The benefit... lets put it THIS way... In 2005 MINI/BMW decided the JCW380's were NEEDED to make more than 200 hp with the stock JCW tune....so in went 380's, and they could get 210 (with a cai). if the factory engineers said they were needed, and you are running a more aggressive pulley than a jcw, and want to make SAFE power with good safe (similar to factor airfuel ratio's), they are needed.... if you are willing to push the limits of safe afr's...run a bit leaner, maybe burn a valve...go for it. The cars computer adjusts a few things to try to keep the motor safe...on hot days the computer can run a richer mixture to compensate for hot intake temps....by all accounts the injectors in the S are running about the max duration/duty cycle, more than that with a pulley..... I play it safe ...so i got 380's...then got a tune...and requested a good, safe tune....car runs great, reliable....no issues with different outside temps or seasonal fuel changes...is much more refined, smoother after the tune... One thing that I noticed with the 380's, my starts with e10 fuel were as good as they were (and all driving/running) as the pre e10 days, when mtbe or nothing was added to fuel....e10 DOES need extra volume to make up for lower btu content...so it makes the duty cycle worse. I was told I left some power "on the table" so to speak...at the tune if i had gone bigger on injectors, i could have made more, but my hp was limited by my afr's. But the JCW's plus is, if i ever "loose my tune" the car will still run fine with a stock flash....and 200hp is great in a S....heck i still have the stock exhaust (long story....never even got a one ball).
OK, so I need to order a new canned tune to replace the Evotech to adjust fuel trims, plus a set of JCW injectors. So, Which canned tune is best? Do any of them improve on Stock JCW (I assume from dealer)? And, yes, I want the best of both worlds, no codes, economy, and more power when I floor it. And, no, I'm not ready to overhaul the engine, or cam etc. Just bolt-ons and re-flash. So far, what I have done so far has made a HUGE difference with no downside. Just don't want to leave any low hanging fruit. I've heard about Jan's tunes but not sure about others. Does Way sell a good canned tune that does all this? Thanks! --Russ
Zippy, you said: One thing that I noticed with the 380's, my starts with e10 fuel were as good as they were (and all driving/running) as the pre e10 days, when mtbe or nothing was added to fuel....e10 DOES need extra volume to make up for lower btu content...so it makes the duty cycle worse. I was told I left some power "on the table" so to speak...at the tune if i had gone bigger on injectors, i could have made more, but my hp was limited by my afr's. But the JCW's plus is, if i ever "loose my tune" the car will still run fine with a stock flash... I use non-ethanol premium now. I am disappointed that EVO is worthless (according to some). Sounds like the car would run better than it already does, (and I can keep up with most other modified Minis already.) I talked to Way today and he said their reflash will adjust the fuel map and everything else to produce stronger power at all RPMs. I need to mail the ECU to them. So, which canned tune did you buy to get your results? --Russ
Have you asked any of the PDX members if there is a place near you where you could get a remote tune done by RMW?
I had my tune done at a tune party when jan from rmw was in town.....also bought the tool to upload/download the tune to ensure i have a copy i can restore to the car, and swap to stock. The tune has been fine...some folks have had issues with rmw tunes, and sometimes the after the sale service if a issues happens...some of which is no fault of jan...sometimes due to issues with the car or maybe just a hothead with buyers remorse. It worked for me, but was really my only dealing with rmw since they are mostly on the west coast. I have dealt waymotorworks more than a few times, no issues. He also has a remote tool, but by shipping the ecu to him, you can save a few $$...but if you get the tool....might as do a custom on the dyno!!
Not specifically that question, but am asking around to learn more about this. Some club members have this or that tune, and some have stock tunes even after extensive mods. Interestingly, there appear to be several competing tune vendors, all who claim theirs is the best (including EvoTech). Now, I learn that several vendors along with some Mini owners are trashing EvoTech, as well as each other, and I presume EvoTech also has paid engineers to develop a product that I paid a lot for. I wonder whether anyone actually knows the truth of this matter. The truth, of course would be in dyno numbers, mileage, street experience, and no codes - before, after and in comparison with different tunes on the same set up, or possibly on a mule car. So, I am asking around to see if there is such information without spending a bunch more time and money to duplicate what has already been done, and maybe end up with nothing better. Way sounded real convincing on the phone. So, If I buy the download tool from a tuner, (RMW or WayMotorWorks) is that good for all, or do I have to buy a tool from each vendor? Is this tool a device between my laptop and the ECU? I'm inclined to go that way. Also, the auto shop I use probably could do that, and all I need is to buy the download (from whomever) and pay my shop to install the tune. The shop I use has a dyno, services race and specialty cars and everything else. But first, I need to determine the extent to which some other tune is better than EvoTech. I will gladly move ahead if there is something to go on. Thanks everybody.
I don't know if it is still being sold buy back in the '80's MORSO would bump regular 87 octane so I was still able to run 11:1 comp. Then there is always AVGAS if you know someone at the airport it's 110-145 octane.
Not really sure, but as far as actual pressure off the fuel rail, I can tell you that this is what I'm seeing from my gauge: Idle = 40 psi Cruise = 45 psi WOT = 66 psi
I have personal experience with seeing what an early '04 EVO tune did as I saw firsthand what the tune changed on a car that was in the process of being tuned by RMW. There were no changes done to any of the fuel trims, only thing changed was the throttle curve and the traction control was tweaked. After the RMW tune the owner was seeing better than a 15hp bump and a better torque curve. As for the different tuners, they will all end up being about the same. I don't think any of them are currently having any issues with the 1st gen cars.
OK, Thanks! That makes sense. My EVO was installed in 2009, but I imagine it was the same thing as 2004. Since then tuners like RMW have done much more to improve things, making this worth doing. I see a lot of references to RMW tunes. I think a PDX Mini club member has an RMW tune. Thanks for your input.
No problem. I have also been a member of the club, but with the economy the last few years and the long drive from Bend, I haven't been a member for the last couple of years.
That old purple av-gas is long gone....replaced by 100LL (100 octane Low-lead, but we still jokingly call it 100 Lotta Lead).... It is still leaded, so can cause issues in Catalytic converters, and o2 sensors....that and it DOES leave deposits..in Aviation, we still must pull spark plugs out to scrape the lead deposits off them...stuff also leaves deposits on valves, etc...but DOES act as a lube for valve seats, and as an octane boost. Some motors in aviation, mostly the big radial motors had to be de-rated to burn the lower octane stuff now being sold....actually lost a friend up in AK when they lost an engine in an old WW2 era Curtis Commando (the same type of plane that flew over "the Hump" between India and china in WW2)..... They added power to maintain altitude on the good motor....and detonation...crashed on the side of a volcano near Keani on Christmas eve...he did not survive till the rescue team got to the crash site...been about 10 years now...time flies.
I think tuners all look at the others work....and they add what works to their own "bag of tricks"..... I would look at service after the sale and support as my main selling points... The different promises of an extra couple HP from tuner to tuner is IMO just fluff...you want a good safe street tune...as opposed to a race tune...and just make sure the tuner KNOWS that.