[mike@x-ph.com]

This post is copied from Extreme Power House's Blog

Today, I would like to write about the different piggyback options available for the BMW new F chassis cars. This market is oversaturated with tunes priced from a couple hundred dollars up to a couple thousands. Not all piggybacks are equal, which ones are worth it and which ones are not? Read this post and decide for yourself.

DINANTRONICS Sport Performance Tuner


How:
Connects to TMAP sensor only

Pros:

• Easy install
• adjustable boost 0 to 4 psi
• Very reasonable price
• Same tune fits the N20, N26 and N55 F chassis

Cons:

• No datalog feature
• Does not have access to ignition timing
• Does not carry the same warranty as other Dinan tunes

Price:
$299

Burger Tuning F Chassis N20/N26/N55 JB+


How:
JB+ connects to TMAP sensor only.
Pros:

• Install time takes less than 5 minutes
• Adjustable boost ( 0 to +4 psi)
• Costs less than $200
• Not engine specific. Fits on most N20, N26 and N55 cars

Cons:

• Does not have access to ignition timing
• No datalog feature

Price:
$199

Active Autowerke Active 8 Tune

How:
A8 tune works by connecting to the Manifold air pressure sensor, boost pressure sensor, camshaft sensor and air mass sensor.
Pros:
•Since the A8 connects to the camshaft sensor, it controls boost by RPM. The ability to do so offers a smoother / more linear power delivery.
•9 different maps (Compatible with catted downpipe cars only and pump gas).
•A8 is offered standard with a waterproof enclosure.
Cons:
•Install process is the most time consuming for a stage 1 tune (although it has quick detach button to uninstall the module, but not the wires).
Price:
$699 for Non-M models / $999 for M models.

AFE Module Scorcher

How:
AFE scorcher connects to the MAP and TMAP sensors of the car. It alters the pressure sensor signal to increase turbo pressure.
Pros:
•AFE is easy to install with only 2 sensors. It offers a clean solution for more power.
Cons:
•AFE Scorcher offers no flexibility for the user. It is available with 1 map only and no option to adjust boost.
• It does not have the ability to control boost by RPM, the Scorcher adds a constant boost value across the RPM range.
Price:
$473 for Non M Models / $627 for M Models

Burger Tuning JB Stage 1:

How:
The BMS JB stage 1 connects to the MAP and TMAP sensors and works by altering the boost pressure signal (identical to AFE and Race chip ultimate).
Pros:
•Easy install, takes less than 10 minutes.
•BMS JB stage 1 gives its users the ability to increase boost if he / she is looking for a more aggressive map (will need an optional $35 BMS Data Cable).
•Weather proof box is optional and will cost an additional $59.
Cons:
•JB stage 1 does not have the ability to control boost by RPM. It adds 3.5 psi across the RPM range over stock boost (value can be changed using the USB cable).
Price:
$379 for M and Non-M models

Burger Tuning JB4 Stage 2:

How:
The JB4 stage 2 connects to the MAP sensor, TMAP sensor and Canbus. It is also offered with flex fuel wires for E85 users.
Pros:
•Pre-loaded with 7 maps each optimized based on the car’s modifications and fuel. The Jb4 is also offered with a custom map allowing the user to set his / her own boost targets.
•The Jb4 controls boost by RPM. It also controls boost by gear and can set a max boost limit for the first 3 gears in order to achieve better traction control.
•The JB4 stage 2 can read / delete codes and auto clear the CEL code in case car has catless downpipes installed.
•The JB4 is compatible with E85 fuel as long as the mix does not exceed the fuel pumps maximum capacity.
•The JB4 is capable of gauge hijack and can control the exhaust valves for a louder exhaust sound.
•Ability to get free firmware upgrades from the user’s laptop without the need to ship the module back every time an upgrade is available.
•Option to get the Jb4 with a weather proof case; it will cost the user an extra $59 for the aluminum enclosure (No additional cost for M cars).
Cons:
•In order to achieve all these pros mentioned above, user will need to purchase the optional USB data cable and / or OBD cable ($17 for the OBD cable and $35 for the USB cable).
•Install time takes around 45 minutes because of all the extra connections that the JB4 needs.
•If user does not purchase the OBD cable, JB4 will need POSI-Tap wires to connect to the Canbus.
Price: $529 for Non-M Models / $799 for M models (Aluminum enclosure and OBD cable is offered with the M series JB4 at no extra cost).

Race Chip Ultimate:

How:
RCU connects to the MAP, TMAP and MAF sensors and work by changing boost pressure signal and tricking the ECU into making more power.
Pros:
•Easy install
•Weather proof box (standard)
•9 different maps
Cons:
•Cannot control boost by RPM
Price:
$679 for M and non-M models

ESS E-tronic Tuner

How: The ESS tuner connects to 4 sensors. Intake Cam shaft, Map, TMAP and MAF.
Pros:
• Control boost by RPM for a smoother power delivery
• 3 different maps
• Standard weather proof enclosure
Cons:
• One of the hardest stage 1 tunes to install
Price: $995 for all models

Dinan Tune




How: Dinan connects directly to the ECU to cover as many sensors as possible. It adds a constant boost value to the car across the RPM range (3.0 psi for stage 1 and 4.0 psi for stage 2).
Pros:
• If BMW denies your warranty claim, Dinan will cover any damages caused or related to any of Dinan tunes or parts
• Weatherproof box
• CARB certified
• Tune monitors and adjust AFR / ignition timing for a smoother power delivery
• Increases water pump pressure for better cooling
Cons:
• You get 1 map with each tune only
• Install time takes from 1.5 to 2 hours

Price: $1499 for the stage 1

Summary Table:
Tune Comparison.doc

Active Autowerke OBD Flash Tune


How: Connect Simon Cable to OBD port and upload your new map (No ECU removal needed).

Pros:

• Smooth stock like power delivery
• unlimited number of maps (2 off the shelf maps, 4 free custom maps included with the tune, additional custom map $50 each)
• No hardware installation needed
• Locks flash counter until stock map has been re-uploaded
• Ability to upload stock map at any time

Price: Starts at $800

Bootmod3 By PTF



How: Connect Enet cable to OBD port and upload your new map (No ECU removal needed).

Pros:

• Mobile app (iOS and Android)
• Datalogging over 200 diagnostic channels, up to 40 channels concurrently
• atalog sharing and charting without a need to upload to 3rd party websites or apps using the mobile app or web browser
• Cloud based storage for map data and datalogs
• Reverting back to stock performance map and re-locking the DME to stock programming
• Live Dash - realtime vehicle parameter monitoring via in-app guages
• Read and clear trouble codes in all vehicle modules
• Reset learned adaptations (octane, knock, Valvetronic, etc)
• Custom tuning available
• flash time (map switch) is 30 seconds
• first flash to unlock is just 3.5 minutes long
• no special hardware to ship, instant activation at time of checkout
• boost by gear
• transmission flashing

Cons:

• 1 OTS map is included with the license. it costs extra to unlock all the OTS maps.
• similar to all flash tunes, on the fly map adjustment not available
• Raising and lowering boost requires tuning knowledge

Price: Starts at $595

[uberspeed]

Thanks!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by uberspeed

Thanks!

You are welcome

More tunes will be added soon

[uberspeed]

I'd definitely like to see how these stack up to the ECU tunes starting to trickle out now but for plug and play solutions it's nice to see options in the marketplace!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by uberspeed

I'd definitely like to see how these stack up to the ECU tunes starting to trickle out now but for plug and play solutions it's nice to see options in the marketplace!

Generally speaking piggy and ECU would give you the same power.
ECU flash offers smoother power delivery , Piggy offers more features, more flexibility, multiple maps and ability to make changes from your home for free.

And as you know at this time all ECU flashes will require you to send the ECU to the shop to get it tuned

[uberspeed]

Yes sir indeed, long time APR user on VAG platform. When I go from F30 to F22 I'll definitely be revisiting this, staying informed in the meantime.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Dinan tune added to the first post and the summary table

[Dinan_Engineering]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Dinan tune added to the first post and the summary table

Not compatible with catless downpipes is not technically true. It will work with catless downpipes just fine. Just won't clear the associated CEL.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Dinan_Engineering

Not compatible with catless downpipes is not technically true. It will work with catless downpipes just fine. Just won't clear the associated CEL.

Thank you for clearing that up.

What is meant by non compatible is that Dinan does not have a map optimized for catless downpipes.

Every tune in this post works with catless downpipes, some of them do not have specific maps for DP thats why they are listed as non compatible.

[Dinan_Engineering]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Thank you for clearing that up.

What is meant by non compatible is that Dinan does not have a map optimized for catless downpipes.

Every tune in this post works with catless downpipes, some of them do not have specific maps for DP thats why they are listed as non compatible.

Fair enough but non-compatible implies it does not function when downpipes are applied. More accurate statement would be "not optimized" for catless downpipes. Mincing words technically but still...

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Dinan_Engineering

Fair enough but non-compatible implies it does not function when downpipes are applied. More accurate statement would be "not optimized" for catless downpipes. Mincing words technically but still...

You have a point, i will go ahead and change it

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Dinan_Engineering

Fair enough but non-compatible implies it does not function when downpipes are applied. More accurate statement would be "not optimized" for catless downpipes. Mincing words technically but still...

Done

[FSociety]

Btw, RaceChip Ultimate for the N20/N26 connects to MAP, MAF and TMAP (ability to do so offers a smoother / more linear power delivery.)
Has more than 3 maps too , 9 different maps (Compatible with catted downpipe cars only and pump gas).

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

Btw, RaceChip Ultimate for the N20/N26 connects to MAP, MAF and TMAP (ability to do so offers a smoother / more linear power delivery.)
Has more than 3 maps too , 9 different maps (Compatible with catted downpipe cars only and pump gas).

Fixed , thank you.

The old stage 1 JB used to connect to the MAF but they removed that sensor because it showed not to offer any additional benefit.

[Ramsen]

Thanks for this. Will you add the GSR tune?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Jb+ added

[f22b58]

The JB4 I got for my N26 F22 came installed in a weather proof enclosure and the CANBUS cable was included. If I feel the need for data logging or a firmware update I have the choice of purchasing their Bluetooth module and compatible smart phone app. A definite pro of the JB4 is that it is several products in one.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by DriftCarHero

The JB4 I got for my N26 F22 came installed in a weather proof enclosure and the CANBUS cable was included. If I feel the need for data logging or a firmware update I have the choice of purchasing their Bluetooth module and compatible smart phone app. A definite pro of the JB4 is that it is several products in one.

JB4 is the most complete piggyback system available on the market

What do you think of the extra power increase?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Dinan sport performance added

[hoppy6698]

Enzo or only doing DIY tunes?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by hoppy6698

Enzo or only doing DIY tunes?

I will probably add flash tunes as well

[D Unit]

Subscribed. Great thread OP.