So that's where the extra performance was hiding...

[Alext]

Just drove the car for the first time below 15oC (59F) ambient temperature. WOW! The car is so much more responsive in between gear changes and on part/full throttle plus I noticed significant gains in outright power. NO LAG! Yep, that's right the BMW software is OK. I think the ECU must pull a heap of timing/boost at high ambient temps.

Going from driving in 30oC+ temps to below 15oC reminds me of when I used to switch maps on a turbo miata from 8psi to 12psi. Everything is simply better. Car feels really transformed in terms of power and engine response.

[mikead_99]

Kinda adds to the incentive of upgrading the FMIC doesn't it?

[Haywood]

Cold air=more gooder!

[Rambler]

Yup, the turbos love the cool air. Can't wait for the hot summer days with the A/C blasting.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Alext

Just drove the car for the first time below 15oC (59F) ambient temperature. WOW! The car is so much more responsive in between gear changes and on part/full throttle plus I noticed significant gains in outright power. NO LAG! Yep, that's right the BMW software is OK. I think the ECU must pull a heap of timing/boost at high ambient temps.

Going from driving in 30oC+ temps to below 15oC reminds me of when I used to switch maps on a turbo miata from 8psi to 12psi. Everything is simply better. Car feels really transformed in terms of power and engine response.

Yes, it's called "turbocharging".
All engines are affected by air temp, which changes it's density.
A turbo'd engine simply enhances that affect to a much greater degree.
Cold air is our friend.

The thing that really sucks, is that when the temps get below 32F, there is also a decrease in tire adhesion, which limits certain overall performance along with the nice power increase.

[WhiteOne]

Your car should make the same power on hot days as it does on cold days.
Your car should make the same power in the mountains as it does at the beach.
It was designed to put out the same power everywhere and all the time.
(by varying the boost) At least it is supposed to...
If you have made modifications, all bets are off.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

Your car should make the same power on hot days as it does on cold days.
Your car should make the same power in the mountains as it does at the beach.
It was designed to put out the same power everywhere and all the time.
(by varying the boost) At least it is supposed to...
If you have made modifications, all bets are off.

Shoulda, shoulda, shoulda....not!

Your assumption is sound, but incorrect.
Just as hot and humid air will create a lower power output due to a number of things conspiring against optimal performance, so will cold air run opposite.

[135forthewin]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

Your car should make the same power on hot days as it does on cold days.
Your car should make the same power in the mountains as it does at the beach.
It was designed to put out the same power everywhere and all the time.
(by varying the boost) At least it is supposed to...
If you have made modifications, all bets are off.

Um, not quite. LOL

-Hot days limit the performance of any car. The colder and denser the air, the better.
-All cars make less horsepower at higher altitudes, but with the help of our turbos and an advanced ECU the n54 motor has less losses at altitude than basically all its N/A and some of its FI rivals.
-Some modifications, such as a larger Intercooler can limit horsepower less in warm weather.

[MrRoboto]

Ahhh....Eastern Canada. Natures Intercooler!

[WhiteOne]

The N54 does not operate like other turbo motors.
It is designed to give you 300/300 regardless of altitude or temperature.
Tell the ECU that it is hot and you get more boost.
Tell the ECU that it is cold and you get less boost.
Ever wonder why we can't just run a manual boost control like other cars?
Hey, I could be wrong...

[Lester]

Actually one of the inexpensive plug n play boosters does exactly that - it fools the temp setting to think you are running at hot ambient temp. I forget where I read this, but it must have been on this forum - but well over a year ago.

[cagekicker]

cold air power!

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

The N54 does not operate like other turbo motors.
It is designed to give you 300/300 regardless of altitude or temperature.
Tell the ECU that it is hot and you get more boost.
Tell the ECU that it is cold and you get less boost.
Ever wonder why we can't just run a manual boost control like other cars?
Hey, I could be wrong...

Yes, you are wrong, respectfully.

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by Lester

Actually one of the inexpensive plug n play boosters does exactly that - it fools the temp setting to think you are running at hot ambient temp. I forget where I read this, but it must have been on this forum - but well over a year ago.

SSTT and JB+???

[BlackjackMulligan]

Originally Posted by Alext

Just drove the car for the first time below 15oC (59F) ambient temperature. WOW! The car is so much more responsive in between gear changes and on part/full throttle plus I noticed significant gains in outright power. NO LAG! Yep, that's right the BMW software is OK. I think the ECU must pull a heap of timing/boost at high ambient temps.

Going from driving in 30oC+ temps to below 15oC reminds me of when I used to switch maps on a turbo miata from 8psi to 12psi. Everything is simply better. Car feels really transformed in terms of power and engine response.

Most engines run better with cool temps. My Porsche was like a different car when it was chilly out and it was a NA 2.7 liter......it's not Turbo dependant.