R59 Black Toffee
#201
#203
-Steven
#204
#206
#207
I figured this would be the easiest way to explain it.
The last paragraph says it all
-Steven
#208
After a week of time spent between Provo and Park City, it was time to move on. The plan was to head north through Idaho and on to Big Sky. However, looking at the map, I realize there is something I've always wanted to do, visit the Bonneville Salt Flats. It would mean traveling way out of the way, but in the end, so worth it! This place is surreal, strangely quiet, blinding during the noon day sun and not as smooth as you would think. If you look closely at the pics, you get an idea of the surface of the flats. Driving this was a dream come true for me.
The salt is very sticky, almost feels wet to the touch...
-Steven
The salt is very sticky, almost feels wet to the touch...
-Steven
#210
The springs actually ride very similar to stock, they are very compliant and feel more "planted". I think they give the wheel better articulation over bumps as well. What you give up is suspension travel, so really big bumps will have you on the bump stops. I am running them with the stock "sport" shocks/struts. I will be trying Koni Yellows soon. Also, if you plan on running lower springs, consider some kind of strut tower reinforcement.
-Steven
#212
Here is what I found in regard to the intakes. Running the open filter NM, you get a lot more sound, and more power, especially at higher rpm. The downside, is on really warm days, in traffic, lots of heat, I noticed it didn't pull as hard off the bottom. Too much hot air. I found the factory intake with the Alta foam filter does a better job, makes more power in the low rpms. I definitely gave up some power at higher rpm, 5-6k range, but that is not where I do most of my driving. Hope this helps.
-Steven
-Steven
Last edited by BlueToy; 09-25-2012 at 08:22 AM.
#213
Here is what I found in regard to the intakes. Running the open filter NM, you get a lot more sound, and more power, especially at higher rpm. The downside, is on really warm days, in traffic, lots of heat, I noticed it didn't pull as hard of the bottom. Too much hot air. I found the factory intake with the Alta foam filter does a better job, makes more power in the low rpms. I definitely gave up some power at higher rpm, 5-6k range, but that is not where I do most of my driving. Hope this helps.
-Steven
-Steven
#214
#215
-Alta AP Stage 1 tune, a few tunes custom tweaked by Alta(Jeff). A quick word about the AP. This device is amazing at how it unlocks power and drivability, all the while delivering stock gas mileage numbers. Also, it allows me to carry multiple tunes, for different fuel situations. Example, in Chicago, I run the Stage 1 FMIC 92 octane tune. Out West, gas is 91 octane, so I would run the 91 octane FMIC.
I didn't think anyone had a tune for the 12' and newer models, except for sending in your ECU to get reprogramed?
Thanks,
Paul
#216
The 2012 JCW has the N14 motor, which has had the AP tune available for a while. The 2012 "S" models run the new N18 with valvetronic, no AP available yet for that motor
-Steven
#217
Do you have enough miles on yours that you have checked the NM OCC? Was wondering if it might not hurt to put one on the N18 motor. Looks like from some of the early reviews it might still be needed.
Thanks,
Paul
#218
I was starting to get a "little" bit excited, but now that you say that I do believe I had read that in another thread. I have been so busy in the last few weeks reading old threads it is starting to run together .
Do you have enough miles on yours that you have checked the NM OCC? Was wondering if it might not hurt to put one on the N18 motor. Looks like from some of the early reviews it might still be needed.
Thanks,
Paul
Do you have enough miles on yours that you have checked the NM OCC? Was wondering if it might not hurt to put one on the N18 motor. Looks like from some of the early reviews it might still be needed.
Thanks,
Paul
No fun hearing about the great performance aspects of the AP, and not having it available for the N18. I hope that changes for you soon.
In regards to the OCC, I have driven very few miles with it since the install. I'm out of town for 2 weeks on business, and will check it when I get home. I'll post my findings then.
-Steven
#219
Koni Yellows
I made some changes to the suspension today, I replaced my factory "Sport" struts and shocks with Koni Yellows. I had been running the stock strut/shock set up with the NM Alpha springs. Lately, it felt as though I was blowing right through the stroke on the struts. I had read some really good reviews of the Yellows, especially when paired with the NM springs. This was also the recommendation from NM.
On the rack again
The Koni's made a huge difference, noticeable from the first few minutes behind the wheel. The ride feels firmer, but a lot more "planted". There is no noticeable dive/squat during braking and cornering is nearly dead flat. This combo reminds me a lot of the KW V2's I had on my R52. I'm currently running them at the middle setting, I'll continue to experiment with the settings to get a good feel what they are capable of.
I also switched out the run flats for a set of Conti DWS. I will see how these perform in the Chicago winter...
I spent a good part of the drive home using the same roads as my daily commute, taking in the differences over the rough sections and sharp expansion joints. The ride/control is so much better than my previous set up. The combination of the Koni's/NM Springs and Conti's made a huge difference in the feel and precision of the R59
-Steven
On the rack again
The Koni's made a huge difference, noticeable from the first few minutes behind the wheel. The ride feels firmer, but a lot more "planted". There is no noticeable dive/squat during braking and cornering is nearly dead flat. This combo reminds me a lot of the KW V2's I had on my R52. I'm currently running them at the middle setting, I'll continue to experiment with the settings to get a good feel what they are capable of.
I also switched out the run flats for a set of Conti DWS. I will see how these perform in the Chicago winter...
I spent a good part of the drive home using the same roads as my daily commute, taking in the differences over the rough sections and sharp expansion joints. The ride/control is so much better than my previous set up. The combination of the Koni's/NM Springs and Conti's made a huge difference in the feel and precision of the R59
-Steven
#222
#223