The Turbo Saga: Well, here it is... the infamous TSI Turbo Kit fresh out of the box. It has a small snail, but that's about right for a high compression small engine... especially with a relatively weak tranny. The biggest things to notice are the lack of instructions and fuel management system. I called the manufacturer and was told they don't have instructions for the MINI yet and there is no need for fuel management. Huh? I'm no turbo expert, but I agree with my tuner shop when they say adding boost to that engine without compensating with additional fuel will make it run way too lean and cause fatal detination.
We are in the process of figuring out a way get the fuel management done and have the car dyno tuned. I'm leaning toward the A'PEXi S-AFC, but Webb Motorsports' Unichip is also a possibility.
I'll end up getting a boost gauge too. Hopefully since this thing is running low pressure I won't have to get a boost controller too.
More to come... No there isn't. I abandoned the project, sold the car & purchased an MCS. Much better!
ProStreetOnline.com has agreed to let me return the kit, but I have to pay a big ole restocking fee. Several hundred dollars and a lesson learned.
