JB4 or Cobb for stock N54 drive

RElias21 · 10-29-2012, 12:21 PM

Thanks guys, but I'm asking a fairly specific question.

Assuming 93 octane and the same exact mods, will a Cobb protune be significantly more powerful than a jb4.

I know that "significance" is subjective here, and so i am qualifying it somewhat by saying that if a Cobb protune would walk a jb4 (all else equal), that is significant to me and would warrant the extra $$$.

marv85 · 10-29-2012, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragi Elias

Thanks guys, but I'm asking a fairly specific question.

Assuming 93 octane and the same exact mods, will a Cobb protune be significantly more powerful than a jb4.

I know that "significance" is subjective here, and so i am qualifying it somewhat by saying that if a Cobb protune would walk a jb4 (all else equal), that is significant to me and would warrant the extra $$$.

A custom tune should be superior to any solution that is made to work on all cars with their hardware differences (not all WG are the same, etc...)

That tune will be tailored to your car hardware, and to your liking. I think it's worth it.

I thought with the race maps I wouldn't need a custom tune, but I was very happy with how much I got over OTS.

I'll let others with the same experience chime in

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 10-29-2012, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragi Elias

Thanks guys, but I'm asking a fairly specific question.

Assuming 93 octane and the same exact mods, will a Cobb protune be significantly more powerful than a jb4.

I know that "significance" is subjective here, and so i am qualifying it somewhat by saying that if a Cobb protune would walk a jb4 (all else equal), that is significant to me and would warrant the extra $$$.

Are we talking custom tuned JB4 versus custom tuned COBB?

Mike

Bagelfast · 10-29-2012, 01:00 PM

Im pretty sure the JB4 G5 ISO, is better at boost control then the COBB.
Along with the on the fly map switching, lagfix/wastegate adjustment, code reading/clearing etc. is amazing that the COBB cant offer.

The in dash menus, and on the fly menu alone is huge for me anyways. And the new isolated boost control on the G5 board is amazing.

RElias21 · 10-29-2012, 01:29 PM

I did not know that you can custom tune the jb4. Either way, I am not taking about doing any custom tuning myself, but having it protuned. I was comparing protuned Cobb to standard jb4. Is there protuning for the Jb4?as well?

marv85 · 10-29-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragi Elias

I did not know that you can custom tune the jb4. Either way, I am not taking about doing any custom tuning myself, but having it protuned. I was comparing protuned Cobb to standard jb4. Is there protuning for the Jb4?as well?

There is little you can dyno in custom tuning for JB4 (boost and AFR), you will always be a salve to the stock programming as well.

marv85 · 10-29-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LUMI

Im pretty sure the JB4 G5 ISO, is better at boost control then the COBB.
Along with the on the fly map switching, lagfix/wastegate adjustment, code reading/clearing etc. is amazing that the COBB cant offer.

The in dash menus, and on the fly menu alone is huge for me anyways. And the new isolated boost control on the G5 board is amazing.

Isolated boost control is cool. Would you mind doing a quick experiment where you log with the ISO boost control and compare in virtual dyno to be fore. Let me know how much you gained on the same map

Point is, that's not what a COBB pro tune is about. It can offer a lot more. Have you looked at COBB ATR? if not just take a look at what you can tune and compare it to the JB4 (I had a JB4 not so long ago along with my COBB so I know what I'm talking about )

marv85 · 10-29-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragi Elias

I did not know that you can custom tune the jb4. Either way, I am not taking about doing any custom tuning myself, but having it protuned. I was comparing protuned Cobb to standard jb4. Is there protuning for the Jb4?as well?

btw do you have E85 where you live? if yes, is that something you considered running?

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 10-29-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragi Elias

I was comparing protuned Cobb to standard jb4. Is there protuning for the Jb4?as well?

If thats the comparison then I would imagine the COBB would have a slight edge over the JB4 map2 lets say. On a completely stock car on pump gas the difference won't be very big as the off the shelf maps are pretty good. Its when you get full bolt ons, meth, E85, etc. that customizing has a more appreciable benefit.

Another good option would be the JB4 on E85 (low % mix)

Mike

Sered · 10-29-2012, 02:17 PM

This thread convinced me, along with the headache of upgrading the AA JB3 clone to a JB4 using a pinout harness and the situation with BMS ripping off the clutch stops.

EDIT: If anyone else is going to switch or thinking about it, PM Jeff@topgearsolutions, he gave me an awesome deal. I'm going to be back on the flash-train and hopefully done with piggy-backing.

VNeBLOB42 · 10-29-2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marv85

btw do you have E85 where you live? if yes, is that something you considered running?

What is E85?

Sered · 10-29-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VNeBLOB42

What is E85?

I wish we had E85. Closest station is in Orlando. I've got Sunoco 104 available within a mile of my house, but its $8/gal bleh.

marv85 · 10-29-2012, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VNeBLOB42

What is E85?

Btw, finished my tuning

no throttle closures. Need one more run for the heck of it (didn;t have enough E85 last time)

VNeBLOB42 · 10-29-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marv85

Btw, finished my tuning

no throttle closures. Need one more run for the heck of it (didn;t have enough E85 last time)

That's that winter blend..

Even though Propel Fuels assured me they don't reduce the amount of Ethanol on the west coast. But then again, they don't make the blends.

best do logs on each fill up to be sure.

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 10-30-2012, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sered

JB4 using a pinout harness

Who uses pin-out harnesses anymore

Mike

Sered · 10-30-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

Who uses pin-out harnesses anymore

Mike

I did when I bought my car with an AA AP2 piggyback on it

Removing the pinout harness and replacing it with the PnP harness would have been more work than just modding the pinout harness for the JB4 (not to mention more expensive since I could buy the JB4 unit separately).

It was a good intro to the car, though I dove into the wiring pinouts a bit more than I cared to at that point. Instead of a handshake, it was more of a "HOW 'YOU' DURIN?!?"

marv85 · 10-30-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VNeBLOB42

That's that winter blend..

Even though Propel Fuels assured me they don't reduce the amount of Ethanol on the west coast. But then again, they don't make the blends.

best do logs on each fill up to be sure.

I agree. But I actually accounted for that by putting more E85. The problem was the fuel in the tank was low octane because of a stupid mistake I made when I filling up after a long day at work...

Now it's just waiting for the next dry window lol

Wedge1967 · 10-30-2012, 12:51 PM

Hey Marv, give me a call when you get ready to go run. We'll see if you can catch me through the canyon now that you have your issues resolved.

BTW, anyone reading this who still thinks the knock off clone JB4 is better than COBB needs to rethink things. Yes JB4 has some nice options and with the G5 board it's closer to the PROcede than it's ever been in the past with regard to functionality. But, you're still eventually going to hit a wall with your tune that only a flash can fix depending on how far you want to push the limits of your car.

OP, I hope you get a tune that you're happy with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marv85

I agree. But I actually accounted for that by putting more E85. The problem was the fuel in the tank was low octane because of a stupid mistake I made when I filling up after a long day at work...

Now it's just waiting for the next dry window lol

marv85 · 10-30-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

Hey Marv, give me a call when you get ready to go run. We'll see if you can catch me through the canyon now that you have your issues resolved.

BTW, anyone reading this who still thinks the knock off clone JB4 is better than COBB needs to rethink things. Yes JB4 has some nice options and with the G5 board it's closer to the PROcede than it's ever been in the past with regard to functionality. But, you're still eventually going to hit a wall with your tune that only a flash can fix depending on how far you want to push the limits of your car.

OP, I hope you get a tune that you're happy with.

I might hit the dyno very

Wedge1967 · 10-30-2012, 05:47 PM

Let me know when. Maybe COBB will cut us a deal if we do a back to back session. Hold off until after Shift S3ctor because I need to get my DME re-flashed with some of the latest updates to include the booster fuel pump. I should have a good baseline dyno from FFTEC's Mustang to compare to COBB's Mustang. PS... The beer won't drink itself...

Drop over when you have time.

Sorry OP... Buy the COBB... You'll thank us later... BTW, I run a PROcede FBO with Meth. If it wasn't for the fact that I can't afford to buy the COBB at this moment, I would probably have my PROcede stacked with the COBB. The PROcede has some advantages, especially if you want to run a single turbo which I do. But for everyday driving with killer performance, buy the COBB. If you do, Marv is the man to PM if you have any questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marv85

I might hit the dyno very

Sered · 11-05-2012, 07:09 PM

Ok, Cobb Stage2+FMIC Aggressive gave me spark blowout on cyl 2. Replaced the plugs and I'm running perfect.

And now I have a serious traction problem in 2nd gear where I could only briefly chirp the tires. I can't tell if this is a JB4 vs Cobb thing or a temperature thing. The last time I drove my car hard, the avg temp per day was about 10-15 degrees hotter though still very humid. Spinning 275 Michelin PSS

I need an LSD now.

AWil335i · 11-05-2012, 07:18 PM

Can't say anything about COBB, but the JB4 has been fantastic on my car and the support has been phenomenal. No matter what you go with, I doubt it will be the last performance item you purchase

.

Tune and DCI only - 12.3 and 113 are my fastest with E85 mix.

10-29-2012, 12:21 PM	#89
RElias21 Captain 563 Rep 884 Posts Drives: 2017 30 Jahre M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys, but I'm asking a fairly specific question. Assuming 93 octane and the same exact mods, will a Cobb protune be significantly more powerful than a jb4. I know that "significance" is subjective here, and so i am qualifying it somewhat by saying that if a Cobb protune would walk a jb4 (all else equal), that is significant to me and would warrant the extra $$$. __________________ Previously: 2010 E92 335 (6MT) 2011 E92 M3 ZCP (6MT)
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10-29-2012, 01:00 PM	#92
Bagelfast Lieutenant Colonel 125 Rep 1,546 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Im pretty sure the JB4 G5 ISO, is better at boost control then the COBB. Along with the on the fly map switching, lagfix/wastegate adjustment, code reading/clearing etc. is amazing that the COBB cant offer. The in dash menus, and on the fly menu alone is huge for me anyways. And the new isolated boost control on the G5 board is amazing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2012, 01:29 PM	#93
RElias21 Captain 563 Rep 884 Posts Drives: 2017 30 Jahre M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (1)	I did not know that you can custom tune the jb4. Either way, I am not taking about doing any custom tuning myself, but having it protuned. I was comparing protuned Cobb to standard jb4. Is there protuning for the Jb4?as well? __________________ Previously: 2010 E92 335 (6MT) 2011 E92 M3 ZCP (6MT)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2012, 02:17 PM	#98
Sered Major 146 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbourne, FL iTrader: (3)	This thread convinced me, along with the headache of upgrading the AA JB3 clone to a JB4 using a pinout harness and the situation with BMS ripping off the clutch stops. EDIT: If anyone else is going to switch or thinking about it, PM Jeff@topgearsolutions, he gave me an awesome deal. I'm going to be back on the flash-train and hopefully done with piggy-backing. __________________ '08 E90 w/ just boltons '09 Z4 sDrive35i w/ just boltons Last edited by Sered; 10-29-2012 at 02:54 PM..
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11-05-2012, 07:09 PM	#109
Sered Major 146 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbourne, FL iTrader: (3)	Ok, Cobb Stage2+FMIC Aggressive gave me spark blowout on cyl 2. Replaced the plugs and I'm running perfect. And now I have a serious traction problem in 2nd gear where I could only briefly chirp the tires. I can't tell if this is a JB4 vs Cobb thing or a temperature thing. The last time I drove my car hard, the avg temp per day was about 10-15 degrees hotter though still very humid. Spinning 275 Michelin PSS I need an LSD now. __________________ '08 E90 w/ just boltons '09 Z4 sDrive35i w/ just boltons
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2012, 07:18 PM	#110
AWil335i Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 281 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 335i [0.00]	Can't say anything about COBB, but the JB4 has been fantastic on my car and the support has been phenomenal. No matter what you go with, I doubt it will be the last performance item you purchase . Tune and DCI only - 12.3 and 113 are my fastest with E85 mix.
	Appreciate 0 Quote