[bmw_hub]

This weekend I installed JB4 on my '11 335i. I'm impressed yet I feel like I can get a lot more out of the car with some bolt ons. I already have the BMS intake and VRSF chargepipe, however it definitely needs a downpipe and FMIC.

Lets start with the CONS just for kicks

1. Heat Soak! and lots of it! I experience a lot heat soak with the stock intercooler, this is not a JB4 problem but rather a hardware problem that needs to be addressed if you are looking to consistently keep the power with the extra boost. I would recommend getting a bigger intercooler, but for those who want to stay stock you'll run into heat soak after 2-4 runs of WOT.

2. Reliability: Things will wear and tear faster, I can't speak for this myself as I've just installed it however time will tell, I'll do an update at the 6 month point.

3. Chargepipe: The OEM chargepipe is total garbage and they are known to explode on STOCK boost levels, therefore if you go for the JB4, or any kind of tune, adding an aftermarket aluminum chargepipe is a must imo, BMS claims you don't have to do anything to the car after adding JB4 which is technically true, however your OEM chargepipe WILL explode, I guarantee it. Again not a JB4 problem, simply another hardware problem that WILL need to be addressed to keep your car drivable. Just keep that in mind if you daily the car.

Thats really about it regarding the bad so far, lets get to the good stuff

PROS:

1. POWERRRR!!! The car really pulls now, big upgrade over the BMW ppk which does not stack with JB4 btw, I've noticed that the car can stay in second for longer and really pulls at the top end, turbo lag is much reduced. Car has more power across the rev band, even in 3rd and 4th gear the car seems to give you a little kick in the pants as opposed to stock which seems like nothing.

2. Awesome features: Features like the gauge sweep at start up and hijacking the fuel gauge as a boost gauge are nice little touches.

3. 8 maps to choose from: Each Map is different and serves its own purpose, its very nice to have the options, its especially nice to be able to up the boost as you add more mods, for example going from map 1 to map 2 after adding a DP, I have not tried map 5 (auto tuning map) yet.

Overall consensus: A tune in general is a must have for anyone looking to get maximum performance out of their 335i, it really wakes the car up, its like driving a whole new beast. I'm not going to say jb4 is the best out there simply because I haven't tried anything else, however for its price it seems to be unbeatable at least for what I've read about COBB, etc..

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by bmw_hub

This weekend I installed JB4 on my '11 335i. I'm impressed yet I feel like I can get a lot more out of the car with some bolt ons. I already have the BMS intake and VRSF chargepipe, however it definitely needs a downpipe and FMIC.

Lets start with the CONS just for kicks

1. Heat Soak! and lots of it! I experience a lot heat soak with the stock intercooler, this is not a JB4 problem but rather a hardware problem that needs to be addressed if you are looking to consistently keep the power with the extra boost. I would recommend getting a bigger intercooler, but for those who want to stay stock you'll run into heat soak after 2-4 runs of WOT.

2. Reliability: Things will wear and tear faster, I can't speak for this myself as I've just installed it however time will tell, I'll do an update at the 6 month point.

3. Chargepipe: The OEM chargepipe is total garbage and they are known to explode on STOCK boost levels, therefore if you go for the JB4, or any kind of tune, adding an aftermarket aluminum chargepipe is a must imo, BMS claims you don't have to do anything to the car after adding JB4 which is technically true, however your OEM chargepipe WILL explode, I guarantee it. Again not a JB4 problem, simply another hardware problem that WILL need to be addressed to keep your car drivable. Just keep that in mind if you daily the car.

Thats really about it regarding the bad so far, lets get to the good stuff

PROS:

1. POWERRRR!!! The car really pulls now, big upgrade over the BMW ppk which does not stack with JB4 btw, I've noticed that the car can stay in second for longer and really pulls at the top end, turbo lag is much reduced. Car has more power across the rev band, even in 3rd and 4th gear the car seems to give you a little kick in the pants as opposed to stock which seems like nothing.

2. Awesome features: Features like the gauge sweep at start up and hijacking the fuel gauge as a boost gauge are nice little touches.

3. 8 maps to choose from: Each Map is different and serves its own purpose, its very nice to have the options, its especially nice to be able to up the boost as you add more mods, for example going from map 1 to map 2 after adding a DP, I have not tried map 5 (auto tuning map) yet.

Overall consensus: A tune in general is a must have for anyone looking to get maximum performance out of their 335i, it really wakes the car up, its like driving a whole new beast. I'm not going to say jb4 is the best out there simply because I haven't tried anything else, however for its price it seems to be unbeatable at least for what I've read about COBB, etc..

We have a pretty similar setup. I have not noticed any heat soak
Now you need to put some e85 and go for map 5. The tune is definately a plus.

[bmw_hub]

Originally Posted by jgoens

We have a pretty similar setup. I have not noticed any heat soak
Now you need to put some e85 and go for map 5. The tune is definately a plus.

really? none at all? perhaps its because I've only tested it out in 95 degree weather, is map 5 a big improvement over map 1 on 93 octane? may consider e85 in the future

[jgoens]

I only have 91 octane.
But with a few gal of e85 and map 5 the car has more jump..it can be inconsistent though.

[WiL335i]

Make sure you have the flex fuel wires to run e85.

[bmw_hub]

I don't plan on running e85 for now

[Turbod]

Originally Posted by jgoens

I only have 91 octane.
But with a few gal of e85 and map 5 the car has more jump..it can be inconsistent though.

Map 5 can be inconsistent because of how it works and the fact that your timing wont always be the same. Map 5 will try to give you the most boost it can while keeping your avg ign in check.

"Values between about 1.5 and 6.0 result in lower and lower boost targets as an added safety feature for these two maps. As a general rule when using meth, race gas, or heavy E85 mixtures look for values below 2.0. When using pump gas expect values of 5 or higher"

[BadDogmotorsports]

Originally Posted by bmw_hub

This weekend I installed JB4 on my '11 335i. I'm impressed yet I feel like I can get a lot more out of the car with some bolt ons. I already have the BMS intake and VRSF chargepipe, however it definitely needs a downpipe and FMIC.

Lets start with the CONS just for kicks

1. Heat Soak! and lots of it! I experience a lot heat soak with the stock intercooler, this is not a JB4 problem but rather a hardware problem that needs to be addressed if you are looking to consistently keep the power with the extra boost. I would recommend getting a bigger intercooler, but for those who want to stay stock you'll run into heat soak after 2-4 runs of WOT.

2. Reliability: Things will wear and tear faster, I can't speak for this myself as I've just installed it however time will tell, I'll do an update at the 6 month point.

3. Chargepipe: The OEM chargepipe is total garbage and they are known to explode on STOCK boost levels, therefore if you go for the JB4, or any kind of tune, adding an aftermarket aluminum chargepipe is a must imo, BMS claims you don't have to do anything to the car after adding JB4 which is technically true, however your OEM chargepipe WILL explode, I guarantee it. Again not a JB4 problem, simply another hardware problem that WILL need to be addressed to keep your car drivable. Just keep that in mind if you daily the car.

Thats really about it regarding the bad so far, lets get to the good stuff

PROS:

1. POWERRRR!!! The car really pulls now, big upgrade over the BMW ppk which does not stack with JB4 btw, I've noticed that the car can stay in second for longer and really pulls at the top end, turbo lag is much reduced. Car has more power across the rev band, even in 3rd and 4th gear the car seems to give you a little kick in the pants as opposed to stock which seems like nothing.

2. Awesome features: Features like the gauge sweep at start up and hijacking the fuel gauge as a boost gauge are nice little touches.

3. 8 maps to choose from: Each Map is different and serves its own purpose, its very nice to have the options, its especially nice to be able to up the boost as you add more mods, for example going from map 1 to map 2 after adding a DP, I have not tried map 5 (auto tuning map) yet.

Overall consensus: A tune in general is a must have for anyone looking to get maximum performance out of their 335i, it really wakes the car up, its like driving a whole new beast. I'm not going to say jb4 is the best out there simply because I haven't tried anything else, however for its price it seems to be unbeatable at least for what I've read about COBB, etc..

Nice write up, you will defiantly notice the difference after adding downpipes and FMIC. Enjoy the car and the addiction.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Great review. FMIC should be next on the list for sure. Heat soak with the stock intercooler is bad even stock.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Glad you're enjoying the JB4. It really does transform the car!!

You got it right with the stock charge pipe and FMIC being pretty crappy.

Mike

[bmw_hub]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

Glad you're enjoying the JB4. It really does transform the car!!

You got it right with the stock charge pipe and FMIC being pretty crappy.

Mike

thanks! I really want a downpipe but Installing and uninstalling would be quite annoying whenever I would take it to get tested for emissions, thats why I was thinking a catted one would be nice so I can run map 2 safely and avoid the smell of a catless setup. The problem with catted is its enormous price as I'm still looking for a sponsorship for my instagram account (almost 40k followers). But until then ill just have to suffer on map 1

[Johnny Boost]

Originally Posted by bmw_hub

thanks! I really want a downpipe but Installing and uninstalling would be quite annoying whenever I would take it to get tested for emissions, thats why I was thinking a catted one would be nice so I can run map 2 safely and avoid the smell of a catless setup. The problem with catted is its enormous price as I'm still looking for a sponsorship for my instagram account (almost 40k followers). But until then ill just have to suffer on map 1

High-flow catted wont pass emissions either. This has been discussed several times including the other thread that you made about your JB4. Also there is a downpipe fix for the N55 that is nearly complete.

See this thread:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1122568

[bmw_hub]

Originally Posted by Johnny Boost

High-flow catted wont pass emissions either. This has been discussed several times including the other thread that you made about your JB4. Also there is a downpipe fix for the N55 that is nearly complete.

See this thread:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1122568

yes I'm aware that it won't pass emissions thanks for the link on the fix

[n55e90]

I've had the jb4 for 2 weeks now and it did get faster but definitely not close to the 60whp they claim from being tune only. and the top end dies too. I don't know how people say it pulls hard all the way to redline when boost falls on its face after 6k rpm.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Thank you for the review OP
A better intercooler is a must on this car

Originally Posted by n55e90

I've had the jb4 for 2 weeks now and it did get faster but definitely not close to the 60whp they claim from being tune only. and the top end dies too. I don't know how people say it pulls hard all the way to redline when boost falls on its face after 6k rpm.

Post some logs so we can check it out and make sure all is running normal

[bmw_hub]

Originally Posted by n55e90

I've had the jb4 for 2 weeks now and it did get faster but definitely not close to the 60whp they claim from being tune only. and the top end dies too. I don't know how people say it pulls hard all the way to redline when boost falls on its face after 6k rpm.

very surprised you don't feel the same way as I do, I noticed a nominal increase in power, not to mention I have the BMW PPK (which is proven to add 35hp and 50trq, as opposed to what bmw claims at 20hp and 32trq), and I still noticed a big difference, keep in mind that I do have a charge pipe and bms intake, however that really doesn't add power, perhaps you installed it incorrectly?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by bmw_hub

very surprised you don't feel the same way as I do, I noticed a nominal increase in power, not to mention I have the BMW PPK (which is proven to add 35hp and 50trq, as opposed to what bmw claims at 20hp and 32trq), and I still noticed a big difference, keep in mind that I do have a charge pipe and bms intake, however that really doesn't add power, perhaps you installed it incorrectly?

Thats why i asked him for logs.

That being said, butt dyno is different for every person.

[n55e90]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Thank you for the review OP
A better intercooler is a must on this car



Post some logs so we can check it out and make sure all is running normal

I will try too tonight. What do you look for in the logs to know that its running right?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by n55e90

I will try too tonight. What do you look for in the logs to know that its running right?

In your case it is important to start by checking actual boost vs target boost, throttle closures and cylinder ignition timing

[n55e90]

It does get throttle closures sometimes. Why is that?

[bmw_hub]

this is most likely a response to over boost

Originally Posted by n55e90

It does get throttle closures sometimes. Why is that?

[n55e90]

Why does it overboost?