MotoringFile Most liked posts in thread: Retroactive Torque Steer Fix for 2nd Gen MINIs

Good/Bad News

Good their fixing it

Bad that their charging for it

I'm *guessing* that if they go to download it will wipe out any non MINI USA sanctioned tuning you may have done to your ECU. Just a guess

 

I assume the program would selectively control wheel speed via the brake system similar to the current electronic LSD. I have an example of a MINI with E-LSD where excessive heat cooked pistons on one caliper (cracked rotors and rapid pad wear included). There could be other reasons for this, but a representative from Brembo-USA concurs with our speculation the E-LSD is overworking the caliper under track conditions. I'm aware these systems are intended for street use controls. I'm also aware the piston inserts in a JCW/Brembo caliper may be designed for noise abatement rather than heat barriers/insulators since it is for the OEM market. Just wondering out loud if there may be an unintended side effect from dragging the brake in conjunction with throttle demand?

 

You're not alone...

I've talked to other track rats who've had problems with brake cooling with the eDLC system. I think that's one of the reasons for brake ducting becoming more of a standard feature.

Matt

 

Not that I would want the software up-grade......

So there will be people out there that will pay the $165.00 to get the change, become "Track Rats" and then pay $165.00 to get it reversed. And then there will be a bunch on new MINI owners who will discover this, and will want the old software, and need to pay the $165.00 for a reversal.

I assume some of the groups out there giving performance tunes will figure out a work-around for this software change?

 

I have toyed around with getting a 2011 .. but the eLSD (and lack of the "normal" LSD option ... even if it was only +/- 30%) is one of the main factors preventing me from doing so.

 

Let's hope so, I'm used to the steering torque as I am the extra HP and Throttle Response from the tune!

 

Is there any info on what this actually does yet? There seems to be some speculation right now that is uses something similar to the eLSD. Any confirmation of that?

I would love to eliminate the torque steer but I am very skeptical of it happening electronically without some kind of penalty somewhere else, but what is that penalty?

 

I thought in earlier articles MotoringFile described it as working through the electric steering system, not through braking or cutting power.

 

So random noob question. What happens when ones adds, say, an OS Giken LSD to a MINI with this update in addition to the ediff? How does all that stuff work in unison?

BTW, Gabe is really having to set a lot of people straight in the comments on this one. He usually chimes in but he's really been on it today.

 

If you want to know more about torque steer

The comments over on Motoringfile illustrate that most don't know what really causes torque steer. I uploaded a PDF from Ford in a thread here that has some great descriptions about what goes into making, and minimizing torque steer.

There are a few slides in the PDF that shows how tire shape, camber and wheel offset can all contribute to the degree of torquesteer that is felt. Also, these effects go a long way to explaining why some feel it really bad, and some not so much, all for the same car with the same suspension geometery.

You can't really deal with it via the steering system. You can try to bias it out via the ABS system like DSC or eDLC, but this will only deal with most of it, not all of it.

Matt