Upgrades for the R56 from M7
Recently, we’ve been testing a couple of new M7 products that are soon to hit the market. They both have undergone the basic dyno test, but we also subjected the two to real world speed testing.
The first product is custom tuning software from Unichip. Just as with the R53, the Unichip tune for the R56 is programmed into a piggy-back module that connects to your stock ECU. The advantage of this type of ECU upgrade is that you can have multiple tuning maps and switch between them by using a laptop or palm pilot type device. Being a piggy-back device means that you can remove the Unichip module and the dealer will never know that there was any kind of change to the car’s tuning.
As you can see by the dyno plot, tuning alone makes a huge difference! The stock configuration numbers are shown in the orange boxes while the ECU upgrade numbers are in the green. Gains of 18.3 horsepower and 15.1 ft-lb of torque were experienced at the wheels. These numbers were achieved with the Unichip module installed with NO OTHER ENGINE MODIFICATIONS!
Stock ECU vs. Unichip ECU Upgrade

The next new product is the M7 Pre-Intercooler Charge Pipe.

This is a silicone hose that runs from the turbocharger’s outlet to the intercooler’s inlet, replacing the stock piping between these two components. The replaced parts were designed from the factory to silence any sound by breaking up the air path with restrictive piping. With the M7 Pre-Intercooler Charge Pipe, the charged air coming from the turbocharger sees nothing but the smooth inner walls of the tubing and smooth mandrel bends allowing uninterrupted airflow to the intercooler. On the dyno, installation of the M7 Pre-Intercooler Charge Pipe resulted in gains of 3.6 horsepower and 11.3 ft-lb of torque at the wheels.
Unichip ECU upgrade vs. Unichip ECU Upgrade + M7 Pic Pipe


Numbers are nice, but real world action is better!
We all know that you don’t drive to work on a dyno… Numbers are impressive, but what happens on the road or on the track is what’s important to most people. Along with the dyno testing, we took the car out and tested how the two new products affected the car’s ability to perform in real world situations. For these tests, we wanted the conditions to be near similar to cut down on any data-altering variables. Both sessions were conducted on the same grounds with 85º ambient temperature. We had the same 2 people conducting the tests with ¾ tank of gas each time so that the weight during both tests was the same. No suspension changes were made during testing and both were conducted on Falken Azenis RT-615 (215/40/R17).
The first test was done with no engine modifications to the vehicle and is represented by the blue bar in the following graph. The second test was done with the Unichip module and M7 PIC Pipe installed and is represented by the maroon bar in the graph.

As you can see, the two products installed had significant effects on the acceleration of the vehicle throughout all of the speed and gear situations. Behind the wheel, the power band feels wider and thus power is more readily available than before. If you were impressed with the power numbers presented earlier in this post, you should sit behind the controls of our test car! The torque is absolutely amazing! Basically, slam your foot down and you’ll be planted into the back of your seat. This really affected our 0-60 MPH test from a dead stop and moving through all necessary gears. There was so much torque going to the wheels that we had some difficulty getting the tires to hook up with the pavement. Of course, some of you with more drag racing experience may be able to experience better results (just make sure you’re doing it in the right place!).
These two modifications have not only shown what we MINI owners want to see on paper (positive numbers!) but they get approval from the butt dyno as well. Our changes so far have put a permanent grin on anyone that experiences the new power in our test car.
A price will be determined shortly for the Unichip and we will be taking pre-orders very soon.
The M7 PIC Pipe is available for pre-order at a price of $135 (+ S&H) in your choice of blue, red, or black.
I know some of you are squirming in your chair, anxious to get these on your car… so stay tuned because we’re just getting started with the R56 crowd!

Feel free to call me with any questions.

Peter
M7 Tuning
562-608-8123 cell 562-712-3270