ECU mapping, thoughts and experience?

Discussion in 'General chat' started by Wynne71, Jan 4, 2020.

  1. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Afternoon fellow BMW owners. (And those Porsche folk as well....!)

    As the kitchen/orangery extension removed any possibility of swapping the 320d for an M4, I’ve been contemplating getting the current car mapped.
    I’ve done this with previous cars, Saab 9-5/Alfa 159, with great results.

    I’m not keen on a generic map as these aren’t always specific to the car/gearbox etc. Nor am I keen on a plug in box as these simply cheat the ECU into adding more fuel/air. So I’ve been looking for a company who can do a custom map using a rolling road. Found these locally:


    http://www.p-torque.co.uk

    I’ve contacted them and the reply was:

    “We tune your BMW to 230hp and 450NM

    Your car will be set up on our dyno. We will then simulate road conditions, take data logs and build the ECU calibration accordingly.

    This is £345.00 and we allow approx 2.5 hours for the process. If you book a slot before the end of January and use coupon code PTXMAS2019, you will get 15% at the moment as we have our Xmas special offer on.”

    Sounds very tempting indeed.

    The ZF6 gearbox is good for this hike in power and torque, I’m now wondering about the intercooler/turbo and associated DPF nonsense. Will these take up the strain given that the car has 79K on the clock currently.

    And experience or thoughts most welcome. Before I take the plunge....

    Thanks.
     
  2. Madmoggy
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    Madmoggy

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    How far are you from Burton on Trent? I used CCTuning when I had my Saab done as like you I favour a proper rolling road remap rather than a generic file or box of tricks. Its a long time since now, but I couldn't fault the service I got, and the results were exactly as I asked (big flat wide torque curve with loads of driveability, not bothered about numbers for bragging rights in the bar).
    I cant comment on the intercooler etc as Ive never had to get that involved.
     
  3. Wynne71
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    Thanks for the reply.
    Burton is 45 mins away, quick blast up the A38.
    Were you in UKsaabs at anytime? Vaguely remember the avatar/name.

    Will look up these and see what they offer.
     
  4. bishbosh
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    bishbosh WARLORD

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    I remapped my old e91 320d when it had 110k miles on it. It needed a new dpf at 145k miles but that was really because it had reached end of life. I put a new dpf on and it was fine when I sold it at 204k miles, it still had the original clutch and turbo.

    The remap I had was a superchips bluefin. Generic, but developed for that model of car. I upgraded the intercooler which didn't make any noticeable difference, a custom map might have shown an improvement.

    Which engine do you have btw? 230bhp seems quite optimistic, the map on my 320d was meant to be about 221bhp but actually output 209bhp when I had it dynoed, I'm aware dynos can be calibrated differently and atmospheric conditions on the day, so wasn't expecting it to necessarily be the same.
     
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  5. Wynne71
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    I've got the later N47T version of the 2.0 diesel unit. 2012 model car.

    I did think that 230bhp was a bit on the optimistic side, hence questions about other components.
    Good to hear that the rest of the components last the course though, your feedback gives me some more confidence in the car and internals. Cheers.

    I've emailed the Burton company, see what they come back with.
     
  6. Madmoggy
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    Madmoggy

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    Yes, I was in UKSaabs for a while, didn't post much but got to meet a few others who were local to me. Havent had my Saab for 3 years now, although I do still miss it
     
  7. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I’ve had a chat with Chris in Burton, seemingly knowledgable and has the right approach. Not about max power, more about the needs of the driver and overall improvements.
    Seems a lot of service for the money.
    Once the kitchen extension (and the seemingly never ending bills) has finished I will be looking to book the car in.
     
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  8. bmwzoom
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    bmwzoom WARLORD

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    Have you considered the bluespark box? I have had 2 and they are very good they have there own R & D and the boxes have various maps / settings. They are rav'ed about on other bmw forums. In additional to a trial period where you can return for a refund if not happy. I had to do this once due to a company car issue and they refunded without quibble.

    https://www.bluesparkautomotive.com/
     
  9. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    I’ve seen these on eBay a few times, but thought nothing of it, assumed it was a generic tuning box.
    Having read the website and spoken to one of their team (Andrew), I’m more impressed. The Boost+ box is probably the best/safest version I think.
    Still a slight concern that they simply turn the wick up on the turbo/fuel rail though. DPF etc always a worry.
    At £279 it does look good value though.
     
  10. bmwzoom
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    bmwzoom WARLORD

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    I doubt they just turn up the wick tho if you google you find that they get very good reviews on other BMW forums and very few or zero issues. There will always be a DPF risk if you are increasing anything that adds more ash content via the exhaust. It's a trade off really but done correctly the increase in BHP / Torque should be managed. In the vent of an issue you can at least adjust the box or remove it. 2 things you cannot do with an ECU remap and who's to know what they boost with it anyways, could be exactly the same or similar with fewer options and a lot more cash. Also no trial:rolleyes:
     
  11. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    A good point. As I said, impressed with the knowledge of the guy I spoke to. Definitely an option.
     
  12. bmwzoom
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    bmwzoom WARLORD

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    Having run 2 I have to say I was very impress the 1st was on a honda civic 1.6 d manual that was considerably more drive-able with the box on than off. The 2nd was on my F30 320ed 2012 which made comfort mode into sport and sport mode into sport + :D Very good gains and a genuine 5% increase in mpg with brim to brim calculation's. Unfortunately due to my insurance company saying yes no problem to the box they then changed there minds:ranting: so I had to return it. However this was not an issue and prompt refund was given as promised.(y) I may consider a box again once my warranty is over as the 330d maps really well with an increase around 80-90 nm with a max at 650nm which is well within the safe working limit of the auto box. It places it on par with a stock 335d although I must admit having owned both there is very little between them at stock
     
  13. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Just happened to come across an eBay listing for the Pro+ Boost Bluespark for the N47 series engine. Previous owner had it on a 2013 420d. Had a few email communications with the seller, all seems to be legit and right.
    Made an offer, well below half the RRP, and was accepted. Result. Should be delivered later this week, fitting at the weekend and see how it works.
     
  14. bmwzoom
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    bmwzoom WARLORD

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    Cool the default setting is C 6 so start there and have a play around I think I ended up on D 7. Let the car go completely off before fitting otherwise it leaves error codes
     
  15. Wynne71
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    I’d read on the PDF (on their website) that the car needs to be shut down, doors closed etc during install. Makes sense to me.

    Have read about the settings as well, quite a few discussions in various forums regarding the settings. Good advice from yourself it sounds, will try to install so can access the panel to change and see how each one impacts upon the engine.
    Worst case I can re-list it and go for a remap! Definitely worth it to try given the price.
     
  16. bmwzoom
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    bmwzoom WARLORD

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    Yep do all that and make sure its a cold engine otherwise expect burnt fingers :rolleyes: the plugs are a bugger to get released :ROFLMAO:
     
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  17. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    Good shout on the cold engine. Tried to change an EGR on a hot engine a few years ago, stupid idea.....
     
  18. Wynne71
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    Wynne71 WARLORD Site Supporter

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    C110 scanner ordered today, just incase.....
     
  19. Wynne71
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  20. Wynne71
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    Fitted, set to C6 and wow.
     

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