How long to remove cowl?

Kroy · 12-29-2009, 07:01 PM

I'm thinking about stepping up to JB3 soon. Just wondering how long it usually takes you guys to remove/install the cowl. I've never had to remove it myself. I got a JB+ that takes me around 1 min to swap in/out. (used to take like 20 mins to find the thing). Kind of also having second thoughts about getting JB3 cause the ease of swapping JB+, but I really want to experience the power of a (semi)tuned N54.

stimpy · 12-29-2009, 07:07 PM

Takes me about 15 minutes to completely install or remove the JB3 - start to finish.

Plug & Play version.

Mr. 5 · 12-29-2009, 07:07 PM

It depends.
I can do mine in about 5 minutes.
1st timer may be 30 minutes since you don't know the little tricks.

Kroy · 12-29-2009, 07:19 PM

^ so I guess it'll take me 1hr my first time.

but I guess a 15 min install if something I can live with. Would you recommend it as easy enough for me to DIY or should I have someone help me install my first time?

Edit: Forget the last question, I'm probably getting PNP so install should be simple.

stimpy · 12-29-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kroy

^ so I guess it'll take me 1hr my first time.

but I guess a 15 min install if something I can live with. Would you recommend it as easy enough for me to DIY or should I have someone help me install my first time?

It's still pretty easy the first time but you will definitely get faster.

It certainly wouldn't hurt for someone to help you - there's a ton of people from LA on the forums and I'm sure someone would be happy to shadow you for the first time.

By the way - you doing plug & play?

balance · 12-29-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kroy

^ so I guess it'll take me 1hr my first time.

but I guess a 15 min install if something I can live with. Would you recommend it as easy enough for me to DIY or should I have someone help me install my first time?

removing the cowl is real easy
it took me about 5-10 minutes to get it off the first time and i'm one of those people that take like 3x longer to do something

scottp999 · 12-29-2009, 07:34 PM

Getting that stupid ecu box cover back on is a pain for me. Plan on 60 minutes the first time you do the whole process.

Kroy · 12-29-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stimpy

It's still pretty easy the first time but you will definitely get faster.

It certainly wouldn't hurt for someone to help you - there's a ton of people from LA on the forums and I'm sure someone would be happy to shadow you for the first time.

By the way - you doing plug & play?

I don't think I'd even consider pin-out at this point. I still remember psylight's mishap with his tune and how that got his warranty voided.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottp999

Getting that stupid ecu box cover back on is a pain for me. Plan on 60 minutes the first time you do the whole process.

I'm just hoping first install will take under 1 hour. Took me 2 tried and around 3-4 hours (total for 2 attempts) to install my BOV the first time. I don't think JB3 will be as challenging as the BOV. (at least I hope so)

hun77777 · 12-29-2009, 08:38 PM

on your first install, make sure you do it right than do it fast. it is very frustrating when something goes wrong and you don't even know where you might've made mistake because it's your first time and you tried of doing so so fast...

take your time and make sure you don't make mistake and the rest of the process will become easier and faster as time goes.

LostMarine · 12-29-2009, 09:45 PM

remove cowl, 5 minutes.. 10 if your a newb.

complete JB3 install, 20 minutes-45 if your a newb

Also, im a retard, and i put the pinout in 45 min. total the first time, its not nearly as hard as you might think

cn555ic · 12-29-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostMarine

remove cowl, 5 minutes.. 10 if your a newb.

complete JB3 install, 20 minutes-45 if your a newb

No way a newb will take 45 minutes...I say well over 2 hours even more to install Jb3 because remember at first your bugging out because your taking apart your car and then you see a web of wires and thats intimidating in itself!!

mid-corner fun · 12-29-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

No way a newb will take 45 minutes...I say well over 2 hours even more to install Jb3 because remember at first your bugging out because your taking apart your car and then you see a web of wires and thats intimidating in itself!!

+1 on the 2 hours the 1st time but people get stuck in diff places. Wiring the JB3 was a piece of cake for me but the first couple of times I had one hell of a time sliding back the ECU connector. And if you're forcing it, you're doing it wrong (as I learned later on!). Broke a clip the 2nd time and had to order a replacement from Tischer.

The next few times I left DNA evidence (blood from finger cuts, lol) on the ECU cover and cowl trying to put them back in place. Looking back now it's rather funny and the install is trivial but it was quite something in the beginning

NiVeDh · 12-30-2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM1

+1 on the 2 hours the 1st time but people get stuck in diff places. Wiring the JB3 was a piece of cake for me but the first couple of times I had one hell of a time sliding back the ECU connector. And if you're forcing it, you're doing it wrong (as I learned later on!). Broke a clip the 2nd time and had to order a replacement from Tischer.

The next few times I left DNA evidence (blood from finger cuts, lol) on the ECU cover and cowl trying to put them back in place. Looking back now it's rather funny and the install is trivial but it was quite something in the beginning

Haha me too!

335iheLLraiseR · 12-30-2009, 09:12 AM

i hate that damn cowl, so much so that ive kept it off for a year and a half. Gets a couple of laughs at dealer visits.

LostMarine · 12-30-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

No way a newb will take 45 minutes...I say well over 2 hours even more to install Jb3 because remember at first your bugging out because your taking apart your car and then you see a web of wires and thats intimidating in itself!!

you may be right, i forgot i had already in/uninstalled JB2 before upgrading so i was already somewhat familiar..

PhiDeltBeers · 12-30-2009, 02:11 PM

Took me about 1-1/2 hours last weekend my first time....moving very slowly and had my laptop in the garage (kept pausing the video). I also couldn't get the car to start the first time. Had a plug in backwards. Make sure you plug all 4 in correctly!

AlpineG05 · 12-30-2009, 02:36 PM

uninstall cowl....5 mins very easy
installing jb3....10-15 mins
installing cowl...5 mns

that's how fast i can do it now, of course this is the PNP jb3 not pin out.

lpphreakx06 · 12-30-2009, 03:06 PM

5 minutes

Craig@SupremePower · 12-30-2009, 03:08 PM

3-5 mins to remove the full cowl...

skitlz · 12-31-2009, 04:31 PM

i took my time the first time, took maybe 45 mins. Had the laptop out with me, with the install guide. Just be careful with the ecu lid, dont want to snap any tabs off. And dont force the connections back into the ecu.. Theyll slide right in once u get that special spot. The left one can be a pita since the release clip interferes with the ecu box.

GL and make sure you place the sub connectors in the right spot:P

Donald-335i · 12-31-2009, 04:44 PM

took me about 5-hours for everything. lmao

boy that was a fun night...

12-29-2009, 07:01 PM	#1
Kroy Brigadier General 184 Rep 3,032 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	How long to remove cowl? I'm thinking about stepping up to JB3 soon. Just wondering how long it usually takes you guys to remove/install the cowl. I've never had to remove it myself. I got a JB+ that takes me around 1 min to swap in/out. (used to take like 20 mins to find the thing). Kind of also having second thoughts about getting JB3 cause the ease of swapping JB+, but I really want to experience the power of a (semi)tuned N54.
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12-29-2009, 07:07 PM	#2
stimpy Colonel 183 Rep 2,210 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (7)	Takes me about 15 minutes to completely install or remove the JB3 - start to finish. Plug & Play version.
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12-29-2009, 07:07 PM	#3
Mr. 5 Modder Raider 844 Rep 8,633 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surf City, HB iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [8.00]	It depends. I can do mine in about 5 minutes. 1st timer may be 30 minutes since you don't know the little tricks. __________________ e36 M3 Coupe, e36 325i Sedan e90 335i--SOLD Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM
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12-29-2009, 07:19 PM	#4
Kroy Brigadier General 184 Rep 3,032 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	^ so I guess it'll take me 1hr my first time. but I guess a 15 min install if something I can live with. Would you recommend it as easy enough for me to DIY or should I have someone help me install my first time? Edit: Forget the last question, I'm probably getting PNP so install should be simple.
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12-29-2009, 07:34 PM	#7
scottp999 Brigadier General 138 Rep 4,764 Posts Drives: 4runner SR5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW 335 [9.00]	Getting that stupid ecu box cover back on is a pain for me. Plan on 60 minutes the first time you do the whole process.
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12-29-2009, 08:38 PM	#9
hun77777 Brigadier General 201 Rep 4,646 Posts Drives: SG E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle WA iTrader: (58)	on your first install, make sure you do it right than do it fast. it is very frustrating when something goes wrong and you don't even know where you might've made mistake because it's your first time and you tried of doing so so fast... take your time and make sure you don't make mistake and the rest of the process will become easier and faster as time goes. __________________ SGE92TT......................... 12.331 Sec @ 117.89 Mph............................POWERED BY l BMS DCI l HELIX IC l FORGE DVs l RR OCC & CP & SCOOPS l AR 3" DPs l AE QUADs l BLISTEIN PSS10 l P3 VENT GUAGE l VISHNU PROCEDE V5 AUTOTUNE l Lots of Window Stickers
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12-29-2009, 09:45 PM	#10
LostMarine Banned 46 Rep 950 Posts Drives: Lying Vendors Crazy Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: F**K You Up- NJ iTrader: (2)	remove cowl, 5 minutes.. 10 if your a newb. complete JB3 install, 20 minutes-45 if your a newb Also, im a retard, and i put the pinout in 45 min. total the first time, its not nearly as hard as you might think
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12-30-2009, 02:11 PM	#16
PhiDeltBeers Lieutenant 100 Rep 552 Posts Drives: SEVERAL Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tulsa, OK iTrader: (0)	Took me about 1-1/2 hours last weekend my first time....moving very slowly and had my laptop in the garage (kept pausing the video). I also couldn't get the car to start the first time. Had a plug in backwards. Make sure you plug all 4 in correctly! __________________ 2019 RANGE ROVER SPORT SUPERCHARGED; 2023 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON 4XE 2022 AUDI R8 PERFORMANCE RWD; 2023 BMW M3 XDRIVE; 2017 MERCEDES G550; 2023 CORVETTE Z06 (ORDERED)
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12-30-2009, 02:36 PM	#17
AlpineG05 hi 317 Rep 1,274 Posts Drives: Alpine White G80 Comp Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bakersfield, Cali iTrader: (1)	uninstall cowl....5 mins very easy installing jb3....10-15 mins installing cowl...5 mns that's how fast i can do it now, of course this is the PNP jb3 not pin out. __________________ 2022 M Sport G05 Jb4, CTS catless dp, M performance exhaust, bms intake, IND goodies, Maxton kit
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12-30-2009, 03:06 PM	#18
lpphreakx06 Professional Moose Racer 332 Rep 7,509 Posts Drives: SG 335i E92 RIP + 2015 SS M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (25)	5 minutes __________________ Visit my blog anytime: http://www.sfpayments.com BMW Dream Team PNW Chapter, member #1 \|HP Autowerks \| AR DESIGN \| BMW PERFORMANCE \| STOP TECH \| Volk Racing\| AMS \| ARKYM
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12-30-2009, 03:08 PM	#19
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1028 Rep 74,992 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)	3-5 mins to remove the full cowl...
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12-31-2009, 04:31 PM	#20
skitlz Private First Class 8 Rep 183 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sac iTrader: (0)	i took my time the first time, took maybe 45 mins. Had the laptop out with me, with the install guide. Just be careful with the ecu lid, dont want to snap any tabs off. And dont force the connections back into the ecu.. Theyll slide right in once u get that special spot. The left one can be a pita since the release clip interferes with the ecu box. GL and make sure you place the sub connectors in the right spot:P
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12-31-2009, 04:44 PM	#21
Donald-335i Banned 210 Rep 3,588 Posts Drives: The Hoes Crazy! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (13)	took me about 5-hours for everything. lmao boy that was a fun night...
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