Can anyone out there confirm with certainty whether the AC is interrupted when the car senses full throttle? I know some cars do this to diminish power loss, but what about my '05 MCS?

 

It may be a throttle position or it may be an RPM. Most GMs cut at 4,000. I can't tell what the Mini does yet, it's not as appearant when it shuts off. I only notice it from a stop, that it's on.

 

I cannot confirm it by experience - but "MINI Complete" says that it can happen in some circumstances (see attached).
But MINI Complete was created back in 2002 and may not be accurate now.

 

That's great info. Thanks. Didn't know any of that.
I'm just used to turn off the AC every time I do some spirited driving anyway.

 

I'm not sure I believe it. My air conditioner does not seem to turn off under any of the circumstances described, and I certainly get much better full throttle performance when its turned off.

 

My old truck would cut the AC off at 50% throttle. Was great for quick takeoffs from a stop, sucked when you went over 75mph (was around 60% throttle).

 

Thanks Ian.

I think I do believe it. It says the AC compressor will disengage if: the throttle position changes abruptly to full throttle and stays there for more than 2 seconds, or full throttle is maintained for more than 5 seconds.

Assuming we quickly go full throttle, 2+ seconds is a long time, certainly enough to have had quite a detrimental effect on throttle response. And if you have to go through the 5+ second delay, you may as well give up hope.
With this in mind, manually turing off the AC is the only sensible approach for performance driving, especially if maximum acceleration is desired.

 

Ditto - my experience too. But I too have a JCW - that could be the reason it's different for us. Maybe?

 

minimonkey,
eMINI may be on to something. JCW's are most of the way through first gear within 2 seconds, so by the time the A/C is ready to shut down we're shifting into 2nd and the 2 second delay starts over again. I have noticed full power come back half way through second gear. I wonder if we can get the OEM chip or a GIAC reprogrammed to reduce the the delay time.

 

I guess I should try testing this on GBMINI#3 - since I can leave my foot flat to the floor while the auto does all the "hard" work
I wonder how you can tell if the A/C has shut off ... will I see the LED go out, or start flashing? Mind - I will probably be busy looking at the road ahead

 

Not many places around here I can leave the throttle at full for more than 2 seconds (DC Metro Area).