Alex Alpine ECU Tune

[Route 16]

Next goal should be getting an M-Factory carbon fiber driveshaft

[Nonecure]

Originally Posted by sibhusz06

Contemplating going with the eco/dct however, does the ecu change make any difference below 3k where these cars are weak? For everyday driving it sounds like it doesn't do much and only once you get over 5k or so?

Thanks

I waited a year before getting this tune thinking it would not make that much difference. I must say the 3 weeks I have had this tune I am very impressed! It is worth every penny. I does give more power down low in city driving.

[Nonecure]

Originally Posted by 4130

Servotronic adjustment when not in M mode is also a plus. It's just enough resistance to feel more stable at city speeds and then switch to M for even stiffer.

And don't forget Euro MDM (big fun without too much danger).

I didn't get the Servotronic adjustment since I thought it would be to much resistance. Does it feel more in between normal and sport mode? At highway speeds sport mode seems a bit too much for the daily commute.

I also didn't get the Euro MDM. Does this get selected only in M mode? I would love to have dynamic mode for everyday driving the Euro MDM on during the M mode.

[wyatth]

^ What's the "dynamic mode" of MDM you refer to?

[Alex@Alpine]

Originally Posted by wyatth

^ What's the "dynamic mode" of MDM you refer to?

"M dynamic mode" allows more slip before traction control kicks in/less intrusive.

Euro MDM on a US spec car would allow even more slip in MDM mode.

[wyatth]

Right, but what is the dynamic difference between US and Euro MDM? I thought Euro was just a more aggressive, less intrusive version of the same thing.

[Alex@Alpine]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Right, but what is the dynamic difference between US and Euro MDM? I thought Euro was just a more aggressive, less intrusive version of the same thing.

Pretty sure it was explained above, but in more details traction control basically works off the speed sensors on each wheel. If one of the wheels is spinning faster the traction control applies the brake on that single wheel immediately. In US MDM if I am not mistaken it allows a 5% slip over full traction on and euro allows a 7% compared to full traction on.

Traction control system on the e9X M3 is more sophisticated then my basic outline above, much more factors take into play but that is the basic idea.

I can't say the word "aggressive" applies, maybe you can say US MDM is more aggressive applying traction control and Euro is less aggressive.

Euro MDM does not mean more power, and is not a plus for everyone. You have more chance of crashing with Euro MDM vs US MDM. Some less experienced drivers will opt for US. It is just preference, had a track guy who felt US MDM was intrusive and did not want to fully turn off traction control so he selected Euro MDM and was able to increase his track time. Had another customer who did canyon runs every weekend and immediately returned the following week to go back to US MDM, felt Euro was dangerous for his driving conditions and skills.

Hope that helps

[MSY]

Alex id personally love a detailed explsnstion on how TC works in these cars as its really hard to find?

Also do you have the skill and experience to do a remote cam tune?

[4130]

Originally Posted by Nonecure

I didn't get the Servotronic adjustment since I thought it would be to much resistance. Does it feel more in between normal and sport mode? At highway speeds sport mode seems a bit too much for the daily commute.

I also didn't get the Euro MDM. Does this get selected only in M mode? I would love to have dynamic mode for everyday driving the Euro MDM on during the M mode.

I was reluctant to go with the Servotronic adjustment as well and for the same reason, so Alex gave me a file with and without. As you say, the adjustment puts it somewhere between the stock normal and sport. It really isn't too much resistance; just right. And the non-adjusted Servotronic file Alex provided for me will now never be used.

[wyatth]

Thanks, Alex. All clear on MDM differences. I was confused by the quote above me, “I would love to have dynamic mode for everyday driving [but] the Euro MDM on during the M mode.” It doesn’t seem accurate to describe one as dynamic (US) and the other as not, but now I see what he was asking for and there’s some logic to it.

[LostPanda]

Just did Alex's tune last night. Definitely day and night. The dude is awesome, couldn't make this any easier to do. Loving the lower and mid torque, stiffened servo, and vice versa. Idk why I havent dont this earlier...

[vincE92M3]

Originally Posted by LostPanda

Just did Alex's tune last night. Definitely day and night. The dude is awesome, couldn't make this any easier to do. Loving the lower and mid torque, stiffened servo, and vice versa. Idk why I havent dont this earlier...

I need to prioritize this.

We're you able to complete the remap on your own or did he remote into your laptop?

[LostPanda]

Originally Posted by vincE92M3

I need to prioritize this.

We're you able to complete the remap on your own or did he remote into your laptop?

I did it on my own, but i had a question or two and he answered almost instantly (gave me his # via email). Honestly the instructions were so clear and concise, a 5th grader could do it.

[vincE92M3]

Originally Posted by LostPanda

I did it on my own, but i had a question or two and he answered almost instantly (gave me his # via email). Honestly the instructions were so clear and concise, a 5th grader could do it.

This is great to hear. I live in a loft, so don't have a stable WiFi connection where my car is parked!

[LostPanda]

Originally Posted by vincE92M3

This is great to hear. I live in a loft, so don't have a stable WiFi connection where my car is parked!

Alex set me up where I didnt need a network for him to remote in. Once the program and maps are installed on your computer, all you need to do is make sure the laptop is charged and car battery is charged (a good drive should do). Follow per instructions, It takes 20 minutes at most, if that. If i feel like i wanna switch maps at a meet, i can pull out my laptop and do it there on the spot. Its a really great tune and the dude is awesome. He's going to do my Euro MDM this monday. Stoked.

[monterey]

I just did it, it's not rocket science. don't be too worried.

[Route 16]

So as a reference
Red is my stage 1 file on 92 octane-BMC intake filter, primary cats still on, 2ndaries and resonators deleted, iPE valved muffler, 8600 rev limit

Blue is stage 2, everything the same as above except rogue engineering test pipes and on stock rev limiter, new spark plugs (tune has been running for 200 miles before this dyno)

All on one pull reads since it’s expensive for one pull here. All up to 5th gear
Heat soak sucks even with a big ass fan even for +6HP gain, it would probably be more if it were cooler and I had the file with 8600 rev limit but until I do RB service, it’ll stay on stock rev limit. I do not use burble files.

But this isn’t the end for this stage 2 file.

[Route 16]

skip to 29 sec, done by 2 min mark

[MPower7]

Originally Posted by Route 16

So as a reference
Red is my stage 1 file on 92 octane-BMC intake filter, primary cats still on, 2ndaries and resonators deleted, iPE valved muffler, 8600 rev limit

Blue is stage 2, everything the same as above except rogue engineering test pipes and on stock rev limiter, new spark plugs (tune has been running for 200 miles before this dyno)

All on one pull reads since it’s expensive for one pull here. All up to 5th gear
Heat soak sucks even with a big ass fan even for +6HP gain, it would probably be more if it were cooler and I had the file with 8600 rev limit but until I do RB service, it’ll stay on stock rev limit. I do not use burble files.

But this isn’t the end for this stage 2 file.

Um, aren't those stock numbers? That is concerning. Even so, I though the stage 2 and test pipes would be a much larger increase than 6hp.

[Route 16]

Originally Posted by MPower7

Um, aren't those stock numbers? That is concerning. Even so, I though the stage 2 and test pipes would be a much larger increase than 6hp.

on a dyno jet expect 15-20% reading loss and this is to the wheel, not crank

+6HP from stage 1 to stage 2, yeah it is small but from my stock dyno pull at 318...to 348...+30HP jump, I'm ok with

and again consider heat soak, warmer weather, rev limiter back to stock...I uploaded an updated stage 2 file last night at home so we'll see what that makes later on

[MPower7]

Originally Posted by Route 16

on a dyno jet expect 15-20% reading loss and this is to the wheel, not crank

+6HP from stage 1 to stage 2, yeah it is small but from my stock dyno pull at 318...to 348...+30HP jump, I'm ok with

and again consider heat soak, warmer weather, rev limiter back to stock...I uploaded an updated stage 2 file last night at home so we'll see what that makes later on

I just went from stage 1 no test pipes to stage 2 with test pipes and I thought I would see a much bigger difference. It just feels a lot more smooth under acceleration. What did you do to update your stage 2 file?

[Route 16]

Originally Posted by MPower7

I just went from stage 1 no test pipes to stage 2 with test pipes and I thought I would see a much bigger difference. It just feels a lot more smooth under acceleration. What did you do to update your stage 2 file?

Alex sent it to me...I'm testing what updated stage 2 shows