N55 tuning options

[XCC Motorsports]

I look forward to hearing back on this. I would be very interested in the process.

I am going ahead with this tune over the next week (just need to set up the appointment) so I will get further clarification and report back.

[cwg]

I just got the following update from Roman at ESS regarding their N55 Tune"


"We are looking to have a in house option available soon but a DIY might not be available until late summer."

Looks like the N55 is a tough nut to crack.

[mra]

I've heard from a couple of different friends involved with tuning that flashing the N55 is a tough nut to crack. Not only getting the flash loaded but also there appears to be a series of controls that BMW have implemented to revert power back to stock levels unless you know to look for and counteract those controls.

I'm inclined to believe what I've heard considering the length of time it's taking for flash tunes to come out. GIAC was apparently tuning a N55 back in September last year, DMS was meant to have something out end of 2010 etc

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by XCC Motorsports

So realistically, how much longer before ESS, Cobb, Giac, etc, release something for us n55 owners. Am I the only one pulling my hair out?

Not interested in Procede or JB tuning.

Have you seen the new JB+ we just released?



http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=506355

Mike

[Vtec Abuser]

Originally Posted by mra

I've heard from a couple of different friends involved with tuning that flashing the N55 is a tough nut to crack. Not only getting the flash loaded but also there appears to be a series of controls that BMW have implemented to revert power back to stock levels unless you know to look for and counteract those controls.

I'm inclined to believe what I've heard considering the length of time it's taking for flash tunes to come out. GIAC was apparently tuning a N55 back in September last year, DMS was meant to have something out end of 2010 etc

DMS already have software available in the UK. My friend has had his N55 MT done there with decent results. 372bhp @ the fly/crank with around the same torque figure..

[cwg]

I just got the following update from Roman at ESS regarding their N55 Tune

"We finished tuning our first N55 last week. Once I have performance numbers I will let you know. We are still fine tuning it."

He confirmed that this was a bench tune and not with the hand held flasher they have.

[oman135]

Originally Posted by cwg

I just got the following update from Roman at ESS regarding their N55 Tune

"We finished tuning our first N55 last week. Once I have performance numbers I will let you know. We are still fine tuning it."

He confirmed that this was a bench tune and not with the hand held flasher they have.

great news !
i want something like cobb easy to install/uninstall . i dont want to open my ecu !

[cwg]

Originally Posted by oman135

great news !
i want something like cobb easy to install/uninstall . i dont want to open my ecu !

Yes - its good to see someone making progress on the N55, but keep in mind that the ESS tune is a bench tune at this point and would require you to send them your ECU. First they will have to finish development of the tune and then they will start to work on making the tune so it can be flashed by the end user. Sounds like that is still at least several months away.

[oman135]

Originally Posted by cwg

Yes - its good to see someone making progress on the N55, but keep in mind that the ESS tune is a bench tune at this point and would require you to send them your ECU. First they will have to finish development of the tune and then they will start to work on making the tune so it can be flashed by the end user. Sounds like that is still at least several months away.

i will wait till ess or cobb release something !

[parky1215]

hopefully Giac will release one this summer too.

[N55_NOLE]

Just thought I would give this thread a bump in light of the tune Dackel had performed on his N55 in Germany. I'm feeling more and more that a flash tune is the way to go from a warranty protection/engine longevity standpoint.

[UdubBadger]

^I agree

[Murdered_One]

jb3 tune for the N55 is a great option in my opinion. Very easy to install.. great power gain.. and very easy to uninstall or turn off turn through USB connection if needed.. I dont see why people are waiting so long for cobb when this is so easy.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by N55_NOLE

Just thought I would give this thread a bump in light of the tune Dackel had performed on his N55 in Germany. I'm feeling more and more that a flash tune is the way to go from a warranty protection/engine longevity standpoint.

HEY! My car is a N54 not a N55! Sorry.


http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=528152

My tuner (Marcel) CAN tune the N55 motors:

Stage I: 341 PS and 455 Nm
Stage II: 360 PS and 500 Nm
Stage III 390 PS and 550 Nm


Dackel

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Murdered_One

jb3 tune for the N55 is a great option in my opinion. Very easy to install.. great power gain.. and very easy to uninstall or turn off turn through USB connection if needed.. I dont see why people are waiting so long for cobb when this is so easy.

I thought it was reported that IF you have a N55 and IF you have the latest SW update... the JB+ doesn't really make any HP (due to BMW anti tuning codes in the new SW).

I thought I read her that the JB+ only works on early N55's w/o the latest SW ? Please correct me IF I am wrong here. ??? I also though Burger Tuning stopped selling the JB+ for N55's. ??? I am not trying to bash the Juice Box products... I am just trying to figure out what is fact or false.


Dackel

[Murdered_One]

above comment is true.. i never understood the JB+ Anyways.. However, JB3 has been awesome. Raced my buddy with a stock 2011 335xi and the difference was very significant. Made my daily driving even more enjoyable.

[N55_NOLE]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

HEY! My car is a N54 not a N55! Sorry.


http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=528152

My tuner (Marcel) CAN tune the N55 motors:

Stage I: 341 PS and 455 Nm
Stage II: 360 PS and 500 Nm
Stage III 390 PS and 550 Nm


Dackel

My mistake! I saw your join date and read through your thread about your flash tune and just assumed you had a n55 based on your comments. Even though you have a n54, you're still one of my favorite posters.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

I have JB3 for the N55. It is great PnP device, no messing with the ECU etc. I have read that the latest N55 SW protects against flashing ECU.

not true, my car is running a Eurocharged Flash

[cooler2442]

I was at HP Autowerks today and I spoke to Herold. He said GIAC originally used his car's N55 ECU and they have already cracked the ECU. They are now just putting on final touch's to the tune and then it will be ready. So I am guessing expect it in the next month or 2.

[N55_NOLE]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

Why the reasoning that a flash is better than a plug-n-play such as the JB3?

I have to admit I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to engine tuning in general and the flash/piggyback debate specifically, but from what I've gathered from my time on this forum and s2ki back in my s2000 days the reason a flash tune is preferable to a piggyback/pnp/whatever is because it maintains quite a few more of the stock parameters for the ECU in a wide range of categories. It also maintains more of the safeguards the OEM SW was originally given, thus making it safer for your motor. My general and admittedly someone limited understanding is that a tune like the jb3 or the like uses simulators to "trick" the ECU into thinking everything with the motor is stock and you run a greater risks of throwing codes and having more serious issues like knocks. (Anyone who knows more about this than I do feel free to chime in or correct me as necessary.) Another reason some people prefer flash tunes is because if you live near your tuner you can have your tune customized to your exact car and its modifications instead of using a map that best fits your mods (consider the analogy of buying a suit off the rack as opposed to having one personally tailored to fit you).

As for the detectability of flash tunes vs. jb3 tunes and the like I have zero experience with either in real world applications, but it is my understanding that both sides of the debate claim their side can not be detected while the other side can. I personally tend to side a little bit more on the flash side of the fence because it seems to me that if you aren't throwing codes you're more likely not to get caught. You also have the option of returning the car to its stock map before visiting the dealer and that combined with fewer codes being thrown is the reason I am more of a flash guy from this perspective (dealer detection/warranty protection). The thing that scares me about either of the options is the possibility of a hidden detection device or code that will show that higher than stock boost levels have been present in the car for periods of time longer than those associated with boost spikes. I know everyone on here loves to talk about Moss Magnuson, but I've heard from multiple attorneys (including my father who wrote and sponsored the Florida Lemon Law) that using Moss Magnuson in a warranty claim is an uphill battle and one that will cost more money in legal fees than it would be to just replace the faulty item yourself. That being said I'd be very careful with whatever path you take because you could very well end up SOL if your dealership or BMW NA decide to void your warranty or deny a claim.

Again, I am by no means an expert and may be wrong about some of this, so if anyone needs to correct me I won't be upset.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

Why the reasoning that a flash is better than a plug-n-play such as the JB3?

Some people think that the piggy tunes are glorified boost controller(s). No provision for fuel or ignition control.

Some people think a flash tune takes into account ALL parameters of engine tuning: boost, ignition and fuel tuning.

[N55_NOLE]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

Makes sense. Being involved in IT hardware etc as my career, I just don't like flashing as a solution, even if "original" flash can be restore, how original is this really?

Then again I agree with you on ECU trickery, like the JB3. I believe that f you don't push these to the limit (say standard boost settings), that is the better option. If you are looking for big power gains, then flashing is probably safer and more "tune'able"

I'm glad we're mostly on the same page, I was worried this was going to devolve into one of those classic forum fights about tuning!

As for the originality of the original program, most flash tuners who give you the option to go back to stock do so by making a copy of your stock map before the tune is performed. I honestly can't think of a better way to insure the purity of the OEM software. This could also be a solution for people who don't want a tune but are upset with the new SW update (although I'm not sure how different one cars SW would compare to anothers, even with identical options). A great example of this is the thread Dackel started about his flash tune. Here's the link to that thread: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=528152