In my Dodge SRT-4 I learned how to wide open throttle shift, that is, shifting without ever letting up off the gas. (It's funny, on Dodge's website for their "Stage" upgrades for the car, they advertise the "Boost Hold" feature they program into the new ECU's specifically for WOT shifting) Basically the whole point of it is that you keep accelerating constantly without the boost dropping off, and you get a loud, satisfying BANG from the exhaust backfiring when you do it right. It takes some practice to master, as your natural reaction is to lift your right foot before you shift, so you kinda have to force yourself to keep it down. And obviously you have to shift fast enough to avoid banging off the rev limiter.

So I figured what the heck, and tried it in my Cooper S. All I got to say is it's freaking awesome. WOT shift at 7 grand and the front tires spin HARD, and the MINI shoots forward, forcing you back in the seat with constant acceleration. Although I noticed the MINI isn't quite as responsive to the WOT shift as my SRT-4...sometimes the electronic throttle will hiccup on the 1-2 shift, but otherwise 2-3, 3-4 etc. it works great and very smoothly. And it's far more satisfying than a regular shift.

I don't recommend doing this all the time, as it's a little harder on the drivetrain (especially if you screw up and miss a shift) but you should definately go give it a try next time you're in your MINI.

 

WOW

Let me know how long the tranny and clutch hold up ....LOL

 

power shifting, you mean...

 

Hey want to go to the strip with my mini? I'll race your neon.

 

Yup, that's what we called it, back in the day. Before the days of rev limiters and ECUs, missing a shift could also blow an engine.

 

But I'd love to try with yours....

Matt

 

Oh you can still miss-shift and blow an engine.

 

Power shifting is NOT a good idea for the street. One mistake and bye bye I have seen this happen ... unless, of course, you like getting a new engine

 

Car abuse, you mean...



I wouldn't do that to my car...

 

Yeah my buddy has that stage 1 kit in his SRT-4, thing is fast but I ain't doing it in the MINI. But i bet it is cool.

 

Poor, poor tranny and clutch. And yes, like most have stated, I believe this is commonly know as power shifting. And might Dodge's "boost hold" system be refering to some sort of anti-lag type system?

And as for my car, I'll let you try it on your car for the rest of us to tell us how things hold up :smile:

 

Those syncro's must be crying for mercy. I wonder how long it'll take until the gears start grinding.

 

in my old turbocharged omni (don't laugh) I had a race trans (with getrag gears) and synchros with the tips cut a bit to allow frequent powershifting from first to second. As to the mini... dunno if I'll be doing that anytime soon! there is a reason that was the 3rd trans (well there were a few reasons)

 

Nope, the boost hold feature on the Dodge is a reflashed ECU that allows the car to stay spooled up and hold 15 psi as you (power)shift. In the SRT-4 if you shift using the normal lift off the gas method, then in-between the shift the boost falls back down to vacuum, and then takes a split second to spool again. For most street driving the difference is pretty neglible, although for maximum acceleration (i.e. dragstrip) the powershifting is the only way to go. :smile:

I've power shifted the MINI about 10 times already with not a peep from the shifter, clutch or tranny. (Although the brakes are squeeking already...5000 miles ) And YES, like I said earlier I know it's harder on the drivetrain, so I only plan on doing it on occasion. It's not like I'm powershifting at 2,100 RPM on my commute to work.

It was more an experiment than anything else...yes indeed, you CAN powershift a MINI!

 

BUT, why would you want to? Except maybe at a track?

 

That sounds backwards. If you powershift - i.e. no throttle lift - a turbo car then surely its turbo will stay spooled up? The ECU mod as described would be for exactly the opposite reason: to allow the turbo to remain spooled up despite a normal throttle lift.

Either I'm totally missing something here (surely not...<g>) or the description of the ECU mod/purpose isn't correct.

Be that as it may slo_neon, would you mind posting the VIN of your Mini? I just want to add it to my list of (ab)used cars I'd never buy...

Neil
05 MCS
96 M3

 

ROFL

 

please, then, do not buy a CR/W 05 MC, vin WMWRC33465TC59533

 

Who woulda thunk it...

 

I also wonder about this. Powershifting should just keep the turbo spooled anyway. The ECU mod should keep the injectors going (I assume) when you lift so the turbo gets some exhaust gas to keep it spinning.

Kind of like those old Audi's that had an injector in the exhaust header so when they shifted, the injector would turn on and the gas would ignite from the heat and keep the big 'ol turbo spinning. Not good for the turbo but it worked for rallying.

 

ouch guys...is someone from MINI social services going to come to take my MINI away? I know it's a little harder on the drivetrain, but I'm not up late at night worried about the whole tranny blowing up because I powershifted a few times...this thing is built by BMW, not Kia.

After 5,000 miles the only gear I've missed/grinded is 6th, and that was just getting used to the tranny, as this is the first 6-speed/getrag car I've driven. (well except for an SVT Focus I test drove a couple years ago) But I am in no way absusing or beating on this car, I love it too much to screw it up, so I don't need your lectures telling me I'm being abusive to my car. You guys are acting like I'm launching at 5k RPM on slicks with a 150 shot of nitrous...I think my MINI will be ok...

As for the SRT boost hold feature, I'm honestly not totally sure...it's been so long since my car was stock...I can't even remember if I ever powershifted it when it was stock. I believe it would hold about 4 or 5 psi with a powershift when it was stock, but now with the "Stage" upgrade it holds 15 or 16 psi. I don't know, but Dodge claims its the ECU recalibration that allows for the boost hold during a powershift...see for yourself, under "Calibration features" that's the Stage 2 kit, the same one that's on my car.

 

I'm next in line I've always wanted to do this but I "Love" my Mini too much

 

Ya think so

 

as SLO said, it takes a lot of practice to master, after learning the deal, it is really piece of cake, hard on the gearbox, but getrak can handle it.

 

finally! someone who understands where I'm coming from! It'd take a hell of alot more than a few powershifts (or even missed powershifts) to blow a hole in a Getrag.