ESS DCT Software Change Enables Standing "Burnout Mode"...

[DLSJ5]

It appears BMW with their first DCT software revision disabled "burnout mode" on the E9x M3 DCT transmissions, if you attempted a standing burnout the ECU will disengage the clutch when you hit the brakes, and may go into limp mode and throw a DCT warning light. ESS has the ability to enable the "burnout" mode with a software revision, as well as prevent any DCT overheating or limp mode.

Well over a year ago, when I initially took my N/A modded DCT to the drag strip I had the old DCT software, before the 1st revision and was able to do standing burnouts, no overheating warning lights. Here is a few vids below.

Not long after that, and even currently other DCT M3 enthusiasts had posted that they were not able to do a standing burnout. When I did my NA runs, I saw a SC'd M3 at Sacramento that was not able to as well, I was a bit confused by this because I was able too. The SC'D car would simply disengage the clutch when he applied the brakes and tried to heat up the DR's, it didn't make sense to me then, so I thought it was probably because of the power difference, between NA and SC'd that prevented it from doing so and the DCT simply did not like it.

A few of us, including me at the time, thought it was more of a hardware problem not software and that the DCT was overheating and possibly it needed a hardware upgrade, additional cooling, however as I've found out that wasn't the case, it appears to be a software issue.

It makes sense now, thinking back at the chain of events, AFTER my N/A 1/4 mile runs with the original BMW DCT software where I was able to do standing burnouts, I took my car to the dealer and had my DCT software and ECU software upgraded, this was just before I installed the Gintani supercharger over a year ago.

I then thought maybe I was running too much tire with the MT Drag Radials, and that it was simply having a hardtime doing a proper burnout with these DR's, lol. So I went with a smaller DR, like I ran when I was NA. I then tried this somewhat silly new theory about the tire size just recently at a private track event, but I was still unable to do a burnout, same thing clutch would disengage when I applied the brakes, the car still managed an 11.3 ET and 129 trap though, no slipping or overheating warning lights. After this, I was pretty sure it was a DCT software issue.

Now a year later, when I recently took the car to the strip for the first with the ESS kit and ESS DCT software, it no longer threw any warning lights, but still would not do a standing burnout, when I applied the brakes it would disengage the clutch not unlike before. The car did 17 passes that night, not much of a cool down between runs and the DCT never slipped, or threw any lights, limp mode, etc., worked great, but I still could not heat up the DR's, if you can't heat them they really aren't much better than street tires.

I then thought maybe I was running too much tire with the MT's and it simply wouldn't do a burnout, lol, so I went with a smaller Drag Radial. Then recently at a private event at Famoso raceway I was still unable to do a burnout, same thing clutch would disengage when I applied the brakes, the car still managed an 11.3 ET and 129 trap though, no slipping or overheating warning lights. After this, I was pretty sure it was a DCT software issue.

When I spoke to AJ and Roman about this, AJ said he would look into it and was confident that enabling the burnout mode was something he could do. AJ was able to remote flash the DCT ECU while Roman was in the my area recently, and walla the DCT is now able to do standing burnouts, no DCT warning lights as well. This DCT software that allows standing burnouts, still needs to be perfected but this is good news for people like me who do enjoy 1/4 mile runs and realize it's imperative to heat up the Drag Radials to get good traction and a solid launch while using LC.

Here's a vid showing the car with the ESS DCT software change and how they have the ability to enable the standing burnout mode with no overheating. It should be noted that my car has made over fifty 1/4 mile passes on this DCT transmission, NEVER has it slipped, it has taken a lot of abuse, and is still holding fine even with 586whp.

[SleepyE90]

nice find!

[erm324]

FINALLY ! great job ESS

[IMG]

Hey Drew, now hit back the strip and warm up those bad boys and do some runs !!!!

[DLSJ5]

Originally Posted by img

Hey Drew, now hit back the strip and warm up those bad boys and do some runs !!!!

I wish I would have kept the MT DR's that Mike sold me, I'm afraid these Nitto's are not enough tire to get a good launch.

[flipm3]

Nice! Thanks for sharing! This is definitely exciting news.

I wonder how this will effect future F10 M5 owners with properly heated DRs

Awesome job ESS and DLSJ5 for finding another innovative modification for the market!

[DLSJ5]

Originally Posted by flipm3

Nice! Thanks for sharing! This is definitely exciting news.

I wonder how this will effect future F10 M5 owners with properly heated DRs

Awesome job ESS and DLSJ5 for finding another innovative modification for the market!

Appreciate that!

[DLSJ5]

Originally Posted by erm324

FINALLY ! great job ESS

Any plans to go Supercharged Brotha?

[DLSJ5]

Here are some links regarding DCT owners stating they can't do standing burnouts, and or have had warning lights and limp mode (reduced power)...

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...hlight=burnout

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...hlight=burnout

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...burnout&page=2

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...burnout&page=2

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...hlight=burnout

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...ht=DCT+burnout

[klammer]

Cool shit

[erm324]

Originally Posted by DLSJ5

Any plans to go Supercharged Brotha?

just got OETuned.....planning on trying to break 11's here on the east coast ..see what I can do while N/A, then go with a blower after that...


Saw that video of you against the HPF M3, GTRs, and 911's....your cars a monster

[DLSJ5]

Originally Posted by erm324

just got OETuned.....planning on trying to break 11's here on the east coast ..see what I can do while N/A, then go with a blower after that...


Saw that video of you against the HPF M3, GTRs, and 911's....your cars a monster

Thanks Brotha, are you going to run DR's? It's going to be tough to get 11's without a solid launch, would love to see you break 11's though! When I hit 11.8 N/A, the conditions were very good at Sac raceway, and I needed a 1.8 60' to get there, Sacramento is sort of like your Atco, both very fast tracks. Good luck man!

[erm324]

I'm running 295 PS2's right now in the rear.......I've been testing them out on the street and I can get a nasty launch if I smash the throttle with traction off in S6....no spinning they hook up great with this weather...........well see ! If not, then Ill buy a set of DR

[DLSJ5]

Originally Posted by erm324

I'm running 295 PS2's right now in the rear.......I've been testing them out on the street and I can get a nasty launch if I smash the throttle with traction off in S6....no spinning they hook up great with this weather...........well see ! If not, then Ill buy a set of DR

That's good news, looking forward to the results.

[lve2xlr8]

Awesome news for drag. Theoretically the only wear on the clutch would be when it initially drops right?

[flipm3]

Sorry to go off topic, but for all your good launches, are you guys using Launch Control or just mashing the go pedal? I hear mixed things on how to get the best launch.

[tinpot]

How do you initiate the burnout - do you accelerate while in gear and your foot is on the brake pedal?

[mikewads]

Originally Posted by DLSJ5

I wish I would have kept the MT DR's that Mike sold me, I'm afraid these Nitto's are not enough tire to get a good launch.

Good job AJ & Drew...

I was always puzzled how you did a burnout when you were non-supercharged. LOL
Now you know why I always went around the waterbox.

Once you burnout those Nittos you can go back with the MTs or maybe a bigger Nitto.

[pumper206]

So I went and tested 'burnout mode' and nothing...Car seems like it goes into limp mode. Wak! I would love to be able to change that. I've been just using launch control but it seems like I'm only able to initiate it once and after that first time the car won't let me initiate launch control again .

[pumper206]

Originally Posted by mikewads

Good job AJ & Drew...

I was always puzzled how you did a burnout when you were non-supercharged. LOL
Now you know why I always went around the waterbox.

Once you burnout those Nittos you can go back with the MTs or maybe a bigger Nitto.

+1

[m33]

That's pretty neat being able to tweak software for such a thing..
When do you plan on hitting the track again ? I know your dying too

[akh23456]

how is the software other wise big improvement over stock? whats your overall impression of the dct software Drew? do you need to send ecu in for this?