[BobS]

Hey Guys,

Let me start by saying this post isn’t designed to sway anyone on any particular product. This is my opinion and I’m not posting this experience to bad mouth any product, start controversy, or attempt to convince someone to use a particular product. I don't want people posting reply's defending products, I would just hope for your opinion or questions about my experience.

With that said, I have a completely stock 2007 335 coupe 6spd (performance wise). My only mods are suspension, wheels, a front lip, and of course a tune. I first purchased a Procede V4 with autotuning because I’ve read so many good reviews on the product. I drove 200 miles with the procede and the product performed very well, the car was quick and Vishnu’s customer service was great.

Even though the procede made good power, right away I decided I wanted to take it off for the following reasons.

Install: I have to say I thought that it was a pretty difficult install and half way through installing the procede I had wished I paid someone to do it or gone with something else. I also didn’t like having to install the Procede and worry about breaking something while installing it or taking the Procede off for service. I had to install the Procede while watching the youtube video and even if I broke down on the side of the road, I would never be able to remember how to put everything back to stock.

Datalogging : I didn’t want to have to datalog or constantly update maps. Some people like that, I’m not really into it.

Custom Tuning/codes: I wasn’t excited to tune my own car when I really have no tuning experience and to me it just seems over my head. The idea of my car throwing codes and having them cleared automatically didn’t excite me either. IMO if the car is throwing codes, it isn't something that is healthy for the longevity of the vehicle.

After doing some more research, I decided I wanted a flash. I wanted something that I could have installed and not mess with. I wouldn’t have to take the car apart, data log, clear codes, etc. I ended up with a choice between Dinan and G.I.A.C.. Dinan was too expensive for me so I decided to take a hard look at G.I.A.C..

I looked on G.I.A.C.'s website for the closest dealer and decided to contact A.W.E. Tuning about having G.I.A.C.’s Stage 1 software installed. I liked how A.W.E. was 20 min away, could flash the car, and best of all I didn’t have to install anything or take apart anything. This worked better for me. Since I still had the procede on, I was interested to see what power it made and how it compared to the G.I.A.C. Stage 1.

A.W.E. Tuning dyno tested my car with the procede, then stock and finally with G.I.A.C. Stage 1. All testing was done on the same dyno, in similar conditions with strict controls in place to ensure the most accurate results. They also took some pictures for me which I have posted below.








Now, onto the results:

First up, G.I.A.C. Stage 1.



Peak gains over stock were 67 horsepower and 57 lb ft of torque to the wheels with substantial gains all over the powerband.

Now, Vishnu PROcede V4 map 2.



Peak gains for the piggyback were 57 horsepower and 80 lb ft of torque to the wheels with the largest gains being in the lower rpm range.

Here are all three runs on a single graph:



I didn’t mess with any settings on the Procede, this was the power it came with right out of the box. I know there are ways to adjust the procede for more power but again, I really wasn’t comfortable messing with it.

As with any modification, the numbers only tell part of the story. The real test for me is on the driveability. I don't drag race or run my car on the track so driveability in real world conditions is very important to me. Again this is my opinion but right away I noticed the car felt much smoother with the G.I.A.C.. With the Procede, my car was quick but it didn’t seem to run smooth. I can’t really explain it but the car felt different. It seemed to idle rougher than stock and the power didn’t seem to come on the same or as consistent as it should. After I had the G.I.A.C. installed, the power was there, everytime, anywhere in the powerband. As you can see, the Procede actually made more tq early in the rpm band but honestly the car feels just as quick with the G.I.A.C.. The power comes on different, and feels like it has more of a “stock like” powerband with the G.I.A.C.. I am honestly really impressed with how smooth the car feels with this flash.

IMO BMW should have tuned the 335 like this from the factory! I hope to be upgrading to Stg 2 this winter once I get the supporting mods and will be happy to post the dyno results of that.

Overall, I’m happy with my choice from G.I.A.C.. I like how the flash is similar to the stock powerband, but just more powerful. I’m happy with the smoothness of the car, not having to tinker with the DME, and the fact the car hasn’t thrown any codes as of now.

For those of you who are local, A.W.E. Tuning is an impressive shop! They were real good guys to work with and I suggest giving them a call.

A.W.E. Tuning
2385 – C Maryland Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
Phone: 888-565-2257

[roadkillrob]

Nice writeup - I went the same way as you - tried a Procede and it did feel a bit more powerful, but hated digging into the ECU box and always feeling like I had to upload the latest greatest software etc. Tried GIAC and kept it - smooth stock like power only just a bunch more of it and it is no maintenance, just put it on and enjoy the car!

[oner]

Is the PROcede on AutoTune? If so then which map revision? i.e. 8-15

[oner]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

Nice writeup - I went the same way as you - tried a Procede and it did feel a bit more powerful, but hated digging into the ECU box and always feeling like I had to upload the latest greatest software etc. Tried GIAC and kept it - smooth stock like power only just a bunch more of it and it is no maintenance, just put it on and enjoy the car!

I'd have to say V4 is smoother than even stock. As for digging in the ECU box, I have the usb wired inside my cabin so thats a non-issue.

[lyndon_h]

I've never heard someone say that the procede rides rougher than stock. Anyway, thanks for the review. Enjoy your tune.

[lyndon_h]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

Nice writeup - I went the same way as you - tried a Procede and it did feel a bit more powerful, but hated digging into the ECU box and always feeling like I had to upload the latest greatest software etc. Tried GIAC and kept it - smooth stock like power only just a bunch more of it and it is no maintenance, just put it on and enjoy the car!

This is an interesting perspective. Because the procede provides more frequent updates, you feel like there is a need to update it and thats a bad thing? If the car is running well, just let it sit if you don't want to update it. I've never viewed options as a bad thing. I'd actually be glad with constant improvements. To me, thats an odd perspective, but its obviously real to you. I'm not knocking it, it's just odd to me.

[supracg]

Ya Im curious if you had some type of issue, the PROcede is easily smoother and more driveable than stock for corners etc.

[BobS]

To me the car felt different, it wasn't like it was stalling or really idling horrible, it just felt different, it didn't run as smooth. I dunno I can't really explain it.

Really they main reason I wanted to go another route was the work of digging into the DME. I could really see myself snapping a connector off or hurting something the more I did it. I think the install is pretty tough to be honest.

The procede is with autotuning (I bought it in june brand new) but it was when it first came out so i don't think it was enabled. I had it on "map 2". Later on vishnu came out with updates for the autotuning, like i said, besides switching between maps using the traction control button, I didnt' mess with any settings or upload anything.

[forza1976]

OP, here you go on posting images...

Looks like you updated...

Nice dyno's btw.

[supracg]

Ok I see, with autotune you don't have to adjust any settings, but 67 whp gain with the giac is very nice actually..

i'd be curious to see what u think with the new autotune maps

[Belarus]

Nice write up, thanks for taking time to share your experience.

[Calvin@Vishnu]

Originally Posted by BobS

To me the car felt different, it wasn't like it was stalling or really idling horrible, it just felt different, it didn't run as smooth. I dunno I can't really explain it.

That's cool man. I'm just curious as to what you feel "smooth" is because it's pretty easy to quantify the causes of roughness. There are only 3 causes with the n54. Boost control error, excessive timing retard and unwanted throttle closure. 3 things that, according to datalogs, the should Procede handle better than anything else. Sometimes people mistake torque response (ie, the effect a small pedal movement has on engine torque) as roughness since a less responsive car will simply ignore small throttle changes and behave "smooth". At least that has been my experience with how people response to textbook throttle response. Usually, they are taken aback since it's something that many are unfamiliar with. Same concept of getting used to a car with a fast steering rack (ie, Mitsu Evo). But after some driving (and maybe a little relearning of throttle control), they can't do without the response. Not sure what to make of your comments about the Procede idling roughly. Doesn't seem likely given the mechanics of what it is doing (ie, nothing) when the car is idling.

Really they main reason I wanted to go another route was the work of digging into the DME. I could really see myself snapping a connector off or hurting something the more I did it. I think the install is pretty tough to be honest.

That's perfectly valid since everyone will have different tolerance levels to installation work.

The procede is with autotuning (I bought it in june brand new) but it was when it first came out so i don't think it was enabled. I had it on "map 2". Later on vishnu came out with updates for the autotuning, like i said, besides switching between maps using the traction control button, I didnt' mess with any settings or upload anything.

Fair enough. If you ever get a chance to drive a Procede car with autotuning fully enabled, give it a shot. I think you'll be surprised at how far its coming since it's early days a few months ago when we were only autotuning ignition correction. That is not to say that you would want to switch tunes again. But it would be interesting to get your perspective on it.

Enjoy!

-C

[oner]

Will AWE reinstall your GIAC for free if BMW does a DME update and overwrites the flash?

[BzzzBom]

I have had the GIAC stage 1 tune for about 4 months. I would never go back to the piggybacks.

[oner]

Originally Posted by BobS

To me the car felt different, it wasn't like it was stalling or really idling horrible, it just felt different, it didn't run as smooth. I dunno I can't really explain it.

Really they main reason I wanted to go another route was the work of digging into the DME. I could really see myself snapping a connector off or hurting something the more I did it. I think the install is pretty tough to be honest.

The procede is with autotuning (I bought it in june brand new) but it was when it first came out so i don't think it was enabled. I had it on "map 2". Later on vishnu came out with updates for the autotuning, like i said, besides switching between maps using the traction control button, I didnt' mess with any settings or upload anything.

Ah that explains it now. The first autotuning only had tuned for ign corr. Now it tunes for ign corr, boost, and waste gate compensation. Its nice to see you are happy with GIAC though. Very reputable. Are you going to buy the map switcher/flash loader as well?

[old account 1]

Great write up! Glad to hear that you are enjoying the flash!

Those are very solid horsepower gains for stage 1. I REALLY wish we could get that 93 octane out west!

[martye90]

Nice write up. A friend tried both and preferred the GIAC S1 also. More power, smoother, easier to install, and cheaper. Can't beat that.

[TreDirtyFive]

I agree, especially if you go with the Stage 1+ or Stage 2...I would never ever go back to piggybacks.

I'm waiting for the n55 flash...

[only1]

Originally Posted by Austin@GIAC

Great write up! Glad to hear that you are enjoying the flash!

Those are very solid horsepower gains for stage 1. I REALLY wish we could get that 93 octane out west!

check your pm Austin.

[Presidio335xi]

there is a certain level of simplicity with GIAC and Dinan. I use to have Dinan and totally get that.

nothing can be everything to everyone.

[JhnR]

Originally Posted by BzzzBom

I have had the GIAC stage 1 tune for about 4 months. I would never go back to the piggybacks.

why? explain.

[zeenon53]

From the looks of the graphs, the procede has more usable power then the GIAC tune unless you drive from 4500-6000 rpms all day.