[les anderson]

Hi All, been thinking about how far to take my 340i recently and thought it would be valuable to open a dialogue about it. There have been similar threads before, but nothing comprehensive recently.

We pay to play, and by modding our cars we are essentially acknowledging that we are going to try and break stuff. However, where do we draw these lines and what kind of empirical data is available to help us decide what is safe, moderate and aggressive in terms of risk?

The way I see it there are 3 primary factors to consider; engine, transmission and turbo. I will use MPPSK numbers to draw a baseline as this is what BMW is willing to warranty/has deemed safe:

1. The b58 engine itself which has almost universal praise for being stout and able to make significantly more power than the stock configuration. MPPSK = 355HP and dynos show at least this at the wheels.

2. The ZF8HP50 tranny is rated for 500NM/369 FT Lbs of torque which is exactly what a 340i equipped with MPPSK puts down. However, it seems like there has been very few reports of issues even with cars that are stage2 and beyond.

3. The twin-scroll turbo. Since our ECUs target torque, this is going to vary but MPPSK seems to keep it around 16 PSI or so. JB4s least aggressive map is +3 and most aggressive is +6.5 but jb4 is mostly deployed on stock vehicles w/o MPPSK. BM3/MHD stage 1 seem to be 16.5 but I see my car hit 18 from time to time.

I am interested in and update and hearing how long/ many miles people have exceeded these numbers and what issues they have run into? JB4 has been available for many years at this point and I am especially hoping some of you can share your experiences.

[kern417]

This isn't going to go any different than any other thread. Follow these for more info.

B58 Engine: please post your experience, including problems / resolutions

B58 Log Review Thread

[Supr3me]

Originally Posted by les anderson

3. The twin-scroll turbo. Since our ECUs target torque, this is going to vary but MPPSK seems to keep it around 16 PSI or so. JB4s least aggressive map is +3 and most aggressive is +6.5 but jb4 is mostly deployed on stock vehicles w/o MPPSK. BM3/MHD stage 1 seem to be 16.5 but I see my car hit 18 from time to time.

JB4 has been available for many years at this point and I am especially hoping some of you can share your experiences.

I ran MPPSK +JB4 map 3 for over 25K miles with no problems before switching to MHD in order to stage towards a full ethanol conversion. Just rolled over 50K miles.
Dynojet 406/426 on 95 octane.

[Skyhigh]

It has been said (in various threads here) that JB4 on top of MPPSK brings close to 0 and is not worth it? (If I recall correctly due to fuel pump limitations)

[B58togo]

I’ve been tuned for over 47K miles. I’m currently at 48K. Put JB4 on at 1200 miles and ran the +6 map on stock DP with 93 until somewhere around 25k before going catless. Then switched to Bootmod3 Stage 2 93 at around 35K. Stage 3 xHP transmission flash at around 39K and then Bootmod3 Stage 2 E30 around 40K. Car is a tank.

[conradb58]

Originally Posted by les anderson

Hi All, been thinking about how far to take my 340i recently and thought it would be valuable to open a dialogue about it. There have been similar threads before, but nothing comprehensive recently.

We pay to play, and by modding our cars we are essentially acknowledging that we are going to try and break stuff. However, where do we draw these lines and what kind of empirical data is available to help us decide what is safe, moderate and aggressive in terms of risk?

The way I see it there are 3 primary factors to consider; engine, transmission and turbo. I will use MPPSK numbers to draw a baseline as this is what BMW is willing to warranty/has deemed safe:

1. The b58 engine itself which has almost universal praise for being stout and able to accommodate significantly more power than the stock configuration. MPPSK = 355HP and dynos show at least this at the wheels.

2. The ZF8HP50 tranny is rated for 500NM/369 FT Lbs of torque which is exactly what a 340i equipped with MPPSK puts down. However, it seems like there has been very few reports of issues even with cars that are stage2 and beyond.

3. The twin-scroll turbo. Since our ECUs target torque, this is going to vary but MPPSK seems to keep it around 16 PSI or so. JB4s least aggressive map is +3 and most aggressive is +6.5 but jb4 is mostly deployed on stock vehicles w/o MPPSK. BM3/MHD stage 1 seem to be 16.5 but I see my car hit 18 from time to time.

I am interested in and update and hearing how long/ many miles people have exceeded these numbers and what issues they have run into? JB4 has been available for many years at this point and I am especially hoping some of you can share your experiences.

16' 340i MHD STG 2 62k miles

preventative maintenance and staying on top of routine maintenance can go a long way. Keep in mind also unless you have a custom tune the OTS maps are very conservative. Everything has a shelf life though

[conradb58]

Originally Posted by B58togo

I've been tuned for over 47K miles. I'm currently at 48K. Put JB4 on at 1200 miles and ran the +6 map on stock DP with 93 until somewhere around 25k before going catless. Then switched to Bootmod3 Stage 2 93 at around 35K. Stage 3 xHP transmission flash at around 39K and then Bootmod3 Stage 2 E30 around 40K. Car is a tank.

Did you do anything special before you did the stage 3 transmission flash ?? I've been wanting to do that for a long time and wanted to make sure I played it safe.

[Supr3me]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

It has been said (in various threads here) that JB4 on top of MPPSK brings close to 0 and is not worth it? (If I recall correctly due to fuel pump limitations)

I can assure you that is untrue. I drove the car with MPPSK for a year before adding JB4 and it was Significant bump in power.

[les anderson]

Originally Posted by B58togo

I’ve been tuned for over 47K miles. I’m currently at 48K. Put JB4 on at 1200 miles and ran the +6 map on stock DP with 93 until somewhere around 25k before going catless. Then switched to Bootmod3 Stage 2 93 at around 35K. Stage 3 xHP transmission flash at around 39K and then Bootmod3 Stage 2 E30 around 40K. Car is a tank.

Good data points, thanks!

[les anderson]

Originally Posted by conradb58

16' 340i MHD STG 2 62k miles

preventative maintenance and staying on top of routine maintenance can go a long way. Keep in mind also unless you have a custom tune the OTS maps are very conservative. Everything has a shelf life though

Thanks. Assuming oil every 5k, what else have you done? Did you flush the transmission fluid @ 50k? When have you changed plugs?

How many miles have you been tuned for?

[OzBMR]

M140i (not available in North America) and M240i came out of the factory with more boost/power/torque than the 340i with about 17 - 18 PSI from 3000 to 4200 RPM then tapering down 12 PSI by 6000 RPM

I've run increased boost on top of that using my own JB+ type potentiometer-based spoofer for the TMAP sensor in the charge pipe since 2000 - 3000 miles, 18 - 19 PSI mid range and 16 PSI up top for about 11,000 miles

Then a remote flash tune by DervTech (UK) which had 19 - 20 PSI 3000 RPM - 5000 RPM then 21 - 22 PSI to 6000 RPM then taper to 18 PSI for about 6000 miles. Excessive boost, low timing tune. Added XHP gearbox tune at this point too.

Most recently MHD Stage 2 tune (95_102) using E30 fuel which has a boost profile that hits about 16 - 17 PSI from 2700 RPM through to about 5500 RPM then ramps up to about 19 - 20 PSI by 6000 RPM, tapering back to 18 PSI up top. I've run this now for about about 4000 miles including 10+ drag strip runs with Hoosier drag radials.

Stock everything, turbo, HPFP, down pipe, air filter, exhaust (other than small oval front muffler delete and the flap being 100% open)

Changed the plugs a few weeks ago at 25,000 miles, though the stock plugs looked good. Changed to NGK 94201 gapped down to 0.6mm/0.024"

Changing the oil every 5000 - 6000 miles or every 6 months and currently using Penrite 5w40 HPR full synthetic which has LL-01 approval.

Zero issues, car runs great, 23,000+ miles tuned. I think the ZF8HP50 is very under rated, especially when supported by XHP.

[B58togo]

Originally Posted by conradb58

Did you do anything special before you did the stage 3 transmission flash ?? I've been wanting to do that for a long time and wanted to make sure I played it safe.

Nope. I do have the ZF kit on hand, however, and will replace in the spring.

Also for reference, I replaced the original plugs at ~27K (started getting misfires at 25-26K) and again ~ 45K. The 45K swap was probably a bit premature, but I was doing some other stuff at the time, so what the hell. I will do plugs again and also replace the coils, somewhere around 65K. Stock gap.

[les anderson]

Originally Posted by OzBMR

Zero issues, car runs great, 23,000+ miles tuned. I think the ZF8HP50 is very under rated, especially when supported by XHP.

How has xhp been for you? Does it have any reliability implications?

[johnung]

Originally Posted by les anderson

Thanks. Assuming oil every 5k, what else have you done? Did you flush the transmission fluid @ 50k? When have you changed plugs?

How many miles have you been tuned for?

I assume you mean drain and replace transmission fluid along with replacing the pan. A "flush" procedure could damage the transmission. Lots of threads discuss BMW insistence that it's a lifetime fill while the actual transmission manufacturer, ZF, recommends transmission fluid replacement at about 70k miles. I use the actual kit made by ZF. Can't get better than that and at a fraction of BMW price.

[OzBMR]

Originally Posted by les anderson

How has xhp been for you? Does it have any reliability implications?

It's fantastic and would be the first mod I'd do if I got another car with a supported ZF auto. Tons of cars have been running XHP gearbox tunes for many years and there are no mass reported issues that I've seen.

I'd expect reliability to be improved over stock. If you are tuning the engine for more power the gearbox should know the correct torque it is getting and line pressures should be adjusted accordingly.

Over and above the performance benefits there's the comfort and functionality improvements, selected gear able to be displayed even in Comfort D mode, improved throttle response in Comfort, ability to have 2nd gear as the default starting gear rather than 1st, ability to adjust shift points up/down in both D and S modes etc.

[jbb2388]

I don't know how "responsible" it is, but I am flashing MP stage 3 and stage 2 trans this weekend once I install my new plugs that I ordered. I have 50K miles on my car right now. I do my own oil changes. Have not done a trans fluid change yet.

[Supr3me]

Originally Posted by OzBMR

It's fantastic and would be the first mod I'd do if I got another car with a supported ZF auto. Tons of cars have been running XHP gearbox tunes for many years and there are no mass reported issues that I've seen.

I'd expect reliability to be improved over stock. If you are tuning the engine for more power the gearbox should know the correct torque it is getting and line pressures should be adjusted accordingly.

Over and above the performance benefits there's the comfort and functionality improvements, selected gear able to be displayed even in Comfort D mode, improved throttle response in Comfort, ability to have 2nd gear as the default starting gear rather than 1st, ability to adjust shift points up/down in both D and S modes etc.

I just flashed xHP stage 3 a week ago and I agree, it really wakes up the 8AT. If you're already at or close to FBO with a flash tune, it feels like it "catches up" the rest of the drive train to the additional power you've made available.

[conradb58]

Originally Posted by les anderson

Thanks. Assuming oil every 5k, what else have you done? Did you flush the transmission fluid @ 50k? When have you changed plugs?

How many miles have you been tuned for?

Originally Posted by les anderson

Thanks. Assuming oil every 5k, what else have you done? Did you flush the transmission fluid @ 50k? When have you changed plugs?

How many miles have you been tuned for?

I do my oil around 4500-5k

Changed my plugs 5k miles after I got the car (came with 50,800) I oofed because BMW gave me brand new plugs on a CPO, didn't know at the time so I changed them very early

I've been tuned for 10K miles so far but majority of my driving is in comfort mode unless i drive on the e way.

Servicing the trans this weekend before my road trip to Texas and it will be the first one since the vehicle has been in my possession.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by les anderson

Hi All, been thinking about how far to take my 340i recently and thought it would be valuable to open a dialogue about it. There have been similar threads before, but nothing comprehensive recently.

We pay to play, and by modding our cars we are essentially acknowledging that we are going to try and break stuff. However, where do we draw these lines and what kind of empirical data is available to help us decide what is safe, moderate and aggressive in terms of risk?

The way I see it there are 3 primary factors to consider; engine, transmission and turbo. I will use MPPSK numbers to draw a baseline as this is what BMW is willing to warranty/has deemed safe:

1. The b58 engine itself which has almost universal praise for being stout and able to make significantly more power than the stock configuration. MPPSK = 355HP and dynos show at least this at the wheels.

2. The ZF8HP50 tranny is rated for 500NM/369 FT Lbs of torque which is exactly what a 340i equipped with MPPSK puts down. However, it seems like there has been very few reports of issues even with cars that are stage2 and beyond.

3. The twin-scroll turbo. Since our ECUs target torque, this is going to vary but MPPSK seems to keep it around 16 PSI or so. JB4s least aggressive map is +3 and most aggressive is +6.5 but jb4 is mostly deployed on stock vehicles w/o MPPSK. BM3/MHD stage 1 seem to be 16.5 but I see my car hit 18 from time to time.

I am interested in and update and hearing how long/ many miles people have exceeded these numbers and what issues they have run into? JB4 has been available for many years at this point and I am especially hoping some of you can share your experiences.

You can tell whether a tune is safe or not by data logging and monitoring the value. That's why you must get a tune that offers such a feature.

If your logs look clean, the tune is safe.

trusted tunes like the Jb4, Bootmod3, Active Autowerke,etc... are all proven to be safe by tens of thousands of users.

[SC_B5X]

Well I blew up my intake manifold after overboosting to nearly 40psi on the Pure 800. Seems like the meth kit was leaking meth even though it wasn't turned on and it ignited in the manifold.

I guess when it comes to meth, be careful. These manifolds are $1800 new, I was lucky enough to get a barely used one for $700.

View post on imgur.com

[Jaydoe9]

What's up guys I'm looking to tune my 340 sometime this spring... just unsure of which tune to go with. My tech recommended DME stage 1 and a down pipe. It's my first time doing a tune so I'm just trying to do my research. This is my daily it currently has 23k on the dash. Being that it's my daily I'm kinda hesitant to tune because I don't want to blow anything if it's producing too much power..trans,driver train,etc. Is there any other mods that would have to be done in so this doesn't happen?

[T_H_O_M_A_S]

Originally Posted by OzBMR

M140i (not available in North America) and M240i came out of the factory with more boost/power/torque than the 340i with about 17 - 18 PSI from 3000 to 4200 RPM then tapering down 12 PSI by 6000 RPM

17-18 psi oem ?? that seems very high

this was mine logged only with xhp , stock engine map with cat and opf