Stage 3 Manifold - When to tune?

[delayne]

New to the 128i world and have been reading up on the stage 3 manifold. I see that Turner sells the complete kit plus software but I'm leaning towards sourcing my own second hand manifold+parts. Would I still get the software or if I am also considering a tune like BPC would that cover all the software I need and I wouldn't need the software Turner provides?

[desertman123]

Yeah you'd still need to source the tune.

Active Autowerke and BPC are the big ones.

Also look into Bimmerlabs.

[chris_flies]

So, it'll run fine without a tune, just the stock ECU programming has no provisions for the DISA flaps, so you will see nearly no benefit with just the manifold.

I'm running with Turner's software, and I'm very happy. There's a real kick-over when you hit about 3500rpm, it's quite a lot of fun!

desertman123 How do you like the Bimmerlabs tune? I'd never even heard of them until I saw your post, and then looked into your build thread, and then went to their website.

[delayne]

Thanks for the replies and perhaps I didn't articulate my question as well as I could have.

Does the BPC tune have the provisions for the DISA flaps so that I could skip the Turner software or no, I would still need to first get the Turner software regardless and then I would get a tune on top of that if I felt the need?

[Taskmaster]

If I could do it all over again:

I would download the BImmerlabs tune (it's free, you just need a cable)

THEN

I would do the BPC tune. (over the other options)

The Bimmerlabs "tune" is essentially the what the OEM tune for the 328i would be if it existed. I imagine they account for things in the OEM tune like water pump speed, etc that aren't found in normal tunes (and to 99.99% of people wouldn't know the difference, but it would be neat to have)

The BPC tune would just be icing on the cake - it offers more power and flexibility than the other tunes on the market which I detailed here:http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...83&postcount=7

hassmaschine and Phil@BPC

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

So, it'll run fine without a tune, just the stock ECU programming has no provisions for the DISA flaps, so you will see nearly no benefit with just the manifold.

I'm running with Turner's software, and I'm very happy. There's a real kick-over when you hit about 3500rpm, it's quite a lot of fun!

desertman123 How do you like the Bimmerlabs tune? I'd never even heard of them until I saw your post, and then looked into your build thread, and then went to their website.

If you didn't have a tune, I would say a dynotune from BPC in NC (which shouldn't be a far drive, right?) would be the ultimate tune.

Originally Posted by delayne

Thanks for the replies and perhaps I didn't articulate my question as well as I could have.

Does the BPC tune have the provisions for the DISA flaps so that I could skip the Turner software or no, I would still need to first get the Turner software regardless and then I would get a tune on top of that if I felt the need?

Yes, it absolutely does account for the DISA valves - it's specifically made for your mods.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

If you didn't have a tune, I would say a dynotune from BPC in NC (which shouldn't be a far drive, right?) would be the ultimate tune.


Yes, it absolutely does account for the DISA valves - it's specifically made for your mods.

North Carolina isn't too bad of a drive. Eventually I'll get a real good tune, but I'm just happy with what works right now...

Thanks for the info!

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

So, it'll run fine without a tune, just the stock ECU programming has no provisions for the DISA flaps, so you will see nearly no benefit with just the manifold.

I'm running with Turner's software, and I'm very happy. There's a real kick-over when you hit about 3500rpm, it's quite a lot of fun!

desertman123 How do you like the Bimmerlabs tune? I'd never even heard of them until I saw your post, and then looked into your build thread, and then went to their website.

I'm really pleased with the tune - mostly because it was free . Only thing I paid for was the BimmerGeeks cable.

It IS still just a stock 330i tune - so like 265hp. For me it's the 130i tune from Europe.

Long story short Hass has a program that rips all the important bits out of the European files and puts them into the American files.

He can also whip up custom tunes (not free) if you want to push the car a bit more, and if you have other mods like MILVs and headers. Once I get a few more mods I'm gonna look into this.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by desertman123

I'm really pleased with the tune - mostly because it was free . Only thing I paid for was the BimmerGeeks cable.

It IS still just a stock 330i tune - so like 265hp. For me it's the 130i tune from Europe.

Long story short Hass has a program that rips all the important bits out of the European files and puts them into the American files.

He can also whip up custom tunes (not free) if you want to push the car a bit more, and if you have other mods like MILVs and headers. Once I get a few more mods I'm gonna look into this.

IT'S FREEEEEEEEE?!

Is it just a USB to OBD2 cable?

Hmm, this is interesting...

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

IT'S FREEEEEEEEE?!

Is it just a USB to OBD2 cable?

Hmm, this is interesting...

Yeah I used a BimmerGeeks K+DCAN cable. It takes 30-45 min to flash the RSA delete, then only a minute or two for the tune itself. Only need to do the RSA delete once

[gixracer]

yep flash in a 130 tune and your good to go

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by gixracer

yep flash in a 130 tune and your good to go

The 130i ‘tune’ is just a basemap. It’s there to give people a starting point, but there is PLENTY left on the table.

[J1Coupe]

So what is the specific process for this flash and tune? can someone please explain, I just installed manifold and don't know what to do next.

You say just cable and laptop, is there a common software everyone is using?

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by J1Coupe

So what is the specific process for this flash and tune? can someone please explain, I just installed manifold and don't know what to do next.

You say just cable and laptop, is there a common software everyone is using?

Read up on how to install and use BMW Standard tools over at E90Post's coding section. We're using WinKFP to actually flash the tune.

[hassmaschine]

desertman123,

I'm glad you're happy with the tune. I think you are the one I've been emailing about making a couple final tweaks for it to be perfect, yes?

To clarify - and I forget already because I've put together like 5 tunes since then - I think this is actually an "si" tune. That is, it's a factory 265hp tune - not the 255hp version. I need to look at it again and check the mapping.

Also, the version up currently doesn't use the MAF (it's not an Alpha-N tune though). I'm going to add another tune, which will be the same basically but with the MAF enabled for those who would prefer that. FWIW, I much prefer the no-MAF factory tunes myself - it's much smoother at low RPMs, in a 6mt you can crawl along in 1st or 2nd gear at idle, and it feels more responsive. Plus the MAF can't ever fail and give you a bad day, because it doesn't have one.

Regarding WinKFP - you don't need to know all the ins and outs of the software. All you need to do is install it, follow our instructions for configuration, and we have a tool that takes care of the actual setup and flashing. It's basically a one-click deal. And if we release an update or something, you're only ~45 seconds away (because that's how long the flash takes).

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

desertman123,

I'm glad you're happy with the tune. I think you are the one I've been emailing about making a couple final tweaks for it to be perfect, yes?

Yep that's me. I'm just trying to give back what I can to someone who gave the community so much

[SmallDave]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Yep that's me. I'm just trying to give back what I can to someone who gave the community so much

Thanks for sharing! Hopefully I'll be able to do this when I find the right 128i!