Does the JB4 have a preset map for E30 or E15? I have both of this readily available to where I live along with 93 octane.

 

Most aggresive map currently available is still map2. With E30/15 I wouldn't run more than +6psi anyway. Run some logs on map2 with the ethanol blend fuels and send the log to be evaluated. I'm sure Terry will let you know if there's room for more boost.

 

I run Map 2 with an occasionally mix of 3 gallons e85 in with the rest 93. Pretty darn quick.

 

Marco. Finally got this sorted. Boost safety is 18.

 

terry let me safely increase it to 20 w/fuel open-loop of 50. see if you wanna give that a shot.

update for badakvt, gregoryk, and any others...i had my ECU updated due to my getting the BBK retrofit. it's required to adjust the proper brake pressure for ABS, Traction, Cruise Control, etc...
After i did the update, it seems my overboosts as well as my CEL's have completely disappeared. i was used to clearing my CEL with the same codes every other day (P12A5, P12A8, and P0456). it was consistent. since the ECU was udpated, i haven't received a single CEL and on top of that, i've been doing log after log and i don't get any overboosting anymore. it's pretty nuts. support will view my logs for verification, but if anyone else sees the you'll clearly see that at no time does boost go over 20psi.

i've since raised my boost safety back up to 20 and am running daily on map2.

feel free to check out my thread but this is great news as i was getting slightly frustrated and was about to give up and swap back my OEM Cat/downpipe.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37794

 

and in case noone noticed, a new firmware was released today. it's at the end of the first post.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33083

 

Thanks, Marco.
Will update mine today. Have you noticed anything new? I hope Oil Temp and Pressure is finally available on this firmware.

As for the Mini DME software update, I've just called my SA and he said no such update for my country
It's not like I can run Map2 with the crap octane we have here anyway....

 

Terry didn't tell me the change.. He just emailed me the new file and had me do a few logs and that was it.

My SA told me they can't just update a vehicle.. Has to be a reason.. Get the BBK and i'm sure it'll get updated. 😀

 

Update done. Will try to log some wot runs this weekend. I'll check if it's reading oil temp and pressure also.

 

hate to burst your bubble but no...still no oil temp...but it worked on the "merged" software he released...so it's clearly doable...i kindly reminded him that we wanted it.

i'm out of the country right now but going to do a 3rd/4th gear pull when i get back.

 

I read that Terry has said that the latest firmware change was just a file rename as not to confuse BMW owners using the Mini firmware

 

yeah he wasnt' specific with me when i tried it. i didn't see any difference nor did he mention anything. wouldn't have been a big deal if he just told me he was renaming it.

in either case, things have been 100% solid (no overboost, no CEL) since the cars software was updated. guess i was running on buggy software this whole time.

 

Not sure if this is the best place to post but I still have a stage 1 and would like to upgrade it to the jb4. What is terry charging/will he still do it? I hear boost pressure of 20+ psi when I think I'm only making around 11 with the stage 1, doesn't that wear out your turbo significantly faster? What else does it do? How does everyone like it. I'd love to hear thoughts.

Edit: what are the gains in power over the stage 1 and can it be removed without a trace like the stage 1 even though it plugs into the OBDII?

 

1) upgrade to JB4 is $150
2) boost is based on load target so it's always calculating depending on your surroundings. Stock you should see around 12 psi @WOT, with stage1 you should be seeing around 15psi. Map2 should get you to around 18psi. The 20psi surge seems to be an anomaly and has been remedied.
3) do you have high octane fuel to support JB4s map2? If not then don't bother because you'll be running map1 which is the same as your stage1 default boost addition.
4) JB4 allows you to monitor and logs engine parameters because it has access to the OBD data. The logs are the most important thing for me because this is the only accurate way to see what's happening with the engine. Is it knocking and pulling back timing? What's your IAT after a few runs? What's the injector trims? Etc.
5) power increase on this platform is around 10HP for every psi increase over stock. Map2 providing that you have the octane for it should net you around 50-60HP.
6) speaking of octane and high IAT, the JB4 also allows easy intregation with their meth injection system (cooling mist based). There are better kits out there such as the aquamist Kit but it's much more involving to install. With the FSB and JB4, it's pretty much plug and play.
7) the JB4 OBD connection is not any different than you plugging a scangauge so yeah everything can be removed. It's a read-only device so nothing gets written onto the car. The without a trace part is a myth because BMW could easily look at the DME logs and figure out what's causing engine damage.
8) lastly, if you want a safe power increase with pump gas and not have to worry about all of those adjustability of the JB4, simply change the boost addition of your stage1 from 3.5psi to 5psi. That would give you the same thing as NM box at high setting which has been tested by so many members here to be safe on AKI93 gas. Too bad nobody has posted logs of what their timing curve looks like on NM high setting and summer time IATs.

 

Awesome write up! Thank you! Is 93 high enough? That's what I try to run regularly. I'd love to hear other opinions. So it is clearly more involved than just adjusting the boost setting like on the stage 1... Thanks again! I'd love to hear everyone else's opinions!

 

I'm running JB4 map2 on 99RON pump fuel in the UK which I think is equivelent 94 Octane.

I did some gear 3 and gear 4 logs and posted them up on the N54 forum for Terry to examine and he informed me that they look normal so no problems

FYI - Mine is a MCS with JCW Tuning Kit

 

What's the difference between map 1 and map 2? I imagine that the power is a lot smoother with the jb4 because of the ability to control more variables?

 

I personally think both maps are relatively smooth with map 1 not as aggressive (but still noticable) and map 2 just gives that little bit more..

The engine characteristics are more towards big torque mid range than towards a frantic top end... although top end is improved over when it was std.

I had the JB4 on my previous M135i and the effects are similar in character albeit with even more power (obviously) but the power to weight of the Mini is still an impressive circa 230 bhp/ton on map2.

I decided not to change DP on mine as for me I don't think the hassle of possible CEL and also MOT (anuual emission testing) problems is worth it.

I also think that the power/torque the car now produces is more than enough for me and any more would show more deficiencies with the FWD chassis so not looking at any more engine mods (DP, IC, meth etc..).

 

The power delivery between stage 1 and JB4 is the same. The JB4 OBD connection allows it to have more failsafes and also enable on dash control plus meth integration. For example by reading IAT from the OBD, the JB4 could then have a failsafe that allow it to turn off itself (go to lowest safe map) when IAT is too high. Most other brand boxes cannot do this because they are not able to read any data from the engine.

Map2 just increases the boost addition even more than map1. From +4 on map1 to +6 psi. Hence you'll get more power and torque throughout the rpm range. Map2 does not change the overall shape of the power curve. .

JB4 also allows you to control the upper limit of boost on 1st to 3rd gear to eliminate traction issues during a launch. This is again because the OBD data tells the JB4 what gear the car is currently in. By now I think you understand why OBD connection is quite useful.

For those with Decat DP, JB4 can turn off the CEL via the OBD. So if your state doesn't require a sniffer test then you should be good.

Sootyvrs, I'm not sure what the weather is like right now where you live but I'd do more logging in the summer. The car tuning is only considered a safe tune when you can pass all kind of driving conditions that the car might experience. Map2 + JCW tune might be ok in fall weather but it might not be when it's 100F+ outside with high humidity. Just a safety precaution from me that's all.

 

Thanks I did do the runs on a moderately hot day (for the UK that is) in the middle of summer and will probably will do some more if it gets hotter but that's probably unlikely now as we are now in Autumn now...

A good thing about the UK is that it's not normally too hot over here so IAT is not too extreme hence why I'm not considering Intercooler

 

A downside for me with this unit is you can't run any other OBD II devices if you have the Burger unit plugged in. I can't do without my ScanGuage II.

 

Obd ii splitter, have you tried that? $10

 

If the Burger is using the OBD II you cannot use it for anything else. I checked on this quite a while ago. Not even with a splitter.

 

This helped a lot. So the main difference is it raises the boost but the OBDII helps with a lot of the safety because you're running more boost. Technically I could turn my stage 1 up to 6 but run the high risk of not catching an issue before it become catastrophic ( I would never do). The map switching looks useful and I have a custom high flow exhaust so I'd like to log and have some expert advice on how to dial it in.

 

The install also looks more involved. Do you guys completely remove it when you take your car in for service?