[Aaron_N55]

JB4 -> COBB V3. The JB4 seemed 100% fine in my F10 535i but seemed choppy / non linear in my E92 335i. I'm willing to give the JB4 another shot come summer.

[DieselDrink]

Hi all,
I'm a newbie to bmw and just purchasing a 2011, 335 xdrive, spec editon this week. I don't think it has the bmw power pack tune in it that some of those cars came with. If I want a stage 1 or light tune what do you all suggest?

[Socket]

JB4

[LGCubana]

Originally Posted by DieselDrink

Hi all,
I'm a newbie to bmw and just purchasing a 2011, 335 xdrive, spec editon this week. I don't think it has the bmw power pack tune in it that some of those cars came with. If I want a stage 1 or light tune what do you all suggest?

There are a lot of factors to consider:

1. $$$
COBB: $800 new
JB4 w/USB: $570 new

2. Installation/Tuning
COBB is the equivalent to Apple computer. Easier to setup (just flash the DME) and load an OffTheShelf map. You can pay someone to professionally tune your ride either on a dyno or remotely (via an eTune), after you add all of the performance modifications.

JB4 requires your digging into the DME box and also making 4/5 connections in the engine bay. Many owners say that they can install or remove the JB4 in under 30 minutes, after the 1st time.
Tuning (beyond the stock maps) will require a good amount of research on your part; as the JB4 is more of a self help platform. One of the forum's Vendors has indicated that they will be doing tuning on the JB4 platform very soon.

3. Dealer visits, while under warranty
COBB: takes 15-20 minutes (and a well charged battery) to reflash to the stock DME programming
JB4: the consensus is under 30 minutes to route around the engine bay to physically pull it out and reconnect the stock sensors

Unique features:
JB4 N55 Link: can be used to hijack your analog display to show boost, change your settings on the fly (via the controls on your steering wheel). Best to got the link, there is a laundry list of features

COBB N55 link: display realtime metering and data logging, on the unit itself.

Good luck with your research

[DieselDrink]

Wow, awsome guys. Thank you for your replies. I will look into both. I want something fairly simple, it sounds like COBB although more expensive maybe a bit easier.

[ChrisMcP05]

Originally Posted by DieselDrink

Wow, awsome guys. Thank you for your replies. I will look into both. I want something fairly simple, it sounds like COBB although more expensive maybe a bit easier.

I've dealt with Cobb on both the 335 and my old Evo IX. Although the maps are OTS maps, and some people do not like them as much, the ease of use makes the unit nice if you aren't planning on going totally to town on the vehicle. Simple mods and the Cobb seem to be working well for me. On the Evo I had a lot more going on - running much higher numbers, but it also is a completely different animal.

Also - you can use the unit (as somebody mentioned before) to show gauges while running. It also can read all codes should something go wrong (i.e. - misfire) and tell you where exactly it occurred to ease the process of fixing it. Overall - it's a little more expensive but it does everything you need / want.

[JETmn]

The other thing to consider is that the JB4 will offer considerably more power than the Cobb OTS maps. It is a drastic difference as the Cobb stock maps are pretty bad. A custom tune will get you equal to the JB4, but that is quite a bit more money again. I believe around $400, but not positive on that.

I can swap the JB4 out in under 20 minutes, it is really pretty basic after you do it once or twice. The map switching on the JB4 is great too. I can switch from E40 to 93 oct in 5 seconds.

The each have their benefits. For a fairly stock car I would go JB4. I will be stacking a Cobb with my JB4 later this year to get the best of both worlds.

[DieselDrink]

Originally Posted by JETmn

The other thing to consider is that the JB4 will offer considerably more power than the Cobb OTS maps. It is a drastic difference as the Cobb stock maps are pretty bad. A custom tune will get you equal to the JB4, but that is quite a bit more money again. I believe around $400, but not positive on that.

I can swap the JB4 out in under 20 minutes, it is really pretty basic after you do it once or twice. The map switching on the JB4 is great too. I can switch from E40 to 93 oct in 5 seconds.

The each have their benefits. For a fairly stock car I would go JB4. I will be stacking a Cobb with my JB4 later this year to get the best of both worlds.

Thanks Jet. Is the JB4 a module then you physically connect/disconnect as you're mentioning? ie. its not just an ECU flash?

[JETmn]

Originally Posted by DieselDrink

Thanks Jet. Is the JB4 a module then you physically connect/disconnect as you're mentioning? ie. its not just an ECU flash?

That is correct, it is commonly referred to as a piggy-back system. While not real elegant, it is very effective on a mildly tuned car. The BMW ECU has the capabilities to integrate it well. Easily the best bang for the buck mod out there.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

The JB4 on the N55 is a easy to install. Much easier then installing on the older N54 engine cars. One thing to know about the Cobb AP with N55 is the common issue of incompatibility. Although rare we've seen quite a few instances where folks had to have their cars ECU reflashed by the dealer before they could install the Cobb AP.

It typically puts folks in a bad place because they need to somehow convince the dealer to perform an ECU update without red flagging them that you want to install a tune.

Keeping that in mind, the cost of the JB4, power and features it offers can be more appealing.

[DieselDrink]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

The JB4 on the N55 is a easy to install. Much easier then installing on the older N54 engine cars. One thing to know about the Cobb AP with N55 is the common issue of incompatibility. Although rare we've seen quite a few instances where folks had to have their cars ECU reflashed by the dealer before they could install the Cobb AP.

It typically puts folks in a bad place because they need to somehow convince the dealer to perform an ECU update without red flagging them that you want to install a tune.

Keeping that in mind, the cost of the JB4, power and features it offers can be more appealing.

Awesome. So say I did a JB4, and an air intake and the charge pipe and I should be pretty happy? How much HP/Torque would those things add (approximately)? Curious.

[JETmn]

Originally Posted by DieselDrink

Awesome. So say I did a JB4, and an air intake and the charge pipe and I should be pretty happy? How much HP/Torque would those things add (approximately)? Curious.

The JB4 is the only power adder there. Charge pipe is reliability and intake is just sound. On pump gas you should see about 40hp and 60tq, flex fuel even more.

I have JB4 w/flex fuel, charge pipe and Pure stage 1. This is how the car should have came from the factory. Easily a mid 12 second car now. I have a DP and FMIC waiting to go on in the near future.

[mojobmw_e90]

Jb4 with bms backend flash.. 93 octane 17psi all day long,than once 5500 comes up falls down to 13

I need new turbos people!!

[JETmn]

Originally Posted by mojobmw_e90

Jb4 with bms backend flash.. 93 octane 17psi all day long,than once 5500 comes up falls down to 13

I need new turbos people!!

Join the club and buy one then! Stage 1 holds about 16 psi to redline. Pure Stage 2 looks like a whole lot of fun. It holds at least 21.

[timothy2001]

I am so happy with this thread!

Thanks to all who have posted and keep it going!

It's madnesses!!!! I need a JB4, DP, new Turbo and PE!

It truely never ends!

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by LGCubana

I think a more telling poll question would be: have you converted from one platform to the other

No

if yes, then
COBB --> JB4
or
JB4 --> COBB

I went from JB4 -> Cobb with Pro Tune -> JB4 with back end flash.

[DieselDrink]

Originally Posted by JETmn

The JB4 is the only power adder there. Charge pipe is reliability and intake is just sound. On pump gas you should see about 40hp and 60tq, flex fuel even more.

I have JB4 w/flex fuel, charge pipe and Pure stage 1. This is how the car should have came from the factory. Easily a mid 12 second car now. I have a DP and FMIC waiting to go on in the near future.

Sorry I'm a newbie to gasser mods, I came from 15 years driving a VW TDI modded and tweaked had lots of fun there too, but,

what is "w/ flex fuel" and what is Pure Stage 1?

Thanks for explaining.

[LGCubana]

Originally Posted by Nugget

I went from JB4 -> Cobb with Pro Tune -> JB4 with back end flash.

Right now I'm on your stage 2.

What was missing or what did you gain by going back to the JB4 ?

Thanks

[turbo_chris]

Originally Posted by DieselDrink

Sorry I'm a newbie to gasser mods, I came from 15 years driving a VW TDI modded and tweaked had lots of fun there too, but,

what is "w/ flex fuel" and what is Pure Stage 1?

Thanks for explaining.

The term "flex fuel" is what they call the connector that plugs into the fuel rail high pressure sensor. It's a add on with the jb4 processor that gives better control over fuel for E85 use or upgraded turbo cars. The term is a bit misleading as it's not a "flex fuel" specific item, but simply a way for the jb4 to interface with that fuel rail pressure sensor.

Pure stage 1 is a turbo upgrade from "pure turbos."

[mike5809]

Originally Posted by mojobmw_e90

Jb4 with bms backend flash.. 93 octane 17psi all day long,than once 5500 comes up falls down to 13

Tune: COBB V3 + PTF Map (93 oct) - stock turbo.

Running about the same as you; peaks at 20psi at ~3000rpms, drops quickly to 18psi mid 3k rpm range, then steadily declines to 13psi just after 5k.

[DieselDrink]

I know this thread is about tunes, but can anyone comment re:
aFe Power 54-11912 Stage 2 Cold Air Intake System for BMW 335i
versus
BMS intake

Other than price, take out that variable.

[silver07335i]

Originally Posted by LGCubana

There are a lot of factors to consider:

1. $$$
COBB: $800 new
JB4 w/USB: $570 new
...

You can definitely get a Cobb v3 Accessport through forum vendors and get a big discount.