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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > B48 20i to 30i
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      01-24-2021, 09:00 AM   #1
EGOF13
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B48 20i to 30i

Looking to buy an F32 420i LCI (2017 with the B48). It's the 184hp engine. From what I understand, the LCI 20i engine and exhaust is identical to the 30i, the only difference is the software, unlike the N20, where you would have to also change pistons and exhaust to get from 20i to 28i.

My question is, can I safely turn a 20i to a 30i by only using a 30i ECU or a remap? Anyone do it?

I also found this article which hints at the fact that the 20i is electronically held back:
https://bluesparkautomotive.com/proj...20i-b48-tuning

"just get the 430i" - can't
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      01-25-2021, 04:09 AM   #2
tpoddar
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If you check realoem or bimmercat, you will see that the pistons of the B48 20i and 30i versions are different. The B48 20i runs 11:1 compression whereas the 30i runs 10:1 compression. If you desire 30i power levels, you should go in for a proper ECU remap like bootmod3 or Mgflasher and you'll be happy.
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      01-29-2021, 10:04 AM   #3
EGOF13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tpoddar View Post
If you check realoem or bimmercat, you will see that the pistons of the B48 20i and 30i versions are different. The B48 20i runs 11:1 compression whereas the 30i runs 10:1 compression. If you desire 30i power levels, you should go in for a proper ECU remap like bootmod3 or Mgflasher and you'll be happy.
Appreciate the answer. It makes sense. I thought remapping to 30i would give me OEM reliability levels, but I guess it's not the case. I may have to step down to a 428i. Damn, I really wanted those LCI LEDs...
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      01-29-2021, 11:51 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tpoddar View Post
If you check realoem or bimmercat, you will see that the pistons of the B48 20i and 30i versions are different. The B48 20i runs 11:1 compression whereas the 30i runs 10:1 compression. If you desire 30i power levels, you should go in for a proper ECU remap like bootmod3 or Mgflasher and you'll be happy.
B48 30i runs a lower - 10:1 - static compression ratio because it reduces the mixture temperature and enables a broader ignition timing advance range, a more effective way to increase power vs just increasing the compression ratio.

That's where BMW's single and later double VANOS systems add more flexibility to increase dynamic compression ratio by advancing the intake cam.

So the DME in B48 30i does quite a bit more work.
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      01-31-2021, 11:52 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EGOF13 View Post
Appreciate the answer. It makes sense. I thought remapping to 30i would give me OEM reliability levels, but I guess it's not the case. I may have to step down to a 428i. Damn, I really wanted those LCI LEDs...
I'm sure the LCI Headlights can be retrofitted to the 428i. Same can be said for the taillights.

Does it make sense money wise? No. Does it make sense aesthetically? Hell yes.

Plus, from my time on the forums, the N20/N26 line of engines are relatively easier to tune than the B48s in the 20i and 30i. Only thing is the whole timing chain issue.

You win some, and you lose some.
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