[Jimspeed]

So I rush ordered a JB3 last Friday and attended a private track day at MIR raceway yesterday, Friday.

Temps 45-50 degrees
headwind 20-25mph (this did not help, a lot of folks were 3-4mph on their normal traps)

Car: all stock 2008 335i coupe- stock 19" run flats, stock everything down to exhaust and all.. 6MT (car is loaded with all options - so it had all the weight and I did not put it on a diet)

Tire pressure lowered to 25psi
Map 7
103 VP race gas 1/4 tank of gas

Results-

My best run of the day was 12.601 @ 111 mph
60ft- 1.99 60ft

The few things I noticed-

This car is hard as crap to launch on run flats- given the 50degree cold weather plus these tires, they are crap. My launches were just a giant spin through first- moderating throttle till it caught and shifting right before it bounced off the rev limiter- with some solid tires, the car definitely has so much more in it by far... 19 inch run flats ... probably about the worst tire I could have had at the track.

I made almost 20 runs yesterday and had a lot of time for trial and error to figure out what worked and what didn't. I tried all sorts of different launches and techniques I've used in the past with my cars I've had at the strip (I have good experience at the track just fyi)

My review of the JB3 is very positive, it's night and day (I use map 6 on the street).

I have some basic complaints though- I have no friggin idea what map I am on.. My guess was map 7- and I think it was, i tried double and tripple checking a few times... it's almost a guess even with the whole pedal step this and that. A map selector switch with the kit would be a great addition, regardless of increase in price a little or something that makes that easier on people. One that has a click through that actually shows 1-2-3..etc (Turboxs UTEC from my previous car had it, it was the best..they actually had the programming in which the CE light would flash the map number at start up every time you started the car)

I also wish there was more tuner ability- like yesterday, if i could have moved the power band a little or bumped timing just to play with it since I was on almost 100% 103 octane to take advantage of the fuel.

Overall though- with the cost, I would say it's worth it for most people who like to plug in and forget.. but for the end user that likes to tinker and fine tune, unless they start coming out with some advanced software..it may be worth checking out the competitors who have more user tuner ability...


I also plan on putting it on the dyno to see how the A/F ratio's and boost tapers are when I have a chance this week.

[AKE084]

I am about to buy a JB3 also and had the same question....how the hell do you know which map you are on? When you start the car...does it always go back to map one, then you press the gas to get to the map you want? Someone clarify that one! Thanks

[Jimspeed]

Originally Posted by AKE084

I am about to buy a JB3 also and had the same question....how the hell do you know which map you are on? When you start the car...does it always go back to map one, then you press the gas to get to the map you want? Someone clarify that one! Thanks

the instructions are the put your car on the ON mod/ingintion on

step of gas for 4 seconds to reset map to 0

then press the map number.

for 6- it would be step 6 times... that sets the map and won't change till you tell it to by doing the same thing again...

yea, it's hard to put on target what map your on.

[AKE084]

Originally Posted by Jimspeed

the instructions are the put your car on the ON mod/ingintion on

step of gas for 4 seconds to reset map to 0

then press the map number.

for 6- it would be step 6 times... that sets the map and won't change till you tell it to by doing the same thing again...

yea, it's hard to put on target what map your on.

thanks a bunch this clears up that question

[GAaaAR]

Honestly after awhile of playing around with the different maps, you basically know which map you're on once you drive it.

[Italia335i]

Don't know what map your on? Errrr, how many times did you press the gas pedal after holding it down initially? 6, guess what? You are on map 6. 7, this gonna sound crazy....you are on map 7!

Pretty simple if you ask me.

[Jimspeed]

Originally Posted by Italia335i

Don't know what map your on? Errrr, how many times did you press the gas pedal after holding it down initially? 6, guess what? You are on map 6. 7, this gonna sound crazy....you are on map 7!

Pretty simple if you ask me.

It is simple, but it could be made easier.. for little cost... I would think

I had a good idea what map I was on, just wish It would be clearer...

[hotrod182]

You can check with a simple boost gauge. (Which is a good idea for people who are optimizing their combinations). Of course if you get the BMW gauge, thats one of the best features. You can switch maps rolling up to an intersection. But even with just the foot switch, I never had any problems.

[Septro]

The new boost gauge BMS is selling does everything you'r asking for. It will read out what map your on, let you change on the fly without having to cut the power and also has some limited user tunability.

[E92White]

+1 BMS boost gauge best thing for switching maps,monitoring boost,IATs,etc.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by AKE084

I am about to buy a JB3 also and had the same question....how the hell do you know which map you are on? When you start the car...does it always go back to map one, then you press the gas to get to the map you want? Someone clarify that one! Thanks

The gas pedal is pretty intuitive, but if you want visual feedback you can always get the add-on gauge/tuning tool and you can do map changes on the fly.

Let me know if you have any more questions..

Mike

[Jimspeed]

Ahh..that clears some up for me.

I guess i'll order the scan tool and guage this week then