[M-Steep]

I had the factory Power Performance Kit (PPK) Stage 2 installed in my 2009 E93. The Stage 2 includes an auxilliary coolant radiator (installed in the driver's side front fender well), a larger radiator fan, and an ECU flash for a modest increase in torque/horsepower.

I know it's not a very popular tuning option, but I'll share my reasons. I wanted the increased OEM cooling capacity as a solid base for any future tuning; I wanted to preserve the original and CPO warranties I have; my power goals are modest for now, until I add an LSD and some beefed up suspension bits.

I am more than satisfied with the results. Throttle response feels much smoother and broader, with no hint of lag, suggesting the torque curve had been raised and broadened, greatly enhancing tractability between 3-5k rpm, which is where most of my driving happens. I would agree with comments made by others who had the PPK tune along the lines of "car should have come this way originally". Feels really good, in an organic sort of a way.

But impressions are obviously subjective, and I wanted to know quantitatively what the tune actually produced, so I had a baseline dyno session done before the install, and then went back to the same outfit for an "after" dyno run. Charts are posted below.

Results: the PPK tune delivered a better-than-advertised increase in torque, approx. 45 ft/lbs (!) across the band. Increase in HP was as advertised, approx. 20 HP across the band, although comparing peak to peak, HP was up only 16. The baseline runs showed a pronounced HP peak at about 5600, while the PPK runs show a higher, flatter HP curve there, but if you look across the band, the "before" and "after" HP curves track between 3k and 5k at a consistent 20 HP difference. I thought the numbers confirmed my driving impression - a nice increase in power right where I could feel it the most.

First chart below shows the two baseline runs. Second chart is the two-run session a few days after the PPK install. Third chart is the overlay of the "before" and "after".

Note about the dynos: after checking online recommendations in my area (I live in Austin, TX), I went to Henderson Performance in nearby New Braunfels. Corey Henderson is the owner/operator, great guy and really good to work with. He's a Chevy guy (lots of LS1 car porn in his shop), but graciously tolerated my little German machine. He personally operated my car on the dyno, and the consistency of the runs is a testament to his thorough, smooth approach. Felt like my car was in good hands. And at $60 for two pulls, cost was very reasonable.

[Rickygst]

Yes I did this also when it first came out. I sought of thought like you in the beginning but after a while I wanted more. So I bought the cobb. Looking back a waste of money for me. Hopefully it will be enough for you. Congrats

[idrift4wd]

Try a jb4 (or cobb/procede/giac/etc) if your impressed with a ppk stage 2. Cooling stuff is awesome though!

some decent torque on some runs!

[marv85]

Good review, and I agree the cooling parts are worth it.

btw did you log boost? I was always curious what boost it targets with ppk? I would look to see their timing curve as well but I'm pretty sure that you don;t have that

[Wedge1967]

OP, can you find someone who has INPA that can read the assembly # on the ECU/DME?

[M-Steep]

Originally Posted by marv85

Good review, and I agree the cooling parts are worth it.

btw did you log boost? I was always curious what boost it targets with ppk? I would look to see their timing curve as well but I'm pretty sure that you don;t have that

Wasn't setup to log, unfortunately. I am curious to know as well, but assuming the tune was mostly an increase in boost. The AFR numbers did look better (for power) with the PPK tune; hard to see on the printouts, though.

[M-Steep]

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

OP, can you find someone who has INPA that can read the assembly # on the ECU/DME?

I will try and get that for you; I did code a few things myself via INPA when I retrofit 6FL on my car, but it's been awhile, and I've got an old man's memory. What's the interest?

[marv85]

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

OP, can you find someone who has INPA that can read the assembly # on the ECU/DME?

we're thinking the same thing

[SharkBait]

I have the PPK stage 2 and a working INPA but I haven't explored INPA much yet. Tell me the steps in INPA to read the assembly number, and I'll share the results.

OP, thanks for posting this. Good to see a baseline dyno along with PPK improvements. I am pretty happy with the feel of the PPK though I have nothing to compare it with as I bought the car with it already installed. A friend just scored me a great deal on a Cobb AP so should soon be able to compare PPK vs. Cobb. Waiting to get the car serviced before I install it.

[marv85]

Originally Posted by SharkBait

I have the PPK stage 2 and a working INPA but I haven't explored INPA much yet. Tell me the steps in INPA to read the assembly number, and I'll share the results.

OP, thanks for posting this. Good to see a baseline dyno along with PPK improvements. I am pretty happy with the feel of the PPK though I have nothing to compare it with as I bought the car with it already installed.

A friend just scored me a great deal on a Cobb AP so should soon be able to compare PPK vs. Cobb. Waiting to get the car serviced before I install it.

hey dude, do you have any logs with PPK? mainly boost and timing.

[SharkBait]

Originally Posted by marv85

hey dude, do you have any logs with PPK? mainly boost and timing.

Not yet. I am assuming I need the Cobb AP to log boost accurately as my bluetooth OBDII doesn't do it right. Once I have the Cobb, I can run some logs of the PPK before switching over to one of the Cobb maps.

BTW, I need the INPA steps for reading assy no. in DME.

[marv85]

Originally Posted by SharkBait

Not yet. I am assuming I need the Cobb AP to log boost accurately as my bluetooth OBDII doesn't do it right. Once I have the Cobb, I can run some logs of the PPK before switching over to one of the Cobb maps.

BTW, I need the INPA steps for reading assy no. in DME.

that's not going to work. Once you install COBB, you will run a stage 0 map which is like what you run non PPK.

don;t worry you won't lose your PPK because It will be backed up and will be reflashed when you uninstall.

[SharkBait]

Originally Posted by marv85

that's not going to work. Once you install COBB, you will run a stage 0 map which is like what you run non PPK.

don;t worry you won't lose your PPK because It will be backed up and will be reflashed when you uninstall.

So how does one log the PPK tune?

[M-Steep]

Originally Posted by SharkBait

So how does one log the PPK tune?

Yeah, I'll second that question. I'm just a Cobb-less, logging noob.

Would the p3cars vent gauge work? I think you get 15 minutes of something, and it can obtain/display boost and timing?

[Simple5]

Whoa... thats lower numbers than a JB+...

[marv85]

Originally Posted by SharkBait

So how does one log the PPK tune?

Originally Posted by M-Steep

Yeah, I'll second that question. I'm just a Cobb-less, logging noob.

Would the p3cars vent gauge work? I think you get 15 minutes of something, and it can obtain/display boost and timing?

well if you have the BT tool, you can use it for logging.

[marv85]

Originally Posted by Simple3

Whoa... thats lower numbers than a JB+...

the JB+ will make more power and is cheaper (much cheaper). but with all due respect it's crap. not the right way to tune.

[SharkBait]

Originally Posted by marv85

well if you have the BT tool, you can use it for logging.

Hmmm... No BT tool here. Just BMW Standard Tools and K+DCAN cable. What logging software is available? Could I use BMWLogger or is there something free? And has no one figured out reading boost on the OBDII?

[marv85]

Originally Posted by SharkBait

Hmmm... No BT tool here. Just BMW Standard Tools and K+DCAN cable. What logging software is available? Could I use BMWLogger or is there something free? And has no one figured out reading boost on the OBDII?

@wedge1967 would be the person to ask since I don;t have any experience with what tools you have. I would assume you can...

[Wedge1967]

Open INPA and select the model, select engine, select DME 80/81, then select info. I think it's F1, but off the top of my head I can't remember. I'm actually traveling right now and have no way to test it.

[M-Steep]

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

Open INPA and select the model, select engine, select DME 80/81, then select info. I think it's F1, but off the top of my head I can't remember. I'm actually traveling right now and have no way to test it.

Ok, here's what I get from INPA, but I'm not really sure what this info is telling me, so please enlighten. Don't know INPA (or German).

[Wedge1967]

Can you click on Ident or AIF to show the assembly number? Should be 7626438. Let me know if you have time. Thanks...