In the least I would think some programming would be needed. It is nice but there are a lot of things I wish I could change with the icon system. Always wondered what mode the S was stuck in. Figured it was normal mode but then how could they claim the same power ratings for the S model.

 

I started replying to this morning, then changed my mind, but I guess I’ve reconsidered.

YEARS ago (damn seems like yesterday, but it was almost a decade) the Nav system started to malfunction in our first generation Mini Cooper S and the PART I needed to fix it was $1400. So instead I started looking to see if it would be possible to retrofit the large speedometer and do away with the unit. Turns out it was impossible from a practicality standpoint, required a whole wiring harness and complete disassembly of the dash and possibly much of the rest of the car.

Now with CANbus wiring and a lot of changes that have been occurring to newer cars it might be more feasible to make changes like that these days.

Still, I imagine it is going to take some expensive bits and a bit more work than just removing the current unit and replacing it with the ICON.

But nearly anything “can” be done if you try hard enough.



There’s nothing about the Sport mode that makes “more power” – it fine tunes the power steering and simulates CVT shifting, but AFAIK it doesn’t touch EFI mapping or ignition timing or raise the rev limiter. As such peak engine hp/torque readings should be the same.

 

You should have bought the SV or SL. You are going to spend the money anyway. Possibly even more for a jerry-rigged setup.

 

I bought the S model because I didn't want the icon. It's goofy to me and I don't like the climate control. I would of liked push start however.

 

There was a Top Gear episode where they tested a Golf GTI in normal and in Sport to see if the faster steering and throttle response did anything except make the car more uncomfortable. The car, when driven by the Stig, was faster in normal.

 

Interesting, though I still doubt it's a change to timing or mapping that would result in a difference of peak hp/torque. But yeah, I would be curious what effect you can tell on an MT vehicle.

 

Well, another way of looking at it is you know you're getting worse mileage in sport mode. That gas has to go somewhere. I don't know if the peak torqe/HP is actually achievable in normal mode.

People who are familiar with tunes may know... is there three tables of tuning data being shoved in there or just one?

 

Again, that's no evidence of a difference in mapping/tuning or peak capability. First off when using Sport mode people tend to accelerate/drive faster, which is going to use more fuel. Remember fuel consumption isn't a set number for distance traveled, it's a function of acceleration and speed for that distance. The motor is most likely ABLE to make the same peak power in all 3 modes, but more likely to use it more often in Sport than Normal or Eco.

 

I agree. The throttle response is much better in sport mode. The car has much more getup-n-go. I was under the impression that it changed some settings with the turbo as well as the timing and steering. I can see it not producing more power but just changing the power curve so you get to the power sooner.

 

I agree. The throttle response is much better in sport mode. The car has much more getup-n-go...

Never noticed that on mine. All I notice is the simulated shifts, and it stays in the lower "gears" longer. But from a dead stop there is still the same slow/sloppy typical CVT response.

 

Right the CVT may take it out of it. I have the MT.

 

I have noticed while on cruise with the mileage gauge on instant that switching between the modes doesn't seem to affect the mileage. So I think and just my opinion is that they move the power curve a little so you get to the power sooner but you use more fuel on the acceleration. They may be out there but I haven't seen them, but would be interesting to see a side by side dyno curve of each mode on the same car.

 

I was under the impression that sport mode actually increased the boost pressure by 1-2 psi, but maybe I'm remembering incorrectly.

 

There is no disagreement as to whether it does anything. I just posted exactly what it does.

As for having the logic for the climate controls. I doubt your car has it. If you wanted icon you should have purchase a car with icon. As already stated it's not as easy and just plugging the screen portion in.

 

You may also need the ac amp indeed. If you did want to attempt this, also get the ac amp, and the bcm just in case. Install all of the icon system, and the ac amp, if theres connectors for it; if the connectors are not there, you will need the main harness....

If you do all of this, and it doesnt work, then it cant be done.

If someone local to texas has a base model I would love to get my hands on it and swap anything needed to get it to work and see what exactly is needed, but since I don't have a guinea pig personally, I cant.

To be honest, no one here exactly knows if it is, how much work is needed, or how expensive it is, at least as far as I know. Searching around, I have not found any examples of anyone who has attempted it.

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I hate the ICON climate control. it has a mind of its own. I live in an area where there are some cattle farms so in some spots it really stinks. usually I put the ventillation in recirculate mode when going through these areas but it switches to fresh when it sees fit. next thing you know my cabin is filled with cow poo stench. the D-mode stuff is gimmicky. Normal mode and sport mode doesn't feel that much different in power delivery (maybe the difference is more noticeable with a cvt. I have MT). Eco mode just feels slower and the AC weaker but I only observed 1.2 combined mpg improvement over sport over a 500 mile range. lately I just leave it in normal mode since the damn thing resets to normal anyway every time you turn off the car. I got the SV mainly for the available manual transmission and keyless entry. all the other stuff I could've done without.

 

Yes, the mode are usually throttle response curve:

the amount of throttle opening relative to the position of the pedal.

Eco mode: think expo curve, slow at first climbing up fast in the last degree of push of the throttle sort of like this _/
Normal : sort of regular proportionnal like this with curve like this /
Sport: sort of reverse expo lost of throttle opening in the first degree of push of the pedal then the curve flatten sort of like this (/-) or that
,___
/

 

throttle expo... you don't happen to be an RC racer are you?

 

If your friend can get you the I-CON I would be really interested to see some good hi-res photos of the inside. Actually, I'd like to get access to one at some point. If they haven't locked the I-CON processor down too tightly it would be nice to be able to put custom firmware on there.

 

I would buy that firmware from you if it allowed me to change the options to my liking!

 

Didn't really think about this before, but in order to actually swap it over, you'd need a new heater/ac box all together... factory ac is controlled by cables, icon systems have motors on the blend/mix doors. Trying to add in an icon system would be a nightmare, and youd pay at least 3k in parts alone.

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If you had a parts car it might not be that bad. I would think that would be the way to go at least until someone figured out how everything that is needed and made a DIY thread.

 

Your talking main harness, ecm, bcm, ac amp, the icon system itsself, heater box assembly with all needed motors/actuators...

To do this would be ridiculous

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If you're stuck with a car that doesn't have one it could be worth it if you do it yourself. That is how clone's are made. ridiculous amounts of work to make it something its not. But generally not just from an S to SV. Now S to R that would be neat.