Stage 1 BMW PPK just installed and...

Canyon Carver · 02-18-2012, 05:33 PM

It's definitely different.

The power increase isn't tremendous, but it's there. People that aren't in tune with their cars may not feel it as much, if at all. Of course, I'll need to spend more time with it to really give an accurate before and after, but this is what I've noticed so far from a short 15-20 mile drive, all with the DTC OFF (First thing I do when I get into the car unless it's snowing):

PRO's:

1. The throttle response is undoubtedly more sensitive to modulation and responds better overall. Definitely, a noticeable difference beyond stock. +1

2. I know it has no real functionality - but I love the burble...it really comes out after the PPK and makes me feel like a kid again (Which I'm not).

3. First gear pulls about the same but with a smoother delivery, it seems to hook up better (This could also be due to a 'steering wheel angle' calibration they performed - although my DTC was off, hmmm). Second gear doesn't feel any different. Third pulls a little harder, fourth pulls noticeably harder and well, since I was in fourth at full throttle...I backed down...

4. Still FULLY covered under BMW warranty. No questions, no issues (Hopefully).

CON'S:

1. I got an incredible deal on it and I still feel like it was a lot of money for the amount of increased power.

2. I feel more lag now...? I know this is contrary to what other people have said / experienced - but I swear there's more lag and not quite as much pull in second gear. Maybe the reprogramming needs to learn my driving style again? Maybe I need to take it to someone who can tune it better? Not sure on that one...

The bottom line:

Because I didn't pay retail, I feel it's worth it overall. The throttle response alone almost makes it worth it. That said, the power gains are modest...noticeable, but modest.

I do have to give a thank you to the parts manager, David Levin at Tom Bush BMW in Florida (Where I bought the car). He's been fantastic through the process - knowledgeable and very competitive on pricing. I have no reason to look for another parts guy...I highly recommend him.

davefromfla · 02-18-2012, 05:55 PM

I had mine installed at Field's in Winter Park. Had all the improvements you mention. However, I never had any lag before or after. This is my 4th factory turbo, and I must say it is the best I've had. The 2 RX-7s and MR-2 I had were great, but this one is the best yet.

Warhawk · 02-18-2012, 06:01 PM

how good of a deal did you get?

NYC6 · 02-18-2012, 07:25 PM

I dont have any lag with the PPK on my Steptronic car. Its definitly improved over stock tip in. You can certainly feel it down low and the mid range. Up top its harder to tell but does make a little more power. I wonder if the extra TQ the autos get is the difference?

BucksCty135i · 02-19-2012, 09:26 AM

Canyon,

Glad you are enjoying... my experience with lag is that it completely disappears when pushing the sport button.

After installing my PPK, I ran 93 octane through around 3 tanks of gas... after approx. 400 miles, the engine got louder, nastier, and more responsive.

And of course, the $$ are worth it just for the burble!

Dackelone · 02-19-2012, 09:56 AM

Give your DME some time to adapt to your car. Like others have said, you need to feed the car good fuel and give it 400+ miles to fully adpat and make peak HP numbers.

BucksCty135i · 02-19-2012, 10:34 AM

Another quick note, since you have an N55 - because the mid-pipes have no cats and the reasonator is all the way at the end of the mid-pipe, when you engine starts to growl, you will really feel / hear it coming through the floor boards.

Canyon Carver · 02-19-2012, 12:12 PM

Hey everyone -

I had a late night out and just now getting back to reading all the replies...

@ Warhawk - I believe it runs about $12-1300 now plus installation...I got mine for $599. Let me clarify, last year BMW had a special on it for $599 until December 31st. I bought the car from Tom Bush BMW in December and David was good enough to hold the special price for me until I got settled in with the car (I drove from NYC to Florida and back for it). So I guess it could be considered 'SALE' retail, but I feel like I got a great deal and David was just totally cool and knowledgeable the whole way through - not to mention a real BMW enthusiast, he loves the cars as much as we do.

@ NYC6 - I wonder if it's a Manual vs. Auto thing - either way, what I'm about to say will negate both anyway...

I did a little driving this morning and WOW! I just needed a bit more seat time with it and for the DME to adapt. Driving over more familiar roads (And with a fresh set of senses) it's definitely faster. It gives you that little extra tenth of a G that just makes the smile even wider. I'm very pleased with the car now, it's perfect - for now.

@ Dackleone & Buckscty135i - You were both correct, the DME needed time to adapt. It WOKE UP this morning and one point I uttered "Holy S#!t" under my breath. It's pulling harder and angrier than it ever has. Good fuel is key - I never put anything less than 93 in it…and you're also saying It's going to take 400 miles to adapt? There's more coming? Excellent.

@ Bucks Cty135i - Yup, you're spot on with that one as well. I can feel the burble and the growl now, allowing me to get even more in touch with the car and what it's doing. +1

Suffice it to say, this little Bavarian monster is the best performing car I've ever owned.

Heading to Lime Rock on April 9th. Counting the seconds...

Canyon Carver · 02-19-2012, 12:17 PM

Time for me to go drive, heading through Manhattan up north today...talk to you guys later... :-)

1SerieStud · 02-22-2012, 10:06 AM

Lovely! I just spoke to Dave and he pointed me to this thread

Glad you're enjoying her!!

cmuro · 02-22-2012, 10:33 AM

If you don't mind me asking where did you get this installed and a ballpark as to what you paid?

Canyon Carver · 02-22-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SerieStud

Lovely! I just spoke to Dave and he pointed me to this thread

Glad you're enjoying her!!

Hey Etien! Yes, I absolutely adore the car...and I'm meticulous with it's care. Gotta keep the tradition going...I would not be doing the car justice otherwise.

cmuro · 02-22-2012, 10:58 AM

oops...sorry missed where you said you got it and paid. i thought you might have gotten it done in NY specifically LI and see you got it done in FL, again sorry.

Canyon Carver · 02-22-2012, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmuro

oops...sorry missed where you said you got it and paid. i thought you might have gotten it done in NY specifically LI and see you got it done in FL, again sorry.

No, no - actually you were correct the first time, I had it done in Brooklyn at Life Quality BMW. PM me for details, I'll tell you all about it...

It was $599 for the ppk1 kit and $290 for installation. Totally worth it in my opinion.

07'335iAlpine · 02-22-2012, 11:23 AM

hate to say it but bwaahahahahahahah! PROCEDE V5 FTW~!

: WOOT WOOT! GLAD your feeling the tuned power of the 1series! Congrats!

Canyon Carver · 02-22-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07'335iAlpine

hate to say it but bwaahahahahahahah! PROCEDE V5 FTW~!

: WOOT WOOT! GLAD your feeling the tuned power of the 1series! Congrats!

Yeah, I hear ya'...I'm sure the Procede gives even more power gains...but I am ultra-paranoid (Yes, I admit it) about warranty issues. For me, it was more important to have the piece of mind and guarantee that my car is covered.

Someday, when the warranty runs out - I'll gut it, throw in a roll cage and make it a Ferrari eater...

Bilka · 12-28-2013, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canyon Carver

Hey everyone -

I had a late night out and just now getting back to reading all the replies...

@ Warhawk - I believe it runs about $12-1300 now plus installation...I got mine for $599. Let me clarify, last year BMW had a special on it for $599 until December 31st. I bought the car from Tom Bush BMW in December and David was good enough to hold the special price for me until I got settled in with the car (I drove from NYC to Florida and back for it). So I guess it could be considered 'SALE' retail, but I feel like I got a great deal and David was just totally cool and knowledgeable the whole way through - not to mention a real BMW enthusiast, he loves the cars as much as we do.

@ NYC6 - I wonder if it's a Manual vs. Auto thing - either way, what I'm about to say will negate both anyway...

I did a little driving this morning and WOW! I just needed a bit more seat time with it and for the DME to adapt. Driving over more familiar roads (And with a fresh set of senses) it's definitely faster. It gives you that little extra tenth of a G that just makes the smile even wider. I'm very pleased with the car now, it's perfect - for now.

@ Dackleone & Buckscty135i - You were both correct, the DME needed time to adapt. It WOKE UP this morning and one point I uttered "Holy S#!t" under my breath. It's pulling harder and angrier than it ever has. Good fuel is key - I never put anything less than 93 in it…and you're also saying It's going to take 400 miles to adapt? There's more coming? Excellent.

@ Bucks Cty135i - Yup, you're spot on with that one as well. I can feel the burble and the growl now, allowing me to get even more in touch with the car and what it's doing. +1

Suffice it to say, this little Bavarian monster is the best performing car I've ever owned.

Heading to Lime Rock on April 9th. Counting the seconds...

Sorry to resurrect, but I'm having PPK installed on Monday and this post got me excited

jester17 · 02-02-2014, 10:15 AM

Not really a questions, or direct comment, but somewhat of a disappointing story, and maybe someone here has a potential solution:

I had been talking to my SA about installing the PPK 1 or 2 over the past four months, gauging pricing differences, compatibility with my current CAI, overall gains, etc. Just as I'm about to pull the trigger (I want[ed] a performance upgrade under warranty), they run my VIN and tell me that because my vehicle has the S840A option module, and not the S840 option module, that the upgrades -- PPK or exhaust -- cannot be installed. A good dealership all-in-all so far... so I was quite irritated to find no had run my VIN previously to be sure I could have the upgrades installed. So after fuming a bit, I call another BMW dealership in the area, and, without telling them the news I'd just heard, asked them to run my VIN to see if I could have the PPKs installed. They say it shouldn't be a problem. So I call BMWNA and explain the situation: The specialist says that they're not technicians, and that they always defer to the techs in cases like this... but as their opinions differ, the specialist says, feel free to take it into the second dealership and see what happens.

Anyone experience this? My 135 goes out of warranty this Oct., so I think I'll just save a few coins, and go COBB with basic maps, and maybe a FMIC... I don't get too crazy, but wouldn't mind the power option...

Cheers!

JBW

PrematureApex · 02-02-2014, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jester17

Not really a questions, or direct comment, but somewhat of a disappointing story, and maybe someone here has a potential solution:

I had been talking to my SA about installing the PPK 1 or 2 over the past four months, gauging pricing differences, compatibility with my current CAI, overall gains, etc. Just as I'm about to pull the trigger (I want[ed] a performance upgrade under warranty), they run my VIN and tell me that because my vehicle has the S840A option module, and not the S840 option module, that the upgrades -- PPK or exhaust -- cannot be installed. A good dealership all-in-all so far... so I was quite irritated to find no had run my VIN previously to be sure I could have the upgrades installed. So after fuming a bit, I call another BMW dealership in the area, and, without telling them the news I'd just heard, asked them to run my VIN to see if I could have the PPKs installed. They say it shouldn't be a problem. So I call BMWNA and explain the situation: The specialist says that they're not technicians, and that they always defer to the techs in cases like this... but as their opinions differ, the specialist says, feel free to take it into the second dealership and see what happens.

Anyone experience this? My 135 goes out of warranty this Oct., so I think I'll just save a few coins, and go COBB with basic maps, and maybe a FMIC... I don't get too crazy, but wouldn't mind the power option...

Cheers!

JBW

Isn't S840A the oil-cooler option? Any chance you have it backwards? You don't have the S840A (you don't have the extra oil cooler, etc.) so they won't install it?

First thing's first...perhaps you should install the oil cooler anyway, regardless of what tune/pibby you put on it?

Beyond that, I wouldn't be buying the PPK so close to your warranty ending. Just spring for a JB/Cobb, etc. I'm sure you can find a tune-freindly dealer, or pull it off (if you're OK with that) in the event that something happens.

jester17 · 02-02-2014, 10:38 AM

My paperwork lists S840A as the 'High Speed Synchronisation'...

PrematureApex · 02-02-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jester17

My paperwork lists S840A as the 'High Speed Synchronisation'...

I've read the opposite then. That you NEED that package to install the PPK, as it includes the extra oil cooler. Do you have it up in the passenger front fender (IIRC)?

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...php?p=14641335

Post 16, 18 and 21

If I had to guess, and it's not far-fetched, the guy at the first dealer had trouble reading. If you have the oil cooler/S840A, you CAN install the PPKs per BMW "rules".

jester17 · 03-07-2014, 11:47 AM

I've e-mailed my SA after talking to BMWNA about this... BMWNA says, "We're not techs.. we defer to the expertise of our dealerships mechanics." But I've now asked my SA to do a bit more research, and at least see if we can try to install the PPK, and what risks there are.

02-18-2012, 05:33 PM	#1
Canyon Carver Second Lieutenant 90 Rep 236 Posts Drives: 2018 LCI M2 - Long Beach Blue Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: La Crescenta, CA iTrader: (0)	Stage 1 BMW PPK just installed and... It's definitely different. The power increase isn't tremendous, but it's there. People that aren't in tune with their cars may not feel it as much, if at all. Of course, I'll need to spend more time with it to really give an accurate before and after, but this is what I've noticed so far from a short 15-20 mile drive, all with the DTC OFF (First thing I do when I get into the car unless it's snowing): PRO's: 1. The throttle response is undoubtedly more sensitive to modulation and responds better overall. Definitely, a noticeable difference beyond stock. +1 2. I know it has no real functionality - but I love the burble...it really comes out after the PPK and makes me feel like a kid again (Which I'm not). 3. First gear pulls about the same but with a smoother delivery, it seems to hook up better (This could also be due to a 'steering wheel angle' calibration they performed - although my DTC was off, hmmm). Second gear doesn't feel any different. Third pulls a little harder, fourth pulls noticeably harder and well, since I was in fourth at full throttle...I backed down... 4. Still FULLY covered under BMW warranty. No questions, no issues (Hopefully). CON'S: 1. I got an incredible deal on it and I still feel like it was a lot of money for the amount of increased power. 2. I feel more lag now...? I know this is contrary to what other people have said / experienced - but I swear there's more lag and not quite as much pull in second gear. Maybe the reprogramming needs to learn my driving style again? Maybe I need to take it to someone who can tune it better? Not sure on that one... The bottom line: Because I didn't pay retail, I feel it's worth it overall. The throttle response alone almost makes it worth it. That said, the power gains are modest...noticeable, but modest. I do have to give a thank you to the parts manager, David Levin at Tom Bush BMW in Florida (Where I bought the car). He's been fantastic through the process - knowledgeable and very competitive on pricing. I have no reason to look for another parts guy...I highly recommend him. __________________ 2018 M2 LCI - Long Beach Blue Metallic - MT 2017 Camaro SS - MT (Sold) 2011 135i N55 - MT - Suspension+Stage 1 PPK (Sold)
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02-18-2012, 05:55 PM	#2
davefromfla First Lieutenant 114 Rep 354 Posts Drives: 2021 M440ix Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I had mine installed at Field's in Winter Park. Had all the improvements you mention. However, I never had any lag before or after. This is my 4th factory turbo, and I must say it is the best I've had. The 2 RX-7s and MR-2 I had were great, but this one is the best yet.
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02-18-2012, 06:01 PM	#3
Warhawk Private 10 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Forums iTrader: (0)	how good of a deal did you get?
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02-18-2012, 07:25 PM	#4
NYC6 Banned 71 Rep 2,070 Posts Drives: '10 135i PPKI/06 C6 Z51 Vette Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: LI/NY iTrader: (0)	I dont have any lag with the PPK on my Steptronic car. Its definitly improved over stock tip in. You can certainly feel it down low and the mid range. Up top its harder to tell but does make a little more power. I wonder if the extra TQ the autos get is the difference?
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02-19-2012, 09:26 AM	#5
BucksCty135i Private 8 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2012 LeMans Blue 135i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bucks County, PA iTrader: (0)	Canyon, Glad you are enjoying... my experience with lag is that it completely disappears when pushing the sport button. After installing my PPK, I ran 93 octane through around 3 tanks of gas... after approx. 400 miles, the engine got louder, nastier, and more responsive. And of course, the $$ are worth it just for the burble! __________________ 2012 135i M Sport, LeMans Blue/Black int with Poplar - PPK, Dinan Front Sway, BMWPedals, Active Autowerke Strut Brace, KM11 for winter and VMR 718for summer.
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02-19-2012, 09:56 AM	#6
Dackelone European Editor 10526 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Give your DME some time to adapt to your car. Like others have said, you need to feed the car good fuel and give it 400+ miles to fully adpat and make peak HP numbers.
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02-19-2012, 10:34 AM	#7
BucksCty135i Private 8 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2012 LeMans Blue 135i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bucks County, PA iTrader: (0)	Another quick note, since you have an N55 - because the mid-pipes have no cats and the reasonator is all the way at the end of the mid-pipe, when you engine starts to growl, you will really feel / hear it coming through the floor boards. __________________ 2012 135i M Sport, LeMans Blue/Black int with Poplar - PPK, Dinan Front Sway, BMWPedals, Active Autowerke Strut Brace, KM11 for winter and VMR 718for summer.
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02-19-2012, 12:12 PM	#8
Canyon Carver Second Lieutenant 90 Rep 236 Posts Drives: 2018 LCI M2 - Long Beach Blue Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: La Crescenta, CA iTrader: (0)	Hey everyone - I had a late night out and just now getting back to reading all the replies... @ Warhawk - I believe it runs about $12-1300 now plus installation...I got mine for $599. Let me clarify, last year BMW had a special on it for $599 until December 31st. I bought the car from Tom Bush BMW in December and David was good enough to hold the special price for me until I got settled in with the car (I drove from NYC to Florida and back for it). So I guess it could be considered 'SALE' retail, but I feel like I got a great deal and David was just totally cool and knowledgeable the whole way through - not to mention a real BMW enthusiast, he loves the cars as much as we do. @ NYC6 - I wonder if it's a Manual vs. Auto thing - either way, what I'm about to say will negate both anyway... I did a little driving this morning and WOW! I just needed a bit more seat time with it and for the DME to adapt. Driving over more familiar roads (And with a fresh set of senses) it's definitely faster. It gives you that little extra tenth of a G that just makes the smile even wider. I'm very pleased with the car now, it's perfect - for now. @ Dackleone & Buckscty135i - You were both correct, the DME needed time to adapt. It WOKE UP this morning and one point I uttered "Holy S#!t" under my breath. It's pulling harder and angrier than it ever has. Good fuel is key - I never put anything less than 93 in it…and you're also saying It's going to take 400 miles to adapt? There's more coming? Excellent. @ Bucks Cty135i - Yup, you're spot on with that one as well. I can feel the burble and the growl now, allowing me to get even more in touch with the car and what it's doing. +1 Suffice it to say, this little Bavarian monster is the best performing car I've ever owned. Heading to Lime Rock on April 9th. Counting the seconds... __________________ 2018 M2 LCI - Long Beach Blue Metallic - MT 2017 Camaro SS - MT (Sold) 2011 135i N55 - MT - Suspension+Stage 1 PPK (Sold)
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02-19-2012, 12:17 PM	#9
Canyon Carver Second Lieutenant 90 Rep 236 Posts Drives: 2018 LCI M2 - Long Beach Blue Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: La Crescenta, CA iTrader: (0)	Time for me to go drive, heading through Manhattan up north today...talk to you guys later... :-) __________________ 2018 M2 LCI - Long Beach Blue Metallic - MT 2017 Camaro SS - MT (Sold) 2011 135i N55 - MT - Suspension+Stage 1 PPK (Sold)
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02-22-2012, 10:06 AM	#10
1SerieStud Brigadier General 183 Rep 3,939 Posts Drives: '11 VO 1M (498 of 740) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (11)	Lovely! I just spoke to Dave and he pointed me to this thread Glad you're enjoying her!!
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02-22-2012, 10:33 AM	#11
cmuro New Member 7 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	If you don't mind me asking where did you get this installed and a ballpark as to what you paid?
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02-22-2012, 10:58 AM	#13
cmuro New Member 7 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	oops...sorry missed where you said you got it and paid. i thought you might have gotten it done in NY specifically LI and see you got it done in FL, again sorry.
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02-22-2012, 11:23 AM	#15
07'335iAlpine Private First Class 10 Rep 134 Posts Drives: '10 135i M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas iTrader: (0)	hate to say it but bwaahahahahahahah! PROCEDE V5 FTW~!: WOOT WOOT! GLAD your feeling the tuned power of the 1series! Congrats!
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02-02-2014, 10:15 AM	#18
jester17 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 M Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Elizabethtown, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	Not really a questions, or direct comment, but somewhat of a disappointing story, and maybe someone here has a potential solution: I had been talking to my SA about installing the PPK 1 or 2 over the past four months, gauging pricing differences, compatibility with my current CAI, overall gains, etc. Just as I'm about to pull the trigger (I want[ed] a performance upgrade under warranty), they run my VIN and tell me that because my vehicle has the S840A option module, and not the S840 option module, that the upgrades -- PPK or exhaust -- cannot be installed. A good dealership all-in-all so far... so I was quite irritated to find no had run my VIN previously to be sure I could have the upgrades installed. So after fuming a bit, I call another BMW dealership in the area, and, without telling them the news I'd just heard, asked them to run my VIN to see if I could have the PPKs installed. They say it shouldn't be a problem. So I call BMWNA and explain the situation: The specialist says that they're not technicians, and that they always defer to the techs in cases like this... but as their opinions differ, the specialist says, feel free to take it into the second dealership and see what happens. Anyone experience this? My 135 goes out of warranty this Oct., so I think I'll just save a few coins, and go COBB with basic maps, and maybe a FMIC... I don't get too crazy, but wouldn't mind the power option... Cheers! JBW
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02-02-2014, 10:38 AM	#20
jester17 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 M Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Elizabethtown, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	My paperwork lists S840A as the 'High Speed Synchronisation'...
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03-07-2014, 11:47 AM	#22
jester17 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 M Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Elizabethtown, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	I've e-mailed my SA after talking to BMWNA about this... BMWNA says, "We're not techs.. we defer to the expertise of our dealerships mechanics." But I've now asked my SA to do a bit more research, and at least see if we can try to install the PPK, and what risks there are.
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