[Dave2013]

Hey all! Sorry for in advance for the long post

I have had my BMW a while now and the power bug has bitten again...it needs more. I came from a 420bhp+ Evo so used to decent bhp.

I have been doing some reading and it seems the most sensible route is map/decat pipes/intercooler to achieve around 400bhp without going silly. I am not number chasing, but want good useable power.

I currently have a 2007 E92 Coupe 335i M Sport with 60,000 miles and an auto gearbox (biggest mistake) which hasnt had any engine mods. Which I guess is the N54 engine?

I have a few questions....

1. Can the drivetrain handle it?
2. Any UK garage recommendations for doing the work, epseically the tune. Ideally near Birmingham/Warwickshire
3. Can the turbo's take the extra power without going bang in 5k miles?
4. Who does the best map (Cobb v JB4)
5. Does the decat make the exhaust note lower....with more grunt, and which is best?

Anything else I have missed/watch out for/dont do. I want the front to sit a little lower but guess thats just a spring change on the M Sports

I would love it to sound like this [u2b]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3M8fqwHcIo[/u2b]

Oh and if anyone has a BMW Performance Exhaust for sale, can I have it please haha!

[Dave2013]

Bugger....link didnt work.

[Sparky68]

Get a JB4 piggy back ecu and you will be at around 380 just with that.

[Lawton438]

Personal preference,
Ide go with a Cobb, decat downpipes,
Cooler and intakes.
Then have it pro tuned by Pro tuning freaks by sending data logs from your Cobb handheld.
Probs run in the region of 420-440hp.

Then meth and a stronger clutch to run North of 500bhp

[windymissile]

There is a JB4 for sale right now in the classifieds. Buy it.
Next you will want downpipes. VRSF do the most popular and best value. They come up for sale every now and then, used. But at £350 new, you should just have them now.
This will put you at about 400 bhp. Then a VRSF intercooler. +~20bhp
The drivetrain is fine at this level. The Alpina gearbox flash makes a huge difference. Speak with Makkan.
Next you will need to look at Meth Inj. Kits are cheap enough and work well with the Jb4 to provide integration and failsafes.
You will be at about 450+ now and struggling for traction in all but the most perfect of conditions. So you will need an LSD. If you're lucky you will have a bolted diff. MFactory will do you an exchange for a few hundred $. (from the states).

After this if you still want more power, upgraded turbos will be your next route. With modded intakes these are now pushing 600 BHP. After that you could go top mount single turbo. This would see you at about 750-800 dependant on turbo choice.

How far do you want to go..?

WM

[Dave2013]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. Didnt know these were THAT tunable without serious engine work!

So how is the JB4 different to the Cobb? Advantages and Disadvantages.

The VRSF pipes seem to be the prefered choice from what I have read on here.

[windymissile]

Different strokes for different folks.

The JB4 comes with a whole host of other features. These are what made me decide to go this route. The Cobb seems to run a little more aggressive.

The N54 block has seen huge abuse and has yet to show any weak spots. Gearboxes are the weak link at the moment and preventing anyone getting past the high 800's.
Head over to the American side of the site and see what they are up to with big single kits and Ethanol.

WM

[Dave2013]

jesus.....anything over 600bhp without 4WD is un-drivable right?

the JB4 you mention I think is sold....hopefully the others I have PM'd have still got theirs!

I presume both just need installing by a specialist and setting up on a dyno (checking AFR, Boost levels etc) if so, any recommendations for that.

['V']

^^^ nope, fit it yourself takes about 20mins. Give it chance to learn - there are instructions somewhere and then off Ya go! (Fast!!!)
Had one on my 335i - only thing I did and loved it

Oh and I have the mechanical knowledge of a 40 year old potatoe and did it myself.

[windymissile]

Originally Posted by Dave2013

jesus.....anything over 600bhp without 4WD is un-drivable right?

the JB4 you mention I think is sold....hopefully the others I have PM'd have still got theirs!

I presume both just need installing by a specialist and setting up on a dyno (checking AFR, Boost levels etc) if so, any recommendations for that.

Ha! No such drama pal.
The JB4 is "plug and play" Although you will have to be fairly handy with simple tools to DIY. There is a video on the Burger website. Have a watch and see how confident you feel.
http://www.burgertuning.com/jb4_pnp_...nce_tuner.html

The piggyback monitors all parameters and gives you the best boost you can have dependant on octane and intake temp. The cars own protection systems are never disabled.

The drive is night and day different. The boost comes in earlier and stronger.

It's a bit of a trek from the midlands but my standard recommendation for any 335i work, is Darren Woods in stockport. They know all about the JB4 and downpipes. (a pain to fit)

WM

['V']

I will 2nd WM suggestion of darren woods - awesome bunch of fellas, friendly, knowledgeable and very very helpful (in my experience)

Reminds me I need to book in with them.
Pop in for a brew if you go im literally round the corner

[Lawton438]

With the Cobb you just plug it into the obd port and flash it on yourself which is a full remap as such.
Jb4 is a piggyback that you psychically connect to the car which fools the cars Ecu into Boosting fuel and so on.

Unless things have changed since I last read up about the differences the jb4 only monitors knock on cylinder 1 and cannot see what the other 5 cylinders are doing. Where as the Cobb works in conjunction with the ecu and can monitor knock on all cylinders and make corrections.

Also I find the Cobb a good piece of kit for recording logs.

Jb4 is better for controlling meth.

There's endless pro's and cons for both tbh. And both are widely used over in the states.

[windymissile]

Originally Posted by Lawton438

Unless things have changed since I last read up about the differences the jb4 only monitors knock on cylinder 1 and cannot see what the other 5 cylinders are doing. Where as the Cobb works in conjunction with the ecu and can monitor knock on all cylinders and make corrections.

Now monitors all 6. Although I too am a little behind the wave at the moment and not too sure on the intricacies.

WM

[zltm089]

Cobb ftw!

[Dave2013]

Ok, firstly again thanks for the replies.

The JB4 looks to have a number of map's, I presume these are pre-set and do different things? Do people tend to run on 1 common map setting?

When you say recording logs....can you elaborate a little...as in why would you?

[windymissile]

Originally Posted by Dave2013

Ok, firstly again thanks for the replies.

The JB4 looks to have a number of map's, I presume these are pre-set and do different things? Do people tend to run on 1 common map setting?

When you say recording logs....can you elaborate a little...as in why would you?

Map 5 will self learn. So you will always be getting the best performance for the conditions. Easy option.
Map 1 is a standard map for no supporting mods.
Map 2 is for when you have the downpipes.

Recording your performance is important for diagnosing any faults. And to make sure you are getting the best from your setup. You can connect the JB4 to a laptop or your mobile and record a live data feed. Then review the data later to make sure all is in order. Becomes a lot more important if you decide to go down the Meth route.

WM

[Dave2013]

Can you get something to alert/back off the power if it senses an issue?

Noticed they do a JB4 App....not sure if thats worth running?

[windymissile]

Originally Posted by Dave2013

Can you get something to alert/back off the power if it senses an issue?

Noticed they do a JB4 App....not sure if thats worth running?

The app is superb. Live gauge displays and easy logging.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...obile&hl=en_GB

If there is an issue, the JB4 reverts to map 4, stock tune. It will alert you and store the fault code. You can then plug in either your laptop or smartphone and see what went on.

WM

[Dave2013]

Ok so looks like JB4 might be the best route.

Anywhere in the UK stock the VRSF downpipes? Bet its a long wait from abroad...

Are many people running charge pipes, dual cone intakes? Love listening to the turbos spool and flutter but hate the tishhhh sound of a dump valve (unless its on an old subaru)

[surrey 335i]

Hi fellow ex Evo driver here, went through a few different Evo's and ended up quite happy with a 335i, quite like the fact it does not look like its a quick model whereas in an Evo it attracts attention even going slowly, and the fuel consumption was a killer on a 400 bhp evo!

[Dave2013]

Hi mate,

It was indeed madness....everything wanted to play until it spat flames out and came on boost then they tended to go away.

I regretted it as soon as it left the drive with its new owner. I still see it around Warwickshire too

[windymissile]

Originally Posted by Dave2013

Ok so looks like JB4 might be the best route.

Anywhere in the UK stock the VRSF downpipes? Bet its a long wait from abroad...

Are many people running charge pipes, dual cone intakes? Love listening to the turbos spool and flutter but hate the tishhhh sound of a dump valve (unless its on an old subaru)

They are delivered direct from the states in less than 10 days. From VRSF.
There is now a Uk supplier by all accounts. I Have no recommendation for them though as I have never used them.
http://autoparadise.uk/collections/v...08-10-bmw-135i

I have a charge pipe as it's required to inject the Meth. Standard recirculation valves though. No boy racer "zoom Ptshhh" on my BMW thanks.. ;-)

WM