7 replies to this topic

[nick.evans93]

Recently I had a stage one kit fitted and my cylinder head recondition to unleaded. The work was done by a Mini friendly garage and at the same time my Mini was MOTed and tuned. The compressions are all good and fairly equal (don't know what they are specifically though) which is good news but the car doesn't go as I expected and the MPG is mid 30's at best on a long motorway trip. I had originally planned to get it rolling road tuned but the MOT was a bit more than I expected.

The kit is a Mini Spares kit with AAU needle and a twin box side exit with a K&N cone filter fitted to a standard 998 (carbed).

My question is can an engine be tuned properly without a rolling road? If so has my Mini just been miss tuned?

Cheers,
Nick

[jb93]

I though all this get it rolling roaded stuff was nonsense....

Then I gave in and got mine rolling roaded. Best £70 I've spent on the mini

[Ocado Man]

When they 'tuned' it, they probably used old style data & set the timing to whatever the 'book' says. I had my Lulu (Sprite 1275) rolling road tuned a while ago & the timing was set to 16 BTDC ("That's where she wants to be"), not the 5 as stated. Apparently with improvements in fuel etc yadda yadda you cannot use the old info. As stated above, when you can, get the mini onto a rolling road. I was scepital before but now I'm a convert. Worth the money & she will go like a rocket!!!

[Old Bob]

It is possible to tune an engine without resorting to a rolling road. However; it takes knowledge and time - lots of time to even get near the optimum.

A rolling road tune in the hands of a knowlegable tuner is the quickest way and probably also the most cost effective.

Bob

[ACDodd]

The best needles to start with are usually the ABD or the AAU (as stated by minispeed) for the st1 998. The AAA is usually too rich just about everywhere in the rev range on most 998 ST1 applications. The AAU or ABD will then usually have to be modified between points 3 and 6 on the needle to get the engine to fuel properly at part throttle and progresssion stages of driving. The problem is the right shape needle is not available off the shelf.

AC

Edited by ACDodd, 19 July 2012 - 09:08 PM.

[bmcecosse]

I suggest that if the engine had to be set to 16 degrees BTDC- the vacuum advance is not working - or they really don't know what they are doing..... And I'll be amazed if it starts on a cold morning......

[nick.evans93]

I though all this get it rolling roaded stuff was nonsense....

Then I gave in and got mine rolling roaded. Best £70 I've spent on the mini

I will definitely get my car booked in on a rolling road then ......... when I next get paid.

Edited by nick.evans93, 19 July 2012 - 09:35 PM.

[nick.evans93]

The best needles to start with are usually the ABD or the AAU (as stated by minispeed) for the st1 998. The AAA is usually too rich just about everywhere in the rev range on most 998 ST1 applications. The AAU or ABD will then usually have to be modified between points 3 and 6 on the needle to get the engine to fuel properly at part throttle and progresssion stages of driving. The problem is the right shape needle is not available off the shelf.

AC

Thanks for that AC, I will definitely stick with my current AAU needle then and go from there when I get it rolling roaded.

Edited by nick.evans93, 20 July 2012 - 02:49 AM.