Engine Drivetrain 2nd Gen S Most liked posts in thread: Tune vs. Accessport

From what I've read on the MINI forums, the Access Port canned tunes, are more conservative tunes. The Access Port tuners can't have any idea of the condition of the engine it is being installed on or the modifications that have been made, so they go with a tune that is unlikely to damage the engine.

However, the Access Port can be used by a tuner to wring the last bit of horsepower out of your engine, just like other brands of tuner tools.

You could install an Access Port on your car and then later, have a tuner who is familiar with the Access Port tweak it for maximum performance.

Dave

 

I think the $1000 is much better spent on a few DE's.

My thought is to wait and learn the car a bit before modding. Find out what you think needs something more. Then build a plan around that. Getting a new to you car and then a week later tossing a tune on it is cautioned. Figure out the car, learn it's character and then make changes as deemed appropriate.

Congrats on the new to you MINI

Welcome to M/A, thanks for joining the friendly MINI community.

 

What about someone who doesn't live anywhere near a tuner?

 

Then they will be endlessly ridiculed and made fun of on internet forums. :devil:

 

The AccessPort gives control of choice to the end-user. If the end user wants aggressive, it is available, whether that choice is advisable or not. However, there are many maps with safety margins to choose from. Installing an appropriate map is not like Russian Roulette. The instructions are written in plain language, including the menus on the hand held device screen. The R56 JCW has a lot to offer on its stock tune with stock hardware. Even without an "aggressive" tune, a little TPS enhancement may satiate the user just fine, without having to push boost & torque limiters to the edge, and risking the pesky limp mode response.

The AP data logging feature provides a way to asses the impact of a chosen map beyond seat-of-the-pants feedback also. The user (person who knows what is installed and the operating conditions the car is subjected to) can test the limits of their choices, and the outcome info is available without reliance on a go-between; no priest to deity relationship required.

Map installer/uninstaller, code reader, and data logger; extra features to walk away with.

 

Well, I'm goin' to keep spellin' 'em out so's folks know what I'm talkin' about!

Dave

 

Great question...I'm looking forward to the expansion of this thread....let the opinions begin!

 

A custom tune is better than a "canned" tune any day, in other words go see Way.

 

Revolution Mini Works custom dyno tune for the win!!

 

My tuner is 3000 miles from me and it can be hard sometimes but, he does come through the area from time to time and I also have a flashbox that enables us to do remote tuning with too. Fortunately the tunes I have received were spot on and I only needed a new one when a power mod was added. First tune I ran for two years with out a hick up before I added a Cam!!

Would be nice to have them right down the street, but the best tuners for any brand aren't on every corner. So as with most things, the very best is worth the extra effort!

 

OK, I give up! What's a DE?

Dave

 

Driving Event.

Track time with instruction!!

 

aka HPDE

 

Why can't anyone just write it out?

Sigh.

Dave

 

Driving Event

Driving Experience

High Performance Driving Event

High Performance Driving Experience

Track Day

Car Control Clinic

Track School

Performance Driving School

Performance Driving Experience

Performance Driving Event


... Those are the names I know all typed out.

 

Haha....

 

Maybe a sticky with all the abbreviations listed would be a good idea.

Dave

 

Or an article in the Library with loads of acronyms?

 

Play-Day

 

Great advice. Driving events will always win out over potentially unnecessary bench racer mods. However, some mods ought'a be considered to get the most out'a the car no matter it's intended use.

just my .02...