JB3 1.4 and JB3 Hardware

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 11-04-2009, 01:17 PM

Hey guys..

There have been a few posts about different "generations" of the JB3 hardware and what is compatible with what, so I thought I would make this thread explaining things a little more as there appears to be some confusion.

There are three types of JB3 boards in circulation, Gen-1, Gen-2 and Gen-3, but in terms of software and hardware compatibility we can group Gen-2 and Gen-3 together.

Gen - 1 - Sold up to March 2009

Gen - 2/Gen-3 - April 2009 - current

Around the time when 1.3 was finalized BMS added an additional component to the board, the blue 10uf capacitor shown in the picture. BMS and I found around 5% of cars out there needed this capacitor to run the stronger 1.3/1.4 lagfix maps. Thus the G1 board with the extra capacitor is the G2/G3 board.

So what does this mean in terms of the new 1.4 software. Probably nothing for most of you unless you have an older G1 board and are having problems with the latest lagfix maps. Problems such as random 2ABC SES codes, or random stumbles only with the lagfix maps under light throttle. The 1.4 lagfix maps are even stronger than the 1.3 maps, and future maps will be stronger, so this may become more of an issue for you.

If you are having these issues please email or PM me, but first please figure out what version of the JB3 you have.

I would also like to make it clear that the Gen-3 board ads nothing in terms of performance or drivability over the Gen-2 board. The Gen-3 board will be important when 2.0 comes out, but we will have more info on that later on.

FYI - All current JB3's ship with the Gen-3 board and the latest 1.4 software

Hope this clears a few things up.

Mike

JBiddy · 11-04-2009, 02:05 PM

Really Helpfull~!!!!

Syndicategt · 11-04-2009, 02:09 PM

And if anyone is wondering, the Gen 3 board fits fine in the ECU compartment.

5soko · 11-04-2009, 02:09 PM

Good post Mike thanks!

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 11-05-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5soko335i

Good post Mike thanks!

Mike

sidr314 · 11-05-2009, 11:45 AM

so if i have JB3 with the gen1 board what is the easiest and cheapest way to go about getting a gen 3 board just to be safe and to be prepared for 2.0?

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 11-05-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidr314

so if i have JB3 with the gen1 board what is the easiest and cheapest way to go about getting a gen 3 board just to be safe and to be prepared for 2.0?

You can upgrade to a G2 board for free by sending the G1 in to BMS and they will the cap and burn the latest software. There is no G3 upgrade program currently but they will create one prior to releasing 2.0. I've been told it will likely be around $65 + exchange for the G3. Also they will release a wiring diagram is someone wants to solder their own DB9 connector to the board directly and have a fugly, but cheaper, alternative.

Mike

JBiddy · 11-05-2009, 01:24 PM

damn

so i would have to be with out the JB3 for a while

Bagelfast · 11-05-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

You can upgrade to a G2 board for free by sending the G1 in to BMS and they will the cap and burn the latest software. There is no G3 upgrade program currently but they will create one prior to releasing 2.0. I've been told it will likely be around $65 + exchange for the G3. Also they will release a wiring diagram is someone wants to solder their own DB9 connector to the board directly and have a fugly, but cheaper, alternative.

Mike

Thanks awesome Mike another free upgrade from gen 1 to gen 2!!! Swap hardawre for newer versions for free and send in old software chips for new ones all for free!! Cant ask for anything better!

ianthegreat · 11-05-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidr314

so if i have JB3 with the gen1 board what is the easiest and cheapest way to go about getting a gen 3 board just to be safe and to be prepared for 2.0?

I sent mine to BMS w/ a small donation and had it back in my hands round trip in 1 week. Excellent customer service.

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 11-05-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianthegreat

I sent mine to BMS w/ a small donation and had it back in my hands round trip in 1 week. Excellent customer service.

We try for the best customer service experience possible

Mike

TakeOne · 11-05-2009, 04:29 PM

Mike, i do believe the purchase of a tuning gauge would allow a customer to upgrade to a Gen 3

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 11-05-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakeOne

Mike, i do believe the purchase of a tuning gauge would allow a customer to upgrade to a Gen 3

No tuning gauges in stock right now

Mike

caliguy562 · 11-08-2009, 05:18 PM

So, earlier today I discovered that the JB3 that was ordered in late May of this year shipped with 1.2b, instead of 1.3. And now I'm convinced that I don't have the Gen3 board either. Any ideas what board this is? Is this the Gen1 board to use with BMS tuning gauge?

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 11-08-2009, 05:22 PM

^^^^

It's a gen-3 board.

Mike

caliguy562 · 11-08-2009, 05:28 PM

ok. I wasn't sure due to only having one blue capacitor on this board and having noticed two capacitors in pictures posted above. In any event, I'm going to have to order a BT tool and 1.4 chip really soon. I know free shipping for orders over 300 :-)

RevC · 11-08-2009, 05:32 PM

the more you know!

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 11-08-2009, 06:49 PM

You most likely have 1.3. The version is normally written on the black box.

Mike

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 11-10-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliguy562

In any event, I'm going to have to order a BT tool and 1.4 chip really soon. I know free shipping for orders over 300 :-)

PM me when ready

Mike

GAaaAR · 11-11-2009, 01:11 PM

Mike, what percentage of users with the Gen1 box are affected when using 1.4?

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 11-11-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAaaAR

Mike, what percentage of users with the Gen1 box are affected when using 1.4?

I don't know, but I am just telling all my older customers to upgrade to G2 since its free.

Mike

Willizm · 11-11-2009, 07:04 PM

Is mine the 1.4 on the gen 3 board? I ordered it from N54tuning on October 24th and it was shipped a couple days there after.

11-04-2009, 01:17 PM	#1
Mike@N54Tuning.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 4914 Rep 115,980 Posts Drives: 2007 335i, 2015 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: N54tuning.com iTrader: (89)	JB3 1.4 and JB3 Hardware Hey guys.. There have been a few posts about different "generations" of the JB3 hardware and what is compatible with what, so I thought I would make this thread explaining things a little more as there appears to be some confusion. There are three types of JB3 boards in circulation, Gen-1, Gen-2 and Gen-3, but in terms of software and hardware compatibility we can group Gen-2 and Gen-3 together. Gen - 1 - Sold up to March 2009 Gen - 2/Gen-3 - April 2009 - current Around the time when 1.3 was finalized BMS added an additional component to the board, the blue 10uf capacitor shown in the picture. BMS and I found around 5% of cars out there needed this capacitor to run the stronger 1.3/1.4 lagfix maps. Thus the G1 board with the extra capacitor is the G2/G3 board. So what does this mean in terms of the new 1.4 software. Probably nothing for most of you unless you have an older G1 board and are having problems with the latest lagfix maps. Problems such as random 2ABC SES codes, or random stumbles only with the lagfix maps under light throttle. The 1.4 lagfix maps are even stronger than the 1.3 maps, and future maps will be stronger, so this may become more of an issue for you. If you are having these issues please email or PM me, but first please figure out what version of the JB3 you have. I would also like to make it clear that the Gen-3 board ads nothing in terms of performance or drivability over the Gen-2 board. The Gen-3 board will be important when 2.0 comes out, but we will have more info on that later on. FYI - All current JB3's ship with the Gen-3 board and the latest 1.4 software Hope this clears a few things up. Mike Attached Images Last edited by Mike@N54Tuning.com; 11-04-2009 at 02:10 PM..
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11-04-2009, 02:05 PM	#2
JBiddy Brigadier General 197 Rep 3,840 Posts Drives: F82 ///M Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northern/N.J iTrader: (9)	Really Helpfull~!!!! __________________ ///M
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11-04-2009, 02:09 PM	#3
Syndicategt Brigadier General 153 Rep 3,730 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (11)	And if anyone is wondering, the Gen 3 board fits fine in the ECU compartment. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i e90 - Sold - Rob Beck Turbos / PROcede V5 / Aquamist HFS-4 / AR Downpipes / AE Exhaust / ER Comp FMIC / ER CP / TiAL BOV / Custom Intake / RPI Scoops / Quaife LSD / Swift-Koni Coilovers / DSS HS / Morr VS8.2 Sig Black / Michelin PSS / P3 Boost Guage / M3 body / M3 steering wheel / Adam's Rotors / Hawk HPS / SS lines /
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11-04-2009, 02:09 PM	#4
5soko Brigadier General 333 Rep 4,632 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (4)	Good post Mike thanks! __________________ Current: E63S AMG 4matic RENNtech \|\| M5 Evolve..Eventuri \|\| F10 LCI 535i MHD
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11-05-2009, 11:45 AM	#6
sidr314 Private 2 Rep 73 Posts Drives: white M340i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: miami iTrader: (0)	so if i have JB3 with the gen1 board what is the easiest and cheapest way to go about getting a gen 3 board just to be safe and to be prepared for 2.0?
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11-05-2009, 01:24 PM	#8
JBiddy Brigadier General 197 Rep 3,840 Posts Drives: F82 ///M Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northern/N.J iTrader: (9)	damn so i would have to be with out the JB3 for a while __________________ ///M
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11-05-2009, 04:29 PM	#12
TakeOne Just1MoreMod 353 Rep 712 Posts Drives: F80 M3, F48 X1 Join Date: May 2008 Location: mid-atlantic iTrader: (7)	Mike, i do believe the purchase of a tuning gauge would allow a customer to upgrade to a Gen 3 __________________ Stage 3 - Pure Turbo F80 M3 Dinan Infested F48 X1
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11-08-2009, 05:18 PM	#14
caliguy562 Lieutenant 8 Rep 476 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: garaged somewhere in soCal iTrader: (3)	So, earlier today I discovered that the JB3 that was ordered in late May of this year shipped with 1.2b, instead of 1.3. And now I'm convinced that I don't have the Gen3 board either. Any ideas what board this is? Is this the Gen1 board to use with BMS tuning gauge? Attached Images
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11-08-2009, 05:22 PM	#15
Mike@N54Tuning.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 4914 Rep 115,980 Posts Drives: 2007 335i, 2015 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: N54tuning.com iTrader: (89)	^^^^ It's a gen-3 board. Mike
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11-08-2009, 05:28 PM	#16
caliguy562 Lieutenant 8 Rep 476 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: garaged somewhere in soCal iTrader: (3)	ok. I wasn't sure due to only having one blue capacitor on this board and having noticed two capacitors in pictures posted above. In any event, I'm going to have to order a BT tool and 1.4 chip really soon. I know free shipping for orders over 300 :-)
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11-08-2009, 05:32 PM	#17
RevC Lieutenant General 178 Rep 11,768 Posts Drives: a couple fast toys Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Voorhees+cherry hill,NJ iTrader: (26)	the more you know! __________________ -Rev SGM e92 335xi\|Helix\|AFE\|AWE\|PROCEDE\|SYNAPSE\|ER\|OSS\|BMW PERFORMANCE\|P3\|always growing..
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11-08-2009, 06:49 PM	#18
Mike@N54Tuning.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 4914 Rep 115,980 Posts Drives: 2007 335i, 2015 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: N54tuning.com iTrader: (89)	You most likely have 1.3. The version is normally written on the black box. Mike
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11-11-2009, 01:11 PM	#20
GAaaAR Captain 33 Rep 671 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	Mike, what percentage of users with the Gen1 box are affected when using 1.4?
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11-11-2009, 07:04 PM	#22
Willizm Captain 24 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 2009 335Xi and 01 Trans Am WS6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Joliet, Il iTrader: (0)	Is mine the 1.4 on the gen 3 board? I ordered it from N54tuning on October 24th and it was shipped a couple days there after.
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