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      01-07-2011, 07:36 AM   #1
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Arrow Your opinion needed - Best software for catless car

Hi All, I know there are a lot of threads on software and I'm hoping I can get some quick feedback (need to get this figured out in the next week) on what the best software is for a catless car. I have a 2008 E90 M3 with Active's full exhaust system including their x-pipe with straight pipes. I love the sound of the system, but now that the weather has turned cold my car is running rough as s&%t, because the stock software is trying to dump a lot of fuel into the engine to warm up the cats...which aren't there. So now I have the CEL as well as a sputtering vehicle.

So, I need to get software figured out ASAP and have been considering:

Active's - Matched to my exhaust, x-pipe, and underdrive pulley? Best possible match?

Dinan's race software - Endorsed by BMW? Lower power, but less risk?

Who else? What is the best option on a short timeline?

Your opinion needed!!!
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      01-07-2011, 07:56 AM   #2
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You should discuss your requirements with each map writing tuner to determine which will meet your needs.

Being from the UK, I used Evolve. They write their own maps to meet specific requirements, i.e catless systems and have a fantastic reputation for quality and customer service.
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      01-07-2011, 03:57 PM   #3
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Thanks, I've talked to Dinan and AA and know their thoughts. I'm just hoping for some real world feedback.
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      01-07-2011, 03:59 PM   #4
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I have the Powerchip tune and I'm very happy.
I'm actually going back today to get my daily driver tuned.
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      01-07-2011, 07:15 PM   #5
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Nice, too bad there isn't a local PC option for me to talk to.
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      01-07-2011, 08:29 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hoeferland View Post
Nice, too bad there isn't a local PC option for me to talk to.
Hey, ur back!! Sucks you never made it out to the tuning session we had up here last year . So far, I'm very happy with the powerchip tune. You should hit up mike@powerchip if you're interested in some info.... Or you could always . That seems to help in most, if not every, situation where you're trying to do some research.
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      01-07-2011, 08:52 PM   #7
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OE tuning's new V3 catless made 11whp more than my old Powerchip tune did. I am extremely pleased and impressed with Jeremy and his tuning capabilities .
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      01-07-2011, 10:14 PM   #8
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Yeah, big miss on my part, but didn't have the funds then. I'll drop him an email, but I need to get this figured out ASAP. With the cold weather my car is barely drivable.
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      01-08-2011, 08:21 AM   #9
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I am also considering a tune to match my catless AA full exhaust. My first concern however, is that you say your car is running rough and stumbling in cold weather and believe it is due to the exhaust with stock tune. I have never heard of anyone else running rough with the stock ecu+ exhaust, and my car has run perfectly even in the recent really cold weather (low teens in the morning). It is definitely loud as hell on cold start, but it doesn't ever stumble or run rough....just loud and a little rambunctious when the air pump is running. If your car is stumbling bad, I would investigate other causes as well.

Having said all that, I would personally will probably go for the AA tune as it is the only one I know of that gets rid of the annoying cold start function...since you have no cats there is no reason for the cold start function anymore anyhow and it is really, really loud at 6am. They seem to get some decent power as well, and have a very solid track record of engineering great mods/tunes for M cars....not to mention it is nice to stay with the same company for tune and exhaust if all else is equal.
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      01-08-2011, 01:26 PM   #10
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I'm not really sure what's going on right now, but based on my calls with AA the rough idle/hard warm-up is most likely associated with the cold start feature trying to warm up the cats over a period of time. At least that's the theory right now. I want to get the software figured out 1st before I troubleshoot the other issue if possible, because it would at least fix one variable (e.g. software tuned for lack of cats). That's one of the reasons the Dinan software is so appealing...done at the BMW dealership and then can trouble-shoot the other issue.

It took about 2 weeks of constant cold weather until all of a sudden my car began running rough. I'm not saying I know for sure it's caused by the stock software working with the lack of cats; it's just a theory right now. My opinion is the car is running rich, which is probably also why I'm getting 11mpg. Any thoughts would be helpful.
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      01-10-2011, 08:40 PM   #11
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Here is the plan

Talked to Ryan at AA and Dinan today and here is the plan:

1. Begin with Dinan's race software and try it for 30 days.
2. If I'm pleased then stay with Dinan.
3. If not then move to AA and get a full refund from Dinan.

Thanks to Ryan at AA for his honest opinion. I will post updates on my experience.
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      01-10-2011, 11:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by powertrip View Post
OE tuning's new V3 catless made 11whp more than my old Powerchip tune did. I am extremely pleased and impressed with Jeremy and his tuning capabilities .
dont listen to this ballerina and consider yourself blessed on missing out on the OEDETUNING AKA Powerchip AKA gintani tunes...

Your best bet is Dinan and ESS , by far the best NA tunes out there !!!

A buddy of mine saw 30Whp gain with stock cats with the ESS tune ( dinan intake , pulley & ESS tune )..
Now if you go catless with the ESS tune your gonna see a solid 45 to 50whp gain , consider getting a Dinan intake also !
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      01-10-2011, 11:41 PM   #13
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What is your issue??? You kiss ESS' ass like they're Christ's second coming, but talk shit when another person supports their vendor of choice. You need to grow up and stop with the name calling. Are you 12 or something? For fuck's sake look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself why you act the way you do. Good day to you sir.

Quote:
Originally Posted by m33 View Post
dont listen to this ballerina and consider yourself blessed on missing out on the OEDETUNING AKA Powerchip AKA gintani tunes...

Your best bet is Dinan and ESS , by far the best NA tunes out there !!!

A buddy of mine saw 30Whp gain with stock cats with the ESS tune ( dinan intake , pulley & ESS tune )..
Now if you go catless with the ESS tune your gonna see a solid 45 to 50whp gain , consider getting a Dinan intake also !
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HUGE THANKS: Gintani, OE Tuning, and EAS
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      01-10-2011, 11:48 PM   #14
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^ dont listen to this ballerina (M33) and consider yourself blessed on missing out his stupid bullshit.

OE Tuned my Gintani Supercharged M3 and ran perfect. Seen countless happy OE customer! Tons of them are on this site.
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      01-10-2011, 11:59 PM   #15
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ESS - their inhouse tuner guy has been tuning bmws for 13+ years and one of a handful of ppl that know bmw ecu's inside and out.
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      01-11-2011, 12:04 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by powertrip View Post
OE tuning's new V3 catless made 11whp more than my old Powerchip tune did. I am extremely pleased and impressed with Jeremy and his tuning capabilities .
Quote:
Originally Posted by powertrip View Post
What is your issue??? You kiss ESS' ass like they're Christ's second coming, but talk shit when another person supports their vendor of choice. You need to grow up and stop with the name calling. Are you 12 or something? For fuck's sake look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself why you act the way you do. Good day to you sir.
why do you plug Oetuning even when nobody asks or is it irrelevent to the thread ? Dont they call that "A tool ?
and you make it seem like i told him to go with ESS and only ESS , notice i said Dinan first i'm a straight shooter and these two companys are by far the best options for the M3's.... i gave VENDOR'S ( not vendor ) to choose from unlike you ... so please go fool someone else
Quote:
Originally Posted by DD GT3 RD View Post
^ dont listen to this ballerina (M33) and consider yourself blessed on missing out his stupid bullshit.

OE Tuned my Gintani Supercharged M3 and ran perfect. Seen countless happy OE customer! Tons of them are on this site.
And there are many unhappy customers too whose cars ran like crap or barley ran at all,and who had their CEL disabled without their permission or knowledge . trust me i know a couple of these poor victims .
They are on this site too ...... unhappy Oetuning customers

Last edited by m33; 01-11-2011 at 12:12 AM..
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      01-11-2011, 12:09 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by duk View Post
ESS - their inhouse tuner guy has been tuning bmws for 13+ years and one of a handful of ppl that know bmw ecu's inside and out.
By far one of the best if not the best tuner for BMW's..
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      01-11-2011, 12:10 AM   #18
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Perhaps you should read his first post again. He asked for OPINIONS on which tune is the best. I think OE is the best, and quite frankly don't care what you think. As far as your recommendations go, I frankly don't care, but rather have an issue with your little jab at me.


Quote:
Originally Posted by m33 View Post
why do you plug Oetuning even when nobody asks or is it irrelevent to the thread ? Dont they call that "A tool ?
and you make it seem like i told him to go with ESS and only ESS , notice i said Dinan first i'm a straight shooter and these two companys are by far the best options for the M3's....

And there are many unhappy customers too whose cars ran like crap or barley ran at all,and who had their CEL disabled without their permission or knowledge . trust me i know a couple of these poor victims .
They are on this site too ...... unhappy Oetuning customers
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      01-11-2011, 12:18 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by powertrip View Post
Perhaps you should read his first post again. He asked for OPINIONS on which tune is the best. I think OE is the best, and quite frankly don't care what you think. As far as your recommendations go, I frankly don't care, but rather have an issue with your little jab at me.
sorry for the jab playa
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      01-11-2011, 12:20 AM   #20
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All good

Quote:
Originally Posted by m33 View Post
sorry for the jab playa
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      01-11-2011, 12:21 AM   #21
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you know what would be cool ....
each tuner load's their file on his car and he dyno's each tune to see which puts down the most power and safest AFR's ..
Black and White
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      01-11-2011, 12:52 AM   #22
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Quote:
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dyno each tune to see which puts down the most power ..
Black and White
I would rather see who's tune has the smoothest curve. I would gladly give up a few horsepower for no dips in the power band.
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