ECU Tuning Software/Hardware?

iminhell1 · 05-08-2015, 08:43 PM

Thinking about a future purchase of a 135i. But I'm a tinkerer and like to do things myself when I can. Tuning is the one thing I find enjoyable.

What good options are out there to self tune the 1 series? Not just a flash and go and not a you can globally adjust spark/fuel. Something with some real meat to it.

Do they like E-85? namely the updated High Pressure Fuel Pumps

ShocknAwe · 05-08-2015, 08:56 PM

JB4/MHD Flash

iminhell1 · 05-08-2015, 09:26 PM

I knew BMW's drew kinda the techy type, and I guess I'm becoming one. But that is really cool.
I'm in the Ford world and accustomed to SCT. Everything there is turn car off and flash. Nothing can be done on the fly. Though older EEC-IV can to some extent.

Thanks for giving me hours of reading. Found this site that seems to be the stockpile of info --> http://www.n54tech.com/forums/index.php

The Wind Breezes · 05-09-2015, 02:25 AM

You need WinOLS and a programming cable like cmdflash. There is other editing software but WinOLS is the standard and it's very powerful and easy to use once you learn it.

If you're getting an N54 I think you can easily tune it with pirated WinOLS and an inexpensive Chinese clone cable from ebay. If you want a N55 you'll need to invest several thousand in legit WinOLS and a legit programmer.

However, I get the impression you've never done anything like this before. Learning ECU tuning particularly with late-model factory ECUs can be tricky because the few people who know a lot about your ECU, won't talk about it. Assuming you can find enough info and motivation to get going, it will probably take you months to make a halfway decent tune even if you're good at it. If you're not good at it, well, you'll probably give up lol. All the tuning data to run the engine is contained in several thousand individual tables of numbers called maps. You will have to find the relevant ones yourself and although you will find guides, likely for pay, they will never match up perfectly and you'll be doing a lot of work at first to find things. To really get good you'll need to understand assembly language for the CPU in your DME. That's another matter but hopefully this gives you an idea of the main difficulties you'll face should you decide to tune the car.

iminhell1 · 05-09-2015, 05:11 AM

You're talking about reverse engineering the factory binary.
I'm talking about a ready made software package that has all that done already.

It's not that I can't, it's that I would rather not spend the time to do so. I don't know what ECU the N54 uses and I don't know how popular it is. Maybe there isn't something like I'm hoping for. That's why I'm asking.

And I think I have a copy of WinOLS lying around somewhere. Been years though.

ShocknAwe · 05-09-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iminhell1

You're talking about reverse engineering the factory binary.
I'm talking about a ready made software package that has all that done already.

It's not that I can't, it's that I would rather not spend the time to do so. I don't know what ECU the N54 uses and I don't know how popular it is. Maybe there isn't something like I'm hoping for. That's why I'm asking.

And I think I have a copy of WinOLS lying around somewhere. Been years though.

Disregard the above. You found the site you need already. The programmer behind MHD has unlocked all the tables necessary for tuning, couple this with the JB4 and you have a serious arsenal.

There are a few folks working on a new open source software suite to replace TunerPro and a few other programs. These should be able to be used with the otg flashing module.

And it can all be done with a $50 android (OTG) tablet and a $20 K/D CAN cable.

Ultimateone · 05-09-2015, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iminhell1

You're talking about reverse engineering the factory binary.
I'm talking about a ready made software package that has all that done already.

It's not that I can't, it's that I would rather not spend the time to do so. I don't know what ECU the N54 uses and I don't know how popular it is. Maybe there isn't something like I'm hoping for. That's why I'm asking.

And I think I have a copy of WinOLS lying around somewhere. Been years though.

Just get a Cobb AP

PA135i · 05-09-2015, 03:49 PM

Just picked up my car from a local indy shop. Was talking to the guys there and they recommend 1 tune that they say is the best bang for the buck. And they have installed several of these tunes and had no complaints, other than it took about a week or tank of gas to fully intialize. OE TUNING. Has anyone here used their tune? I may make a separate post for this. here is their website. $595 or $695
depending on which year your 135i is.
http://www.oetuning.com/

ShocknAwe · 05-09-2015, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA135i

Just picked up my car from a local indy shop. Was talking to the guys there and they recommend 1 tune that they say is the best bang for the buck. And they have installed several of these tunes and had no complaints, other than it took about a week or tank of gas to fully intialize. OE TUNING. Has anyone here used their tune? I may make a separate post for this. here is their website. $595 or $695
depending on which year your 135i is.
http://www.oetuning.com/

Please don't pay $600 for a 70hp increase.

rob24ert · 05-09-2015, 10:55 PM

^ how much is it then?

ShocknAwe · 05-10-2015, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob24ert

^ how much is it then?

How much is what.

rob24ert · 05-10-2015, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

How much is what.

You said please don't pay $600 for 70hp gain, seems like a good price to me..

ShocknAwe · 05-10-2015, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob24ert

You said please don't pay $600 for 70hp gain, seems like a good price to me..

Sounds like you need to research what you are actually getting with flash tunes, flash hardware, and ECU piggybacks. The prices are easy to find once you start looking it all up. There are also plenty of threads going in deep discussion on Cobb vs JB4 vs BMWP vs Dinan. MHD is new and offering Cobb-like flashing using any android otg device you already have.

iminhell1 · 05-10-2015, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rader1

Because the Piggybacks don't have control over IPW or timing. All they can do is trick the DME into running higher rail pressure by making it think it has less pressure than it does. As far as the DME is concerned, the car is running completely normal/stock(thats why if you try and run to excessively high enrichment on a piggy it will throw codes for LOW fuel rail pressure.) So it runs the stock IPW duty cycle and timing, which is roughly HALF of it's potential.

source: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=629433

Is that true of the JB4?

So it functions like the old Apex super afc; intercept & fool.

ShocknAwe · 05-10-2015, 07:22 PM

Start reading here, it will answer a good deal of questions

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10605

Then move to this, full explanation of the parameters the JB4 uses or monitors.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21269

The JB4 is a lot more than just a false boost controller at this point. That said, it doesn't handle fueling. You can do quite a lot without it by relying on ECU adaptation and adding E85 for octane. Hell, you can top 500whp/tq on stock turbos with 100% E85 and the right set of mods (no meth). If you want to tune for fueling you'll need a back-end flash. BMS has written their own to be used with the JB4, and you can have one custom tuned as well to min/max to your hearts content, assuming you have the supporting mods or willingness to change parts up.

mike@x-ph.com · 05-11-2015, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iminhell1

Thinking about a future purchase of a 135i. But I'm a tinkerer and like to do things myself when I can. Tuning is the one thing I find enjoyable.

What good options are out there to self tune the 1 series? Not just a flash and go and not a you can globally adjust spark/fuel. Something with some real meat to it.

Do they like E-85? namely the updated High Pressure Fuel Pumps

Hi,
Are you planning on adding E85 ? What are your HP goal and what are the mods you are planning on getting ?

iminhell1 · 05-12-2015, 01:40 PM

I don't even have a car yet and no prospective car,
But yes, I'll run E-85. It's cheap and plentiful up here (Minnesota) and I've run it exclusively in my Focus for the last 8 years with no big issues. I tuned the car for it but didn't change any of the fuel components (apart from larger injectors). I've seen the gains first hand and second hand in friends cars. They can be substantial, even over true race fuel (E-98 is some awesome shit!).

I have no goals right now, simply learning about the cars. but it would seem that I'd go for the higher end of possible on stockish components, that mid 400 wheel range. Good brakes and suspension to match.

wrxified · 07-22-2015, 06:10 AM

Are the MHD flashes compatible with the N55?

ShocknAwe · 07-22-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrxified

Are the MHD flashes compatible with the N55?

Not as far as I'm aware yet. Read that development for the N55 will begin once the N54 tuning leaves beta test.

05-08-2015, 08:43 PM	#1
iminhell1 C2H5OH 3915 Rep 2,144 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	ECU Tuning Software/Hardware? Thinking about a future purchase of a 135i. But I'm a tinkerer and like to do things myself when I can. Tuning is the one thing I find enjoyable. What good options are out there to self tune the 1 series? Not just a flash and go and not a you can globally adjust spark/fuel. Something with some real meat to it. Do they like E-85? namely the updated High Pressure Fuel Pumps
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05-08-2015, 08:56 PM	#2
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,894 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	JB4/MHD Flash __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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05-08-2015, 09:26 PM	#3
iminhell1 C2H5OH 3915 Rep 2,144 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	I knew BMW's drew kinda the techy type, and I guess I'm becoming one. But that is really cool. I'm in the Ford world and accustomed to SCT. Everything there is turn car off and flash. Nothing can be done on the fly. Though older EEC-IV can to some extent. Thanks for giving me hours of reading. Found this site that seems to be the stockpile of info --> http://www.n54tech.com/forums/index.php
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2015, 02:25 AM	#4
The Wind Breezes Lieutenant Colonel 912 Rep 1,850 Posts Drives: 135i N55 DCT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	You need WinOLS and a programming cable like cmdflash. There is other editing software but WinOLS is the standard and it's very powerful and easy to use once you learn it. If you're getting an N54 I think you can easily tune it with pirated WinOLS and an inexpensive Chinese clone cable from ebay. If you want a N55 you'll need to invest several thousand in legit WinOLS and a legit programmer. However, I get the impression you've never done anything like this before. Learning ECU tuning particularly with late-model factory ECUs can be tricky because the few people who know a lot about your ECU, won't talk about it. Assuming you can find enough info and motivation to get going, it will probably take you months to make a halfway decent tune even if you're good at it. If you're not good at it, well, you'll probably give up lol. All the tuning data to run the engine is contained in several thousand individual tables of numbers called maps. You will have to find the relevant ones yourself and although you will find guides, likely for pay, they will never match up perfectly and you'll be doing a lot of work at first to find things. To really get good you'll need to understand assembly language for the CPU in your DME. That's another matter but hopefully this gives you an idea of the main difficulties you'll face should you decide to tune the car.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

05-09-2015, 05:11 AM	#5
iminhell1 C2H5OH 3915 Rep 2,144 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	You're talking about reverse engineering the factory binary. I'm talking about a ready made software package that has all that done already. It's not that I can't, it's that I would rather not spend the time to do so. I don't know what ECU the N54 uses and I don't know how popular it is. Maybe there isn't something like I'm hoping for. That's why I'm asking. And I think I have a copy of WinOLS lying around somewhere. Been years though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2015, 03:49 PM	#8
PA135i Brigadier General 968 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Just picked up my car from a local indy shop. Was talking to the guys there and they recommend 1 tune that they say is the best bang for the buck. And they have installed several of these tunes and had no complaints, other than it took about a week or tank of gas to fully intialize. OE TUNING. Has anyone here used their tune? I may make a separate post for this. here is their website. $595 or $695 depending on which year your 135i is. http://www.oetuning.com/ __________________ Sparkling Graphite Metallic / 6MT / Terracotta Boston Leather / Sport Package / Comfort Access system / Gray Poplar wood trim / Heated front seats / iPod and USB adapter / HD radio / Premium hi-fi system / OE Tuning / VRSF Intercooler & charge pipe / BMW Performance short shift kit / BMW M Performance Handbrake Handle / BMW Stainless steel pedals / V1 hardwired / rear sun shades *Pennsylvania 20 electoral votes*
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05-09-2015, 10:55 PM	#10
rob24ert First Lieutenant 83 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	^ how much is it then?
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05-10-2015, 07:22 PM	#15
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,894 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Start reading here, it will answer a good deal of questions http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10605 Then move to this, full explanation of the parameters the JB4 uses or monitors. http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21269 The JB4 is a lot more than just a false boost controller at this point. That said, it doesn't handle fueling. You can do quite a lot without it by relying on ECU adaptation and adding E85 for octane. Hell, you can top 500whp/tq on stock turbos with 100% E85 and the right set of mods (no meth). If you want to tune for fueling you'll need a back-end flash. BMS has written their own to be used with the JB4, and you can have one custom tuned as well to min/max to your hearts content, assuming you have the supporting mods or willingness to change parts up. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
	Appreciate 1 Quote

05-12-2015, 01:40 PM	#17
iminhell1 C2H5OH 3915 Rep 2,144 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	I don't even have a car yet and no prospective car, But yes, I'll run E-85. It's cheap and plentiful up here (Minnesota) and I've run it exclusively in my Focus for the last 8 years with no big issues. I tuned the car for it but didn't change any of the fuel components (apart from larger injectors). I've seen the gains first hand and second hand in friends cars. They can be substantial, even over true race fuel (E-98 is some awesome shit!). I have no goals right now, simply learning about the cars. but it would seem that I'd go for the higher end of possible on stockish components, that mid 400 wheel range. Good brakes and suspension to match.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2015, 06:10 AM	#18
wrxified Private 14 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW M5 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Are the MHD flashes compatible with the N55?
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