[AndyR83]

Hello,

I'm about to order my JB4 / dual cone intake package. I'm wondering if I can install this in my driveway alone, or if I need to bite the bullet and pay a shop to do it for me.

I know pretty much nothing about working on cars. I'm not a dummy... I graduated medical school... but I'm far more adept at fixing people than cars. I'm also a stubborn, stereotypical male that hates paying people to do things I could probably figure out how to do myself. Is this something I can muttle my way through or does it require special tools and knowledge that I probably don't have, requiring a professional?

Thanks!

[ksalih]

You will be able to do it yourself, do yourself a favor and print out the PDF on the BMS website with instructions, and think about the drive after installation for motivation ! You will be fine, there aren't any special tools necessary and the instructions are pretty well written along with the pictures. Good luck, enjoy the power!

[sammy_0559]

Get the USB cable with it, its really easy take your time and disconnect your battery, follow the video do it step by step, dont forget to read the PDF!!! Took me 2 hours my first time, now takes less than 20 mins

[Randomaccess335]

Take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning......

You passed med school...... I'm a firefighter and my dumbAss managed to to easily install the best tune ever made....
If you are able to pay off your student loans before shooting yourself in the head......... I think U can handle this small task
Hope your not my doc



Just kidding........ It's easy
Congrats on passing med school

[Wedge1967]

Don't worry, just do it.

Also do yourself a favor and run the USB cable through the firewall while you are doing the install.

When you get the cover off the ECU, take a picture so you can reference it if needed. Then, you will find to the back of the case some colored connectors, remove them to get the wires out of the way. Also, once you have the two connectors removed from the ECU, pull the ECU out of the box. You will see a small round hole inside the slot for the ECU. The hole goes through the firewall and you can push your USB cable through that hole and it turns just a little inside toward the driver so make sure you push enough cable through prior to looking for it from the inside.

From inside, you have two screws that hold the underside kick panel below the glove box. Remove them and drop the panel down and pull toward you. Just about in the middle on the firewall, if you feel for the USB cable you should find it and be able to pull it through.

Then slide the ECU back into the slot and finish your installation.

Have fun…

[messi]

U can do it. I did the procede and I am equally mechanically challenged. Take your time as everyone says.

[Bimmer305]

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

Don't worry, just do it.

Also do yourself a favor and run the USB cable through the firewall while you are doing the install.

When you get the cover off the ECU, take a picture so you can reference it if needed. Then, you will find to the back of the case some colored connectors, remove them to get the wires out of the way. Also, once you have the two connectors removed from the ECU, pull the ECU out of the box. You will see a small round hole inside the slot for the ECU. The hole goes through the firewall and you can push your USB cable through that hole and it turns just a little inside toward the driver so make sure you push enough cable through prior to looking for it from the inside.

From inside, you have two screws that hold the underside kick panel below the glove box. Remove them and drop the panel down and pull toward you. Just about in the middle on the firewall, if you feel for the USB cable you should find it and be able to pull it through.

Then slide the ECU back into the slot and finish your installation.

Have fun…

Exactly what he said. ^

Tip: Double check all your connectors are facing the right way, I had a bad time because of it http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=715009

Also, you may want to tape down the orange wire that connects to the red wire (power to the JB4) as it may come lose with time (it came off while driving and I had to tow it home).

[BMWsky]

OP, like everyone has stated; just get real comfortable with the instructions before you tackle the job. I was very reluctant to open up the DME until my car decided it just didn't get along with a particular tune and forced the issue. I bit the bullet, became familiar with how to install a piggy by watching the "how to" video a few times, and did it myself. By the time my tune arrived in the mail, I was pretty familiar with the install and did it in under 30 minutes. I've since removed it and reinstalled it and it takes me longer to undo the cowl/ecu covers than anything else. I'll bet that anyone who owns one of the piggys could either install or remove it in about 10 minutes if pressed. (15 or 20 is probably the norm)

As far as the DCI, I can't help you much there as I went the Stett CAI route and that took a little more work to get right.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Its pretty simple but if you are not use to working on cars or electronics I would budget about an hour. Grab a laptop and download the PDF and install video and just take your time. There is nothing really difficult and nothing that requires a lot of force, so take your time, don't yank, pull or push anything with extreme force and you should be fine.

The JB4 install is definitely in the DIY category.

Mike

[3-Serious]

You should have no problem I use to have a procede and its a similar install I was terrified but its real easy!!! Grab a lab to watch the video as you go along and take your time.

[hemi to e90]

Originally Posted by AndyR83

Hello,

I'm about to order my JB4 / dual cone intake package. I'm wondering if I can install this in my driveway alone, or if I need to bite the bullet and pay a shop to do it for me.

I know pretty much nothing about working on cars. I'm not a dummy... I graduated medical school... but I'm far more adept at fixing people than cars. I'm also a stubborn, stereotypical male that hates paying people to do things I could probably figure out how to do myself. Is this something I can muttle my way through or does it require special tools and knowledge that I probably don't have, requiring a professional?

Thanks!

honestly, what shop is going to charge you more that $50 bucks to install it if you order it from them?

if this such a big concern, i would play it safe and just do that. ex just got herself an F30 lease, and i sent her to a local shop to buy the intake and tune and they didnt charge her more that $50, and shes a chick.

[benzy89]

Read the PDF, watch the YouTube video, make sure you have all the necessary tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, etc), familiarize yourself with the instructions/procedures. Try to set aside ~1-2 hrs where you'll be undistracted & won't need your car in an emergency

Finally, take your time: last thing you want to do is drop something into the engine bay b/c you're rushing

[gizmo335i]

It's so much more fun to do these things yourself. And if you do, then you know how to take it out if you need to.

What intakes did you get? I've done a few intakes myself...they're easy too. If they're BMS..then that's more than easy...

[feenin4rich]

Hey OP,
I'm pretty much the same with regards to my expertise with cars, but I literally had my laptop in the garage with me and had the PDF on another window and just mirrored the actions. The first time took me close to 90 minutes since I was being extra careful, now I have it in/out in 20-30 minutes! You can definitely do it, congrats on the Jb4 purchase and good luck!

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by AndyR83

Hello,

I'm about to order my JB4 / dual cone intake package. I'm wondering if I can install this in my driveway alone, or if I need to bite the bullet and pay a shop to do it for me.

I know pretty much nothing about working on cars. I'm not a dummy... I graduated medical school... but I'm far more adept at fixing people than cars. I'm also a stubborn, stereotypical male that hates paying people to do things I could probably figure out how to do myself. Is this something I can muttle my way through or does it require special tools and knowledge that I probably don't have, requiring a professional?

Thanks!

Also sent you a PM. I can shoot you over my phone number so if you have any issues I can walk you through it.

Mike

[JamesM3M5]

A good shop that is experienced with tuned N54s would probably charge an hour of time to do the install, but that should include checking and clearing any codes, test drive, log, and ensuring there are no other issues that will cause problems in the near future, then rechecking codes. I also go as far as showing the customer how to operate the controls to change maps and gauge hijack functions.

[kelvin2010]

It takes some time for the first time, but after that it is easy. You have to read the pdf file, it shows you where the power plug goes...

[Dmacc]

My first mod I ever diy was my jb3 pin out, with some patience and watching the you tube instruction video, I was able to get it done in 50 minutes the first time.

When in doubt, go to the Internet, there are always answers lying somewhere

[DoctorS]

It's pretty easy and straight forward. Realistically it'll probably take you about 2 hours since it's your first time. Only thing to keep in mind is making sure that the big black plastic cover (sits over the behind the engine and goes between the two fenders) properly accommodates the rubber seal on both ends when the putting it back. I figured it out later and had to take everything apart again. Other than that you're completely fine. It doesn't matter if you have experience or don't experience with modding. A smart guy like you that got into med school and graduated it should have no difficulty with this task lol.

Congrats on becoming an MD though! I am a pre-med student that's in my senior year in college so I'll be filling out my med school applications soon. BTW if you don't mind me asking what was your GPA and how did you do on the MCAT before you applied?

[A418t81]

Just take your time and look at the directions. It's fairy straight forward. The sliders on the ECU case can be a little weird if you've never done it before, but it's not hard. MD (rads) here too