Drivetrain The Always Up-to-Date Thread on Tuning 2011+ (N18) MINIs
#1001
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For anyone in SoCal who might be interested in a RennTech tune, I am working with HG Motorsports in San Diego, a RennTech distributor, to see about the possibility of doing a remote dyno tune. They are working with RennTech to see if they can make this happen and are going to get back to me soon. (I talked to Lenny at RennTech (the BMW/MINI tuner at RennTech) and he seemed open to the idea.)
If there are others in SoCal that are interested in a dyno tune with RennTech, let me know and perhaps we can set up a dyno day at HG Motorsports.
(For anyone in LA or OC, HG Motorsports is right off of I-5 in northern San Diego County, so it wouldn't be a terrible trip south.)
If there are others in SoCal that are interested in a dyno tune with RennTech, let me know and perhaps we can set up a dyno day at HG Motorsports.
(For anyone in LA or OC, HG Motorsports is right off of I-5 in northern San Diego County, so it wouldn't be a terrible trip south.)
Have you discussed any pricing with either HG for the dyno and shop or with Lenny for his part?
I would definitely be interested, but the timing for me would be later in the summer since I'd want all my mods in place beforehand.
#1002
Originally Posted by RoyalCooper
When you say 'remote' ...Lenny would be the 'remote' part coming from FL to S.D. ? We'd use HG's dyno and Lenny would pull the ECU and keep making bench adjustments to the ECU based on our individual mods or is it sort of a one map fits all version, which is what I'd assume we'd get if we shipped our ECU to FL
Have you discussed any pricing with either HG for the dyno and shop or with Lenny for his part?
I would definitely be interested, but the timing for me would be later in the summer since I'd want all my mods in place beforehand.
Have you discussed any pricing with either HG for the dyno and shop or with Lenny for his part?
I would definitely be interested, but the timing for me would be later in the summer since I'd want all my mods in place beforehand.
But I will definitely ask and get back to you guys, assuming HG and RennTech can even make this happen.
#1003
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Bytetronik FA56+ Lite
I see that Bytetronik has a full suite of tuning solutions for the R53...lots of info here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...0-r52-r53.html
How many of you out there would be interested in a similar solution for the R56-60 with N18 engines?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...0-r52-r53.html
How many of you out there would be interested in a similar solution for the R56-60 with N18 engines?
#1004
I see that Bytetronik has a full suite of tuning solutions for the R53...lots of info here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...0-r52-r53.html
How many of you out there would be interested in a similar solution for the R56-60 with N18 engines?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...0-r52-r53.html
How many of you out there would be interested in a similar solution for the R56-60 with N18 engines?
#1005
#1007
I will leave it at there are much better tuning solutions out there. And a lot of guys on bytetronik have had issues with the tuning, tunes, etc.
With that said, if you want a standalone ECU wait for a better one to become available.
And giving people with 0 tuning experience full access to the ECU is asking to blow up the engine. Tuning should be left to those with experience and proof to stand behind.
Last edited by Jaremy Cheetwood; 04-04-2013 at 10:42 AM.
#1009
1) giving "someone" full access to the Stock ECU = BAD Idea and irresponsible (on Bytetronik's part).
2) giving "someone" a standalone ECU (even great access to their ECU) = Great Idea (but 'responsible') => "Non-Bytetronik" Product?
Bytetronik is a tool, similiar to any other tuning tool on the market. If you don't know what you're doing, then it is YOUR responsibility to seek professional advice.
When you buy a bike, does the bike mfg make sure you know how to ride a bike? If you fall and hurt yourself, you can't go back and blame the bike maker for making a transportation tool.
#1010
#1011
Hmm... So here is basically what you're saying:
1) giving "someone" full access to the Stock ECU = BAD Idea and irresponsible (on Bytetronik's part).
2) giving "someone" a standalone ECU (even great access to their ECU) = Great Idea (but 'responsible') => "Non-Bytetronik" Product?
Bytetronik is a tool, similiar to any other tuning tool on the market. If you don't know what you're doing, then it is YOUR responsibility to seek professional advice.
When you buy a bike, does the bike mfg make sure you know how to ride a bike? If you fall and hurt yourself, you can't go back and blame the bike maker for making a transportation tool.
1) giving "someone" full access to the Stock ECU = BAD Idea and irresponsible (on Bytetronik's part).
2) giving "someone" a standalone ECU (even great access to their ECU) = Great Idea (but 'responsible') => "Non-Bytetronik" Product?
Bytetronik is a tool, similiar to any other tuning tool on the market. If you don't know what you're doing, then it is YOUR responsibility to seek professional advice.
When you buy a bike, does the bike mfg make sure you know how to ride a bike? If you fall and hurt yourself, you can't go back and blame the bike maker for making a transportation tool.
I would chose a non-bytetronik part over your tuning solution, that from other threads doesnt seem to be much of a solution for people. Which is why competitors went with Vipec or other standalones.
There are other forums and threads filled with information about how bytetronik couldnt do what people wanted done. The limitation is the stock ecu, hence why people run stock turbos and have had issues with aftermarket ones.
Simple searches among many mini forums will provide much information from credible people about their woes with bytetronik tuning.
So to stop this here.
Simply put it is not a solution for the N18 engine that I would trust or explore or recommend.
Last edited by Jaremy Cheetwood; 04-04-2013 at 01:15 PM.
#1012
FA53 is only a tool that translates the mappings inside a stock ECU. And probably 99% of the Tuned R53s in the world are still running the stock ECU... and your MINI is running on a Tuned Stock ECU, no?
Once the tune/flash is set, it doesn't change... what does change is the hardware components on the car. So for someone to say "my car was running fine for almost two year, but after x-amount of miles, it started having this issue with this and that..."... but people usually take the easy way out and "blame the tune" or the tuner instead of trouble-shooting to find the root cause of the problem. And that's why we make sure all our Custom Remote Mapping (CRM) customers fill out a Parts Checklist and to make sure their car is in good mechanical condition BEFORE we start the CRM session. It's an evolving processing and we are constantly working on ways to improving this process.
It's a free country and nobody is forcing anybody to buy our product. We are all entitled to our opinions, and there is more than one side to each story...
If FA56-Lite doesn't appeal to you, then don't buy it... but that's not going to stop us from posting the results of our development and posting the results when that time come.
Thanks for your time and feedback. We will make sure that the FA56 (Full Version) is available to Dealers ONLY
#1014
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Wow...that seems kinda harsh.
So are you saying the ECU sucks because at this point it has to be cracked open on a bench; which for a lot of us also means shipping it off somewhere in order to get a tune?
So what would you trust or explore or recommend...besides what you have, because I assume that's a given.
So what would you trust or explore or recommend...besides what you have, because I assume that's a given.
#1016
According to the news, yes the government is full of them.
As far as this, I have no dog in this fight. But it would be disappointing to see a bunch of cars blown up at the owners expense because of lack of research and understanding.
So I will go back to
As far as this, I have no dog in this fight. But it would be disappointing to see a bunch of cars blown up at the owners expense because of lack of research and understanding.
So I will go back to
#1017
But it would be disappointing to see a bunch of cars blown up at the owners expense because of lack of research and understanding.
#1018
Jeremy not to argue with you, but you seem to have a problem on most of your posts as seen here.
You called Alta out here https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-dp-gains.html
One of your comments here
Etg here https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...bo-swap-2.html
And the hidden agenda pops out here
All this and you are selling your MINI. I will say I am looking forward to Jan tuning my MINI. He may or may not be the best and that is subject to everyones opinion and we all them them. You sir seem to have issues with almost everything people post about any tuners other then JAN. Thats ok, but to bash other tuners is not IMO. But now I will sit back like you and enjoy my popcorn waiting for more of your negative postings.
You called Alta out here https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-dp-gains.html
One of your comments here
And I will tell you again, that you are wrong. Its that simple.
You come up with some good facts and let me know. Until then your full of chit.
You come up with some good facts and let me know. Until then your full of chit.
And the hidden agenda pops out here
What you have heard seems to differ from the reality of it. The highest HP in the US are all tuned by RMW. Whether its a stroker or not. I am sorry the AP cant do what jan can do, its a great tool...
You must be joking... ROFL.
If you really think someone is making better or more reliable power than jan, you sir are high.
IIRC, you w/m and a lot more mods than i did haha. Keep your useless...
If you really think someone is making better or more reliable power than jan, you sir are high.
IIRC, you w/m and a lot more mods than i did haha. Keep your useless...
I am selling my MINI cause I am ready to dump all my money into my E30. RWD has taken over me.
Last edited by Braminator; 04-05-2013 at 09:24 AM.
#1019
hey Jan. my name is Gabe. i spoke to you on the phone about 3 weeks ago about my 2011 Clubman S (N18). im a friend of Jaremy Cheetwood. I was hoping you'd be able to help me out. i had Jags @ ETG tune my car and it has caused my car to have boost surges under heavy acceleration whcih send my car into limp mode. all i want in life right now is for my car to run well. i believe it would with YOUR tune. ive been told that you are the absolute best in the game and i would forever be grateful if you could help me END what seems to be a never ending problem with the ETG tune. i just had an alta FMIC installed which has proved to help with the boost surge problem, but i dont even want to take chances anymore with this ETG tune. my boost gauge read 30 psi. i reallllly dont want to blow up my turbo haha.
im taking my car to Jags on Monday to have it flashed back to stock. he said that it will be retunable by the way. i only want to do that tho if theres a possibility of coming to you for a tune. i mean of course there are other options but they are all really steep in price and dont have the same results as your tunes. if you could get back to me, that would be awesome. i would love to talk to you over the phone and talk to you more about it if possible. if not, i understand that you are a busy man. i would also love to schedule an appt if possible so that you can take a look at my ecu and let me know if you can tune it. i can come down to you if needed. please let me know. im struggling here. :(
im taking my car to Jags on Monday to have it flashed back to stock. he said that it will be retunable by the way. i only want to do that tho if theres a possibility of coming to you for a tune. i mean of course there are other options but they are all really steep in price and dont have the same results as your tunes. if you could get back to me, that would be awesome. i would love to talk to you over the phone and talk to you more about it if possible. if not, i understand that you are a busy man. i would also love to schedule an appt if possible so that you can take a look at my ecu and let me know if you can tune it. i can come down to you if needed. please let me know. im struggling here. :(
Cheers.
Here is why I have problems with various tuners from my own experiences:
ETG: Did not log or dyno the car just flashed the car. When the car had issues he blamed the customer instead of again logging the car and helping him out. (Supposedly this was offered after a few months of problems.)
Alta: Tunes are generally not very powerful, and I have read of people having idle issues among others things. (If you wanted a dyno tune with the AP it was arounbd $1300-1500 Locally)
Renntech: After talking with Renntech and knowing people with Mercedes tuned by them I would recommend them.
Things that make other tuners stand out:
1. Logging of the car before and after
2. Continued support for when I make changes or have issues
3. Dyno before and after - (sure this was a choice but a nice option to have)
4. Car has not had a single tune related problem in over 50k miles
With that said people can make their own decisions. What I am trying to tell people is that just because someone can tune or thinks they can tune doesnt mean the tune is any good. By offering a full suite to people who have no experience is going to lead to failures, sure you can blame the owner for it but at some point they shouldnt even have that access. Next I see some tuner shop getting this suite thinking tuning a MINI is like tuning an EVO.. its not it requires skills and practice.
All I say is that people should do their research. I would really like to see a tuned N18 post logs of how their car is running cause I have to this day not seen a single set.
These engines already have enough problems on stock engines, no need to go make it worse with a **** poor tune. (I say that after seeing a shop with 6 R56s in there with blown engines on stock tunes, all for various reasons at the same time.)
Last edited by Jaremy Cheetwood; 04-05-2013 at 10:36 AM.
#1021
#1022
I have no experience with any tuner other than NM, but I will say that after having their Stage 1 I was very pleased with the results. I went ahead and installed an Evolve catless DP and a Helix FMIC and then had NM tune to stage 2 a week ago.
I drive a ton, the car is 10 months old and has almost 18k on it already. I put 6k while on Stage 1 and about 300 miles since Stage 2. I never had and don't have any issues at idle, part throttle, full throttle, or with my fuel mileage.
My commute is 56 miles mostly highway, 60mph, round trip. I took this picture after having done one round trip to and from work. Needless to say, I'm thrilled.
NOTE: My trip computer's estimation of MPG is accurate to within 0.2mpg ever since I adjusted the consumption value to 1045 via the instructions found on this forum. Usually by the end of a tank of fuel, I have driven on the street and spiritedly enough to drop that average to around 32-33 for the tank overall.
I drive a ton, the car is 10 months old and has almost 18k on it already. I put 6k while on Stage 1 and about 300 miles since Stage 2. I never had and don't have any issues at idle, part throttle, full throttle, or with my fuel mileage.
My commute is 56 miles mostly highway, 60mph, round trip. I took this picture after having done one round trip to and from work. Needless to say, I'm thrilled.
NOTE: My trip computer's estimation of MPG is accurate to within 0.2mpg ever since I adjusted the consumption value to 1045 via the instructions found on this forum. Usually by the end of a tank of fuel, I have driven on the street and spiritedly enough to drop that average to around 32-33 for the tank overall.
#1023
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Here is why I have problems with various tuners from my own experiences:
ETG: Did not log or dyno the car just flashed the car. When the car had issues he blamed the customer instead of again logging the car and helping him out. (Supposedly this was offered after a few months of problems.)
Alta: Tunes are generally not very powerful, and I have read of people having idle issues among others things. (If you wanted a dyno tune with the AP it was around $1300-1500 Locally)
Renntech: After talking with Renntech and knowing people with Mercedes tuned by them I would recommend them.
ETG: Did not log or dyno the car just flashed the car. When the car had issues he blamed the customer instead of again logging the car and helping him out. (Supposedly this was offered after a few months of problems.)
Alta: Tunes are generally not very powerful, and I have read of people having idle issues among others things. (If you wanted a dyno tune with the AP it was around $1300-1500 Locally)
Renntech: After talking with Renntech and knowing people with Mercedes tuned by them I would recommend them.
Things that make other tuners stand out:
1. Logging of the car before and after
2. Continued support for when I make changes or have issues
3. Dyno before and after - (sure this was a choice but a nice option to have)
4. Car has not had a single tune related problem in over 50k miles
1. Logging of the car before and after
2. Continued support for when I make changes or have issues
3. Dyno before and after - (sure this was a choice but a nice option to have)
4. Car has not had a single tune related problem in over 50k miles
With that said people can make their own decisions. What I am trying to tell people is that just because someone can tune or thinks they can tune doesnt mean the tune is any good. By offering a full suite to people who have no experience is going to lead to failures, sure you can blame the owner for it but at some point they shouldnt even have that access. Next I see some tuner shop getting this suite thinking tuning a MINI is like tuning an EVO.. its not it requires skills and practice.
Sure it would be great if we all could go to a tuner right down the street and get a "dyno monitored custom to all our car’s conditions best possible tune" (DMCBPT). But not everyone in the country has that option. Some may even like the ability to load it and then reset to factory at will. So if there was a solution of that nature I for one would be interested in at least seeing it and then I’d make my decision based on any and all info I could gather. So I’d certainly never dismiss something summarily when it’s not even in the marketplace.
I thought I had; I’d seen others throw options out here for various products or services that existed but need to move to this platform and thought I’d investigate the same. I came across Bytetronik and read just about everything they had to say about their existing product and saw some very positive third party reviews. Then another thing that struck me was that Detroit Tuned and Way Motor Works were authorized dealers. They are often mentioned throughout these forums and the comments show how well respected they are. So I figured they wouldn’t be involved with a product they didn’t think was worthy.
I for one would like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt...don’t judge until all the facts are in. Of course I’m like most when it comes down to it, I’d like those facts by 8AM tomorrow.
Last edited by RoyalCooper; 04-05-2013 at 02:06 PM.
#1024