[Mannix]

I just upgraded to Dinan Stage 3 from Dinan Stage 2.

The price of the software dropped. And since I already had Stage 2, I only had to pay the difference, which was about $210, plus a half hour labor for download. Total was a tick less than $300 after tax.

No dyno results or drag strip results yet. But I'll probably go to the dyno tomorrow and the drag stip Friday.

Stage 2: software only. For the E92 N55, intercooler, oil cooler, exhaust upgrades are not required. I saw a big increase in torque, but not so much in peak power. Peak power did shift and occurred at ~5300-5400 rpm from ~6100 or so. That's a benefit, because I can get into the peak quicker. And I think that had something do do with my drag strip improvement over stock (14.0 @ 100 on average). With Stage 2, I'd average 13.2 @ 106. And despite the stock open diff, I can get sub 2.0 60' times with Dinan (DSC off, DTC on).

Also, with Stage 2, I'd hit 12-14 psi depending on outside temperature. The cooler the outside temperature, the less boost I'd get. So on a hot day, I could hit 14.5 on a good warm day, like today. But on cold days, I'd only hit 12.2, give or take a tenth or two (less boost didn't slow me down thanks to the the cooler, more dense air). With Stage 3, playing a little on the road on the way home from the dealer, I hit 17 psi. Surprising. I have the P3Cars digital gauge. And yes, I replaced the stock charge pipe with a BMS charge pipe, because I popped the stock charge pipe a few months ago.

Also, Stage 3 requires upgraded intercooler, upgraded oil cooler, and upgraded exhaust. My car came without an oil cooler, so I went from no oil cooler to a Dinan oil cooler. And it keeps the oil temp down to 230, even on a warm day like today. Without an oil cooler, I'd run about 250+. And I noticed power is affected at those levels.

The Dinan intercooler, which I had installed some time ago showed no gains on the dyno. Unfortunately, I can't comment on air temp sensor readings, because I didn't have the P3Cars gauge installed until after the intercooler was installed. But I noticed that air temp runs about 20 degrees higher than outside temp on a warm day. Maybe 10 degrees higher on a cold day. If I'm not moving, it gets close to 250, but never reaches that temperature. These measurements are based on the stock oil temp gauge.

The Dinan exhaust, which I had installed a few weeks ago, also showed no gains on the dyno (it did show gains at low rpm, maybe it allowed the turbo to spool and build boost quicker). Prior to the exhaust, I went with an AA catless downpipe, which showed +18hp (+8hp at the peak), and +24 ft-lbs at the peak. And I don't think it's too loud.

With the Dinan Stage 2 and intercooler, I did break 13.0 @ 108+ once or twice. And with the AA catless, my son got into the 12s several times with a best of 12.7 @ 110+. But I haven't been able to coax it under 13.0. He weighs 100 lbs less than me, and did a 2nd gear launch when he hit 12.7.

Now I'm approaching the end of the warranty, so I'll probably get a JB4 and run it on top of Dinan Software when I can take advantage of alcohol injection and E85. But for now, on street gas, Dinan is fine. And it's there all the time.

I'll probably get alcohol next and see if it cools the intake charge and produces more power. And with a JB4 later, I can run more boost and use alcohol to prevent detonation.

Stay tuned: dyno and drag strip results to come.

[Dark_Knight_335]

It's pretty good, just set your expectations.

3 years, and no issues, except a little vibration noise from the oil lines- which DINAN fixed for free- even though I was out of warranty.

Worth the price for service like that.

[Mannix]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

It's pretty good, just set your expectations.

3 years, and no issues, except a little vibration noise from the oil lines- which DINAN fixed for free- even though I was out of warranty.

Worth the price for service like that.

I don't expect much on the dyno. I was disappointed with Dinan based on past dyno results. But somewhat impressed by the improvement in quarter-mile performance.

But since I only spent $300, I won't be too disappointed if I don't get into the 12s and pick up a mph or two.

[Cory S]

The reason why you are seeing more commanded boost on warm days is because of timing. DME needs less boost to reach requested loads.

Also, the intercooler doesn't add any power, or make the air more dense. Density is based off of oxygen content per volume. Intercoolers cool the air charge yes, but they do not add any more oxygen. This is the biggest misconception/marketing gimmick out there on intercoolers. Add an intercooler to any non intercooled setup, and everyone of them will lose a slight bit of power. Fact. However, you can tune a little more aggressively, with increasing the timing tables, therefore bringing your power up and above where it was before the intercooler addition.

How are you shutting the entire DSC system off, yet still have DTC active? This can't happen.

[Cory S]

Warmer the oil, the more power you will make....(Factory table for restricting load based on oil temperature, doesn't start until 270*F).

Warm oil, and cooler top end, is the best combination for max power.

With the Dinan stage 2, running 108+ is impressive.. Most JB4 cars are running only 110-111 at our track.

Tell me more about your sons setup. It's doing well. 12.7 @ 110 is a great ideal run. Guessing his 60' was in the 1.80-1.85 range. His setup AWD/auto?

[bacon33]

When did you purchase the stage 3? I have the S1 package and just saw their new turbos but my production date if the month before the ones they are supporting. Do you know if there's that much of a difference?

[Mannix]

Originally Posted by Cory S

Warmer the oil, the more power you will make....(Factory table for restricting load based on oil temperature, doesn't start until 270*F).

Warm oil, and cooler top end, is the best combination for max power.

With the Dinan stage 2, running 108+ is impressive.. Most JB4 cars are running only 110-111 at our track.

Tell me more about your sons setup. It's doing well. 12.7 @ 110 is a great ideal run. Guessing his 60' was in the 1.80-1.85 range. His setup AWD/auto?

My son was driving my car: 6-speed auto (not DCT) and open diff, Dinan S2, Dinan intercooler, AA catless.

Here are the timing data:

60': 1.932
330: 5.380
660: 8.227 @ 86.07
1000: 10.664
1320: 12.713 @ 110.38

[Mannix]

Originally Posted by Cory S

How are you shutting the entire DSC system off, yet still have DTC active? This can't happen.

By default, DSC is on. Push the button once, and DTC is on (an idiot light on the dash says "DTC"). Push the button and hold it, DSC and DTC are off (the idiot light is "!" in a circle).

I usually launch in first gear at around ~2000 rpm with DTC on. If I turn everything off, I usually spin and run a bad time. I usually run 2.0 - 2.2 60' times. Every now and then a sub 2.0 time.

I've tried a 2nd gear launch a few times. Sometimes I press too hard on the pedal and it kicks down (I don't have a kickdown blocker installed yet), because I'm not thinking about it and I am concentrating on a hard launch and quick reaction time.

But when I didn't press too hard and trigger that kickdown switch, I still didn't run any quicker than my usually 1st gear launch with DTC.

[Mannix]

Anyway, went to the dyno yesterday (28/4/2016), and S3 was installed the day before (27/4/2016). I'll process the data and videos and get them posted pretty soon.

This evening, I'm going to the drag strip.

[Cory S]

I myself am going also. I don't see how starting in 2nd would be any advantage, except for one less shift needed by the transmission. The ultra low 1st gear in the 6AT transmission, really helps get the 3650lb car out of the hole. In think starting in 2nd would big the engine a little too much. I've cut 1.78 60's just using 1st and braking boosting to about 2300rpm when both vehicles are staged. I'm also AWD though, so I never have an issue with traction.

[Mannix]

Back from the drag strip.

Lost 2-3 mph and .2-.3 tenths slower.

60' times were consistent with what I usually run: 2.0.

So what was different? 2 things:

1. Temperature was 20 degrees warmer.
2. I topped it off with 6 gal of E85.

So those two things probably slowed me down. Last time I tried E85 with Stage 2 I ran slower. Evidently it doesn't benefit Stage 3 either.

So this test will have to wait. I can't get back to the drag strip for 3 - 4 weeks.

[Cory S]

Best for me tonight... 12.8 @ 108.8. With a 1.86 60'. Best 60' of the night was 1.83.