135i Turbo Engine (N54 / N55) *General Questions Thread*

[bryce]

paul135i- dci's are for the n54 only. there are a few intake options for the n55, but i'm not sure they provide enough gains to justify the price. if i had an n55, i would just run the stock airbox with a non-oiled drop-in filter, along with the tune and dp/intercooler.

right now, the procede is probably the best tune for the n55. in a few months, cobb should release their n55 tune. i've used both the cobb and procede on my 335i (sold my 135i a while back).

although the cobb is probably a more comprehensive tune that re-maps the fuel, ignition, boost, even vanos values, i prefer the way the procede drives. it's just more eager to rev. i switch back and forth between the procede and cobb. you really can't go wrong with either of those tunes though

[Paul135i]

Hi Bryce,

Thanks for the info on the intakes and alerting me to the Cobb, I'll definitely check it out.

Did you install the DP and intercooler yourself? If not, can you recommend a shop in the Houston area? I'm in central Texas and wouldn't mind driving to a well respected / trusted provider. Would also be nice to see results on a dyno.

Thanks!

[bryce]

Originally Posted by Paul135i

Hi Bryce,

Thanks for the info on the intakes and alerting me to the Cobb, I'll definitely check it out.

Did you install the DP and intercooler yourself? If not, can you recommend a shop in the Houston area? I'm in central Texas and wouldn't mind driving to a well respected / trusted provider. Would also be nice to see results on a dyno.

Thanks!

on my 135i, i did most of the work myself or with a friend. if you're handy with tools, the intercooler is an easy install. i did the intercooler on my 335i by myself in the garage.

the downpipe install is a bit more complicated. although i did it with the help of a friend before on my 135i, i paid to have it done this time around on my 335i.

for a reliable shop in houston, i've always loved the work evs motors does. most of the houston guys on e90post use them, too. here's their website:

http://www.evsmotors.com/

[bryce]

ttt

[bryce]

up for general tune, exhaust, etc ?s

[bryce]

up

[Mr Marcus]

BMS have released the JB4 for the N55. From what i've read I think it's probably got the jump on Procede for the time being. I was toying with the notion of the PPK but just can't justify the price over JB4.

[Clovef]

The jb4 is safe warranty wise if you clear the codes and take it off before dealer visits right?

[bryce]

Originally Posted by Mr Marcus

BMS have released the JB4 for the N55. From what i've read I think it's probably got the jump on Procede for the time being. I was toying with the notion of the PPK but just can't justify the price over JB4.

the procede still has more features over the jb4 for the n55. mainly, the procede can control ignition advance/retard (timing). the jb4 cannot alter timing, unless you add on the cps module. i'm not even sure the cps module can be used on the n55's. on the n54's, nobody uses the cps module because it limits performance.

in piggybacks, only the procede has used cps offsetting to make more power.

Originally Posted by Clovef

The jb4 is safe warranty wise if you clear the codes and take it off before dealer visits right?

yes. removing the tune (any tune really) and clearing codes leaves no trace of having run a tune

[Clovef]

Thanks I guess I am going to need to do more research. I did not know that the jb4 could not change timing. Kinda crazy to change boost and fueling that much but not adjust timing. Are there any other major differences between them?

[bryce]

Originally Posted by Clovef

Thanks I guess I am going to need to do more research. I did not know that the jb4 could not change timing. Kinda crazy to change boost and fueling that much but not adjust timing. Are there any other major differences between them?

there's a few more differences between the procede and jb4, but the timing control is one of the main differences.

for the n55, i'd recommend either running a procede, waiting for the cobb accessport (should be Jan or Feb), or going with a reflash (eurocharged is one example).

[bryce]

ttt for general exhaust, tune, intake, etc questions

[bryce]

up

[Venom]

Not sure if its fear mongering, but it seems like the rumors are back. I have noticed a quiet update since my last visit to BMW, it doesn't show up on my receipt. The image for DTC off has changed back to the original triangle with a circle around it.

I would like to know if there is any truth to the "detect a tune" rumors that BMW can now detect if cars have been tuned.

Originally Posted by bryce

the procede still has more features over the jb4 for the n55. mainly, the procede can control ignition advance/retard (timing). the jb4 cannot alter timing, unless you add on the cps module. i'm not even sure the cps module can be used on the n55's. on the n54's, nobody uses the cps module because it limits performance.

in piggybacks, only the procede has used cps offsetting to make more power.



yes. removing the tune (any tune really) and clearing codes leaves no trace of having run a tune

[bryce]

bmw cannot detect if you have a tune on the car, once the tune is removed and codes cleared. cobb flashed and un-flashed a car and had a bmw master tech specifically look to see if it was previously tuned. they could not tell. piggybacks "trick" the ecu into thinking it's running stock boost levels. no way that will show up after it's been removed.


as far as the software update that changed the "dsc off" image to the triangle and squiggly lines, it's just a routine update by bmw. my tpms used to not show which wheel was low on air, after a software update it does now. just simply bmw's way of continually improving the product; has nothing to do with tune detection.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by ianf

Yes, mine went in for a new Xenon ignitor under warranty and got the new integration access level with yellow DTC triangle back. Called the SA, who advised that they had put the latest update on. Makes me wonder too, as mine doesn't look stock and makes no sense to update for xenons which blew because of water in the headlamp??

Everytime I take my car in, they "connect it to the computer" which applies all updates to the car.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by bryce

bmw cannot detect if you have a tune on the car, once the tune is removed and codes cleared. cobb flashed and un-flashed a car and had a bmw master tech specifically look to see if it was previously tuned. they could not tell. piggybacks "trick" the ecu into thinking it's running stock boost levels. no way that will show up after it's been removed.


as far as the software update that changed the "dsc off" image to the triangle and squiggly lines, it's just a routine update by bmw. my tpms used to not show which wheel was low on air, after a software update it does now. just simply bmw's way of continually improving the product; has nothing to do with tune detection.

Awesome because there was some fear-mongering in another thread. It had to do with a "flash-counter".

[Venom]

I meant to see if the OBC itself had any "complaints".

Originally Posted by ianf

Doubt that as it takes a few hours to do a IAL update, probably just doing a diagnostics

[hbiscuit]

Originally Posted by NurEinser

I meant to see if the OBC itself had any "complaints".

That's completely different than "applies all the updates."

[chachacha28]

has anyone tried running a dual midpipe/h-pipe setup? im gonna get a custom setup made before spring. just want to know if anyone has sound clips with catless dp's. i will be running it with no muffler.

[bryce]

Originally Posted by NurEinser

Awesome because there was some fear-mongering in another thread. It had to do with a "flash-counter".

there is no "flash-counter" on the n54 engine. cobb has proven this with a bmw master tech. no worries really about tuning the car, if you remove it bmw will never know.

i leave my tune on for most dealer visits. i think people are more paranoid about it then they need to be. dealerships get paid by bmw to do warranty work. it's in their best interest to perform the warranty labor, as it's revenue.

Originally Posted by ezeedee

has anyone tried running a dual midpipe/h-pipe setup? im gonna get a custom setup made before spring. just want to know if anyone has sound clips with catless dp's. i will be running it with no muffler.

that would probably sound sick! search youtube for akrapovic 1m. it has catless downpipes and is esentially running muffler-less with an x-pipe. it has a muffler, but it's bypassed in the video

[chachacha28]

Originally Posted by bryce

that would probably sound sick! search youtube for akrapovic 1m. it has catless downpipes and is esentially running muffler-less with an x-pipe. it has a muffler, but it's bypassed in the video

nice, i googled it. i think it should sound better, h pipes > x pipes for sound. at least on n/a cars. never heard one on a turbo. but i should be able to get it done for a couple hundred bucks vs. 6g's for the akra.