[Bachu1]

Hi Guys,

I'm just wondering if you can just map the engine is there a point having the gearbox map??? or do both need to happen?

I'm very new to the f30 platform mapping situation..

I have a 330d 2015

Many Thanks

[Eddamoo]

You can just map the engine or gearbox individually - you do not need to do both. Most people just go for an engine map as it provides the most obvious gains.

[Bachu1]

Cool thanks, gearbox mapping is a new thing which I think is it worth doing?

[danb1979]

I'll be getting both engine & box mapped come the New Year (when my F31 is out of extended warranty)

I'll be getting the box serviced first though so it's in full health and would highly recommend doing the same

[Bachu1]

I've had the box serviced last year.. just thinking is it worth the extra money which quite a bit for what difference in the gearbox map...

[TurboWeasel]

From what I've gleaned online doing similar research, so long as the remapped engine's torque curve matches the stock map's curve, then the stock gearbox map will work fine.

But if the engine map changes drastically, then a lot of people try the Alpina TCU map, or flash it with XHP, otherwise the stock BMW TCU map can do some funky things.

How and why I don't know as most torque converter autos only care about input shaft speed vs output shaft speed to measure the shifts, but who knows how torque curves come into it.

Another theme I've picked up on is a lot of people end up going back to the BMW TCU map after living with the Alpina one for a while. Take from that what you will!

[danb1979]

I'll be going XHP I think; that's the one that's thought of highly the most...

The lads 330D I was out in yesterday to see how the Bilstein B16s are has the XHP map on his box along with a Stage 1 remap and it was very different to how my box behaves; so much smoother and reactive

[Bachu1]

Originally Posted by danb1979

I'll be going XHP I think; that's the one that's thought of highly the most...

The lads 330D I was out in yesterday to see how the Bilstein B16s are has the XHP map on his box along with a Stage 1 remap and it was very different to how my box behaves; so much smoother and reactive

This is good know..

Ideally i would like both but will see closer to the time

[bishbosh]

I have the Alpina map on my remapped 335d, it's a good match for it since the remapped 335d and Alpina D3 both have 360bhp.

Gear indicator is a bonus, but the best thing is it's free if you're happy to use Esys. If not it's not much to get someone to flash it, I've done a few members cars from here.

I think some people who weren't happy with the Alpina map had 330ds where IMO XHP would be better.

[Watsey]

IMO it's worth 'mapping the transmission if you are having the engine remapped.

I've been running XHP for a few years and the differences are noticeable, especially with the more recent versions of XHP.

Compared to a 'fixed' transmission map such as Alpine XHP offers a lot more user functionality, i.e. the ability to change a wide range of parameters and functionality settings and re-flash the transmission, typically in less than a minute, and without any additional charges.

[Bachu1]

If get a engine remap can the gearbox map be done after? or visa versa??

[bishbosh]

Originally Posted by Bachu1

If get a engine remap can the gearbox map be done after? or visa versa??

Yes.

[TurboWeasel]

The TurboLamik controller is another option if you want full control as it completely removes the BMW TCU. I've seen some great things done with it, but it's more for geek level 10 stuff.

Originally Posted by bishbosh

Gear indicator is a bonus, but the best thing is it's free if you're happy to use Esys. If not it's not much to get someone to flash it, I've done a few members cars from here.

Yeah it's annoying only Sport and Manual modes show the gear as standard. I wouldn't mind knowing what D is up to when it starts gear hunting at 20mph.

[Leeg1633]

I had my 330d remapped after getting it, approx 310 bhp. Made it so much more fun to drive. After a month or 2 I got the xhp gearbox map and went straight with the off the shelf stage 3, it really brought the car to life. Would highly recommend it.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Leeg1633

I had my 330d remapped after getting it, approx 310 bhp. Made it so much more fun to drive. After a month or 2 I got the xhp gearbox map and went straight with the off the shelf stage 3, it really brought the car to life. Would highly recommend it.

Did you install it yourself or get someone to do it for you?

[Leeg1633]

Originally Posted by danb1979

Did you install it yourself or get someone to do it for you?

I installed it myself. Bought the xhp obd Bluetooth adapter and it took a couple of minutes.

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

Another theme I've picked up on is a lot of people end up going back to the BMW TCU map after living with the Alpina one for a while. Take from that what you will!

I ran it for years in my mapped 335d, it was vastly superior to the BMW map.

[Ofield_94]

I had my 430d remapped to 315hp and 700nm of torque and ran without a gearbox remap for a couple of thousand miles. However, I could feel the car hit the torque limiters in 3rd and 6th when accelerating in those gears. It was really noticable in 3rd as it almost felt standard in that gear.

I then went to XHP which i admit is a costly mod, but I've not had any issues since and the gearbox can use the full power of the engine all the time. Plus the shift maps are a lot better for cruising, economy & sports driving when needed!

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Leeg1633

I installed it myself. Bought the xhp obd Bluetooth adapter and it took a couple of minutes.

So it's literally plug n play?

Just I see them crop up for sale every so often and have wondered whether to buy one etc

[Leeg1633]

Originally Posted by danb1979

So it's literally plug n play?

Just I see them crop up for sale every so often and have wondered whether to buy one etc

Yes, I would say its easier and quicker than coding with Bimmercode.

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by Leeg1633

I had my 330d remapped after getting it, approx 310 bhp. Made it so much more fun to drive. After a month or 2 I got the xhp gearbox map and went straight with the off the shelf stage 3, it really brought the car to life. Would highly recommend it.

Any more context? Brings it to life similar to how Sport wakes the car up vs comfort? I can't see the difference of stock sport mode vs XHP sport mode being quite as large as that?

If XHP removes 2nd to 3rd hunting between 14-19mph in traffic, I would buy it for that alone.

[Leeg1633]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

Any more context? Brings it to life similar to how Sport wakes the car up vs comfort? I can't see the difference of stock sport mode vs XHP sport mode being quite as large as that?

If XHP removes 2nd to 3rd hunting between 14-19mph in traffic, I would buy it for that alone.

I'm not a technical guy so excuse the vagueness. Its just sharper and quicker, more how you would change gear in a manual. The gearing down when you decelerate... it just feels good, it also gets you accelerating out of bends quicker.
If I had to choose between the engine or gearbox Remap I would pick the gearbox.
As for removing gear hunting, I can't comment.