Been to the rolling road
Turbo Mini Forums

Created the forum - but please be sensible in there, we could get into trouble if anyone just spouts useless stuff, so please only post factual information that you can back up with proof if need be.

I think it'll be a useful section, as i'd hate to go to a shitty garage and get ripped off, only to find out that all you guys already knew about them!

Alex, it's a good idea in theory but be careful with the content on that forum mate, you could be asking for trouble.

Word of mouth is one thing, but seeing it in print the supplier could give you grief. Maybe people can mention suppliers they've used then answer PM's from people.

Might be an idea to get some legal advice on the disclaimer to be on the safe side and make sure it coveres you as fully as possible.

I'm not trying to scaremonger, just don't want to see an excellent resource go down the pan cos someone had a rant online

Cheers

Neil

edit to add - just a thought, what about a list of suppliers on a poll to gauge level of service/satisfaction etc. No detail, just a thumbs up or down.

Edited by Neil8p on 11th Feb, 2005.

I think we'll be OK as long as we remove anything when asked, and keep an eye on the content :)
I'll leave it how it is for a trial run atm.

yes the content has to right it.
it should not be a post to vent your spleen off:

but a hall of shame,
like the guy you go to and he puts it on the rollers, sits two of his 20 stone work mates on the wings because he is too idle to strap it down, winds it up, does nowt! and holds his hand out for the chippie money. for his work buddies.

like neil says must be carfull, but we live in a country of free speach and everones entitled to there oppinion

dont be so harsh! on jim, remeber were the young ones and still learning LOADS, you have to strat somewere, lol
i wasent at the RR, i was working but jim told me he checked the timing and siad it was fine (as jim set it about 2 weeks ago) and he playd witht he mixture a bit other than that he said he clearly knew fuck all about turbos.
we really should have ahall of shame and things becouse 80 quid is a LOT of money for a power run and tbh i think there a bit optimistick now for a standard engine running 6 psi.

Dan

Excellent point Dan, I'd overlooked that...Well done for taking to a Rolling Road Feebs - you clearly had good intentions on getting your car to where it should be - much better than the joey who winds his boost up to 10psi on a stock engine without regard for even checking his baseline engine settings.


I'm not sure where you live (NW isn't it?) but I keep hearing different things about RE performance (??) in bury, and MiniSport. More recently, Minisports RR seem to be doing a better job than a bad job from what i've heard.

Why not pick up the phone, and ask to speak to the guy who actually runs the RR (make sure you're not speaking to the YTS guy who straps the cars down - LOL!) and discuss what you want doing... I reckon you're thinking of something a little over stock, that retains good economy and drivability? If so, tell him you don't want a wafer thin needle that just dumps fuel in at 4000rpm, or a dizzy retarded so much that the engine doen't make enough power to even move away in first...

Other thing to do is make sure your engine is AOK before running it there. Make sure your vac-advance can is working right (and is the turbo one!), that your tappets are set right, plug gaps, etc. All these little things make a difference.

Speaking with the RR guy, you'll develop a confidence that he really knows his stuff or not - but watch for over-confident tw4ts who don't want to hear what you have to say - there are toooo many of them around...

Another tip - you said this guy adjusted the mixture... Was that after running it up to get more/less fuel under boost? If you ever see this - walk away. The mixture screw is for adjusting mixture @ tickover. The needle profile (and dashpot spring) adjusts it under load... We all know this, but the number of RR 'experts' who don't is shocking...

Edited by turbodave16v on 11th Feb, 2005.

pot dan, james,
i understand i dont mean to be harsh on anyone at all, i was young some 300 hundred years ago!
sorry if i upsed or offended anyone at all
but i did not type it like that.

what hurts me is these companys that take your HARD EARNED brass and kidd people on
because the RR operator is inept:

like i said its not fair,

sorry james if i offended you
well we got a hall of fame and an hall of excellence out of it:

so we will know in future, when we get more input of everyone.

Noooo sorry i am not offended and i really appreciate your help. I never do anything to my car without asking for advice first for recomendations because you useually point me in the right direction. The one time i didnt ask was last month when i thought i saw a washer in the engine, which turned out to be a valve. This was only because i didnt want to get shouted at for having a washer in my engine!!! lol

Right i read everything you all said this morning, and im really pissed off.

I dont want to say anything bad about Well Lane turbos yet, because i want it resolved first.

THE FULL STORY...
Called up and asked for a tune up on the rollers, the guy was a bit of a idiot on the phone and eager to hurry me up, when i said can i have 4 o clock that was it basically, i was trying to find out exactly what i got in the tune up but i got the impression he was busy. I worked on my car all day preparing it, servicing it and everything and making sure everything was tight and running smooth, and cleaning the air filter. Just to be safe driving there, i turned up the mixture a full turn so that it would run rich rather than lean, i knew he would be adjusting it anyway.

anyway, i arrived at 10 to 4, to see him powerun a evolution. I stood right next to the guy having his car done, with my car right outside the entrance of the rolling road pointing in. The tester was VERY arogant. The guy before me was trying to get information, even asking the tester whether or not his printout was showing bhp at the flywheel or wheels seemed hard work to answer by the "tuner". He really was a man of little words!

5 minuets later he took the evolution off the rollers and walked away! I waited another 5 minuets until about 4:15 when he came over and said "what are you doing"#

i told him i was booked in for 4, and he said "you should have gone into the office then" He could have told me this! i wanted to leave i didnt trust him, but i didnt want to run my car without it tuned up either. Anyway, i went into the office where they were all nice people, they took my details and things and everything was ok, when i got back to my car i gave the "tuner" my keys. He was driving it onto the ramp, when "crunch" oh look my exhaust hit the rolling road when lowering the wheel holding things. Thanks for warning me that would happen, my car is OBVIOUSLY low. he then told me theres a risk of my carpets catching fire if my exhaust touches my floor pan, but if it does then its my reponsibility, which i suppose is a sacrifice ill have to make. He then asked me what i want from the car, i said i would like it to run happy at standard 7psi boost and for him to make sure it didnt run lean at the top end. He then argued with me saying ?no turbo car runs at over 4psi? (I QUOTE!) and that im a liar for saying that metros boost up to 7psi when at full revs, they never go over 4 he said. He also said when I said yes they do, that he has had years of experience. Im stating facts here.

He had a look around my engine bay, he said he ?couldn?t remember? how they were layed out and I asked him to set my boost at a safe level, and asked him if he would set it to be tuned at 10psi. I wanted this so that when I drive normal I can lower it manually, but I want it to be ok to put up to 10psi when I go to minis vs beetles easter Monday without blowing my engine up from running it at that!

He told me that my air filter needs to be nearer the front of the engine (true I knew that) and that an MBC would not work. He said it was something else, and would not work. I explained how I installed it, inline with the actuator, but he said it was not possible and called me a liar, AGAIN. I told him that?s how turbminis have used it and it works. Anyway he went ahead with it. He did one power run setting it to 10psi, said it was too lean, lowered it to 6psi, did a power run, adjusted the mixture after and did another quick power run (both power runs with the bonnet closed). He then reversed the car off and gave me my print out. I asked him about it, and he said that it would be better if I change the air filter position, that?s whats holding me back from more power. He also asked hwen I last changed the plug leads, plugs and rotor arm. I did them all about 1000miles ago when I put the engine in, but he said they needed doing. Forgot to mention, I offered to take the front grill off so he could set the timing, he said that ?isn?t included? and checked it anyway. He said it?s a bit too advanced but if its not pinking it will make it faster?.

He then made me go into the office before giving me my keys and making me pay ?80, I wanted to drive it before I thought that?s what they do to make sure your happy?

Anyway, as a result my exhaust now blows where it caught on the downpipe, and the car runs like a bag of crap. It idles at 1400rpm, runs really rich, uses loads of fuel (cost me loads more to get to york and back last night.), doesn?t have any kick in the turbo, the engine stalls if I put my foot to the floor in any gear or idling, its slow as hell, runs on, cant do hot starts anymore?..

It was too late to go back when I was on the way home, so I went to my work on the way home (Halfords) and bought silicone plug leads, plugs, rotor arm, more ducting (to make my air intake pipe longer into the path of cold air) and replaced it all when I got home. Took it for a spin, and it?s EXACTLY the same, there was no problem with the bits I had I knew it. I was told these were the reasons for my cars lack of power, there are no air leaks or anything nasty like that and all the gaskets are brand new. It uses/leaks no oil or water, it smokes the tiniest bit but definitely the smoke is only fuel ive had it looked at by the local mini garage.

Basically, if I was told, after or before they ?tuned it? that they couldn?t do it, I would be happy. I don?t call setting the mixture tuning it, I call it setting the idle emissions. I trusted Well Lane Turbos, but im going to give them a chance to either fix it, or give me a refund to take the car elsewhere as I have spent all my money this month now (im a student). They shouldn?t tell people they can tune there cars if they arnt capable of it. Im never unhappy with anything I every buy or have done to my car really to the extent that I complain, but ?80 is a lot of money, if it made the car right I wouldn?t mind, but right now my car is in need of another tune up!!!!

THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT/SLANDER ABOUT WELL LANE TURBOS, I WILL GIVE THEM THE CHANCE TO RECTIFY MY CAR AND TUNE IT AGAIN, IF THEY DO IT AND THE CAR PERFORMS AS IT SHOULD THEN OBVIOUSLY THEY WILL GET MY GOOD FEEDBACK AND THEY HAVE DONE AS THEY HAVE CHARGED FOR. I WILL OBVIOUSLY POST OF HOW HAPPY I AM WHEN THEY SORT IT, PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES WHICH THIS SHOULD JUST BE.

Previous Engine: 1040cc Morespeed engine, 1275 turbo head T2 Turbo Mirage Manifolds Megajolt
Previous engine: STD metro turbo, megajolt
Drives: 399bananahp (flywheel) Honda Civic Vtec b18c4 T28 Turbo 1968 Mini

Megajolt maps to download: http://www.jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.ph...&gid=3&Itemid=3

I forgot to mention. I had to ask what he had set my boost to. I would have appreciated a summary of my car to be honest and i think he should be told. I asked what boost i was running and he told me 6psi. I asked him why only 6, because he still is convinced that metros shouold not be over 4psi ever even at high revs, and he said because its too lean at the top end at anything over 6psi. I dont know how he could have worked this out in two/three quick drives on the rolling road.

I called Them today at dinner time, they only do car sales today, but the guy took my detials and my number. I will call back tomorow though. Does everyone think im within my rights to complain back to them? My car is utter pants now and it can be nothing but the tuning everything was working right!

Also, its just a thought, but if it really was too lean at the top end, how can i rectify this? What about if i bought a new 8psi needle or something from avonbar for them and then let them tune it . If they give me a refund ill go straight to peter baldwins, unless they sort it, but it better run perfectly tuned afterwards or i will want my money back to go elsewhere.

Previous Engine: 1040cc Morespeed engine, 1275 turbo head T2 Turbo Mirage Manifolds Megajolt
Previous engine: STD metro turbo, megajolt
Drives: 399bananahp (flywheel) Honda Civic Vtec b18c4 T28 Turbo 1968 Mini

Megajolt maps to download: http://www.jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.ph...&gid=3&Itemid=3

If it is just lean at the top end you just need to make the needle thiner at the bottom eg the thin bit
It can be done with a cordless drill and wet and dry I did mine a couple of times today but it is still a we bit lean right at the topend. Mine is 1.2mm at the end but it is taking a fair bit of time to get right you cant make the needle thicker as easily so I'am perivering cautiously I have a lambda and a mixture meter fitted.

Edited by AllanMcD on 13th Feb, 2005.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Personally, I'd fax your interpretation on the above to the manager of Well-Lane, and invite him to offer you a full or partial re-fund based on the operators lack of knowledge of tuning cars with SU carbs - proven by the very simple fact that he tried to adjust mixture by adjusting the jet rather than the needle profile itself.

It could be the owner of WellLane is the RR guy. It could be the owner is someone who doesn't realise what an incompetent and arrogant person he has working for him...

Also, state that you are not willing to come back for a re-tune (instead of a re-fund), unless the Rollers will be operated by a different person. Personally, i'd go straight for a re-fund.



D

He called me this morning. The guy that called me was the manager, and was absolutely sound with me. He knew what he was talking about and knew the metro engines inside out. I told him what i wanted, a full tune up, like i asked for on the phone.

Basically, he said he will redo it after i told him how it is running. I said if he retunes it, and it runs right at 7psi (and i want my timing perfect, not advanced) then i will be happy.

He said to give him a call personally when i want it re-doing. I also asked him about setting the advanced curve etc, but he told me it would take a whole day would something like that and was not covered.

I kept mentioning i want the needle profiling...
by any chance is there anyone here that wouldnt mind coming for the retune? I havent booked it yet. I will pick you up and take you there and back with me, im just crap at complaining sometimes and being fussy about stuff, but if its not right the second time i want a refund and i told him ill take it to baldwins.

Previous Engine: 1040cc Morespeed engine, 1275 turbo head T2 Turbo Mirage Manifolds Megajolt
Previous engine: STD metro turbo, megajolt
Drives: 399bananahp (flywheel) Honda Civic Vtec b18c4 T28 Turbo 1968 Mini

Megajolt maps to download: http://www.jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.ph...&gid=3&Itemid=3

Buy an uprated needle from Avonbar - it'll keep things simple.
You know what you want, there has been a lot of good advice in this post (and on the site). I don't think you need anyone to hold your hand!

Nice one - Just placed an order online at avonbar for an 8psi one :) thankyou

Previous Engine: 1040cc Morespeed engine, 1275 turbo head T2 Turbo Mirage Manifolds Megajolt
Previous engine: STD metro turbo, megajolt
Drives: 399bananahp (flywheel) Honda Civic Vtec b18c4 T28 Turbo 1968 Mini

Megajolt maps to download: http://www.jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.ph...&gid=3&Itemid=3

T Dave sound advice buddy

feebleuk top man
dont be intimidated by this wank company

this total idiot should be sacked but i dont think thay can sack him because he is "SACKLESS"

this idiot has given you a hard time because you are young and he may of thought you are a little green.
i give these idiots a hard time
when you book your motor in to the so called WELL LANE TURBO give me some notice and i will come along "if you wish", i only live 15 miles down the road i will meet you there
let me know buddy

Edited by BENROSS on 14th Feb, 2005.

ok, hi everyone, i dint take offence and i know jim did not but thought it did need to be pointed out as more than three quaters of this forum do seem to be verry expeerianced wich is great if we need help as long as you remeber that we dont have this expeeriance.
no hard feelings lol

Dan

you could go to mike barretts in lincoln, nearer than baldwins and he does know his stuff.

its about ?40/50 for a tune up, he sorts the timing and profiles the needle.

not too bad to get to from you. somebody might know of someone good nearer you. you want them fairly close so you can use them when you need.

just a thought feeb:cool:

you could ask for a refund as chances are they f****d up first time because of their incompetence chances are they wont remedy it the second, i have all too often seen this happen before. if they wont give you the money back tell them your going to the trading standards or taking them to court,
a inept con company like theirs needs this like a hole in the head
i bet they cough up


watsons of wakefield JEFF the owner knows his stuff (home of the v tec mini) raced the a series for years and knows the score
please read on the hall of excellence thread for details its 6 miles off batley

but if you had a choice mr baldwins the TOP MAN
i know its far but!
(you are Guaranteed to get the best from your motor)

i bet you will get the extra expence from the fuel saving alone in a few weeks what it will cost you to go down if its set up right, not to mention the
BIG GRIN you get every day you drive it if baldwins done it.

JUST A THOUGHT FEEB.

the decisions yours budd.