38 replies to this topic

[finch661]

i am wanting to take my mini for a RR session (to either mini master or green and whites (i think) ) and it will be about a 250 mile round trip for me. I understand how rr work, in terms of they show the output of your engine. I am wanting to know what they do that is different to a normal mini friendly garage that can tune cars without a RR? its more to justify the expense of driving all that way


Thanks

[LolaAuto]

i am wanting to take my mini for a RR session (to either mini master or green and whites (i think) ) and it will be about a 250 mile round trip for me. I understand how rr work, in terms of they show the output of your engine. I am wanting to know what they do that is different to a normal mini friendly garage that can tune cars without a RR? its more to justify the expense of driving all that way


Thanks

I would not mind knowing this either

[MRA]

Any garage who says they can tune an engine without a rolling road, is only going to set the ignition and or fueling to the standard static settings, ie not under load, this is were a rolling road comes in and yes it is required, to get the most out of a modified engine.

And very necessary

Edited by mra-minis.co.uk, 21 March 2011 - 12:17 PM.

[E.L.M.O]

You cant find one closer?!

[richard29593]

would definitely recommend a rr session i recently had mine done at sleaford mini center and they did a great job not just squeezed a bit more out of the engine but also sorted out many of the niggles i had with it

hope this helps

Rick

[Mal_whitby]

It's so easy to say "yes, go to a rolling road, it's vital" but if it's such an easy question to answer, why is it that not a single one of the 5 million or so Minis that came off the production line went to a rolling road before they went to the new owners?

Ah, but all the minis off the production line were standard, in one form or another, and were all set up with the same ignition settings and carb needle(s) for that model. So by having the same engine with the same settings and the same equipment, they were all running (within limits) the same.

So I would say if you have a standard engine, and it's in good condition, then setting up the timing and mixture as per the Haynes manual would get you very very close to where you want to be. You'll have to be honest about the condition of the engine though.

However, if you've modified the engine in any way, then the profile of fuel / air mixture will change, and maybe not change uniformly throughout the rev range - a performance air filter for instance may be okay at lower revs and small throttle openings and then lean out at higher revs / throttle openings.

So I would say if it's completely standard, you'll have to weigh up the pros and cons of a 250 mile journey for maybe no benefit, but if it's been modified in any way, then definitely seek out a rolling road - and hopefully there's one closer to home than that.

[TopCatCustom]

There must be one close than 125 miles away!!!

If every car came off the production line and went on the rollers I bet a fraction more power would be got but for the tiny amount it would not be cost effective, which is why it isn't/wasn't done.

And with the average mini being about 30 years old- I cant believe that standard settings would be optimal on 5% of cars now they have worn parts throughout which makes them run differently. It's not essential, it never will be essential, but if for the sake of a few quid you want it set up for better economy, power and reliability then there is no better option.

[finch661]

i am coming from edinburgh, and there are no mini friendly garages with a RR nearby (apart from the ones i have mentioned) My mini is no longer standard, its a 1275 with stage one and twin hs2. I am getting about 20-25mpg at the mo, the car has been tuned (without a RR), and it does run fine, but its the consumption that scares me

Do the garages try out different needles/or modify needles then?

[TopCatCustom]

You will likely find that smaller garages with rolling roads will be either carb or injection friendly, if they know what they are doing and most likely old school, they will either tweek your needles or change them along with other bits n bobs. Best bet is to do some research and find a friendly one!

[finch661]

most the ones up here are all for new cars (voodoo cars with computers....) i am happy enough to go down south to Penrith or Newcastle-ish. Has anyone used minimaster/green and whites? thanks

[Mal_whitby]

i am coming from edinburgh, and there are no mini friendly garages with a RR nearby (apart from the ones i have mentioned) My mini is no longer standard, its a 1275 with stage one and twin hs2. I am getting about 20-25mpg at the mo, the car has been tuned (without a RR), and it does run fine, but its the consumption that scares me

Do the garages try out different needles/or modify needles then?

Unless you do loads of town driving crawling around in 2nd gear, or constantly hammer it in every gear at maximum throttle, then 20 – 25mpg is very poor for that stage of tune.

On that basis, it’s definitely worth getting it set up on a rolling road. Some garages fit different needles, some keep ‘blanks’ where they grind needles to suit. Check with the rolling road that they do one or the other before you go, as it’s quite possible the needles in the carbs at present aren’t suitable.

[Sagey]

i would totally recommend a Rolling road! especially if there been any changes (i had new 1275 ect ect)
but on the other side, had a specialist do an engine swapp for me on my old mini and was very smooth and didnt see the need to...what difference it would of made i dont know.
surly there must be one closer. but i traveled around 1:30 hours to slark racing and was very good to watch and talk..good day in my books!

[Nu2mini]

i am coming from edinburgh, and there are no mini friendly garages with a RR nearby (apart from the ones i have mentioned) My mini is no longer standard, its a 1275 with stage one and twin hs2. I am getting about 20-25mpg at the mo, the car has been tuned (without a RR), and it does run fine, but its the consumption that scares me

Do the garages try out different needles/or modify needles then?

Well a 2 second google search threw up these guys. They claim to know what they are about with classic cars so should be able to help you.

Cat Tuning Clinic Edinburgh

Could be worth a ring to see what they are about

Failing that why not put a post in the regional forum.

[finch661]

aye, i have heard about the CTC in edinburgh, but have been warned against them (dont know if i am allowed to say that on here)

[dannyg2325]

I would defo say get to RR. Wen I had the 1275 it was mg metro engine, so should of had around 68bhp on a good day. The engine was in good condition, slightly worked head, air filter and exhaust. By the time it was finished on the RR we added nearly 10bhp to that (it was running badly before that, hence that lack of power!)