Engine software - Dangerous? Who to trust?

[H Bomb]

like i said Dinan is all i would put in my car. you never see stuff like that with there tunes ever.

[bigpuna]

Originally Posted by e.n335

^ this does not fit into my picture where ESS is providing pretty reliable SC solutions for BMW's including ECU-flashes to support the mod since years.

ESS makes safe reliable software, they have a long history of doing so.

Originally Posted by H Bomb

like i said Dinan is all i would put in my car. you never see stuff like that with there tunes ever.

Dinan makes safe and reliable software, they have a long history of doing so.

[powertrip]

Powerchip also makes safe & reliable software as well . It's funny how tuners always turn to the whole "your tune is pulling timing" excuse to discredit another company's tune. Tuners use this excuse because they know that most consumers don't understand knock correction and probably don't datalog....FACT.

If YOU (or any one else for that matter) actually have any evidence of an unsafe Powerchip tune then please post it, and I'll eat my humble pie. If you don't, then stop with the fanboi BS.

Originally Posted by bigpuna

ESS makes safe reliable software, they have a long history of doing so.



Dinan makes safe and reliable software, they have a long history of doing so.

[STALKER]

After I got my full Akra exhaust, I decided to get a Dinan tune. To get a bit more power out of the car and to clear the CEL issue. I went with Dinan because they are known to be conservative with their engine tunes. No issues so far. I would like to dyno the car soon and get a AFR to make sure things are working properly.

[Jason]

Tuner drama related posts deleted.

Hearsay and conjecture will be removed. If you have direct experience with a particular tune/tuner, feel free to share your opinion, otherwise please don't.

[slo_guy]

Originally Posted by MNm3

I also share the same question as Cadence. It seems that Powerchip is such an inexpensive software upgrade. Everything sounds fine and dandy but why can they do so much for so little while others charge more for less?

Powerchip is $990 and Dinan is $799. Don't base your tune on the cost unless it's an absolute necessity. One gives more power and has great customer service (from dealing with Mike), and the other is more accepted by BMW by BMW. I am totally on the fence between these two companies myself because Mike has been awesome about addressing my questions. Find out exactly what it is you are expecting from the tune before making your decision. Both have been around for a while.

[duk]

add ESS to the list of trusted tuners!

Tuners I trust are:
- Powerchip
- ESS
- Dinan

[powertrip]

I ran AA's tune for 6k miles with no issues as well.

Originally Posted by duk

add ESS to the list of trusted tuners!

Tuners I trust are:
- Powerchip
- ESS
- Dinan

[Andrew@LutzPerformance]

We have carried AA software for years and have never had a customer have any issues. AA has been in the BMW tuning game for quite a while and every AA tuned F/I car we have built or driven the tuning has been spot on!

[LiM3y]

Not a tune...but I love the Sprint Booster module. It livens the throttle up and I find I make smoother gear changes. It 'feels' like extra HP, which is good enough for me and less hassle taking in and out.

[1MORELAP]

Originally Posted by mixja

I reckon latest Powerchip tune + primary cat delete (Turner test pipes) + air filter + crank pulley is giving me +50HP easy.

So what's the US cost for all of that?

$1000 (tune) + $500 (test pipes installed) + $150 (air filter) + $500 (pulley installed) = $2150US

Why spend $5k US on an exhaust system that IMO based upon having both gives no additional gains over the test pipes (and in fact has a torque dip at 2500rpm where the test pipes do not)? Only plus with that system is weight savings, but I could probably lose a bit more weight with the left overs...

mixja... any proof to your 50 HP gain? I have identical mods on my Caymans S, and found this approach the best combination of value, sound level, no drone, and power, especially torque. But I liek to see a dyno of a 50 HP $2,000 upgrade.

[BT M3]

I baselined in the 335whp range, and ended up at 396whp IIRC at the last tune same dyno. It was really hot on the 396 day so I will go back soon. Primary cat delete is KEY to making power, as is the correct software

The only things that were done was a filter, gintani pulley, gintani sport exhaust mufflers, primary cat delete on stock x pipe via test pipes, dyno tune.

[Dodge2Dub]

Originally Posted by BT M3

I baselined in the 335whp range, and ended up at 396whp IIRC at the last tune same dyno. It was really hot on the 396 day so I will go back soon. Primary cat delete is KEY to making power, as is the correct software

The only things that were done was a filter, gintani pulley, gintani sport exhaust mufflers, primary cat delete on stock x pipe via test pipes, dyno tune.

What tune did you go with? Which filter element?

Also, with the Turner test pipes, will the Dinan software allow you to avoid the cat-delete cell and optimize the effects of the new mid section?

What I am thinking for my set-up is the Dinan pulley, a test pipe, the filter of preference (K&N?), and Dinan software. Have any of you run into problems at the dealer from having a test pipe?

[1MORELAP]

Originally Posted by Dodge2Dub

What tune did you go with? Which filter element?

Also, with the Turner test pipes, will the Dinan software allow you to avoid the cat-delete cell and optimize the effects of the new mid section?

What I am thinking for my set-up is the Dinan pulley, a test pipe, the filter of preference (K&N?), and Dinan software. Have any of you run into problems at the dealer from having a test pipe?

Test pipe $400, software $1,000 (GIAC maybe $700, TBD if it also disables the CEL), filter $75. Seems that the biggest bang for the buck if staying NA maybe GIAC+Turner Test Pipe (BTW, that thing should be no more than $200). OK, can we see here shortly a three digit package - so sub $1,000 the delivers honest 40 HP. I can see it, yes I can.

[Dodge2Dub]

Originally Posted by 1MORELAP

Test pipe $400, software $1,000 (GIAC maybe $700, TBD if it also disables the CEL), filter $75. Seems that the biggest bang for the buck if staying NA maybe GIAC+Turner Test Pipe (BTW, that thing should be no more than $200). OK, can we see here shortly a three digit package - so sub $1,000 the delivers honest 40 HP. I can see it, yes I can.

I was hoping to keep the warranty with the Dinan software, which is why I'm asking about its ability to maximize the gains with a CAT-delete as well as keep the CEL off.

[1MORELAP]

Originally Posted by Dodge2Dub

I was hoping to keep the warranty with the Dinan software, which is why I'm asking about its ability to maximize the gains with a CAT-delete as well as keep the CEL off.

Well Dinan Stage 2, CEL delete code is $999. Considering that the BMW dealer that installs it should be more accepting of that mod... that may just be the reason to go with Dinan. Unlike other Dinan parts this one is at or below average market price.

[alpina527]

Have any of you guys had a dyno session on a totally independent dyno to prove some of these claims?

I mean before/after figures on the same dyno in the same gear, same conditions and after adaptation has taken place. Using a dyno shop that has no connection whatsoever to the tuner.

[1MORELAP]

I second the dyno DB as a great source of knowledge. It is a bit overwhelming at first, as there are SO many options for our cars. So, finding turner pipes plus flash only dyno is difficult.

[BT M3]

Originally Posted by 1MORELAP

I second the dyno DB as a great source of knowledge. It is a bit overwhelming at first, as there are SO many options for our cars. So, finding turner pipes plus flash only dyno is difficult.

ill be re-doing mine next week with proper fans, email me and ill get the graph off to you.

[Omar@ActiveAutowerke]

The majority of these NA tunes should be within the same ballpark when it comes to performance. At the end of the day it will come down to the company backing the product and the support that goes along with it. We have been doing this for years and were one of the first to market with the E9X M3 NA tune. A few companies are at an advantage because they are able to offer things to the NA community that they learn through their FI programs. We have also been working/expanding our dealer network around the world to have the ability to do these software upload in their locations to save you from the downtime of having to send the ECU in.