMIC even for Stage 1 tunes.

 

FMIC over a full exhaust?

 

From what I understand if you do a Fmic and a high flow down pipe then you can do a stage 2 tune which is quite a difference in power gains

 

Absolutely. Even on the factory tune the stock FMIC is inadequate and IAT can climb to over 130 to 140 degrees. At those temps the ECU will pull timing which reduces torque and HP.

A cat back exhaust makes less difference since the two biggest restrictions are:
1. The turbo which no one is gonna remove.
2. The primary cat which you've already addressed

 

that will be my next car but will wait for a slightly used one.

 

Very good. Thank you for your input. I will likely follow your advice then. Probably a good idea to give Manic a call and see what they have to say about the whole thing.