I'd like to propose a challenge to all of our tuner/vendors: to design and market a piggyback designed purposefully for the B38. I can appreciate all the MCS/JCW love, but we know the B38 is the most underrated engine in the lineup. More F56 owners have this engine than any other, and many of us are enthusiasts.

Just as importantly, we know that BMW tested this engine extensively at 175hp in 1ers and 3ers, and we also know that a variant of this engine puts down JCW numbers in the i8 (228hp @5800, 236lb·ft @3700).

Show us some love?

 

BMS has a B38 piggyback...and the JB4 piggyback they are developing should work on B38 as well.


I've had one since it came out...works as advertised, no issues. Have never dyno'd or anything but it seems to be about as quick as a R56 Cooper S.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the BMS module is tuned specifically for the B38? It's something they've been developing for the B48 and it just so happens to provide some results on the B38, even if they're not optimized. I would assume this is why the power gains they state for the B38 are less than they are for the B48.

 

^the power gains are different because all things are not equal. With the jb4 you will be able to fine tune the b38 no problem.

 

You're also missing an entire cylinder lol...I would expect the B48 to make bigger gains.

I'm sure you'll be able to get more gains using the JB4 version as you can fine tune it more. Also, I'm sure you can get great gains using an actual ECU tune once that is available.

 

Well, I didn't originally intend to debate the gains currently achievable from the B38 or the reasons why. I simply wanted to let it be known that their is an interest in seeing more tuners focus on B38-specific modules because there currently aren't many (1?) and I think the community could be doing much more. If you don't think so, I respect your opinion, but we'll have to agree to disagree!

 

I'm right there with ya! The issue is BMW has made the newer ECUs dang near impossible to crack and tune. That's why there is a lack of tuning for even the b48 considering it has been around a few years now. Piggy backs seem to be the only solution at the moment and it will likely remain that way for a while.

 

MidnightF56, Have you tried the piggyback from BMS?

http://burgertuning.com/mini_cooper_...nce_tuner.html