[OpenFlash]

Hi guys,
We finally finished porting over v4 to the n55. This is not a "entry level" tune. I don't know what that is. Kinda like an "entry level" jockstrap. You either know how to protect your goods and you do so. Or you don't and cross your fingers.

So all the usual goods are functional: Timing control, Autotuning, Command Center, wastegate compensation, full diagnostics, code reading/clearing, in-dash gauges for boost/meth/afr, etc,.

A few things we've learned about the n55:

1) On pump gas, expect 340-350whp/370-380lbt-ft TUNE ONLY at 14-15psi peak. This is in line with tune only n54 engines. But unlike the n54, don't expect there to be another 100whp waiting to burst out with full mods and race gas/meth. The turbo won't support it by the looks of it. Judging by wastegate DC logs, I'd guess that the most we'd see after adding full mods and race gas is in the 380-390whp range. But i'd love to be wrong

2) A 340whp n55 with 7DCT feels about as fast as a 380whp n55 with 6AT/MT. The engine is always in the right gear and doesn't lose an ounce of steam between gears. Truly exceptional. Shifting manually results in zero throttle closure and aboslutely no loss of boost between gears. The only time you see a boost drop/throttle closure is when you let the transmissions shift itself at 7000rpm (see log below)

3) The new n55 DME has completely different knock control logic than the n54 DME. Namely, you can actually get the engine to knock audibly if you just raise boost and don't retard timing through the tune. So sloppy boost-only tuning will not work. And when the engine knocks, you can certainly hear it! So play with boost controllers at your own risk.

4) The n55 is more responsive than the n54, all things equal. Especially in the midrange where it will easily light up the tires in a 2nd gear roll on. Pretty amazing. There is less turbo so the reduction in lag is understandable. But the smoothness of the engine during these boost transitions is incredible. There really is something to Valvetronic.

5) Unlike other Valvetronic engines, there is a throttle body. But unlike in conventional engines, it works very differently. Don't be surprised to see the throttle blade fully open at idle once your car warms up. Pretty neat seeing it work the way it does to reduce pump loss/improve VE during different driving conditions. During the tuning process, I displayed CAN throttle blade angle on my oil temp gauge just to learn how the throttle blade worked in a traditionally throttle-bladeless Valvetronic engine.

6) The MAF sensor is different. Not only does it Frequency based, it also reads inverse. So low airflow reads high freq and high airflow reads low freq. The MAF plays a big role in the engine tuning. Lot bigger than I initially expected.

7) The ignition timing tables are different. In general, the n55 runs 2-3 degrees less ignition advance than the n55. I'd guess that most of that has to do with the better cylinder filling the Valvetronic engine provides.



More info to be posted early next week. This includes some tasty dyno results, pricing and availability.

Cheers
shiv

[FlyingHorse]

Good work, Shiv.

But please don't forget our N54 guys. -

[D.B.S]

Originally Posted by FlyingHorse

Good work, Shiv.

But please don't forget our N54 guys. -

I don't understand that statement? Everything he's developed up till now has been all about the N54... He's not abandoning the N54, but he is providing a long awaited product for the those of us who have made the change over to the N55...

I highly doubt you have to worry about him forgetting about the N54...

[FlyingHorse]

Originally Posted by Army335xi

......

I highly doubt you have to worry about him forgetting about the N54...

[SfValley335i]

Shiv, Is the N55 fuel pump a limitation like it was on the N54?? When do you plan to slap on a Vishnu Meth kit on the N55?

[MikeDNJBMW]

oooh im loving this!! my G37 i had the cobb accessport and made 3whp at 7700rpm lol....

so im guessing there will be only one tune? not 3 stages???

[dmurray14]

Damn. Game set and match.

[joec500]

Originally Posted by njlakeshoreg

oooh im loving this!! my G37 i had the cobb accessport and made 3whp at 7700rpm lol....

so im guessing there will be only one tune? not 3 stages???

HA!!! you are better off going on a diet and losing 10-20 lbs

[OpenFlash]

Originally Posted by njlakeshoreg

oooh im loving this!! my G37 i had the cobb accessport and made 3whp at 7700rpm lol....

so im guessing there will be only one tune? not 3 stages???

There is only going to be one tuning platform. But with different tunes depending on transmission. Autotuning will adjust boost, timing, wastegate comp table, etc,. to the needed values for any given car in any given condition.

And don't worry, both the n55 and n54 will be developed in parallel. They use the same exact Procede unit with only minor changes to the firmware

Shiv

[MikeDNJBMW]

ya i had to shed my hair gel and ass hair lol....

thanks shiv!!! cant wait to get final everything on this and for the damn car to get in !!!!!!

[howiedds]

+100000000000 for using the same PROcede unit...i can swap to new car later in a couple years

[Calvin@Vishnu]

Originally Posted by SfValley335i

Shiv, Is the N55 fuel pump a limitation like it was on the N54?? When do you plan to slap on a Vishnu Meth kit on the N55?

Hard to say at this time. I'm guessing they will have the same limits since they use the same pump. But this is at a pretty high power level (well over 400whp) which, in the case of the n55, probably won't be obtainable with the factory turbo.

I have a meth kit here and read to go on it soon

[OpenFlash]

BTW, here's one of the earlier dyno graphs from a couple weeks ago before we had control of the throttle blade:


Stock vs Stock with Procede. 91oct. No other mods.

Since then, we've made some major improvements (full throttle blade control, improved PID logic, better ignition mapping, etc,.) Basically to the point where we feel it is ready for customers.

Going back to the dyno this week for some final numbers. Should be even better

Cheers
shiv

[D.B.S]

Originally Posted by shiv@vishnu

There is only going to be one tuning platform. But with different tunes depending on transmission.

Shiv

So with this said, does that mean their will be a specific tune for the 8 speed tranny's on the X5?

How do you develop a specific tune for the 8 speed, if majority of the n55's are running 6 or 7 speed tranny's.

Not asking for a release of trade secrets, just curious how you plan to develop a specific tune for a vehicle such as mine...

[RFGuy_KCCO]

Sweet! I can't wait to buy one of these!

[OpenFlash]

Originally Posted by Army335xi

So with this said, does that mean their will be a specific tune for the 8 speed tranny's on the X5?

How do you develop a specific tune for the 8 speed, if majority of the n55's are running 6 or 7 speed tranny's.

Not asking for a release of trade secrets, just curious how you plan to develop a specific tune for a vehicle such as mine...

Yep.. We will have 7dct, 6mt and 8at versions. Just some minor differences with regards to boost control logic.

[AltecBX]

Are the x5 and 535 the only one that share the 8 speed at?

[D.B.S]

Originally Posted by AltecBX

Are the x5 and 535 the only one that share the 8 speed at?

I believe so... Odd if you ask me, that those are the only two that share that tranny... But whatever floats BMW's boat...

[kirby135i]

Originally Posted by shiv@vishnu

2) A 340whp n55 with 7DCT feels about as fast as a 380whp n55 with 6AT/MT. The engine is always in the right gear and doesn't lose an ounce of steam between gears. Truly exceptional. Shifting manually results in zero throttle closure and aboslutely no loss of boost between gears. The only time you see a boost drop/throttle closure is when you let the transmissions shift itself at 7000rpm (see log below)

so does that say that a N54 DCT (335is) feels that much faster as well?

[bangbangs808]

Nice job Shiv!!

So when can we order? And will there be pre-orders?

[dsohl]

For those are pros in this tune game. Is it advantageous to have a p3 gauge installed before the tune or does V2 have everything I'll need for diagnosis? Since P3 is not PnP for the N55 I'm hesitant to tap my manifold for it.

[cstavaru]

There is such a big dip in torque on the stock N55 until 4500RPM that I find it hard to believe it feels better than the N54.