Cobb ECU Tune

[Manny]

Hi peeps.

Although I am no power freak, I am missing my previous cars power so I am going to test out a Cobb stage one high RON fuel map. I have a 59plate 35i.


I will be doing a before and after Dyno run and I am not changing anything else on the car, just the map with the Cobb Access port. I understand this is not everyone's cup of tea but I will post the results on Thursday night for those interested.

An odd first post be we all have to start somewhere

 

[Maniac]

What engine/model do you have and what expected gain?

 

[Manny]

What engine/model do you have and what expected gain?

Yeah should have mentioned that bit . z4 35i so the n54 engine, 2009.

I am not expecting to gain anything really, I was just quite interested in what these are capable of with their standard stage maps. I fully understand the in/outs of modification to cars.

 

[Maniac]

SocketR had the ESS stage 2 tune I believe creeping on for 400BHP. Its something I'd love to do, but knowing my car it would chew up a turbo and smash it through the DCT for good measure so I'm sticking with the warranty pleasing OEM setup.

 

[cesela]

-

 

[Manny]

SocketR had the ESS stage 2 tune I believe creeping on for 400BHP. Its something I'd love to do, but knowing my car it would chew up a turbo and smash it through the DCT for good measure so I'm sticking with the warranty pleasing OEM setup.

I have had a turbo spit itself out of an engine but the warning signs were there for me (not on the z4) Unfortunately the turbos on the N54 are properly hidden away, otherwise I would give the shaft the wiggle test and visual inspection.

I wonder what tools bmw have to see if the ecu map has been changed, with the cobb when you uninstall it replaces the original map back but with most things digital a footprint is usually left behind.

 

[Maniac]

I think in terms of traces of modifications it depends on your ECU software. If your software has been updated in the last 24 months or so it will now have increased anti tamper stuff in there to record all sorts of information, I seem to recall BMW issuing a warning about it that long ago.

 

[VailM3]

I have a cobb stage 1 on my 35iS. As their site state power is up from 335 to 390 and torque is up to367 to full time 410. I will get a FMIC and bring both numbers up to with a stage 2 flash to 450/450.

going to a stage 2 on a 35i, OP you will notice a ridiculous amount of power increase. Figures below you with stage 1 you will get to 35iS levels with stage 2 on you will hit my current 390/410. You will need a FMIC to reach 450/450 which is the just south of the 475 threshold for the DCT. There a few that have pushed past 500 but had issue with DCT thus there really is no reason to go pate stage2+FMIC+exhaust. The car simply cant handle more than 450/450.

 

[Maniac]

I have a cobb stage 1 on my 35iS. As their site state power is up from 335 to 390 and torque is up to367 to full time 410. I will get a FMIC and bring both numbers up to with a stage 2 flash to 450/450.

going to a stage 2 on a 35i, OP you will notice a rediculous amount of power increase. Figures below

What information is there in relation to wear or issues running these levels of overboost? Presumably higher chance of limp mode and turbo wear as well as block or piston wear given the higher temperatures?

 

[VailM3]

There quite a few running COBB at e89 forum as well as a significant number of 335 n54 owners running it as well. To the question of DCT and engine ware it seems minimal from what I have read and researched. DCT can easily handle 450/450, and I plan on doing that shortly when I get around to an FMIC swap and bit the bullet and get an Eisenmann Race 4x76 + 3d Design

 

[Maniac]

I think Given BMW push the 35i engine up by 30bhp in the 35is that an improvement from 306 in the 35i to 350 ish would be possible without too much concern. I would be concerned about lifespan of components nearing 400bhp though. As we know, BMW's are not cheap to repair.

 

[cesela]

-

 

[Manny]

I have a cobb stage 1 on my 35iS. As their site state power is up from 335 to 390 and torque is up to367 to full time 410. I will get a FMIC and bring both numbers up to with a stage 2 flash to 450/450.

going to a stage 2 on a 35i, OP you will notice a ridiculous amount of power increase. Figures below you with stage 1 you will get to 35iS levels with stage 2 on you will hit my current 390/410. You will need a FMIC to reach 450/450 which is the just south of the 475 threshold for the DCT. There a few that have pushed past 500 but had issue with DCT thus there really is no reason to go pate stage2+FMIC+exhaust. The car simply cant handle more than 450/450.

I am only going to go to the stage1+FMIC level as it will be easy to rectify within an hour, I am quite keen to see exactly what the aggressive stage1 can do so looking forward to getting the car on the rollers tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Manny]

Hi

Right I will put the chart up at some point but with the cobb stage1 aggresive (premium fuel) the z4 made 380BHP with the standard map making 315bhp. A good 21% power increase over standard. These are engine figures estimated from wheel horse power.

If you were on the fence then maybe this will help you make a decision.

 

[Maniac]

Not on the fence for the gain, well worth the money. On the fence for reliability.