[gibumee]

i had the bmw performance power kit (software only) installed yesterday and had some time to drive it both city and highway (30+ miles) today.

frankly, i am having a hard time noticing the added hp or tq. i never found the stock engine lacking power but i honestly can't feel what others have felt... such as faster response (still have that dead zone) and reduced or eliminated turbo lag. is 20 some hp and tq too small for my brain to distinguish?

one thing for sure is that it completely changed the exhaust sound (stock). it's is much deeper and louder from 2k+ rpm and the burble is kind of nice.

maybe the soon the arrive catless dp will add some additional power.

[thenewrick]

You can't eliminate turbo lag. The PPK only adds like 30 hp at the crank which is negligible. If you want real power you can feel get a JB4 and run map 5. That'll get you about 3x as much power as the PPK software

[davidwarren]

this is probably a stupid question, but how does the PPK alone generate exhaust overrun (burble)?

[thenewrick]

Ya I wasn't sure about that either. Maybe it opens the can flap and makes it run rich?

[SilverII]

hows the gas mileage?

[usmc_ja]

Interesting. I have ordered the PPK1 and will have it installed on my e90 335i on August 19th. I'll post my thoughts too. One thing I have read is that the performance seems to get a bit better after driving for a few miles. Not sure if this is true or not. I can tell you that it took 500 miles or so for my golf-T mod to really be noticeable. I have no clue why that would be. But it sounds much different than when I first disconnected the solenoid...esp on cold start-ups. The car really rumbles now.

[gibumee]

mileage seems same. i think it leaves the exhaust valves open but it def sounds louder and the burble in intoxicating. i think the sounds make the car feel faster

[CombatNinja]

Not trying to insult your intelligence but are you giving the car full throttle? Part throttle driving is close enough to stock to be almost imperceptible. It is under full power that you should feel at least something. Dyno results bear out that this is about a 10% increase in power and torque. Evenn the most poorly calibrated butt dyno should be able to feel that. Go give it a few full throttle runs up through the gears and report back.

[gibumee]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

Not trying to insult your intelligence but are you giving the car full throttle? Part throttle driving is close enough to stock to be almost imperceptible. It is under full power that you should feel at least something. Dyno results bear out that this is about a 10% increase in power and torque. Evenn the most poorly calibrated butt dyno should be able to feel that. Go give it a few full throttle runs up through the gears and report back.

Not sure how that relates to my intelligence but I will def try WOT. I actually rarely engage myself in full throttle.

[deathbunny]

Originally Posted by gibumee

Not sure how that relates to my intelligence but I will def try WOT. I actually rarely engage myself in full throttle.

If you don't WOT on a regular basis I think it would difficult to notice ~10% change to something your not that used to experiencing in the first place.

[CombatNinja]

I didn't want to insult your intelligence by making the assumption that you are not giving the car full throttle. The PPK software is a mild factory tune that is only going to be evident near maximum throttle. This isn't like slapping a blower on a Ford Mustang V8 wherein the change is apparent at all times. Not to be an asshole but if you rarely go full throttle, why did you buy the tune in the first place?

[gwhiz]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

I didn't want to insult your intelligence by making the assumption that you are not giving the car full throttle. The PPK software is a mild factory tune that is only going to be evident near maximum throttle. This isn't like slapping a blower on a Ford Mustang V8 wherein the change is apparent at all times. Not to be an asshole but if you rarely go full throttle, why did you buy the tune in the first place?

I think that a lot of people, myself included, got the PPK1 for the drivability aspect of the tune, not for any significant power increase. Not sure about the N54 but my N55 had horrible throttle lag that I felt would only be improved with the tune. Since I bought my car new off the lot I didn't want to go with JB4 - it would also help with the lag but could potentially void my warranty if it was ever discovered.

For the people wanting to street/drag race the PPK is certainly not the right tune, but for the daily drivers that want a more predictable and enjoyable experience I think the PPK delivers, albeit very subtle as the OP is finding out.

[moorlander]

Originally Posted by gibumee

i had the bmw performance power kit (software only) installed yesterday and had some time to drive it both city and highway (30+ miles) today.

frankly, i am having a hard time noticing the added hp or tq. i never found the stock engine lacking power but i honestly can't feel what others have felt... such as faster response (still have that dead zone) and reduced or eliminated turbo lag. is 20 some hp and tq too small for my brain to distinguish?

one thing for sure is that it completely changed the exhaust sound (stock). it's is much deeper and louder from 2k+ rpm and the burble is kind of nice.

maybe the soon the arrive catless dp will add some additional power.

30 miles is not long enough. Give it at least a week.

[gibumee]

Originally Posted by gwhiz

I think that a lot of people, myself included, got the PPK1 for the drivability aspect of the tune, not for any significant power increase. Not sure about the N54 but my N55 had horrible throttle lag that I felt would only be improved with the tune. Since I bought my car new off the lot I didn't want to go with JB4 - it would also help with the lag but could potentially void my warranty if it was ever discovered.

For the people wanting to street/drag race the PPK is certainly not the right tune, but for the daily drivers that want a more predictable and enjoyable experience I think the PPK delivers, albeit very subtle as the OP is finding out.

I completely agree with you. I bought mine used with only 7k miles so I thought I should try out the PPK first. And having researched reviews by some of the early adopters it seemed to have provided them exactly the kind of improvements I was looking for.

I guess I didn't have a better understanding of tuning in general and the biggest problem is I'm already getting greedy. I want more power!!!

[gibumee]

Originally Posted by moorlander

30 miles is not long enough. Give it at least a week.

Definitely. Going out for a long drive now! Beautiful day here in Chicago.

[CombatNinja]

Stomp on that right pedal and tell me the car is not faster. The car will hit 100mph before you know it.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by gibumee

Definitely. Going out for a long drive now! Beautiful day here in Chicago.

Ahhh...the Windy City. Lucky you are my friend- enjoy the day!

[gibumee]

After a full tank of gas and WOT like its going out if fashion I realized what my problem was during my first drive after PPK install. My wife was in the car

With some alone time, I quickly realized that the car is definitely more responsive at all RPM ranges. Throttle response is different and for the better. One thing I notice during a quick blip on the trottle at low RPM is that it builds rev quickly then it shifts up even faster creating an uncomfortable jerk. But other that that added power relentless pulls. At times I felt scared during WOT as the suspension bounced and tires slipped on the shitty roads of Chicago.

I am still amazed at how much change in sound it brought to the stock exhaust.

[gibumee]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Ahhh...the Windy City. Lucky you are my friend- enjoy the day!

Ah NY. I used to live in Manhattan a few years back for a few years... (7th and Houston). That's when I had a G35 Coupe. I miss Joe's Pizza.

[bdoooh]

I dunno how anyone buys this car and doesn't go WOT regularly...

[WildBee659]

Originally Posted by gibumee

After a full tank of gas and WOT like its going out if fashion I realized what my problem was during my first drive after PPK install. My wife was in the car

With some alone time, I quickly realized that the car is definitely more responsive at all RPM ranges. Throttle response is different and for the better. One thing I notice during a quick blip on the trottle at low RPM is that it builds rev quickly then it shifts up even faster creating an uncomfortable jerk. But other that that added power relentless pulls. At times I felt scared during WOT as the suspension bounced and tires slipped on the shitty roads of Chicago.

I am still amazed at how much change in sound it brought to the stock exhaust.

Its also my problem some days. I'm glad you found the PPK to be a nice upgrade. At 50 mph and up, speed increases fast when you go WOT. Great for passing on 2-lane roads. Enjoy.

Originally Posted by bdoooh

I dunno how anyone buys this car and doesn't go WOT regularly...

I dunno, I just turn 53 yrs old, have hand controls (I'm a paraplegic) and WOT is a must every time I drive it.LOL

[gibumee]

i can't get enough of the louder exhaust!!! i have a catless dp coming (used ar from a member here)... i have a feeling i will want an exhaust after that