[lukasbmw]

Hello everyone. I'm picking up a bone stock 2008 Montego Blue 335i coupe here shortly. I'm really stoked to get back into a BMW.

My tuning game plan is below. I'm aiming for just over 400hp and 450 tq. Can I get there with these mods? Is there anything I'm missing? I do live in Phoenix AZ, so heat is a issue and we only have 91 octane.

I'm definitely adding:
-ESS Tune
-AA downpipes
-AA race intercooler


I'm on the fence about
-Intake (Are the gains worth it?)
-Charge pipe (Is it necessary?)
-Exhaust (With catless downpipes and stock exhaust I expect the car to be loud already. I don't know if I will want it any louder. Additionally, the exhaust only seems to add 10-12hp and it's quite expensive. It seems to me like downpipes are the better bargain).

I'm going with AA for the intercooler and downpipes because I respect their products and level of service. I'm sure there are cheaper intercoolers that perform almost as well, and cheaper downpipes that perform the exact same but I want the AA name. ...unless of course someone can tell me why another intercooler is REALLY better. (Helix was my runner up)

I'm going with ESS because they are local and seem to have the most conservative program. I see lots of people repping the JB4, but I've heard Juicebox horror stories. It seems every blown n54 I hear about had a juicebox on it. That makes me think that juicebox flies a bit too close to the sun. The Cobb and ProCede were my runners up to ESS, and that's really the only other tunes I'm kinda considering.

I'm always open to advice and ideas. Looking forward on joining this community.

[Randomaccess335]

Cobb is the more popular choice but I don't know about ess
I have jb4 iso and love it
As for Dp,s..... IF they don't rattle and fit don't waste ur money
Fmic..... All the name brands are great. I have ets 5" fits perfect install is simple as most are. Buy one used save ur $$
Bolt ons allow you to run a more aggressive tune...... My buzz just kicked in Good luck have fun
R

[dfjaws]

IMO you wont get to that power level with just the mods you have listed.

I recently dyno'd with the JB4 G5 ISO (no flash though) 3" kittyless DP's, IC, intake, charge pipe/dv's and shell 93 and made 378/417. I would say the intake is worth it, especially for the money. Charge pipe isn't really necessary in my opinion but I did it because I needed diverting valves and I planned on running a methanol kit and liked the idea of pre existing meth bungs.

Hope this helps.

[Monster335]

Havent heard of ESS tuning so cant speak for you on meeting your goals. I did purchase ETS charge pipe and their 5" fmic and they are great products. I have Cobb tune not Juicebox but Im sure the Juicebox tune did not blow the n54 motor. I think the Juicebox is a great tuner for our cars I would buy one if Cobb was not available. Good luck with your car. You will love it.

[lukasbmw]

Originally Posted by dfjaws

IMO you wont get to that power level with just the mods you have listed.

I recently dyno'd with the JB4 G5 ISO (no flash though) 3" kittyless DP's, IC, intake, charge pipe/dv's and shell 93 and made 378/417. I would say the intake is worth it, especially for the money. Charge pipe isn't really necessary in my opinion but I did it because I needed diverting valves and I planned on running a methanol kit and liked the idea of pre existing meth bungs.

Hope this helps.

Is that 378 and 417 at the wheels?

I should have specified that I was looking for just 400hp/450tq at the crank.

If your numbers are RWHP numbers, you are there!

[Monster335]

Are you using ESS tune because you are in AZ?

[SaviorXi]

Looks like your on the right track.

[WesleyC]

Skip the ESS tune and go with Cobb.

[n54gte]

Cobb
ETS 5/7 or VRSF FMIC
DP

Load an E85 map and pour in a couple gallons of E85. Should be close to 400whp

[enrita]

definetely cobb instead of ESS. more tune choices

[BMDoublYou]

Get cobb, costs just as much as the ESS and its more power, with the ability to revert to stock and sell the tune if you decide to move on, and with the FMIC and Downpipes added on after, Cobb lets you reflash to get the full potential of these upgrades.
Why spend the money if you leave untapped potential?

[type rrr]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Skip the ESS tune and go with Cobb.

^^^ x2

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

I have to agree, and nothing against ESS, but the Cobb is just easier to use and you have the flexibility of changing maps as modifications change.
Intake is worth it. Exhaust not so much. Charge pipe is really if you want a BOV or methanol.

[lukasbmw]

Sounds like I need to add an intake to the list and take a second look at Cobb. Gracias.

[Envuks]

I have the ESS tune. It's the best true flash tune out there IMHO. You can still switch programs (need a computer). It's a good solid tune. You'll want to ask for a stage 2+ file to get the power you're looking for. I am running stage two and feel the power is great. I haven't dyno'd the car though, but I bet the numbers wouldn't be too impressive due to the drivetrain loss of AWD... All I know is the old butt dyno says

[YMB_M3]

I run jb4 very aggressively (fbo with e85) on stock turboa and have had 0 problems. From what I've seen and heard, nobody has blown an n54 because of a jb4 or any certain tune for that matter. I don't think you should rule out jb4, autotune is a great feature especially in the heat of AZ!

[neilvosko]

You need e85 or race fuel to break 400

[AltecBX]

Originally Posted by enrita

definetely cobb instead of ESS. more tune choices

Also add an intake for better breathing to add more air. You'll be almost there to the target. Run E85 fuel and you'll meet your target with a tune that handles this fuel.

Check the N54 Tune Comparison chart to decide on the tune

[boostaholic786]

Iam running the BMS flash which is loaded to the car thru the Cobb and the JB4 G5 ISO being FBO and RB's and honestly these N54's can handle most you throw at it. You will get your occassional misfires due to plugs or coil packs but that is completely normal when your taking a 300hp crank horsepower and adding an additional 200hp or more to that. You gotta pay to play, figuritively speaking. But I def think you should do an intake along with the mods you listed but go with the COBB for how easy and simple it is to use. They have a TON of different maps depending on how aggressive you want to be running. Throw about 5 gallons of E85 in your tank when its right under a quarter of a tank and fill the rest up with 93 and put it on the COBB E-40 map.... With your mods listed and some E85 you will make 400whp without a doubt on stock turbos 400 to the crank is nothing spectacular and just a tune alone will probably do more than 400 crank hp. Like I said, these motors are just asking for more horsepower Go with Cobb!!!