[M4TW]

In case you don’t know, the Funkdoc Special is the revised revised Dinan Stage II software plus the Dinan FMIC. It is so named because our man Funkdoc went for this option only to get the lame-assed, Stage II Flash Placebo (and a headache). So he took it to the Man, and Steve Dinan himself came down from above to work his Flash Magic on Funkdoc’s Whip. And thus: the Funkdoc Special.

The Funcdoc Special is for us refuseniks (some call us tightwads) who refuse to spring for Dinan’s Oil Cooler as the $3,200 + price of admission into Stage III heaven. As to why we would be interested in getting the FMIC anyway, the Dinan website sums it all up nicely. It says this:

The intercooler may be installed in conjunction with Stage 2 Performance Engine Software as well, producing an additional 5 horsepower as well as more consistent performance under varying driving conditions. The improved thermal efficiency will also enhance turbocharger reliability.

I was apprehensive, to say the least, about this what with all the drama as of late with placebo flashes, BMW software wet blankets, and whatnot. Apart from the cash investment, I have to drive a long way to get this work done (610 km, 350 mi One Way). I don’t have the time to hang around and complain if things don’t go right.

But I was assured by my Dinan guy, in his Scottish brogue, that their Stage II software was the "latest and greatest" and that they had all the parts necessary for the FMIC install. Thank-you very much. So off I went through rain and crud and the dead of night to Calgary.

I met Calgary Agent, lets call him Jim, when it came time to take delivery of my 335xi with said Funkdoc Special. Bad omen. Jim had just got the Stage III full meal deal and needless to say Jim was not happy. I’m driving stock was Jim’s assessment. A spirited romp around the freeways of Calgary with him, and I agreed. Bad omen indeed.

Sidebar: Jim has the KW var. 3 setup on his 335xi. I am sure glad I have these on order because in a back-to-back drive in my 335xi and the shortcomings of the stock 335xi suspension are plain to see and drive. If the 335xi could speak to the KW coilovers this is what it would say: you complete me.

As for my initial butt dyno impressions of my Funkdoc Special, I was equally unimpressed. My butt dyno does not lie. You can use my butt dyno to calibrate machine dynos. There was, to be sure, much improved throttle response, noticeably more boost lower in the rev range, and less boost fade toward redline. But, that mid-range dollop of turbo wallop just wasn’t there. This is not a case of not noticing it as much because the build up is more smooth.

My butt dyno does not lie.

So what to do? I was happy to meet the tech who flashed my car. There he was, among the service bays, holding the Dinan Flash Magic wand in his hand. The man assured me that the flash was definitely there, he checked it after he installed and test drove my car too. And it wasn’t due to any BMW new software compatibility bugaboos. I had been scheduled to get my CD player replaced and that would have entailed the installation of version 30 something. But I declined that, wishing to stay with the working version I already had. So I forestalled the CD player replacement for another happier day when Dinan/BMW new software bugaboos have all been smoothed or debunked.

Jim stayed to have his Stage III reflashed and I, deflated, headed for home.

Half-way back I get a voice message from Jim: the Stage III reflash seemed to have done the trick. At the same time (300 km) things got better for me too. There was more boost to be found. Not the same mid-range spike as Flash Classic, but it was there. I was definitely not running stock. No shift to DS required. A tap on dat peddle in D and I didn’t just pass other cars. I smote them.

Here is the key to the new flash, Stage II or III, Orb said it. The sweet spot has been moved lower in the rev range and it pulls smoothly from there. If you look for it where you are used to finding it, you'll come away disapointed. Consequently, I’d have to say, that the whole package has been vastly improved.

I woke up this morning (after further adaptation) to a new car. Check out my new high HP V8. I have to gingerly apply the throttle, even in D, because that power is instantly on tap. There are no unintended kick-downs as before, just great power pretty much to redline. Where Flash Classic made D = Dead and DS = Dumb Shit, these places on your auto dial are a pure joy to drive.

Pure joy.

You will miss the exhilaration of that "OMG, the turbos just kicked in" feeling, but, on the other had you have driving dynamics the way the creator intended – turbo power without turbo bad manners.

So how does it do in a drag? By my provisional FX1 tests, the increased in boost lower in the rev range, less in the middle, and less fade up top all comes out in the wash. I got the same times as before (with the definite feeling that I may be seeing slightly better times when I take it to the ¼ mi track again). And thanks to my FMIC, my turbos won’t have to work as hard to get it.

As to why they decided not to keep the same boost going into the mid-range, I’ll leave it to smarter heads to explain. Perhaps you can’t have it all, warranty and peak boost spanning so much of the rev range. We will see what happens with further revisions.

To sum up:

Pros:

1. Almost Stage III performance for $3,200 less;
2. Works like a charm with the Steptronic; and
3. Drives like a V8 with a shitload of torque

Cons:

1. Almost Stage III performance;
2. You will need to drill holes in your foot; and
3. No more turbo spike to impress your friends

So get it. You'll like it. I bet my ass on it.

[vase330]

You like it, I like it, but still wish that missile effect in the mid-range was still there. So is the missile effect there in stage III? and how much of a difference is there? Do you think its worth the price of admission? Did you drive Jim's stage III or was it not working not really sure what you said here. Seems he had to get it reflashed again?

Anyway, I still would like my midrange OMG factor back in addition to my stage II.

[M4TW]

I invite Jim (or other Stage III'ers to comment) but I don't think the mid-missile effect isn't in Stage III either. The extra boost seems to be smattered along the same general revised torque curve I think.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by Sparkplug

My butt dyno does not lie.

LOL. that was a great review

enjoy the power of dinan. it's def in my future list of mods

[Kelvin1000]

Great review!

"You will miss the exhilaration of that "OMG, the turbos just kicked in" feeling"

For future reviews, this is what we like to call:

"The V-tech just kicked in Yo!!!"

Congratz!

KP

[Bubbles]

Great read, very entertaining and with a happy ending!

[ybbiz34]

Awesome review Sparkplug! Glad to hear everything turned out well.

[Sniper1690]

Stg. III provides much the same effect in my mind...turns the I6 TT into a NA V8 with a ton more TQ. I have noticed that the boost does stay on longer and a tad bit harder with the full Stg. III as compared to my Flash Classic (Stg. II non-revised) and I quite enjoy the new throttle response. You nailed it with the lack of boost spike...its really does not feel like it did before when you it hit all of a sudden and one was thrown back into seat...much more linear now. Watching the MPH needle confirms that it is pulling just as hard (if not harder) all the way to triple digits.

Good work with the upgrade...enjoy it safely.

[funkdoc]

Buuyeah! Nice review sparkplug... Can I get some fish sauce and sriracha to go with that special. Man, on my way home last night, I swore after filling the gas up that my car went back to stock boost again. Not again, but after flooring it from a stop and losing traction, I realized like the Gheto boys that my mind is playing tricks on me. The big hit in the midrange is far less and the car pulls smoother with stage 2 and intercooler. I'm getting my 2nd cat deletes this week so I'll see how the car responds and I think I'm done. Thanks for the patent bro...

[M4TW]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Great read, very entertaining and with a happy ending!

Thanks man. Do you think I should let Conky try her out?

Originally Posted by Sniper1690

Stg. III provides much the same effect in my mind...turns the I6 TT into a NA V8 with a ton more TQ. I have noticed that the boost does stay on longer and a tad bit harder with the full Stg. III as compared to my Flash Classic (Stg. II non-revised) and I quite enjoy the new throttle response. You nailed it with the lack of boost spike...its really does not feel like it did before when you it hit all of a sudden and one was thrown back into seat...much more linear now. Watching the MPH needle confirms that it is pulling just as hard (if not harder) all the way to triple digits.

Good work with the upgrade...enjoy it safely.

That's the thing. Flash Classic amplifies the turbo feel of the car in a way which its original designers (pre 29.2) sought to avoid. Thus the way the car drove, especially with the AT6, was thrown off-kilter. Balance is restored with the newest flash in a way that vastly improves stock performance by making the car feel even more like a high HP V8 (with awesome torque) than a turboed 6.

Originally Posted by funkdoc

Buuyeah! Nice review sparkplug... Can I get some fish sauce and sriracha to go with that special. Man, on my way home last night, I swore after filling the gas up that my car went back to stock boost again. Not again, but after flooring it from a stop and losing traction, I realized like the Gheto boys that my mind is playing tricks on me. The big hit in the midrange is far less and the car pulls smoother with stage 2 and intercooler. I'm getting my 2nd cat deletes this week so I'll see how the car responds and I think I'm done. Thanks for the patent bro...

Hey I knew you'd like it , you deserve it. Is the 2nd cat deletes the Dinan race exhaust. I know it's not out yet, but Steve's your buddy so... If not, is Dinan okay with it? I'm keeping my cats, but what I'd like to see is Dinan come out with performance primary cats.

Incidently, those cats are quite valuable. A scrap dealer might pay $100-$200 + for each one because of the precious metals they contain. So don't let the shop keep them and don't throw them out.

[sparkyg]

Great work Terry.

Question to y'all, I am scheduled for Stg III this Thurs and I want the Sat radio added to my car, do they have to update to the latest Progman to do this? I don't wanna risk the shit V29.2+ everyone seems to be getting. Or will the Dinan overrite it?

Anyone really know?