[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Thought I would share this with the community as there hasn't been much testing with the new ar design downpipes. I have seen them in person and they continue the N54 tradition of super quality!

Hey guys,

Just got back from a 2hr dyno session evaluating the new N55 ISTA 2.40.1 DME software and our freshly installed AR 4" downpipe. Both are definitely winning! The DME software is a huge upgrade from the older N55 software and has some implications that I'll discuss after I've had a little more seat time. As a preview the biggest negative change is the N55 JB+ Quick Install is not going to work very well with it. On the positive side it removes the major limitation we had with the N55 Stage1 tuning opening the doors for more powerful and smoother performance with firmware alone. More on all that later.

This post is really about the new AR 4" downpipe. Install was easier than N54 downpipes and fitment was spot on. The exhaust note is pretty spot on as well. Not too loud but subtly deeper during normal driving. Just how I like it. And when you go WOT there is no mistaking it.

For the dyno testing the details are as follows:

2011 135i DCT w/ latest ISTA 2.40.1 DME update
BMS N55 Stage1 tuning
AR 4" downpipe
91 octane shell gas. For the later custom tuning runs I added a can of NOS octane booster (~92-93 octane?)
All runs done in 5th gear (it's a DCT thing)

Overall gains with the downpipe were significant at even the Stage1 default boost levels. Our previous best with the Stage1 tuning and older DME software was around 310rw. The DP alone added around 15hp peak at +3psi. But where it really shined was when we raised boost up to around +6psi (14psi peak) with the custom Stage1 mapping. 400wtq on tap at 2500rpm feels pretty amazing on the street.

On the road the downpipe greatly improved spool and response making the car a joy to drive. I think this N55 can finally give a tuned N54 a good run for its money.

[Keik E92 M3]

Wow!!! Nice Man!!

[rKi]

awesome gains! thanks!

[Jesse@MBRP]

How do you keep the SES light off without riding around with the scanner plugged in?

[shockin330i]

So what custom map did you use?

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by shockin330i

So what custom map did you use?

Something BMS worked up for the new DME software. If you have the new update email them and you can help test it!

Mike

[hateface]

what is this new software you're speaking of?

[TreDirtyFive]

Originally Posted by hateface

what is this new software you're speaking of?

"Just got back from a 2hr dyno session evaluating the new N55 ISTA 2.40.1 DME software and our freshly installed AR 4" downpipe. Both are definitely winning! The DME software is a huge upgrade from the older N55 software and has some implications that I'll discuss after I've had a little more seat time"

[dlbrooks18]

Nice work AR Design and BMS!! This dp is a MUST have for any N55 performance enthusiast

[adrock]

Wow that look promising!

OT: Are people not mounting there dp's back up to the tranny/bracket? Or was it just not done yet for this picture.

[hateface]

Originally Posted by TreDirtyFive

"Just got back from a 2hr dyno session evaluating the new N55 ISTA 2.40.1 DME software and our freshly installed AR 4" downpipe. Both are definitely winning! The DME software is a huge upgrade from the older N55 software and has some implications that I'll discuss after I've had a little more seat time"

Obviously I saw that and don't know anything about it....hence why I asked. When was it released and what did it change? Will my software be updated when I go in for my first service date? I was about to pick up a jb+ in the next few weeks and wanted to know what was going on with the negative change mentioned.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by hateface

Obviously I saw that and don't know anything about it....hence why I asked. When was it released and what did it change? Will my software be updated when I go in for my first service date? I was about to pick up a jb+ in the next few weeks and wanted to know what was going on with the negative change mentioned.

BMW won't update your software unless there is a reason for it (i.e. problem that you have that can be fixed with a software update), at least that was the policy with the N54.

Mike

[shockin330i]

So this is a bmw software update or a bms update?

[hateface]

I assume that because this software is new then I'm not running it. I don't actually know how to check. I purchased my e92 in December.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

I think the only way to check your software version is with BMW.

Mike

[Amlethae]

So basically there's no way to update our software unless BMW issues some kind of service bulletin requiring it? Ugh! What if it's all good stuff and we want it!?

[Kalud]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

I think the only way to check your software version is with BMW.

Mike

You can actually get all module's version (hardware and software) including the DME with INPA (people interested should have a look in the coding section of the forum).

I got mine updated to the latest this week. I also have a snapshot of what version it was prior the update.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by Kalud

You can actually get all module's version (hardware and software) including the DME with INPA (people interested should have a look in the coding section of the forum).

I got mine updated to the latest this week. I also have a snapshot of what version it was prior the update.

Cool..

Care to share how its done on the N55?

Mike

[Kalud]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

Cool..

Care to share how its done on the N55?

Mike

Well its pretty straightforward if you have the cable and installed the software including latest ISTA files. Start INPA and use the Indent / Info options to query the hw and sw version installed. I don't know how educated you are on the subject so please excuse me if I give you steps that you already know, many around here probably just don't know. There are more in depth stuff possible with tool32 using the right prg file (mevd176k or mevd17kw depending on software version) but this is out of scope here, very very powerful.

Steps are:

1. Get a D-CAN cable (about 85$ on ebay)
2. Install software (and cable driver)
3. Update to latest ISTA files (2.40.x or 2.41.1 is the latest released March 22)
4. Start INPA (inpaloader.exe)
5. Click Ident button
6. Profit

More in-depth of those steps:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451145

and

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480261

[nkadisha]

Originally Posted by Jesse@MBRP

How do you keep the SES light off without riding around with the scanner plugged in?

+1