Drivetrain The Official ALTA AccessPORT Thread
#3026
I had considered buying the AP until I heard that Alta is discontinuing it. Next Wednesday, I am making a special trip up to Atlanta to WMW to have Way do a tune on Tackleberry. I am hoping that the tune will put me somewhere around 210-215whp. I am also going to have them change the oil and plugs while I am there.
#3027
#3028
I want to confirm my worst case scenario Chris...
If I take my coupe in this August 2013 and Mini does service that flashes a new version of software on the ECU (released 8/13), I will be SOL on the AP since this will be a new rom version released after support for the AP was dropped, yes?
If that is the case, then we really have no way to predict how long the AP will be usable correct?
If I take my coupe in this August 2013 and Mini does service that flashes a new version of software on the ECU (released 8/13), I will be SOL on the AP since this will be a new rom version released after support for the AP was dropped, yes?
If that is the case, then we really have no way to predict how long the AP will be usable correct?
#3029
I want to confirm my worst case scenario Chris...
If I take my coupe in this August 2013 and Mini does service that flashes a new version of software on the ECU (released 8/13), I will be SOL on the AP since this will be a new rom version released after support for the AP was dropped, yes?
If that is the case, then we really have no way to predict how long the AP will be usable correct?
If I take my coupe in this August 2013 and Mini does service that flashes a new version of software on the ECU (released 8/13), I will be SOL on the AP since this will be a new rom version released after support for the AP was dropped, yes?
If that is the case, then we really have no way to predict how long the AP will be usable correct?
#3031
To those wanting the graphs for the AP dyno, it's on Perrin's Blog:
http://blog.perrinperformance.com/al...g-mini-tuning/
To Taz: I believe the dealer flashing the ECU doesn't change the fact that the AP will be able to reflash to your AP map. If the AP can already "speak" to your ECU currently, the dealer flashing it to a new stock map won't make the AP unable to flash after. (I'm pretty sure this is the case) I'm pushing hard to get to stage 3 before Alta stops support though, just so I can make sure I get kinks out. Maybe even shoot for Stage 4. Beyond that, I will need to drive it down to a Cobb Pro tuner to make further changes :/
http://blog.perrinperformance.com/al...g-mini-tuning/
To Taz: I believe the dealer flashing the ECU doesn't change the fact that the AP will be able to reflash to your AP map. If the AP can already "speak" to your ECU currently, the dealer flashing it to a new stock map won't make the AP unable to flash after. (I'm pretty sure this is the case) I'm pushing hard to get to stage 3 before Alta stops support though, just so I can make sure I get kinks out. Maybe even shoot for Stage 4. Beyond that, I will need to drive it down to a Cobb Pro tuner to make further changes :/
#3033
I've had the ECU dealer updated once already and this resulted in the AP not re-installing due to 'New Vehicle Rom' (see attachment). I contacted Alta and I had to update to the software to fix this.
So Alta offering support for 6 more months matters little to me at this point with 35,000 miles and 4 years of warranty left.
Anyone with a car that will still be under warranty service after July 2013 could be in the same boat.
So Alta offering support for 6 more months matters little to me at this point with 35,000 miles and 4 years of warranty left.
Anyone with a car that will still be under warranty service after July 2013 could be in the same boat.
#3034
I've had the ECU dealer updated once already and this resulted in the AP not re-installing due to 'New Vehicle Rom' (see attachment). I contacted Alta and I had to update to the software to fix this.
So Alta offering support for 6 more months matters little to me at this point with 35,000 miles and 4 years of warranty left.
Anyone with a car that will still be under warranty service after July 2013 could be in the same boat.
So Alta offering support for 6 more months matters little to me at this point with 35,000 miles and 4 years of warranty left.
Anyone with a car that will still be under warranty service after July 2013 could be in the same boat.
I expect this service to go away after 7/13, and with maps being "locked" so we can't alter or read them, we're SOL. Maybe we can get the key to unlock our maps?
#3037
So, just a word of caution to those who are getting the bouncy idle corrected tune. The problem isn't being solved, it's being masked. All the new tune does is change the idle RPM target to 1K RPM instead of 750 RPM. If you run a stage 3 like I do, this can have adverse effects while in traffic. I'd like to see if Alta will be willing to come up with a real solution to the problem, not a map that masks it... Anyone else run into the same issue?
#3038
#3040
So, just a word of caution to those who are getting the bouncy idle corrected tune. The problem isn't being solved, it's being masked. All the new tune does is change the idle RPM target to 1K RPM instead of 750 RPM. If you run a stage 3 like I do, this can have adverse effects while in traffic. I'd like to see if Alta will be willing to come up with a real solution to the problem, not a map that masks it... Anyone else run into the same issue?
#3041
I had a similar experience with a dealer software update, but I was able to "uninstall" the AP first. Since I'm running custom tunes, I couldn't re-install my AP map. One call to Jeff Perrin and he changed the title / name of my maps to match the dealer-installed software --- up and running again.
I expect this service to go away after 7/13, and with maps being "locked" so we can't alter or read them, we're SOL. Maybe we can get the key to unlock our maps?
I expect this service to go away after 7/13, and with maps being "locked" so we can't alter or read them, we're SOL. Maybe we can get the key to unlock our maps?
This ROM issue really is the biggest problem that I see. It was stated that Alta has seen minimal ROM updates ie. 2 in six months. For those with 2+ years left on their warranties that's actually pretty good odds that at some point your ECU will be updated at the dealer rendering your now unsupported AP useless.
#3045
To those wanting the graphs for the AP dyno, it's on Perrin's Blog:
http://blog.perrinperformance.com/al...g-mini-tuning/
To Taz: I believe the dealer flashing the ECU doesn't change the fact that the AP will be able to reflash to your AP map. If the AP can already "speak" to your ECU currently, the dealer flashing it to a new stock map won't make the AP unable to flash after. (I'm pretty sure this is the case) I'm pushing hard to get to stage 3 before Alta stops support though, just so I can make sure I get kinks out. Maybe even shoot for Stage 4. Beyond that, I will need to drive it down to a Cobb Pro tuner to make further changes :/
http://blog.perrinperformance.com/al...g-mini-tuning/
To Taz: I believe the dealer flashing the ECU doesn't change the fact that the AP will be able to reflash to your AP map. If the AP can already "speak" to your ECU currently, the dealer flashing it to a new stock map won't make the AP unable to flash after. (I'm pretty sure this is the case) I'm pushing hard to get to stage 3 before Alta stops support though, just so I can make sure I get kinks out. Maybe even shoot for Stage 4. Beyond that, I will need to drive it down to a Cobb Pro tuner to make further changes :/
#3047
A couple of comments:
1. Is it a big deal to ask the dealer not to update the computer at warranty, or to ask what is involved? If people have an NM or other tune, wouldn't a computer update wipe them out also? Isn't the AP the only one that lets us think that we are fooling the dealer by uninstalling it?
2. I have had a bouncy idle before, and the revised map fixed it. The car idles about 1000 when cold, and about 800 when warmed up.
3. I would expect that this thread would turn into a map exchange thread once support is concluded. I have a map for my stage 1/auto/92 that I am happy with, and I am sure that Alta would be happy to provide this to anyone who asks.
4. I have had issues when getting my ECU updated and trying to update the AP afterward (it reloads the map fine). I have learned to uncheck the box that says 'automatically backup the ECU' when first installing the computer. This allows the AP to update. Then I recheck the box and resave my base ECU map. I don't know if this is what Rockridge has issues with or not.
Have fun,
Mike
1. Is it a big deal to ask the dealer not to update the computer at warranty, or to ask what is involved? If people have an NM or other tune, wouldn't a computer update wipe them out also? Isn't the AP the only one that lets us think that we are fooling the dealer by uninstalling it?
2. I have had a bouncy idle before, and the revised map fixed it. The car idles about 1000 when cold, and about 800 when warmed up.
3. I would expect that this thread would turn into a map exchange thread once support is concluded. I have a map for my stage 1/auto/92 that I am happy with, and I am sure that Alta would be happy to provide this to anyone who asks.
4. I have had issues when getting my ECU updated and trying to update the AP afterward (it reloads the map fine). I have learned to uncheck the box that says 'automatically backup the ECU' when first installing the computer. This allows the AP to update. Then I recheck the box and resave my base ECU map. I don't know if this is what Rockridge has issues with or not.
Have fun,
Mike
#3049
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When posting, both members and vendors must ALWAYS be respectful of fellow members and vendors. Personal attacks, trolling/baiting, deliberate antagonizing, and flaming will not be tolerated. If you feel you are being attacked, report the post or private message rather than replying or flaming back. However, do not use the report bad post feature to "cry wolf" when you are in fact the instigator of the demise of a discussion. Doing so will result in an infraction or strike.
#3050
Another question for Alta/Chris...
Is the ending of AP support a legal/technical issue? If it is just business/money, I have no issue paying $100+ to update the ROM later in it's life. I understand providing free support for a discontinued product doesn't make business sense.
This is what I plan on doing for now in hopes of maintaining my Stage 1 efforts, but this isn't a good enough solution for me to proceed with putting more after market parts (i.e more money) in the car and going to a higher stage.
Is the ending of AP support a legal/technical issue? If it is just business/money, I have no issue paying $100+ to update the ROM later in it's life. I understand providing free support for a discontinued product doesn't make business sense.
1. Is it a big deal to ask the dealer not to update the computer at warranty, or to ask what is involved?