[Tcmcec]

I currently have a 235 with full FBO JB4 running E30 mix and can't decide if the next step should be pure stage 2 turbo upgrade or BM3/MHD flash? Obviously flash is much cheaper but is it still going to leave me with wanting more. This is not my daily and I do not track it, just spirited driving.

[bryan_G01]

pretty easy decision, about $1000 or $7000.

MHD or BM3 with cables and all bells and whistles will be $1000. be done in a hour, self install, feel the power immediately.

Stage 2 turbos are gonna run you like $2500 at least, than your going to need upgraded fueling, so its a LPFP $500 upgrade and meth $600 or Port Injection $2000 + installation. about 6-8 hours at $100 an hour... so another 800, make it 1000$ which is low. Dont forget the n20 Tmap sensor, and new plugs.

Next would be tuning and dialing it in... that costs money and time.

[Tcmcec]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

pretty easy decision, about $1000 or $7000.

MHD or BM3 with cables and all bells and whistles will be $1000. be done in a hour, self install, feel the power immediately.

Stage 2 turbos are gonna run you like $2500 at least, than your going to need upgraded fueling, so its a LPFP $500 upgrade and meth $600 or Port Injection $2000 + installation. about 6-8 hours at $100 an hour... so another 800, make it 1000$ which is low. Dont forget the n20 Tmap sensor, and new plugs.

Next would be tuning and dialing it in... that costs money and time.

Thanks for the response Bryan. Money wise it's a no brainer, but how much more power am I really going to feel with a flash tune on pump 93 over map 5 on e30? I know flash tunes have several E30 maps but nothing that can auto adjust like map 5 (that I can find) and I can't always rely on a ethanol mix for road trips etc as I am only able to mix it from a barrel in my garage. I hear flash is way smoother power delivery, but is the power substantially more than what I'm currently running?

[jmwilson125]

Originally Posted by Tcmcec

Thanks for the response Bryan. Money wise it's a no brainer, but how much more power am I really going to feel with a flash tune on pump 93 over map 5 on e30? I know flash tunes have several E30 maps but nothing that can auto adjust like map 5 (that I can find) and I can't always rely on a ethanol mix for road trips etc as I am only able to mix it from a barrel in my garage. I hear flash is way smoother power delivery, but is the power substantially more than what I'm currently running?

I was kinda in the same boat as you. Here's my opinion.

Add a wmi setup, this gives you the same power of not more than the e30 mix, but it last longer and is more convenient to fill up amongst other things. You can also stack the wmi kit with e30 too when you feel like it .

I did the mhd flash a d run the jb4 bef. I did not notice a huge bump in power, just a lot smoother.

If you do a flash and wmi kit and still aren't happy, then save for the pure stage 2. It's not like it'll be wasted because the flash can be used to help tune the big turbo,and the wmi kit will assist the PS2 as well

[Tcmcec]

Originally Posted by jmwilson125

I was kinda in the same boat as you. Here's my opinion.

Add a wmi setup, this gives you the same power of not more than the e30 mix, but it last longer and is more convenient to fill up amongst other things. You can also stack the wmi kit with e30 too when you feel like it .

I did the mhd flash a d run the jb4 bef. I did not notice a huge bump in power, just a lot smoother.

If you do a flash and wmi kit and still aren't happy, then save for the pure stage 2. It's not like it'll be wasted because the flash can be used to help tune the big turbo,and the wmi kit will assist the PS2 as well

What kit are your running for WMI? I have heard mixed reviews about the burger kit. Also do you think stock LPFP would be able to keep up with a WMI and E20 or 30 mix? I have upgraded lines but not pump yet.

[jmwilson125]

Originally Posted by Tcmcec

What kit are your running for WMI? I have heard mixed reviews about the burger kit. Also do you think stock LPFP would be able to keep up with a WMI and E20 or 30 mix? I have upgraded lines but not pump yet.

As far as I know the weak link is the hpfp, not the lpfp... Although the lpfp isn't too far behind.

I have the bms kit and I like it a lot. I upgraded the plastic line to stainless braided lines which I think is a smart move.

Because the wmi kit has its own pump it is supplimenting both the lpfp and hpfp. I've heard that it is best not to rely on wmi as fueling though, only rely on it for cooling. My guess is you don't want to be rubbing the system maxed out and have a wmi failure that causes bigger issues because a portion of the fueling is cut out.

I run map 3 with 100% in mine and will target 18.5 psi with 5-10 degrees of timing. Sometimes I'll add between e30 to e40 if I'm in that area of town.

[bryan_G01]

all good info here..

all depends on where you want to take the car and budget.

Flash with a jb4 and meth will allow you to max out what you have. Probably right around 410-420whp, max would be like 430whp. It will be a big jump from the 380ish you probably have on the jb4 only, more with your fuel mix.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I would do both.
If you do want to do both now, get a flash tune for now and upgrade turbo later

[Tcmcec]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I would do both.
If you do want to do both now, get a flash tune for now and upgrade turbo later

At what point do I change my plugs to a cooler set?

[jmwilson125]

Originally Posted by Tcmcec

At what point do I change my plugs to a cooler set?

I had fbo + meth and occasionally e35 on my plugs. I swapped them to the ngk one's that are 1 step colder at about 32,000 miles. The stock ones still looked in very good condition.

You can pull one of the plugs to check the condition. It literally takes a couple minutes. You just need a spark plug socket, a 4"+ extension and a socket wrench. Flip the tap up on the coil pack, unplug it, pull it out, then loosen the spark plug and check.

To reinstall you should also have a torque wrench as well. I think the tq is 18 ft/lbs. It's somewhere in the 15-19 ft/lb range.

I had a little rust on my threads, I used a shop vac with a small rubber hose to suck out any rust Debi's from the hole so it wouldn't fall into the cylinder on reinstall.

[Pray for Mojo]

Anyone changing plugs should use this guide. The torque is 17ft/lbs.

http://*************/2013-f30-335i-sp...-instructions/

You'll need the thin wall 14mm socket from amazon, they're about $10-15.

Originally Posted by Tcmcec

At what point do I change my plugs to a cooler set?

Since you're in Canada, you can get the N20 plugs from a website called Clubplug out of QC, they seem to be the cheapest.