[mike@x-ph.com]

This post is copied from Extreme Power House's Blog

Today, I would like to write about the different piggyback options available for the BMW new F chassis cars. This market is oversaturated with tunes priced from a couple hundred dollars up to a couple thousands. Not all piggybacks are equal, which ones are worth it and which ones are not? Read this post and decide for yourself.

DINANTRONICS Sport Performance Tuner


How:
Connects to TMAP sensor only

Pros:

• Easy install
• adjustable boost 0 to 4 psi
• Very reasonable price
• Same tune fits the N20, N26 and N55 F chassis

Cons:

• No datalog feature
• Does not have access to ignition timing
• Does not carry the same warranty as other Dinan tunes

Price:
$299



Burger Tuning F Chassis N20/N26/N55 JB+

How:
JB+ connects to TMAP sensor only.
Pros:

• Install time takes less than 5 minutes
• Adjustable boost ( 0 to +4 psi)
• Costs less than $200
• Not engine specific. Fits on most N20, N26 and N55 cars

Cons:

• Does not have access to ignition timing
• No datalog feature

Price:
$199


Active Autowerke Active 8 Tune

How:
A8 tune works by connecting to the Manifold air pressure sensor, boost pressure sensor, camshaft sensor and air mass sensor.
Pros:
•Since the A8 connects to the camshaft sensor, it controls boost by RPM. The ability to do so offers a smoother / more linear power delivery.
•9 different maps (Compatible with catted downpipe cars only and pump gas).
•A8 is offered standard with a waterproof enclosure.
Cons:
•Install process is the most time consuming for a stage 1 tune (although it has quick detach button to uninstall the module, but not the wires).
Price:
$699 for Non-M models / $999 for M models.

AFE Module Scorcher

How:
AFE scorcher connects to the MAP and TMAP sensors of the car. It alters the pressure sensor signal to increase turbo pressure.
Pros:
•AFE is easy to install with only 2 sensors. It offers a clean solution for more power.
Cons:
•AFE Scorcher offers no flexibility for the user. It is available with 1 map only and no option to adjust boost.
• It does not have the ability to control boost by RPM, the Scorcher adds a constant boost value across the RPM range.
Price:
$473 for Non M Models / $627 for M Models

Burger Tuning JB Stage 1:

How:
The BMS JB stage 1 connects to the MAP and TMAP sensors and works by altering the boost pressure signal (identical to AFE and Race chip ultimate).
Pros:
•Easy install, takes less than 10 minutes.
•BMS JB stage 1 gives its users the ability to increase boost if he / she is looking for a more aggressive map (will need an optional $35 BMS Data Cable).
•Weather proof box is optional and will cost an additional $59.
Cons:
•JB stage 1 does not have the ability to control boost by RPM. It adds 3.5 psi across the RPM range over stock boost (value can be changed using the USB cable).
Price:
$379 for M and Non-M models

Burger Tuning JB4 Stage 2:

How:
The JB4 stage 2 connects to the MAP sensor, TMAP sensor and Canbus. It is also offered with flex fuel wires for E85 users.
Pros:
•Pre-loaded with 7 maps each optimized based on the car’s modifications and fuel. The Jb4 is also offered with a custom map allowing the user to set his / her own boost targets.
•The Jb4 controls boost by RPM. It also controls boost by gear and can set a max boost limit for the first 3 gears in order to achieve better traction control.
•The JB4 stage 2 can read / delete codes and auto clear the CEL code in case car has catless downpipes installed.
•The JB4 is compatible with E85 fuel as long as the mix does not exceed the fuel pumps maximum capacity.
•The JB4 is capable of gauge hijack and can control the exhaust valves for a louder exhaust sound.
•Ability to get free firmware upgrades from the user’s laptop without the need to ship the module back every time an upgrade is available.
•Option to get the Jb4 with a weather proof case; it will cost the user an extra $59 for the aluminum enclosure (No additional cost for M cars).
Cons:
•In order to achieve all these pros mentioned above, user will need to purchase the optional USB data cable and / or OBD cable ($17 for the OBD cable and $35 for the USB cable).
•Install time takes around 45 minutes because of all the extra connections that the JB4 needs.
•If user does not purchase the OBD cable, JB4 will need POSI-Tap wires to connect to the Canbus.
Price: $529 for Non-M Models / $799 for M models (Aluminum enclosure and OBD cable is offered with the M series JB4 at no extra cost).

Race Chip Ultimate:

How:
RCU connects to the MAF, MAP and TMAP sensors and work by changing boost pressure signal and tricking the ECU into making more power.
Pros:
•Easy install
•Weather proof box (standard)
•3 different maps
Cons:
•Cannot control boost by RPM
Price:
$679 for M and non-M models

ESS E-tronic Tuner

How: The ESS tuner connects to 4 sensors. Intake Cam shaft, Map, TMAP and MAF.
Pros:
• Control boost by RPM for a smoother power delivery
• 3 different maps
• Standard weather proof enclosure
Cons:
• One of the hardest stage 1 tunes to install
Price: $995 for all models

Dinan Tune




How: Dinan connects directly to the ECU to cover as many sensors as possible. It adds a constant boost value to the car across the RPM range (3.0 psi for stage 1 and 4.0 psi for stage 2).
Pros:
• If BMW denies your warranty claim, Dinan will cover any damages caused or related to any of Dinan tunes or parts
• Weatherproof box
• CARB certified
• Tune monitors and adjust AFR / ignition timing for a smoother power delivery
• Increases water pump pressure for better cooling
Cons:
• You get 1 map with each tune only
• Install time takes from 1.5 to 2 hours


Price: $1499 for the stage 1

Summary Table:
Tune Comparison.doc

Active Autowerke OBD Flash Tune


How: Connect Simon Cable to OBD port and upload your new map (No ECU removal needed).

Pros:

• Smooth stock like power delivery
• unlimited number of maps (2 off the shelf maps, 4 free custom maps included with the tune, additional custom map $50 each)
• No hardware installation needed
• Ability to load stock map at any time
• Locks flash counter until stock map has been re-uploaded

Price: Starts at $800

Bootmod3 By PTF



How: Connect Enet cable to OBD port and upload your new map (No ECU removal needed).

Pros:

• Mobile app (iOS and Android)
• Datalogging over 200 diagnostic channels, up to 40 channels concurrently
• atalog sharing and charting without a need to upload to 3rd party websites or apps using the mobile app or web browser
• Cloud based storage for map data and datalogs
• Reverting back to stock performance map and re-locking the DME to stock programming
• Live Dash - realtime vehicle parameter monitoring via in-app guages
• Read and clear trouble codes in all vehicle modules
• Reset learned adaptations (octane, knock, Valvetronic, etc)
• Custom tuning available
• flash time (map switch) is 30 seconds
• first flash to unlock is just 3.5 minutes long
• no special hardware to ship, instant activation at time of checkout
• boost by gear
• transmission flashing

Cons:

• 1 OTS map is included with the license. it costs extra to unlock all the OTS maps.
• similar to all flash tunes, on the fly map adjustment not available
• Raising and lowering boost requires tuning knowledge

Price: Starts at $595

[x328x]

Mike thats a good summary

can u add whether or not some of these tunes need splice into the original wires.

[jamoka3]

This is very much needed! There is definitely too many options for piggyback setups. As such I'm very happy with my choice.

[ClevelandBeemer]

Great writeup!

[CalCarNut]

Kudos for the write up /comparison, Mike.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by x328x

Mike thats a good summary

can u add whether or not some of these tunes need splice into the original wires.

None of the tunes in this post will need wire splicing.
The JB4 is offered with POSI-Tap wires that you will need to use in case you do not get the OBD cable. I mentioned that under cons of the JB4

Originally Posted by jamoka3

This is very much needed! There is definitely too many options for piggyback setups. As such I'm very happy with my choice.

Originally Posted by m_tegey

Great writeup!

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Kudos for the write up /comparison, Mike.

Thank you for the kind words guys

More tunes will be added soon.

[DarkstarZero]

What about GSR ECU tune and Dinan Piggy-back?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

What about GSR ECU tune and Dinan Piggy-back?

I will do that later once i covered all the piggybacks

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I will do that later once i covered all the piggybacks

GSR currently has my Manual 228 N20 ECU. I'm curious to see if it'll be smoother than the JB4 Map 1 I was running before.

[Ulrich]

Any update regarding GSR flash tune?

[kirill_1361]

Just installed a GSR ECU tune on my F30 N20. It is amazing. I love the power gain. The sport transmission and the engine works much smother. Didn't have a chance to do the dyno. Hope to do it soon. I would highly recommend this tune.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by kirill_1361

Just installed a GSR ECU tune on my F30 N20. It is amazing. I love the power gain. The sport transmission and the engine works much smother. Didn't have a chance to do the dyno. Hope to do it soon. I would highly recommend this tune.

What tune were you running before the GSR ?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Dinan tune added to the first post and to the summary table

[f30kid]

Price for dinan is $1499 for n20/n26

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by f30kid

Price for dinan is $1499 for n20/n26

Fixed

[wolves]

Wait sorry there's a Dinan Stage 2? I only see Stage 1 around

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by wolves

Wait sorry there's a Dinan Stage 2? I only see Stage 1 around

Not for all engines. The N20/N26 is not available yet

[Project Elite]

I have the A8 but I am looking into a catless downpipe. I see one of the Pro's is that its compatible with catted downpipes only. What if I go catless with this tune?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Project Elite

I have the A8 but I am looking into a catless downpipe. I see one of the Pro's is that its compatible with catted downpipes only. What if I go catless with this tune?

Cons with going catless with the A8 are:

1- you won't have a map optimized to take full advantage of catless downpipes

2- You will get a CEL code. You can take care of the code if you get the BMS can flap module

[wolves]

Ohhh okay thanks for the info!

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by Ulrich

Any update regarding GSR flash tune?

It is AMAZING. Compared to the the BMS stage 2 (map 1) that I was running before, it's a night and day difference. The total overall power gain is probably pretty similar but the smoothness and immediacy of the power delivery is what makes it worth it, especially in a manual.

With the BMS tune, once I took my foot off the gas, shifted, and put my foot back on the gas, there was a whole 1 second delay before the power came back. I assume that's because the BMS tune is tricking the ECU into thinking it can provide more boost. This delay was driving me crazy, I thought it was the car and not the tune until I got the GSR flash tune.

With the GSR, the ECU is reprogrammed to provide that extra boost by default, no tricking anything with fake environmental variables. So the car feels exactly like it did new, just with a lot more power! Very very smooth and immediate power delivery the entire way through the rev range. It's also a lot cleaner, no cables running across my engine bay. Overall I couldn't be happier. I have M235-like power in a car that weighs 250lbs less and cost me 6k less.

I'll be at the track this weekend, if there's a M235 there - I'll see if I can get some lap time comparisons.

[Project Elite]

Posted this in the tracking section but figured I'd ask here for a more complete detailed response.

Any cons to running a piggyback and constantly pushing it on the track? I remember reading somewhere that the added boost cracked the charge pipe. I have the A8 tune.