I was talking with Mario FYI - I was talking with Mario last night, turns out Manic no longer sells the SPS switch... so those are becoming somewhat hard to find now. I also learned that he has moved on to primarily RPM tunes. This was his note to me about the differences: RPM vs Manic On stage 1 and 2 RPM and Manic are similar in performance, but RPM is smoother, crisper and power comes on earlier and stays longer. Stage 3 is a much bigger difference in power over Manic. Manic stopped doing stage 3 or higher or custom mapping. So RPM is truly the only option. RPM can do remote tuning with a customers PC Lap Top and Internet for N14 and F series tuning using a Powergate OBD2 module (no need to ship the ECU). Manic doesn’t have remote tuning. RPM is a single map and Manic is 3 performance maps and even a stock Map. They both suppress the CEL form a downpipe, but RPM can actually pass OBD2 emissions. (Very cool stuff). **Manic stopped making the SPS remote switches so there is no more toggling between maps. Manic also stopped doing stage upgrades for customers over a year ago, so moving up a stage or having to reflash your ECU because the dealer flashed over it would cost you the full price again. RPM does have an upgrade program and it’s only $190 to go up each stage. What is also interesting, is since I have the SPS switch, if I wanted he could put the RPM tunes on those. Anyone have experience with RPM Tunes?
This all sounds cool. But I just want to point out that Jan at RMW still does remote tunes http://store-revolutionmini-com.3dcartstores.com/R56-custom-tune-with-flash-tool_p_66.html I believe you do have to buy one of these to do it. http://store-revolutionmini-com.3dcartstores.com/MINI-COOPER-Flash-Tool-for-1st-and-2nd-Gen_p_51.html I don’t know if he does caned tunes.
Yea - with my build, I won't be able to use a canned tune. That said, just looked at the site and it would be good to discuss with him. Thanks!
Not to side track you. But I have talked to Jan twice, he is very helpful. I emailed him a question once because I didn't want to bother him on the phone. He mailed me back and said to call him. Give him a call.
I'm not a big fan of Mario (probably the only mini owner that isn't) and have been very happy with my Manic stage 4 tune. When I was considering upgrading my AP tune several years ago, I was scheduled to meet with Mario at AMVIV --- he was a "no-show". So I talked with a Manic tuner who was installing a tune on someone else's mini, set up an appointment and did it. Bought me a 15% increase in WHP --- details are in my build threads on various forums. I forwarded this quoted post to my Manic tuner for his input and he mentioned that he's currently in process of installing a Manic stage 3. A good friend of mine has had a Manic stage 3 for a couple years. His latest dyno was well over 300WHP, and my most recent dyno was 383WHP with 402 ft-lbs torque --- Manic's stage 4. Has anyone seen a documented RPM stage 3 over 300WHP? Or any RPM stage 4's with documented results? Last I heard, RPM stage 4 was "prototype" and required a turbo, manifold, downpipe, and oil cooler relocation kit, all included in one big kit. Hopefully, that will change so the kit doesn't have to be bought from RPM to get a stage 4 tune. I can't comment on the SPS switch availability. As for pricing --- you get what you pay for. So Sully, let me suggest you talk with your local Manic tuner to get specifics about what Manic can do for you. Getting Manic info from an RPM installer is like getting ford info from a chevy dealer. I'm definitely going back to Manic after my next upgrade.
Be very careful with those tunes as the adjust / increase the “Knock” limits and many have seen blown motors. The motor is not built for that much boost.
@oldbrokenwind - Thanks and good feedback. For me the reason I was discussing with Mario is this was his previous car. I still have a lot to dig through on the car to understand it. For me he has been quite responsive. That said, I fully understand the challenge of a "no show" especially if it wasn't for a real cause. Good info to keep in mind. Regarding the RPM discussion, he and I also talked after. He still does Manic, but from what I understand he like the RPM better as the tunes he builds "stresses" the engine less. That said, I still have research to do. I know NA cars.. but I'm still learning Turbo tuning so your information is really helpful and gives me good data points to think about. So how much boost is to much? I see tuning as a bit of a challenge at the personal level. By that I mean, if I go buy and engine and tune from a supplier that is one thing. But if have someone tune the car to my goals and they give me responsibility to live within the rules around the tune, that is something different. I guess I take it back to racing. Depending on what you are racing, you know if you are building a 1 race engine compared to a 24hr engine. The specs are different. Either way, it would be interesting to understand the actual facts. Manic has built some very interesting things as many other vendors. They also potentially set you up if your not informed. What is the meth injection, did you change it, etc. Note I have zero affiliation with any of it... its more my car has this currently. I will create a baseline then work from there with different tunes. But documented details around the scenario would be good. Especially since we have two folks here doing different things with Manic and still like them.
Josh, give Jan a call and ask his advice and try to skip his RMW sales parts in the conversation. He sees many Manic and RPM motor issues after the “the Bad things” happen. Jan really writes tunes and does the mapping and understands it. He can tell you from real experience what is in the tunes and how they make power they do. In case you do not know Mario is just a “tune loader” for whatever product he sells. He used to sell Manic and now he sells RPM. He is not a true tuner as in writing the maps, he gets all his maps “tunes” sent to him by Manic and RPM to sell and they are just “canned tunes” for a price level. He is just an authorized dealer of tunes.
Yea - I'll give him a call. Hadn't really thought about it (or anyone else) since Mario knows the car. But it would be good to get some other perspectives. Regarding Mario, I knew he used the core tunes, but I thought he modified them. Could be wrong.