Prototype-R https://prototype-r.com Tuning & Mini Performance Specialist Sat, 01 Apr 2023 03:21:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Free Tuning Updates https://prototype-r.com/archives/1234 Fri, 24 Feb 2023 03:14:00 +0000 https://prototype-r.com/?p=1234 Sometimes project builds can take far longer than expected. This can occur for many unexpected reasons such as a change in finances, family, health or work related travel. Here at Prototype-R, we offer free updates to tunes purchased for up to one year after the date of initial purchase. Make sure to keep this in mind when purchasing a tune and ideally wait to purchase your tune until you are putting the finishing touches on a build or after break-in.

Please note that these free updates are minor changes to the original tune purchased to increase reliability and/or performance. This also includes changes to throttle profiles as well as pop and burble to best suite or clients wishes/driving style. This does not include upgrades from one level of tune to another, nor is it intended to be used when upgrading a turbocharger, major engine component or switching to race fuel or methanol injection. Upgrades of this nature are considered a new tune and are offered at half the advertised price of the tune level being upgraded to.

]]> Cloned Turbochargers https://prototype-r.com/archives/1145 Mon, 11 Apr 2022 21:18:09 +0000 https://prototype-r.com/?p=1145 Please note that effective April 2022 we will no longer be providing tuning services for Mini Coopers equipped with cloned turbochargers. Any tunes purchased through the website without prior consultation will be refunded. Unfortunately, far too many of these turbochargers suffer from surging and/or a lack of performance. We have seen multiple instances wherein a standard S model turbocharger outperforms a far larger 42mm hybrid that has been produced with substandard parts, poor machining or dimensional design changes due to inferior materials in the turbine housing. If you are considering an upgraded turbocharger please feel to send us an email and we can provide a list of various manufacturers products that perform far more reliably.

]]> Catch Cans vs Detonation https://prototype-r.com/archives/468 https://prototype-r.com/archives/468#respond Tue, 16 Oct 2018 07:41:52 +0000 https://prototype-r.com/?p=468 Many performance enthusiast dismiss the importance of an oil catch can thinking that since it does little for carbon build up it is of little use. Nothing could be further from the truth. In turbocharged applications the octane of the fuel in the intake charge is critical. Lower octane fuel simply cannot resist detonation under high boost or aggressive timing, both of which are needed to make maximum power. Without an oil catch can, vapors containing oil mist enter the intake track just forward of the turbocharger and are carried into the engine. This can have catastrophic consequences. If you are running 93 octane fuel and oil mixes with the intake charge it can lower the effective octane to 89 or lower. Many people wonder why even a stock, well maintained turbocharged vehicle running Tier 1 fuel can suffer a piston failure. An effective octane of 89 is your answer.

We highly recommend the installation of a quality oil catch can unit for your turbocharged vehicle. This is not an area you want to skimp on. Invest in a quality unit, preferably with internal baffling, and having large inlet and outlet ports of 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Most of the inexpensive units on the market contain zero baffling and have ports as small as 3/8 of an inch. Units of this size will have a difficult time catching anything and struggle to keep up with the flow necessary in high boost applications.

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