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03-21-2019, 11:11 PM | #1 |
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Road to 400HP
So I recently invested in a 2008 BMW 135i with 100k miles on it now it is approaching 120k miles and I've done some modifications like after market VRSF cone intake along with a aluminum charge pipe and a Tial BOV. I've got the car on lowering springs and have a custom exhaust with a resonator and muffler delete. I also have 18" Element wheels running 235s in the back and 225s up front.
Never had the car on a dyno but wondering about what HP I'm making now and what my next modification should be? I'm leaning to installing an intercooler probably the VFSF 7" performance FMIC and maybe investing in a Cobb or a JB4. What are you opinions? I want to keep the car to the point where I can still daily drive it and not have to worry about an e85 setup or meth injection. |
03-21-2019, 11:34 PM | #2 |
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You'll need downpipes and MHD.
The MHD Stage 2 flash with your mods above plus downpipes will get you to about 380whp - which is well over 400hp at the crank. The easiest way to get above 400hp at the wheels is to mix in 25% E85 and run the MHD E25 flash. If you can pick up a JB4 for about $100, that'll save you buying the MHD monitor or MHD Maps licenses and give you some nice JB4 features in addition to the MHD features (it'll be cheaper than going pure MHD). I wouldn't bother with cobb, but the VRSF FMIC is a good idea. Really what's holding you back at the moment is your OEM downpipes and Stock flash. |
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03-22-2019, 08:13 AM | #3 | |
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03-22-2019, 12:12 PM | #4 |
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If you're worried about issues just get MHD and and FMIC. Gets the power you want as mentioned for very little effort and pretty trouble free mods.
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2011 Space Grey 135i DCT:
Pure Stage 2, Fuel-it Stage 2 LPFP, ST XTA Coilovers, Berk Street Axle Back, MHD Stage 2+, VRSF Catless DP, VRSF 5" FMIC, VRSF LCP, BMS UCP, M3 FSB, e92 M3 Drivers Seat. |
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03-22-2019, 12:39 PM | #5 |
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So whats the difference between a MHD flash and a JB4? I understand that they connect up to your car different one being a external flash and one being a piggy back. Whats the difference in tune ability?
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03-22-2019, 12:40 PM | #6 |
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Road to 400HP
So whats the difference between a MHD flash and a JB4? I understand that they connect up to your car different one being a external flash and one being a piggy back. Whats the difference in tune ability?
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03-22-2019, 04:10 PM | #7 |
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So, you're going to get a whole lot of misfire messages if your spark plugs, injectors or coils can't handle the extra load. It's equally likely to happen with MHD as it is with JB4.
The difference is the MHD re-flashes your OEM ECU with a new tune. The JB4 is a piggyback module so it can increase the boost without flashing your ECU. But the JB4 has two modes of operation, you can run it with the OEM tune, which nobody does these days because it's not very good. Or, you run the JB4 backend flash - which you flash onto your ECU using the MHD software. So your options in 2019 are: 1) Run the BMS backend flash with the JB4 piggyback computer 2) Run the MHD backend flash alone. Either way, you'll need to use the MHD software to flash your ECU. ... and when the JB4 was a $1,000 item, MHD used to be the best choice because it was every bit as good for half the price. ... but now that you can generally pick up a JB4 for $100 or $150 - it gives you the same functionality (if not more) as the MHD 'only' option for cheaper. |
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03-22-2019, 05:31 PM | #8 | |
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2012 BMW 135i - 6MT w/ OEM 550i clutch & MFactory LWFW, Pure Stage 1, MFactory LSD, VRSF Catless Downpipe, JB4 w/ MHD BEF |
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03-22-2019, 05:51 PM | #9 | ||
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So as I understand it - yes - some newer DME's need to be removed and unlocked before you can do your first flash. For people in this situation putting up with a JB4 piggyback only tune is certainly better than nothing (especially given how cheap a second hand JB4 is) - but there are lots of people who can unlock your DME now - I think it's worth the effort. The reason I prefer JB4 over cobb is BMS are still supporting / developing the platform, whereas Cobb gave up years ago, and a JB4 isn't locked to a specific car - so you can easily sell it when you're done. Also, there are so many JB4's around they're dirt cheap. |
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03-22-2019, 06:45 PM | #10 | |||
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So much to learn on the N54/55 platform, I love it.
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03-22-2019, 06:52 PM | #11 | ||||
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3 = no backend flash 2 = backend flash if it's set to 3, you're going to get more power and a much smoother torque curve if you flash the DME. |
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03-22-2019, 06:55 PM | #12 | |
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Really appreciate the tip though, I'll probably take a quick spin tonight and check it out.
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03-24-2019, 03:23 PM | #13 | ||
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03-25-2019, 10:51 AM | #14 | |
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MHD is the answer you're looking for. It's just a flash, can be flashed back to stock in 3-4 minutes and no one will be the wiser. Stage 2+ with supporting mods will get you the power you want.
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2011 Space Grey 135i DCT:
Pure Stage 2, Fuel-it Stage 2 LPFP, ST XTA Coilovers, Berk Street Axle Back, MHD Stage 2+, VRSF Catless DP, VRSF 5" FMIC, VRSF LCP, BMS UCP, M3 FSB, e92 M3 Drivers Seat. |
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03-25-2019, 12:56 PM | #15 | ||
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03-25-2019, 02:38 PM | #16 |
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You just buy it through the Google app store. It just an app you download onto your phone. Once you download the app, you can download the maps you need and the MHD flasher (and monitoring tool if you want). I purchased the flasher, and since then have purchased stage 1 maps and stage 2 maps. The maps are 50$, I think the flasher is like 150 or so.
I am stage 2 plus and fbo (mods in signature). I'd feel really comfortable saying that I make 400hp at the crank, probably around 350ish to the wheels right now, and the car is a rocket that rips through the tires in 1st-3rd gear. Probably runs low 12s on good tires.
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2011 Space Grey 135i DCT:
Pure Stage 2, Fuel-it Stage 2 LPFP, ST XTA Coilovers, Berk Street Axle Back, MHD Stage 2+, VRSF Catless DP, VRSF 5" FMIC, VRSF LCP, BMS UCP, M3 FSB, e92 M3 Drivers Seat. |
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03-25-2019, 08:55 PM | #17 | |
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03-26-2019, 09:41 AM | #18 | |
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Keep in mind i'm n55. So you'll make more power with these same mods than I do.
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2011 Space Grey 135i DCT:
Pure Stage 2, Fuel-it Stage 2 LPFP, ST XTA Coilovers, Berk Street Axle Back, MHD Stage 2+, VRSF Catless DP, VRSF 5" FMIC, VRSF LCP, BMS UCP, M3 FSB, e92 M3 Drivers Seat. |
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03-26-2019, 11:36 AM | #19 | ||
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04-19-2019, 12:41 PM | #22 |
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