FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Buck Hodges
6 years ago
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1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Is this the kit as ECUFlash and OpenPort 2.0 for the Evo/Subaru? Answer: No. While the GUI is carried over from ECUFlash (since we already own the rights of that software), the codes/sub-routines/algorithm are totally different that those used for the Evo/Subaru program. The MINIPort, while looks identical to OpenPort 2.0, has different hardware components and security chips beneath the casing. 2. Can ECUFlash work with MINIPort and vice versa? Answer: No. ECUFlash will NOT work with MINIPort and FA will not work with OpenPort 2.0 devices. 3. Will I lose my tune if BMW/MINI Service tech reflashes my ECU? Answer: No. BMW will be able to perform all the diagnostics and testing via the OBD Port, but they will not be able to over-write your ECU loaded with FA. 4. How is FA able to log directly from the ECU while no other software in the world can perform this task? Answer: That's the power of FA. We have restructured some of the codes inside your ECU (which is 100% reversible) and be able to pull the data using the factory BMW Protocols. FA is able to log 45+ channels at 8 times per second.(8hz) The typical OBD Logger (i.e. ScanGauge) logs at about one time every two seconds. 5. How is FA able to log so much faster than other OBD Loggers? Answer: FA is logging at the "root level" - pulling the information directly from the BMW code; whereas the OBD Loggers are using the much slower OBD Universal protocol... that's the difference. 6. Why isn't this OpenSource program? Answer: The amount of time and resources involved in developing this program and all the maps and features built into this, FA will never become OpenSource. If someone else wants to jump in and come out with a OpenSource Kit, it's your choice. 7. How do I become a dealer for your product? Answer: Contact us directly. We will need your shop info in order to set you up as a reseller. 8. Do I have to pay for future upgrades of FA versions? Page 1 of 6

2 Answer: No. FA owners are entitled to all future FA version upgrades. They can be found on the support forum. Please visit our website for more links. 9. Can I tune multiple cars using FA? Answer: No. One kit for one car. 10. What happens if I decide to sell my MINI? Answer: Once FA is loaded, it's is married to that ECU. If you decide to sell the MINI, then it's best to pass the FA Kit along to the new owner. We are certain that the new owner will appreciate this tool very much. 11. Will I be able to pass a SMOG Test with FA? Answer: Remember, FA is only a tool, it does not change the maps for you. So whether or not you can past smog depends on the health of your car and its components. 12. How good are you remote tunes? Answer: We have provided remote tunes to customers around the globe with great success. With the use of data-logging with AFR readings, we can dial in your tune effectively and safely. 13. I have a constant misfire code, can FA fix it? Answer: No. A tune is not going to magically fix your hardware issue. While FA can clear DTC codes and help you pin-point the cause of the problem via the use of the data-logging, a hardware problem can NOT be fixed (or cured) by a tune (unless your tuner is GOD). 14. Can I view the data logs without DataViewer? Answer: Yes. The data logs are in a '.csv' and can be opened with Excel. DataViewer is a Data Translator - it converts the data from a table format to a GUI Format for easier visual understanding. See a YouTube demo below: 15. What is a "Stock ROM"? Answer: Stock ROM is the full 512k that just got read out of your ECU. This is the COMPLETE rom from your ECU (think of it as a 'snap shot' of your ECU as it sits). This file can NOT be modified. It's only there for you in case you want to return your ECU back to it's current form. 16. What is the "Stock Tune"? Page 2 of 6

3 Answer: Stock Tune is the 64k calibration portion of the rom that can be edited by FA. This area is where all the maps and tables are located. This is the area that we reflash when we switch maps or load different maps into. 17. What is the "Factory ROM"? Answer: This is the rom that the car came with when it left the factory. Some of you will not have this b/c you have been tuned previously. 18. Where do i get a "Factory ROM"? Answer: This can be provided to you in accordance with your SW# (Software Number). This will be provided to you once we have the ROM Library built up. A lot of people already have other tunes; so getting this Factory rom is not the easiest. Besides, you only need this if you're putting your car back to STOCK and selling it in original form. 19. When I first launch FA, i get the following error ("error loading FTD2XX.DLL"), is this ok? Answer: This is typical Windows XP error. The SW is fine, no need to worry. 20. When I "Clear the DTC's", it pops up with an error message. Is this normal? Answer: Unless you have an Automatic "S", otherwise, you will see this "error message". On the "Clear DTC function", it has a built-in command to also clear the Automatic Transmission fault code at the same time. If you are clearing the DTC's on a Manual transmission, then it will throw that "error message." But if you go back and re-read the fault codes again, what was there previously should have been cleared. 21. With the "550cc Base Tunes" that you provide, how SAFE are they? Answer: The 550cc base tune is provided to those who have purchased the FA Kit and 550cc at the same time. In order for us to provide you with this base tune, we will need "data logs" and "AFR reading" from your MINI before you install the 550s. A base tune is only that, a BASE for you to start up. You still have to monitor your engine parameters and AFR and make fine adjustments accordingly at your end How much adjustments should i do on my maps? Answer: The maps are set as a relative scale to FACTORY Settings. And each incremental increase (say from 1 to 2, or from -5 to -4) is roughly a 1% in adjustment. So when you tweak these maps, use caution... small changes are better and safer than larger/drastic changes. 23. Is there a "HELP" section that i can refer to? Answer: YES. When you open the various maps, there is a HELP section on the right-hand side that explains what the map controls. Page 3 of 6

4 24. At what point do i need bigger injectors? Answer: What's all the fuss over the Bosch OE 550s? If you install a 15% pulley on the R53, then the stock injectors will likely be maxxed out. We recommend you upgrade to the Bosch OE 550s. 25. I have some injectors "440's / 450's" from another vendor, do you provide base maps for these? Answer: No. The only injectors we have information to disclose to FA Owners are the following injectors: Stock OE Injectors, JCW 380cc and Bosch OE 550cc. All other injectors, you will have to do trial-and-error on your own as we have no testing data to pass along to you. 26. What should my target AFR be on gasoline? Answer: This varies from the type of fuel being used. On 91 pump gas, we like to stay within the range of 10.8 to 11.5 at WOT. Cruising target should be What do i need to do to run E85 on my MINI? Answer: At the bare minimum, you will need the 550cc injectors mentioned above. If your MINI is making more than 250whp on a DynoJet, then you might have to go even bigger on the injectors. 28. Do I need to get the Innovate AFR Gauge Kit to tune my MINI? Answer: This factor is critical for getting the tune perfect. If you don't have one on the car, then you can use the one at the dyno shop. After all, there is no such thing as 'too much information', correct? 29. Where do I install the Wide Band O2 sensor? Answer: The Wide Band goes into the header and it will need an additional O2 Bung (included in the Innovate AFR Gauge Kit). You will have to get a local shop to weld this bung onto your existing header. 30. I want to upgrade my stock header to a performance header, do they have the 3rd bung already for the Wide Band? Answer: It all depends on the maker of the header. Certain makers will have a provision for the 3rd bung for the installation of a wide-band, but if your header does not have one, then you will need to take it to a fab shop and have them install one - make sure it's upstream from the main CAT. 31. My MINI is pretty stock, how should I go about modifying it for power? Answer: Even on a Bone Stock MINI, a proper tune can make the car run much smoother and gain anywhere from 10 to 20 WHP (depending on fuel type and environmental variables). Please consult with your MINI Tuner and discuss your specific needs. 32. What do you guys do in a typical tuning session? Page 4 of 6

5 Answer: What procedures do you take? Good question, we typically do a health check on the motor (oil levels, search for leaks and loose bolts) and monitor the health of the engine each step along the way. 33. What should my power level be with my mods? Answer: This can vary depending on fuel type and the type of dyno used. The rule of thumb is to look at the 'delta' HP (what the car started with and what it ended up with at the end). 34. What is ECU Adaptation and when should I clear it? Answer: The adaptation function makes it possible for the engine control module (ECU) to learn certain values from components and equipment variants, thus making it possible to compensate for certain component tolerances. These adaptation values can be reset to their original status with the "Reset Adaptation values" service function (with the use of Factory Tool - GT1 or equivalent) and they must be relearned afterwards. Here is the Official explanation from BMW on Mixture Adaptation (Extracted from the BMW/MINI-Tech Publication): 35. When should I switch to an E85 Tune? Answer: You should NOT switch to the E85 until you have a perfect PUMP Gas rom. Many of the E85 parameters can be carried over from the pump gas tune (with the exception of the Injector Scaling, Timing Table, Main fuel table and the Cold-Start parameters). So having a perfect pump gas rom is the key to a good E85 tune. D1. How do I Data Log my MINI? ***Data Logger FAQ*** Answer: Just plug the MINIPort into your OBD2 port. When you see the rainbow lights blinking rapidly then the Logger is working and writing to the MicroSD card. Page 5 of 6

6 D2. How do i retrieve the log from my MicroSD card? Answer: As soon as you plug in the mini-usb cable to MINIPort, the lights turn solid color and MINIPort is now a storage device. It will show up on your PC as a "removable storage device." D3. How long should i log? Answer: It's best to do relatively small logs so you can analyze it more easily. Larger logs will contain more info, but it will also mean a lot more stuff to scroll through to find what you're actually looking to log. D4. Can i keep the MINIPort plugged in to the OBD2 port all the time? Answer: Yes, but this practice is not recommended for two reasons: 1) Your OBD Port is ALWAYS HOT, thus the MINIPort will always be on; this in turn will drain the car's battery; 2) When the MINIPort is kept powered on, it will still log a bunch of " "... this will make your log file grow while not providing any meaningful data. D5. So what's the best way to log? Answer: Decide what is it that you'd like to log... if you want to log start-up parameters, then plug in the MINIPort to OBD port before you put the key in the ignition. If you want to log cruising speed, then plug it in while you're driving on the freeway. D6. How do I break up the logs to make them smaller? Answer: When you physically disconnect MINIPort from the OBD Port, this disruption of power will put a cap to the current logging session. The next time you plug it into the OBD port, then it will automatically create a new log for the current session. D7. How do I know which one is the most recent? Answer: The most recent log is the one with the highest numeric number (Log10.csv is newer than Log9.csv). D8. Should I remove the SD card from the MINIPort and retrieve the logs? Answer: NO. The SD card is designed to be a permanent component of the MINIPort. It's NOT designed to be a removal storage. If you need to retrieve the logs from the SD card, simply connect the USB cable to the MINIPort and you will be able to retrieve the log quite easily. Page 6 of 6

ONE SHOT, ONE KILL TAKING AIM AT ADDITIONAL POWER TUNING WITH SNIPER TUNING SOFTWARE FORD BUILDER 59

FB_0704_Sniper Engine Tune 3/30/07 5:21 PM Page 59 ONE SHOT, ONE KILL TAKING AIM AT ADDITIONAL POWER TUNING WITH SNIPER TUNING SOFTWARE THE HISTORY OF SNIPER TUNING IS AN INTERESTING ONE. PATRICK AND CHRIS