ESS Tuning flash is done to my 2014 X5! Video inside

[FenixMike]

Well its a LOT faster than I had anticipated it would be... borderline scared that my new daily driver will be faster than my 435i with a bunch of aftermarket goodies! The X5 drives 100% stock other than having a LOT more power when it gets into boost, and runs great on 91 octane even with how warm it is here! I imagine it will get a bit quicker as the computer learns my driving routine, but I drove home in traffic last night and today was the first chance I had to really step on it. I didn't plan on going too much further, but honestly with how much fun the X5 is now, I may end up selling this and the 435i soon for a X5M !

Enjoy!

[DuSh]

Very nice. Still lots of potential left. Your Stage 1 boost is probably at 17-19psi (if even that). Probably about 450-470whp. N63TU can hit 600+ awhp with proper setup on stock turbos. Stock turbos max at about 25psi.
I'm just saying you can improve a lot (with little money compared to X5M) and be faster than stock X5M easily (in fact you are already at stock X5M level - give or take). Tuned X5M has higher potential no doubt, but it will cost twice as much and I actually prefer 50i as a daily (smoother drive, comfier seats, better mpg etc). Just my opinion. I know for hardcore fans - it doesn't matter - they'll get X5M no matter what.

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Very nice. Still lots of potential left. Your Stage 1 boost is probably at 17-19psi (if even that). Probably about 450-470whp. N63TU can hit 600+ awhp with proper setup on stock turbos. Stock turbos max at about 25psi.
I'm just saying you can improve a lot (with little money compared to X5M) and be faster than stock X5M easily (in fact you are already at stock X5M level - give or take). Tuned X5M has higher potential no doubt, but it will cost twice as much and I actually prefer 50i as a daily (smoother drive, comfier seats, better mpg etc). Just my opinion. I know for hardcore fans - it doesn't matter - they'll get X5M no matter what.

We will see where im at in a year or so... I don't drive the 435i a ton and didn't have any plans beyond a tune for the X5, but if I don't find any X5M deals when im ready, I may just get a newer and lower mileage X5 50i and do downpipes / tune / methanol and just enjoy it. Im half tempted to toss a meth kit on this one since I already have a ton of it in my garage for the 435i, but im really trying not to have two "Race cars" (money pits) because everything is twice as much for the X5 (twice the parts obviously). Having seen the gains of just a flash even with how warm it is here (supposed to be 110-112 degrees all week) I can only imagine a cold morning! ESS only has a 2wd dyno or I would have been curious to see how it does.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by FenixMike

We will see where im at in a year or so... I don't drive the 435i a ton and didn't have any plans beyond a tune for the X5, but if I don't find any X5M deals when im ready, I may just get a newer and lower mileage X5 50i and do downpipes / tune / methanol and just enjoy it. Im half tempted to toss a meth kit on this one since I already have a ton of it in my garage for the 435i, but im really trying not to have two "Race cars" (money pits) because everything is twice as much for the X5 (twice the parts obviously). Having seen the gains of just a flash even with how warm it is here (supposed to be 110-112 degrees all week) I can only imagine a cold morning! ESS only has a 2wd dyno or I would have been curious to see how it does.

Yes, that's what I'm going to do next - do a meth kit and jb4_beta for n63tu with bcm. Will require extra wire for fuel rails and boost solenoids (under passenger side InterCooler). Also need a swap of our stock 2.5bar TMAP to 3.5 bar TMAP (direct swap, no wiring needed) - to hit more than 21psi.
For meth kit - I know we need dual CM7 nozzles mounted on chargepipes. A huge space in trunk (where spare tire is supposed to be) can accommodate almost any size tank. So it's my next project when I'll have free time (maybe closer to Fall this year).

[Zorikos]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Very nice. Still lots of potential left. Your Stage 1 boost is probably at 17-19psi (if even that). Probably about 450-470whp.

There is no way he's making anywhere near that power at the wheels with a stage 1 tune. A stage 2 with a downpipe will get you around 370-390whp

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by Zorikos

There is no way he's making anywhere near that power at the wheels with a stage 1 tune. A stage 2 with a downpipe will get you around 370-390whp

didn't dyno mine because its AWD and ESSs dynojet is only 2wd, but it feels fantastic

[pits200]

Originally Posted by Zorikos

There is no way he's making anywhere near that power at the wheels with a stage 1 tune. A stage 2 with a downpipe will get you around 370-390whp

I'm unsure of a stage one tune with ess but this car should be able to make 540hp with a fairly aggressive 93 tune. With 18% drivetrain loss that would put you around 450awhp.

Edit: we may be talking about different engines...

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Zorikos

There is no way he's making anywhere near that power at the wheels with a stage 1 tune. A stage 2 with a downpipe will get you around 370-390whp

Update: nevermind, I just realized you are probably talking about n55? OP has N63TU


Here's my Stage 1 (BPC) flash. 2 words: DynoDynamics (DD). If you are familiar with different types of dyno - you know that DD usually is very conservative dyno compared to Mustang Dyno and even more conservative compared to Dynojet.

So here's summary: my 440awhp on DD is about 500awhp on Dynojet. I'm on stock downpipes lol. I'm not even talking about AWD loss and ZF8 transmission loss. If I can unplug transfer case plug (which I'll try to do next time before dyno) I can get even higher RWD numbers.

I'm confident I can hit 600awhp easily on 25psi with meth on map 8 (progressive meth map). The fun just begins.


P.S. BTW check out that 540awtq lol. That's about 600awtq on Dynojet and that's just Stage 1 lol

[Zorikos]

Oops...my bad. Thought we were discussing an N55 motor.

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by Zorikos

Oops...my bad. Thought we were discussing an N55 motor.

N63TU

[Silververtu]

Did the ESS look into why the transmission short shift in first gear (@ 6000rpm) while it shifts at 6500rpm on other gears?

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Did the ESS look into why the transmission short shift in first gear (@ 6000rpm) while it shifts at 6500rpm on other gears?

didn't ask them, im sure that's the engine control strategy though, not anything they did. Nothing im worried about changing, that's for sure.

[perry8912]

How’s the reliability after tuning? Still using 91 pump gas? I always want to pull the mod trigger, but was worried about void the extended warranty....

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by perry8912

How’s the reliability after tuning? Still using 91 pump gas? I always want to pull the mod trigger, but was worried about void the extended warranty....

Only had it on for a day. Im still on 91 pump, got on it a few times on the way home yesterday when it was low 105s out, and took the vid this morning. Im sure after some more mileage it will smooth out even more. I had BMW flash the ECU to the latest file as well prior to doing this, so combined I only have 2 days of light driving since then.

What I do notice is that unless you have your foot in it, the tune isn't noticeable from stock, and fuel economy (so far) appears unchanged. The real difference comes when youre about 30% throttle or more and getting into boost... it hits harder (still smooth though) and continues to pull the more you give it. At wide open its really a rude awakening to the ability of these vehicles as the power is just intoxicating! 1st-3rd gears yank you hard with a nice smooth shift, and then when it clicks into 4th, you start really sinking into your seat as it just pulls and pulls and pulls until you let off.

[AZTWW]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Update: nevermind, I just realized you are probably talking about n55? OP has N63TU


Here's my Stage 1 (BPC) flash. 2 words: DynoDynamics (DD). If you are familiar with different types of dyno - you know that DD usually is very conservative dyno compared to Mustang Dyno and even more conservative compared to Dynojet.

So here's summary: my 440awhp on DD is about 500awhp on Dynojet. I'm on stock downpipes lol. I'm not even talking about AWD loss and ZF8 transmission loss. If I can unplug transfer case plug (which I'll try to do next time before dyno) I can get even higher RWD numbers.

I'm confident I can hit 600awhp easily on 25psi with meth on map 8 (progressive meth map). The fun just begins.


P.S. BTW check out that 540awtq lol. That's about 600awtq on Dynojet and that's just Stage 1 lol

One of the guys in the BM3 forums just flashed his 50i with the stage 1 (I did mine a month ago) and took it to the dyno and track. His time slip was 12.34 at 112mph which is pretty darn fast. He dynoed on a Dynojet as well, but didn't baseline stock. His dynojet was 531whp and like 575 torque from his chart. Those numbers would seem to make sense with his time slip being X5M range.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by AZTWW

One of the guys in the BM3 forums just flashed his 50i with the stage 1 (I did mine a month ago) and took it to the dyno and track. His time slip was 12.34 at 112mph which is pretty darn fast. He dynoed on a Dynojet as well, but didn't baseline stock. His dynojet was 531whp and like 575 torque from his chart. Those numbers would seem to make sense with his time slip being X5M range.

Thanks for the info! Time seems to match and numbers kinda correlate with my Stage 1 too (taking conversion from DD to Dynojet into account).

I would really like to get into 11's which is easily possible with a meth kit. IMHO meth will make it possible even on 91 octane. AFAIK one guy with meth kit only fills out his 2 gallon meth tank once every 2 months - that is with dual CM7 nozzles. For me this makes an ideal fuel combo with no need to use any octane boosters or anything like that and still be able to get low IATs (especially in AZ) and get maximum out of advance timing without any knocking.

[pits200]

While meth is nice to help with iat cooling, it is too intrusive and additional maintenance. If you are looking for big power. You need to go wiyh bootmod3 and get a custom tune.

Have someone create you and e30 map, raise ignition advance change fuel scalar and with ethanol you can be more aggressive on intake Temps. I imagine the lpfp and hpfp should be able to handle an e30 flow, probably all the way to e50 without the lpfp falling out.

Meth is not as necessary once you start running e85 with a good tune and has great knock resistance.

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by pits200

While meth is nice to help with iat cooling, it is too intrusive and additional maintenance. If you are looking for big power. You need to go wiyh bootmod3 and get a custom tune.

Have someone create you and e30 map, raise ignition advance change fuel scalar and with ethanol you can be more aggressive on intake Temps. I imagine the lpfp and hpfp should be able to handle an e30 flow, probably all the way to e50 without the lpfp falling out.

Meth is not as necessary once you start running e85 with a good tune and has great knock resistance.

E85 isn't available everywhere and is too inconsistent at the pump, plus fuel economy suffers, making it even more of a pain in the ass to make sure youre near a station with it to fill up. Im not sure how methanol is "high maintenance" any more than filling your tank with E85 other than the fact that you can have meth sit on your shelf in your garage and fill as necessary. I don't believe in using meth as a form of fuel system replacement if the goal is 700 hp and you NEED it for octane, however as a quick 40 horsepower IN ADDITION to your tune, its a great mod and zero maintenance with zero ability to do any harm since the tune works with and without it. I also don't know the injector and pump maximum flow when running E85 since it requires 40% more fuel capacity to run straight Ethanol as opposed to gasoline, but in most vehicles at that power level, you run out of injector long before youre able to make the desired power on E85.

I ran E85 on most of my domestic vehicles because they used port fuel injection, so adding pumps and larger injectors was easy, as well as tuning for either fuel and going back and forth on the fly, but for direct injection vehicles, it isn't nearly as easy as you suggest.

[DuSh]

Can someone explain please, as I understand JB4 for our N63TU requires to run extra wire to each of fuel ramps (it's not hard to do as their jb4 kit includes connector for that). Same with maximum boost - jb4 setup requires direct boost control to boost solenoids under passenger side IC (this one will require some time to get in there, but again it's just a matter of squeezing in there and connecting extra supplied plug).

I've read that for boosts above 21psi - you need to have direct control of boost solenoids. So my question is does anyone know if flash (BM3 or any other) can overcome that limitation of 21psi? I have no idea to what extent flash can control different parameters, but if extra voltage to fuel ramps is needed - I would imagine no flash can go beyond that. Same with boost solenoids - if there's a limitation somewhere - then no flash will be able to control boost beyond 21psi. That's the only reason I'm looking into jb4 setup for our n63tu and not considering another flash.
On the other hand I'm more of a noob rather than expert, and if flash can do all this things without needing to physically run extra wires - then I would gladly look into that.
The problem for me is that rarely some tuner wants to explain or show all his tricks and secrets and so far it's been hard getting facts out of them. The thing is I already spent $1500 on a flash, so if I do it again - I want to get maximum out of stock turbos. So far I wasn't been able to get any consistent info from BM3 society: they are either busy or just don't know the answer themselves. Last time I asked - the answer was that not much n63tu cars had dyno runs and they don't know numbers. With jb4 setup for n63tu at least I know that Terry have done it and he hit 600whp (on E30 mix): http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showpo...1&postcount=64. If any BM3 tuner will say to me that he can get me 630whp on flash - I'll be holding my credit card the next minute, but all they say so far is that they simply don't know.

[pits200]

Originally Posted by FenixMike

E85 isn't available everywhere and is too inconsistent at the pump, plus fuel economy suffers, making it even more of a pain in the ass to make sure youre near a station with it to fill up. Im not sure how methanol is "high maintenance" any more than filling your tank with E85 other than the fact that you can have meth sit on your shelf in your garage and fill as necessary. I don't believe in using meth as a form of fuel system replacement if the goal is 700 hp and you NEED it for octane, however as a quick 40 horsepower IN ADDITION to your tune, its a great mod and zero maintenance with zero ability to do any harm since the tune works with and without it. I also don't know the injector and pump maximum flow when running E85 since it requires 40% more fuel capacity to run straight Ethanol as opposed to gasoline, but in most vehicles at that power level, you run out of injector long before youre able to make the desired power on E85.

I ran E85 on most of my domestic vehicles because they used port fuel injection, so adding pumps and larger injectors was easy, as well as tuning for either fuel and going back and forth on the fly, but for direct injection vehicles, it isn't nearly as easy as you suggest.

Dush,

Only part of your statement I agree with is that ethanol isn't everywhere.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by pits200

Dush,

Only part of your statement I agree with is that ethanol isn't everywhere.

That wasn't me

[AZTWW]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Can someone explain please, as I understand JB4 for our N63TU requires to run extra wire to each of fuel ramps (it's not hard to do as their jb4 kit includes connector for that). Same with maximum boost - jb4 setup requires direct boost control to boost solenoids under passenger side IC (this one will require some time to get in there, but again it's just a matter of squeezing in there and connecting extra supplied plug).

I've read that for boosts above 21psi - you need to have direct control of boost solenoids. So my question is does anyone know if flash (BM3 or any other) can overcome that limitation of 21psi? I have no idea to what extent flash can control different parameters, but if extra voltage to fuel ramps is needed - I would imagine no flash can go beyond that. Same with boost solenoids - if there's a limitation somewhere - then no flash will be able to control boost beyond 21psi. That's the only reason I'm looking into jb4 setup for our n63tu and not considering another flash.
On the other hand I'm more of a noob rather than expert, and if flash can do all this things without needing to physically run extra wires - then I would gladly look into that.
The problem for me is that rarely some tuner wants to explain or show all his tricks and secrets and so far it's been hard getting facts out of them. The thing is I already spent $1500 on a flash, so if I do it again - I want to get maximum out of stock turbos. So far I wasn't been able to get any consistent info from BM3 society: they are either busy or just don't know the answer themselves. Last time I asked - the answer was that not much n63tu cars had dyno runs and they don't know numbers. With jb4 setup for n63tu at least I know that Terry have done it and he hit 600whp (on E30 mix): http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showpo...1&postcount=64. If any BM3 tuner will say to me that he can get me 630whp on flash - I'll be holding my credit card the next minute, but all they say so far is that they simply don't know.

Dush, I thought you were supposed to be focused on school

I think even with the jb4 route, you will still need downpipes. Due to CARB regulations, Terry had to change the ability to aUto delete CEL due to having to keep the Sensor wires disconnected. This was a blocker and the reason for them abaondining the official n63tu jb. You will have to drive around with CEL which will make it difficult for our emission testing in AZ.

My understanding was that the 3.5bar sensors are needed to go above the 21 psi limit with a tune. This is why the stage 2 tuners will recommend it. I don't think it isn't that the turbos can't go there.

I will also just add that e85 is much safer than a meth kit. A lot of the n54 guys were moving away from it once port injection arrived on the scene an alternate fueling method. Some had some unsafe experiences with it. I never did it myself but did an e60 custom tune on my FBO. I d have to upgrade my Lpfp to stage 1. It was night and day different to my stage 2 91 tune. Turbo cars
Love the stuff but like a Mike said, it can be difficult having to mix it just right and find one of the free pumps to carry e85. I got tired of going to pump miles away let lone your 25% decrease in mileage.

I'm pretty sure with down pipes, upgraded sensors and a e30 stage 2 tune you could hit 600 on stock. That might get you into the 11's and still keep your backseat.