Alex Alpine ECU Tune

[ricardofors68]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

ricardofors68 keep us updated how it goes. I know DreamTime is asking the same question.

Will do, hoping to have it all done before the weekend.

[bkfastwagon]

I have had ECU tunes on others cars before, but they were done at the dealerships (i.e. APR). I have to admit I am not the most tech savvy person, and the thought of something going wrong while installing a tune myself at home is horrifying. Does one need a stable internet connection to install tunes at home? I have wifi at home, but not in my garage.

[Route 16]

Originally Posted by bkfastwagon

I have had ECU tunes on others cars before, but they were done at the dealerships (i.e. APR). I have to admit I am not the most tech savvy person, and the thought of something going wrong while installing a tune myself at home is horrifying. Does one need a stable internet connection to install tunes at home? I have wifi at home, but not in my garage.

I was just like you and feared something might happen that will leave my car as a brick. But all I had to do with Alex was have him email my file and follow the step-by-step instructions. At the time he was online with me and we remote coded. While I was uploading the file and him typing instructions along the way made this mod fun.

[Scharbag]

OBDII tuning is pretty slick with the E9x M3. Just make sure you have a full charge for the car battery and plug in your laptop (if your laptop battery is crap, use a UPS too). I used a battery tender to keep the car voltage up - made me feel better. When coding, do not multitask and press the wrong button or kick a cable etc. Other than that, enjoy!!

Cheers,

[SDPLV]

Originally Posted by bkfastwagon

I have had ECU tunes on others cars before, but they were done at the dealerships (i.e. APR). I have to admit I am not the most tech savvy person, and the thought of something going wrong while installing a tune myself at home is horrifying. Does one need a stable internet connection to install tunes at home? I have wifi at home, but not in my garage.

Bruh. I used my iPhone's hotspot, haha.

[94jedi]

no worries on bricking your ecu. I had it crap out on me 1/2 through. the dongle is super sensitive to movement. Alex reassured me that it wasn't a problem and to just try again. Second time, worked perfectly. No issues.

[ricardofors68]

I followed the instructions provided with the maps and had no issues. Very quick, easy process.

The car feels like everything is quicker, especially with the throttle. Havent been able to drive the car yet as is still going through other changes.
Pics show 1st pass, no tune, vs. last past with tune. So far, I'm liking what I see...

[Alex@Alpine]

Originally Posted by ricardofors68

I followed the instructions provided with the maps and had no issues. Very quick, easy process.

The car feels like everything is quicker, especially with the throttle. Havent been able to drive the car yet as is still going through other changes.
Pics show 1st pass, no tune, vs. last past with tune. So far, I'm liking what I see...

Very nice, 28whp & 32(w)lbs gains!

[ricardofors68]

Originally Posted by Alex@Alpine

Very nice, 28whp & 32(w)lbs gains!

We wanted to see the difference between hfc vs no cats, so those will be removed and we'll swing again.

[BOOF-M3]

Wait what? 28hp and 32tq on a stage 1? Last dyno we saw was 25Hp and 13hp on stage 1.

[Grayblack]

Originally Posted by ricardofors68

We wanted to see the difference between hfc vs no cats, so those will be removed and we'll swing again.

That's very impressive! Which hfc's are you running?

[ricardofors68]

I'm using AFE race x-pipe.

[EricSMG]

I'm relatively new to the S65 but have been driving the S54 for over 10 years. I'm in CA so 91 octane is the point of reference here. I'm very sensitive to engine characteristics and power delivery, throttle mapping, flat spots, etc.

In my opinion, the S65, bone stock, on 91 octane (2008 model year, assuming old software), has a very sleepy midrange but good bottom end and excellent top end.

Bottom: 2.5k to 4krpm
Midrange: 4k to 6krpm
Top: 6k to redline

I personally think the "bottom end" is fine.... it's got enough to get the job done and pulls cleanly up to the 4k rpm torque peak. Would more bottom be bad? Heck no, but I don't get the constant complaints about the lack of low end in this car - that's entirely not the point of this motor.

The problem is the midrange, where you spend 99% of the time. If you look at any S65 dyno you'll see that torque output drops sharply just after 4k and sorta lulls all the way until 6.5k rpm. This is what makes the S65 feel a bit sleepy on the street, at times. Conversely, an S54 has a nice big hump right in the middle, with a torque peak at 5k rpm, without any valleys, and so it feels much more alive in normal street use. This isn't an S65 vs S54 debate, just pointing out the relative midrange differences. The S65's top end is incredible.... zero complaints or wants there.

So - what I'm looking for in a tune is simply the following:

- More midrange (area under curve)
- More linear throttle mapping (less dead zones, more consistency)
- More response from the motor in all situations

I don't need options. I don't need fluff. I absolutely do NOT want an artificially over-boosted throttle mapping as that's not real power. I am skeptical on this tune satisfying me since, as we all know, the S65 pulls timing as it is on 91 octane and so this tune surely isn't making gains by increasing timing. Further, simply updating an older car to the newest 241E base software produces good gains, so those gains can't be attributed to the aftermarket "tune".

Questions:

- So if not timing, and if not "fake" throttle mapping, will this tune actually give me what I'm looking for?
- Is there an option/way to load only the 241E base software on my older car as a stepping stone?
- If I start with stage 1 and then later add test pipes, what is the up-charge for stage 2, if any?
- Once at stage 2, will the car show as 100% "ready" when plugged into a smog machine here in CA (there is no sniffer, but ECU must be in a normal state with no check engine light to pass)

[Th3_Transport3r]

Originally Posted by ricardofors68

I followed the instructions provided with the maps and had no issues. Very quick, easy process.

The car feels like everything is quicker, especially with the throttle. Havent been able to drive the car yet as is still going through other changes.
Pics show 1st pass, no tune, vs. last past with tune. So far, I'm liking what I see...

what bolt ons do you have??

[ricardofors68]

Originally Posted by Th3_Transport3r

what bolt ons do you have??

Technocraft air intake system
Afe race x pipe, primary hfc, electric cutouts before the stock mufflers
MS Underdrive pulley

Next week we will dyno again without cats

[aryan_m3]

Iv had Alex's DCT (GTS flash) & Alex's engine tune for over a year. And I can say it was one of the best mods Iv done for this car hands down. Also he's a really great guy if you ever need a extra map or anything right away he sends you it! Not a lot of companies would do this!

[Route 16]

I had 400 miles of PNW fun yesterday and liked the responsiveness throughout. True about multiple maps. I have an octane map for 91,92, 93.
I'm contemplating a test pipe set up now.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by Route 16

I had 400 miles of PNW fun yesterday and liked the responsiveness throughout. True about multiple maps. I have an octane map for 91,92, 93.
I'm contemplating a test pipe set up now.

Do it. stage 2 is the way to go.

[94jedi]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Do it. stage 2 is the way to go.

going from stg 1 to stg2 is even more transformative than going to stg 1, IMHO.

[Alex@Alpine]

Thank you guys!

[shmad]

Hey Alex, I have an 08 E90, which most likely has had no software update. What will the 241E software alone do for me? Not just in terms of performance, but overall?

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by Alex@Alpine

Thank you guys!

Alex:

Questions:

- So if not timing, and if not "overly sensitive" throttle mapping, will this tune actually more midrange (4-6k) punch?
- Is there an option/way to load only the 241E base software on my older car as a stepping stone?
- If I start with stage 1 and then later add test pipes, what is the up-charge for stage 2, if any?
- Once at stage 2, will the car show as 100% "ready" when plugged into a smog machine here in CA (there is no sniffer, but ECU must be in a normal state with no check engine light to pass)