[e.n335]

- 407hp / 429tq are the flywheel numbers of the new Dinan stage 2 package
- 410hp / 430tq are the flywheel numbers of the new AA Active Processor package

Both companies have quite a lot of experience in tuning BMW engines, both companies applied forced induction to BMW NA engines. The companies use very different methods for the tuning ( ECU flash vs. piggyback ), both upgrade the FMIC's and don't use aftermarket intakes or downpipes. In both companies reliability of the tuned cars has high priority and is part of their long-term strategy.

Do we see engine / drivetrain limitations here or do you think it's all just by accident - what is your opinion ?

Cheers,
Eugen

[Kbueno]

The drivetrain seems to be pretty beefy from the pics I've seen. Clutch is obviously the weak point. Also, the highest numbers claimed appear to be around 400 hp / 440 tq at the wheels coupled with intakes/exhaust, etc. Seems to me that those tunes are leaving some power on the table...maybe for the sake of reliability? Regardless, interesting how the numbers are so close.

[trueblue]

Every turbo has a max efficiency range, beyond which it can spin faster but not produce anymore power. As the compressor blade spin faster, the compressed air heats up, it will heat up to the point exceeding the cooling capacity of the IC. The reason why these tunes require upgraded IC is just for that reason. The tunes have effectively doubled (some more) the stock boost level, with this type of boost increase the stock turbo is already at the very edge of its efficiency zone. The only way to extract more power is to change to larger turbo(s). 400 bhp +- 2% is the ceiling for the stock turbo system.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by e.n335

- 407hp / 429tq are the flywheel numbers of the new Dinan stage 2 package
- 410hp / 430tq are the flywheel numbers of the new AA Active Processor package

Both companies have quite a lot of experience in tuning BMW engines, both companies applied forced induction to BMW NA engines. The companies use very different methods for the tuning ( ECU flash vs. piggyback ), both upgrade the FMIC's and don't use aftermarket intakes or downpipes. In both companies reliability of the tuned cars has high priority and is part of their long-term strategy.

Do we see engine / drivetrain limitations here or do you think it's all just by accident - what is your opinion ?

Cheers,
Eugen

My vote goes toward the fact that they may be wisely tuning around the perceived limitations of the N54 engine and its turbos, like you have suggested.

[Calgary Agent]

I think both AA & Dinan have reached the *safe* potential of the N54 engine without replacing the direct injectors / fuel pump.

[oc24]

Eugen do you have a link to the AA new package?

[foxman]

fuel has got to be the issue.

[5soko]

the ultimate setup, Tune,FMIC,DP back exhaust and CAI

[e.n335]

Originally Posted by slubu

Eugen do you have a link to the AA new package?

It's described in the April / 2008 issue of Roundel. Yesterday AA posted 2 pages here on the forum. Sorry, I have no link to the complete article.

Package components are AA Active processor, AA FMIC, Blow-off valve and exhaust. AA also plans to come up with a better ( larger ) oilcooler.

Assuming the BOV has no big impacts the similarity of the tuning components is surprising.

[Hunter399]

Id be down for an AA oil cooler

[oc24]

Ah ok. Thanks Eugen.

[e.n335]

The whole AA package without the oilcooler will be around 4k - 4.5k US$. If it will work like expected ( 410fhp / 430ftq, reliable ) a fair price for the gains you get. I currently only use the AA Active Processor, it works flawless and has a nice power distribution.

[e90AW335i]

Originally Posted by 5sokol335icoupe

the ultimate setup, Tune,FMIC,DP back exhaust and CAI

IMO, The ultimate package is JB2X, Catless DPs, BMS filter kit, and o2 simms...

That setup right there can get you anywhere from 340 - 400 rwhp depending on octane and setup......

[e.n335]

Originally Posted by e90AW335i

IMO, The ultimate package is JB2X, Catless DPs, BMS filter kit, and o2 simms...

That setup right there can get you anywhere from 340 - 400 rwhp depending on octane and setup......

It's a very good package as well. IMO the JB line is more for users who win at the dragstrip and AA or Dinan more for fast daily drivers .

[jpsimon]

JB/Vishnu is for users who want a faster daily driver

Originally Posted by e.n335

It's a very good package as well. IMO the JB line is more for users who win at the dragstrip and AA or Dinan more for fast daily drivers .

[hotrod2448]

I don't really get where this thread is going? It just seems like more speculation and spreading paranoia.

I think we all know we are about out of fuel with a tune and some high flow mods (DP's, intake, IC, etc...). No news there.

As far as I know there hasn't been a high failure rate with these motors so, who's to say what is safe and what isn't at this point.

[e.n335]

Originally Posted by hotrod2448

I don't really get where this thread is going? It just seems like more speculation and spreading paranoia.

I think we all know we are about out of fuel. No news there.

As far as I know there hasn't been a high failure rate with these motors so, who's to say what is safe and what isn't at this point.

This thread is trying to find out if and why 410fhp / 430ftq seems to be a well accepted power output for the N54 and its peripherals. As everytime, it also contains offtopic postings. Which is fine.

[jdink]

Originally Posted by e.n335

This thread is trying to find out if and why 410fhp / 430ftq seems to be a well accepted power output for the N54 and its peripherals. As everytime, it also contains offtopic postings. Which is fine.

and don't forget the people who argue that their offtopic postings are on topic!

[hotrod2448]

Originally Posted by e.n335

This thread is trying to find out if and why 410fhp / 430ftq seems to be a well accepted power output for the N54 and its peripherals. As everytime, it also contains offtopic postings. Which is fine.

I guess my question is how do you plan to go about finding that out?

By a bunch of us that have no idea what the duty cycles on the injectors are, compressor maps look like, intricate knowledge of the N54 or it's peripherals sitting here speculating like always?

I think we've tried that before and always end up with the same results. People arguing over nothing.

[jpsimon]

This question can only be answered with wild, crazy, and hilarious speculation though

Originally Posted by e.n335

This thread is trying to find out if and why 410fhp / 430ftq seems to be a well accepted power output for the N54 and its peripherals. As everytime, it also contains offtopic postings. Which is fine.

[Dan335i]

Any eta on the dinan tune (1) upgrade for throttle travel response?

[NM_BMW]

Originally Posted by hotrod2448

People arguing over nothing.

This is why we have Seinfeld. A show about nothing. Not that there's anything wrong with that

On topic... until we have an engine failure everything is speculation until we found out the limits of this motor. We can argue all day what tune is safe, what tune is underpowered, and what tune is faster.