[Teefard]

Hello,

I sadly lost my e46 to hurricane Harvey. I now recently purchased a 2013 bmw 328i. I haven't owned a sedan since my 92 525i. This n20 is a lot quicker than I expected which has now led me to wanting more. From reading on here I believe I should start with a jb4 and catless dp. I read and saw online about the VRSF 4.5" N20 Stainless Steel Catless Downpipe. Does anyone have this or possibly give me any feedback? Is there a reason it's only $219?
I'm a noob when it comes to performance upgrades. Thanks in advance.

[Stubok]

You can flash the n20 now without having to remove the ecu for bench flash.

So you should go for a proper tune. Jb4 is okay but a true flash is much better.

Catless Downpipes are all similar. They all free up the flow through the Turbine size, reducing spool time and increasing power (with a tune). I doubt there is much between the different pipes when all said and done.

[tonyec7]

Originally Posted by Stubok

You can flash the n20 now without having to remove the ecu for bench flash.

So you should go for a proper tune. Jb4 is okay but a true flash is much better.

Catless Downpipes are all similar. They all free up the flow through the Turbine size, reducing spool time and increasing power (with a tune). I doubt there is much between the different pipes when all said and done.

how can one flash without removing the ecu?

[bmwchue]

I order one about a week now and they still havent ship it out. Its on backorder now

[rjd_F30]

Sorry to hear you had to go through Harvey and about your E46. I would actually recommend BootMod3 over JB4. It's a flash tune installed through the OBD2 port. It's very simple to install, and is decently priced (right around same price as JB4). Over all a great product and is going to be safer and easier on your N20 since it's a flash tune instead of a piggyback. It will yield similar if not better results than JB4. Also, a downpipe would compliment a bm3 tune very nicely. VSRF is a good choice, I know that's what a lot of N20 owners go with.

[Teefard]

Thanks for the feedback guys and the condolences for the e46. I haven't heard to much about flash tunes. Everything on Google kept leading me to jb4 but the posts were older so I assumed there would be more to do. Looks like I'll be looking into flash tunes now

[Domotron]

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

Sorry to hear you had to go through Harvey and about your E46. I would actually recommend BootMod3 over JB4. It's a flash tune installed through the OBD2 port. It's very simple to install, and is decently priced (right around same price as JB4). Over all a great product and is going to be safer and easier on your N20 since it's a flash tune instead of a piggyback. It will yield similar if not better results than JB4. Also, a downpipe would compliment a bm3 tune very nicely. VSRF is a good choice, I know that's what a lot of N20 owners go with.

if you don't mind me asking, where do i get bm3 for a n26 ? all i could find is for N20 i'm not sure if there is too much difference.

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by Teefard

Hello,

I sadly lost my e46 to hurricane Harvey. I now recently purchased a 2013 bmw 328i. I haven't owned a sedan since my 92 525i. This n20 is a lot quicker than I expected which has now led me to wanting more. From reading on here I believe I should start with a jb4 and catless dp. I read and saw online about the VRSF 4.5" N20 Stainless Steel Catless Downpipe. Does anyone have this or possibly give me any feedback? Is there a reason it's only $219?
I'm a noob when it comes to performance upgrades. Thanks in advance.

I believe the VRSF ones are manufactured out of the country, so they can sell them for cheaper. Don't let that keep you from buying it, it's a great pipe from what I've heard. I went with ER Catless and got the ceramic coated one and it's great. Also, definitely go with BM3 first and then get JB4 after.

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by Domotron

if you don't mind me asking, where do i get bm3 for a n26 ? all i could find is for N20 i'm not sure if there is too much difference.

I sent you a PM, but that's the one. N20/N26 is interchangeable in this case.

[Teefard]

I was about to pull the trigger today on the jb4 and vrsf dp. I've decided to go with the vrsf dp but now learning about this bm3 and I'm so confused. I've been on the internet since the moment I got off work to now with so much info. The vendor argument posts made the search so much longer and a bit entertaining. Now I can't pull any triggers tonight lol. Really appreciate the advice from everyone

[bmwchue]

Jb4 can be found on the classified for half price

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by Teefard

I was about to pull the trigger today on the jb4 and vrsf dp. I've decided to go with the vrsf dp but now learning about this bm3 and I'm so confused. I've been on the internet since the moment I got off work to now with so much info. The vendor argument posts made the search so much longer and a bit entertaining. Now I can't pull any triggers tonight lol. Really appreciate the advice from everyone

lol totally understandable, I was also confused when I was cross shopping Dinan and JB4 and someone threw bm3 into the mix. The primary difference between bm3 and JB4 is that bm3 is a flash tune, meaning when you purchase it, BootMod will send you a tune file to your PC, and you can upload it through your OBD2, if you already have a flash tuner. if you don't already have a flash tuner, you need to buy one and use that. with JB4, you simply plug it in and go, instant results. sometimes flash tunes take time to "break in" and I've found this to be true in my limited tuning experience. flash tunes like bm3 are generally safer too as they can manipulate more variables in your engine's programming than a piggyback like JB4 can. prices are roughly the same. probably a bit more power gains from bm3, but I'm not sure, they're pretty close in that regard. that's pretty much my rundown on the two hope that helps you make your decision.

[Teefard]

Would there be any cons to a used jb4?

Originally Posted by bmwchue

Jb4 can be found on the classified for half price

[paimon.soror]

Originally Posted by Teefard

Would there be any cons to a used jb4?

Unless someone decided to drop it in the toilet, and then use scissors to try to pull it out of the toilet via the wiring, nope

[Teefard]

Hahaha okay thank you for the info.

Originally Posted by paimon.soror

Unless someone decided to drop it in the toilet, and then use scissors to try to pull it out of the toilet via the wiring, nope

[drivef30]

Im selling N20/26 jb4, pm for details. About 3 weeks installed, still has its wrapping on it. Comes with OBD wire, JB4, and USB for datalogging and much more. Also I can enable passive delete Check engine light delete for downpipe.

[paimon.soror]

The only other caveat is buying OBD2 vs non obd2. Older ones you will find are non obd2. Big difference is if you plan on moving up from Map 1. If you plan on just doing map 1 and dont care about obd2 diagnostics, then you can use the older posi-tap ones.

[BunkerJ]

If you decide to go with JB4 first, make sure you run the correct map with the supporting mods. Make sure you log and make sure you're not running too lean. A few people have wrecked their engine from the device. It's a good buy, just don't be dumb.

[sspade]

Can one install an N26 downpipe in the garage, on jack stands?

Can anyone share install instructions?

[drivef30]

Yes, takes about 1-2hr depending if youve done it before. More than enough room with jack stands.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Teefard

I was about to pull the trigger today on the jb4 and vrsf dp. I've decided to go with the vrsf dp but now learning about this bm3 and I'm so confused. I've been on the internet since the moment I got off work to now with so much info. The vendor argument posts made the search so much longer and a bit entertaining. Now I can't pull any triggers tonight lol. Really appreciate the advice from everyone

We offer both BM3 and JB4.

Each has its pros and cons. BM3 give you smoother delivery and complete ECU remap but you need to remove the ECU to get it unlocked. It also makes warranty work a lot more complicated.

Jb4 is plug and play with a ton of free maps and features.

First question has to be, are you willing to remove the ECU and get it unlocked?

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

We offer both BM3 and JB4.

Each has its pros and cons. BM3 give you smoother delivery and complete ECU remap but you need to remove the ECU to get it unlocked. It also makes warranty work a lot more complicated.

Jb4 is plug and play with a ton of free maps and features.

First question has to be, are you willing to remove the ECU and get it unlocked?

This ^^ Also, shoot PTF a message and see if they'll be offering OBDII flashing soon. VF Engineering just achieved it.