ECU Upgrade!

[B_2_B_P]

With no mods its 255HP. To make you even happier...it should be less than 700euro The 130i is only 500-550 euro http://www.ets-power.de/chiptuning/produkte/Marke

[Evice]

I just checked the 130i vs 128i in realoem, and it looks like part numbers are different for the transmissions.

I know it is not huge, but will your transmission handle this 40HP increase?

E82 128i Manual Transmission GS6-17BG
E81 130i Manual transmission GS6-37BZ/DZ

[B_2_B_P]

Not sure.

[wolfe]

I believe the GS6-17BG is made by Getrag, the GS6-37BZ/DZ is a ZF transmission and is certainly more heavy-duty.

The GS6-17BG seems to be used in heavier cars (523i) but haven't found it in any higher powered cars yet.

I found one forum post at the end of this thread http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=6l50

suggests the GS6-17BG is/was not rated for a lot more than (at the time) 215hp. It's not backed up with any sources though. Obviously it's at least good for the 230hp the 128i puts out.

[Fireflyer239]

The BMS Pbox, along with (if I recall correctly) one other company's reflash, are the only tunes tried here yet. At least the Pbox produces exactly what BMS claims, even if it isn't much. Maybe these euro claims are just smoke; not a single member has chimed in with results from any of them, so I'll believe it when it's proven. Not trying to be pessimistic, just realistic - seems odd that several euro tuners can come up with a way, but not a single American company can figure it out? Hmm...

[B_2_B_P]

Once hackers in America realize that car computers and getting high tech like desktop computers I think they will hack them =P J/K I don't think that will happen until car computers are hooked up to the internet.

[wolfe]

Whether or not the 128i transmission can handle the extra torque seems like it might be quite an important question.

The 130i puts out around 45Nm more torque (315 vs 271), and it seems like historically the getrag boxes are rated lower than the equivalent ZF boxes.

[B_2_B_P]

Well its a good thing I don't plan on racing this car much. I just do spirited driving from time to time. Also by the time that actually fails, which I don't think it will, I will get a performance/street tranny. I don't think 40hp and will affect it much. Maybe the extra 58 Torque, but still not really sure it will hurt it.

[Greenkirby21]

hello
any update?

[B_2_B_P]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

hello
any update?

Calm down sir. I just got back from my honeymoon tonight. I found out that me exhaust will be rdy by august 10th so hopefully the shipping is quick because I will be getting the tune after i install the exhaust.

[Greenkirby21]

Hehehe oops sorry xD! I forgot u went. I hope u had a great time congrats

[B_2_B_P]

There are other 125's that have gotten the tune. They are german and are on the german 1er's forums. I'm not sure if they have had any problems.

I wouldn't think I would have too many problems because I'm not racing this car. I very rarely drop the clutch if ever anymore. I just drive a little spirited sometimes.

[Lucky1]

If a transmission is "rated" for a certain horsepower what does that mean? If you launch it too hard it will hurt it more or if you are driving along normally and suddenly decide to push the engine to the maximum you will damage the transmission (it'll be unable to handle the power?).

Also just a thought but I think in a manual transmission the clutch is also rated for how power it can handle

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

I know on the VW GTI, the APR tune gives about 50hp/torque just the tune

I wouldn't compare the tunes available for the GTI to anything for our motors. The GTI has a turbocharger and ask anyone on this forum that makes it a whole new ballgame.

[B_2_B_P]

Very true. Turbo cars are VERY easy to get more power out of it. I would guess that the power that turbo cars can get is a the cost of the engine or engine components breaking sooner.

[wolfe]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

If a transmission is "rated" for a certain horsepower what does that mean? If you launch it too hard it will hurt it more or if you are driving along normally and suddenly decide to push the engine to the maximum you will damage the transmission (it'll be unable to handle the power?).

Also just a thought but I think in a manual transmission the clutch is also rated for how power it can handle

I think the rating is how much power/torque it can handle under a range of 'normal' usage without risk of failure.

From what I've been told, the torque rating is more important than the horsepower. I'm sure you can damage the transmission even at stock power levels if you abuse it enough. Once you're over ~3500rpm, the extra torque becomes less of an issue. It sounds like the highest potential for something failing is as you're launching it hard, as that's when the gearbox has the most force applied to it.

Something like an autocross would be pretty hard on it I think, if you're in 2nd gear most of the time and constantly hard on/hard off the throttle. For 'spirited' street driving, or probably track driving to a lesser extent, I'd guess there's a much lower chance of anything breaking.

I was also told that new boxes aren't available for the 128i, only rebuilt. No internal parts area available for it either, so repair is out.

If the worst did happen, a BMW rebuilt 130i box is only a couple of hundred dollars more so that might be a potential swap depending on what other parts are needed.

Total guess on my part, but I'd think it could handle the upgrade unless you're really hammering it all the time.

[B_2_B_P]

Originally Posted by wolfe

I think the rating is how much power/torque it can handle under a range of 'normal' usage without risk of failure.

From what I've been told, the torque rating is more important than the horsepower. I'm sure you can damage the transmission even at stock power levels if you abuse it enough. Once you're over ~3500rpm, the extra torque becomes less of an issue. It sounds like the highest potential for something failing is as you're launching it hard, as that's when the gearbox has the most force applied to it.

Something like an autocross would be pretty hard on it I think, if you're in 2nd gear most of the time and constantly hard on/hard off the throttle. For 'spirited' street driving, or probably track driving to a lesser extent, I'd guess there's a much lower chance of anything breaking.

I was also told that new boxes aren't available for the 128i, only rebuilt. No internal parts area available for it either, so repair is out.

If the worst did happen, a BMW rebuilt 130i box is only a couple of hundred dollars more so that might be a potential swap depending on what other parts are needed.

Total guess on my part, but I'd think it could handle the upgrade unless you're really hammering it all the time.

Thank for the educated guess. I like positive thinking. Any facts you may come across would also be cool.

[B_2_B_P]

So im getting my tune tomorrow. There dyno is broken so I will have to wait on that.

[Alex_bm]

Good luck man! This tune could change the whole performance tuning arena for n52.

[B_2_B_P]

Originally Posted by Alex_bm

Good luck man! This tune could change the whole performance tuning arena for n52.

I do not doubt it. I will be paying around 500 Euro for 40HP and 58 torque. Not bad if you ask me. I just can't wait to prove it to you guys.

[chylld]

Originally Posted by B_2_B_P

I do not doubt it. I will be paying around 500 Euro for 40HP and 58 torque. Not bad if you ask me. I just can't wait to prove it to you guys.

we can't wait either! i just read a really long thread about a 325 N52 being upgraded to 330 equivalent... it required a very complex reprogramming as well as the 3-stage intake, and he only just made it to 330 power levels but still had some smoothness problems.

fingers crossed that a simple tune is all we need!!

[B_2_B_P]

So I got the tune today

My butt dyno likes it

The Speed limiter was increase to 7500 and supposedly the hp was increased with the torque. I will have to go get the dyno from another company since there dyno was broken. Anyone want to pitch in?