Home tuning options on n20 engine

[Captain Vimes]

I’ve just spent an hour using Google (which is becoming more and more just an advertising website) looking for options for “plug and play” tuning products for the N20 engine. I have a 2013 E89 20i with 181hp, so I know I can get it remapped to 250hp safely, but I like to be in control, so I’d like to ‘do it myself’. Apart from Racechips I have found no other product that looks tried and tested. Any other suggestions would be welcomed.

I don’t want to bugger things up ‘cause she is rather pretty...

 

[JimsZ]

i have looked into it quite a bit and kinda liked the plug in idea specially the racechips product.

Any how saw this on another thread, might be worth a look

https://www.mstyle.co.uk/bmw-z-series/z4-and-z4m-e89/tuning/remus-powerizer.html

If I had the time and inclination I would go the racechips route its just that at around a third of the cost of a 4 day euro trackday trip for me its not worth wasting the money on... yet

 

[Captain Vimes]

Ta. Worth a look. I’ve noticed that the Racechip, and this one, have much lower increases in power/torque than a garage remap. I can’t see any reason why this should be the case.

 

[Anonymous]

Ta. Worth a look. I’ve noticed that the Racechip, and this one, have much lower increases in power/torque than a garage remap. I can’t see any reason why this should be the case.

If you look back in the forum archives you can see much discussion about this, put simply the plug in boxes by their nature ‘frig’ the fuelling system...the remaps can reach the parts boxes can’t reach, hence, all other things being equal, the re maps offer the potential of greater power gains whilst retaining all other aspects in a calm and docile fashion, as usual things get more complex as you try and get more power..ultimately the N20 engine is thermodynamically limited, ie if you ask to much the heads crack ....

 

[Captain Vimes]

So, the remaps are probably the ‘safer’ bet? Using more variables to get better all round improvements? That’s really useful as although I like the idea of doing it myself, if you get better results with a remap I go that route. Cheers.

 

[Mister T]

Is JB4 an option for the Z4?

 

[Twin Turbo]

Is JB4 an option for the Z4?

Search for JB4 on this forum, I had one for 3 years in my 28i N20 Z4, and completed over 30,000 stage 2 - and achieved over 300bhp.

Remap is always the best route, however, due to warranty aspects using a plug an play may be considered.

I am considering bootmod3, which is the best compromise more advance than Jb4 & rice chips - with the ability to remove the flash. It similar to MHD that a lot of people rave about here, but BM3 supports the N20

https://www.protuningfreaks.com/collections/bootmod3-menu/products/bootmod3-n20-n26-beta-bmw-f-series-220i-228i-320i-328i-420i-428i-520i-528i

However you need to check if BM3 supports the Z4 as its a E series car and not an F series

 

[Anonymous]

Is JB4 an option for the Z4?

Search for JB4 on this forum, I had one for 3 years in my 28i N20 Z4, and completed over 30,000 stage 2 - and achieved over 300bhp.

Remap is always the best route, however, due to warranty aspects using a plug an play may be considered.

I am considering bootmod3, which is the best compromise more advance than Jb4 & rice chips - with the ability to remove the flash. It similar to MHD that a lot of people rave about here, but BM3 supports the N20

https://www.protuningfreaks.com/collections/bootmod3-menu/products/bootmod3-n20-n26-beta-bmw-f-series-220i-228i-320i-328i-420i-428i-520i-528i

However you need to check if BM3 supports the Z4 as its a E series car and not an F series

I see there are no N20 figures published so far, much as I love tinkering I’m not sure the N20 engine is going to be as tolerant as the N54 series of kack handed mistakes.. :thumbsdown:

 

[Oilcan]

I fitted a Racechip RS. Easy fit, no issues with dash lights coming on and a big difference in power and acceleration. Detachable module that can be removed without disconnecting the wiring harness. I don't know if it is creating the 301 HP as advertised but I have no complaints and would recommend. Quick delivery and excellent Tech Support from Germany.

https://www.racechip.com/shop/bmw/z4-e89-from-2009/28i-1997ccm-245hp-180kw-350nm.html

 

[Anonymous]

I fitted a Racechip RS. Easy fit, no issues with dash lights coming on and a big difference in power and acceleration. Detachable module that can be removed without disconnecting the wiring harness. I don't know if it is creating the 301 HP as advertised but I have no complaints and would recommend. Quick delivery and excellent Tech Support from Germany.

https://www.racechip.com/shop/bmw/z4-e89-from-2009/28i-1997ccm-245hp-180kw-350nm.html

Hi your link is for a 28i, the OP has a 20i which has a claimed 52hp improvement over the reference 184 hp...so it’s 236hp not 300 ish..

As discussed most of the plug in boxes work by frigging the existing ECU map..the base map in the 20i is different to the 28i..

Therefore all things being equal, in the case of the N20 and similar engines a re-map will always give a greater potential for power gain, especially for the ‘lower’ models..

 

[SteveSmith]

A proper remap is definitely the way to go with the 20i.

I have a 28i and fitted the stage 1 tuning box from burger tuning (same company as JB4) and made 270bhp.

 

[Oilcan]

I fitted a Racechip RS. Easy fit, no issues with dash lights coming on and a big difference in power and acceleration. Detachable module that can be removed without disconnecting the wiring harness. I don't know if it is creating the 301 HP as advertised but I have no complaints and would recommend. Quick delivery and excellent Tech Support from Germany.

https://www.racechip.com/shop/bmw/z4-e89-from-2009/28i-1997ccm-245hp-180kw-350nm.html

Hi your link is for a 28i, the OP has a 20i which has a claimed 52hp improvement over the reference 184 hp...so it’s 236hp not 300 ish..

As discussed most of the plug in boxes work by frigging the existing ECU map..the base map in the 20i is different to the 28i..

Therefore all things being equal, in the case of the N20 and similar engines a re-map will always give a greater potential for power gain, especially for the ‘lower’ models..

Pbondar, Yes I was quoting details of my experience with my 28i. It would have to be a 20i owner to quote any gains or performance for that model. Sorry if it was not apparent which variant I have.

 

[Steelee]

I have a JB4 and it's made a masive difference.........even more so when in sport mode!!

Easy to fit and remove (10 mins at most) and have no issues at all.