[Ashwin34]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Hi all,

Figure I’d ask this question in the appropriate sub-forum. I’ve seen some threads on tuning the manual but was wanting to get more insight. I’m relatively new to performance oriented cars.

I test drove a manual CT4 Blackwing, and got that push you back in the seat feeling as soon as I shifted it into 2nd. I didn’t necessarily feel this in the manual G80. This is how I personally felt during the test drive, but I know everyone’s experiences have varied. I’ve learned that the S58 engine is better in the higher RPMs, but I’m wondering if a tune can give me the same feeling in the lower RPMs.

1. Can the manual safely handle a stage 1 tune? Meaning, would the clutch need to be replaced down the line for under 600 HP?

2. For those of you that have tuned your manual G80, how improved is the throttle response and low end torque?

3. With that much HP and torque on the RWD variant, will traction control keep the rear wheels from spinning out?

This will be my first M car and am very much excited for it. Thank you!

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by Ashwin34

and got that push you back in the seat feeling as soon as I shifted it into 2nd. I didn’t necessarily feel this in the manual G80.

Near the redline?
The low end response of the turbos you can't fix, that's just due to their size. The ct4 has an extra 0.6L of displacement to spool its turbo's so that helps, and if they're smaller than the m3's then they'll spool even quicker.

[mr.angus]

Do it.

I did the Carbahn stage 1 controller on my G80 6mt. Absolutely changed the car. Before this I always felt it was slightly underpowered when compared to the comps. Just throw an easy piggyback on like Carbahn or JB4 and get a Midpipe. The entire driving experience changes. No need to break the bank with a full dme unlock imo. Stock clutch can only handle so much anyways.

[shadowredlev]

Originally Posted by mr.angus

Do it.

I did the Carbahn stage 1 controller on my G80 6mt. Absolutely changed the car. Before this I always felt it was slightly underpowered when compared to the comps. Just throw an easy piggyback on like Carbahn or JB4 and get a Midpipe. The entire driving experience changes. No need to break the bank with a full dme unlock imo. Stock clutch can only handle so much anyways.

I was thinking of getting the jb4 piggyback which mode would you say is good without killing the reliability aspect??

[mr.angus]

Originally Posted by shadowredlev

I was thinking of getting the jb4 piggyback which mode would you say is good without killing the reliability aspect??

They are both great. I chose Carbahn because they had an option to add additional coverage if BMW denied any warranty claim. Either way, the S58 engine is pretty bulletproof. You can find a lot of info on the forum regarding this. Either piggyback tune will be safe.

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by shadowredlev

I was thinking of getting the jb4 piggyback which mode would you say is good without killing the reliability aspect??

Piggybacks blow no matter what platform you run them at. If you’re hungry for more power do it right and do a flash. If you’re worried about tunes from companies once you unlock the ECU, you can run the CSL/CS tunes which are no additional cost since it’s a base factory map. Then if that’s not enough, you still have your one credit left for another map. Stage 1 tunes are usually more power than the CSL maps are. Just FYI.

[Bimmer100_]

How much whp/tq can the stock clutch handle?

[mr.angus]

Originally Posted by Bimmer100_

How much whp/tq can the stock clutch handle?

Rumor has it 600hp is about the max the stock clutch can handle. I’m almost at 30k miles, on map 7 w/100 octane I just started noticing a slight slip in 5th gear. Pretty sure it’s around 590hp on that map. Probably going to upgrade clutch soon, trying to see if Carbahn will help since the clutch is starting to slip a little premature imo.

[mr.angus]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Piggybacks blow no matter what platform you run them at. If you’re hungry for more power do it right and do a flash. If you’re worried about tunes from companies once you unlock the ECU, you can run the CSL/CS tunes which are no additional cost since it’s a base factory map. Then if that’s not enough, you still have your one credit left for another map. Stage 1 tunes are usually more power than the CSL maps are. Just FYI.

Where did you find CS and CSL tunes at no charge? 🤨

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by mr.angus

Where did you find CS and CSL tunes at no charge? 🤨

The BM3 license for the OTS maps they have comes with 1 license for any OTS map, but they have a CSL base map which is free and doesn’t burn that license, since it’s a stock tune file. So, while you will be paying the $100 or whatever to get the OTS map bundle, you could be conservative and run the CSL tune and keep your 1 OTS map credit for either Stage 1 or another stage at a later point. Or you could flash Stage 1 and call it a day and have more power than the CSL map. I was just saying, if someone wanted to tune but was worried of pushing the engine with a tune (which you’re not really on Stage 1 and 2 on this engine) the CSL map would be a good compromise between more power and peace of mind since BMW isn’t pushing the CSL tune to the limits by any stretch of the imagination.

[thompsac25]

I am running FEMTO DME unlock with a BM3 E50 OTS map.
My stock clutch was starting to slip as soon as I did a Stage 1 93 OTS map. Car had 6K miles on it. So I also ended up upgrading to a PTB-Racing clutch and it holds current power levels with no problem (over 700whp).

A tune is a must on this car, as it really wakes it up. Additionally, you can even some CS/CSL coding software from BMW Tech Services - it'll enhance your Steering, Traction, and Differential settings, making it more like a CS/CSL model. I have not done this yet, but have been contemplating it.

[mr.angus]

Originally Posted by thompsac25

Additionally, you can even some CS/CSL coding software from BMW Tech Services - it'll enhance your Steering, Traction, and Differential settings, making it more like a CS/CSL model. I have not done this yet, but have been contemplating it.

This is cool, I didn’t know that part. Is that only available if you do a DME unlock?

[FXMR]

Thinking of Carbahn stage 1 but not trying to open a can of worms with the clutch. Decisions decisions...

[MT6]

I take it you are driving your G80 with engine in Sports +

Stab the accelerator in 2nd gear and oh yeah you will feel the rush!

[thompsac25]

Originally Posted by mr.angus

This is cool, I didn’t know that part. Is that only available if you do a DME unlock?

I dont believe so, but worth asking them!

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by mr.angus

This is cool, I didn’t know that part. Is that only available if you do a DME unlock?

No, those modules can be coded without a DME unlock, so for example, if a user had a Competition model with the higher power ECU tune from the factory and they don’t want to ever flash it for more power but want sportier trans/steering/suspension and handling feel, they can just do that CSL/CS coding and they’ll get those for like a couple of hundred bucks. Or alternatively, they can do a trans flash on the ZF8 from another company for that alone if they prefer that over the stock BMW CSL feel. It’s all user preference at that point. Engine output is the only limitation (currently) where a Femto DME unlock is necessary.

[Humdizzle]

like someone else said the blackwing has like an extra 0.6 L displacement to work with and likely has smaller turbos than the S58. On top of that GM / Porsche have no-lift-shift to keep the turbo spooled up between shifts while BMW doesn't have that tech in any car. So its going to hit harder slamming gears and being constantly on an off throttle.

best bet to increase turbo response is a tune and less restrictive exhaust. e85 will also help the turbo spool faster.