[mattburks]

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Morning all!

In aims of a concise resource for future 6MT owners, I thought I’d request a roll call style feedback request from anyone who is currently or has ran a piggyback on G8x base. There are 2-3 anecdotal testimonies, but rather few & far between at this point in regard to base.. Don’t we all deserve torque here?

Pros, cons? Pro racechip or JB4? Is it as simple if looking to run corn go JB4, and if running 93 and want a “set & forget mod” go racechip?

Thanks to all in advance!

[LongBeachDinanFan]

As far as piggybacks go JB4 has electronic wastegate control and canbus so it's a lot better and safer to use, but costs more and takes longer to install.

[mattburks]

LongBeachDinanFan thank you for your feedback! I ran JB4 10+ years ago, just having a hard time pulling the trigger this time I suppose.

Intent would be to keep car on pump gas if that is beneficial for anyone else’s anecdotes

Cheers!

[LongBeachDinanFan]

Maybe find a deal on a used RaceChip if you just want to add a few hp? I'd never buy a new one cause they drop like 50% as soon as you install it. On the F90 JB4 you had the option to install only the two boost sensors and then it would act like a RaceChip but at least you had the option to connect the rest later if you wanted and retained its resale value. I don't know if the G80 one does that but worth checking.

[kingmonkeyjr]

Having a great time with the JB4 on my Base. Really wakes the car up. Makes the redline draw out just that much more intense. Low end feels about the same to be honest but the mid and top end is just wow. I daily map1 with 91 and haven't had a chance to run E30 but it is on my list. For full effect of this car it really needs the boost levels brought up. The ECU adapts so well with the jb4 it's almost seem less. I've ran JB4 on all my BMWs.. F80x X3m40i, X7, F90 … they all benefit.

[0Camus0]

Originally Posted by kingmonkeyjr

Having a great time with the JB4 on my Base. Really wakes the car up. Makes the redline draw out just that much more intense. Low end feels about the same to be honest but the mid and top end is just wow. I daily map1 with 91 and haven't had a chance to run E30 but it is on my list. For full effect of this car it really needs the boost levels brought up. The ECU adapts so well with the jb4 it's almost seem less. I've ran JB4 on all my BMWs.. F80x X3m40i, X7, F90 … they all benefit.

Thanks for your input on this. Do you have catless downpipe or the stock one?

Really the low end feels the same? I was expecting that maybe it will wake it up a bit there, but well, kind of make sense, larger turbos, takes time to spool them.

I do wonder if the M4C also feels weak in the low end.

[kingmonkeyjr]

Originally Posted by 0Camus0

Thanks for your input on this. Do you have catless downpipe or the stock one?

Really the low end feels the same? I was expecting that maybe it will wake it up a bit there, but well, kind of make sense, larger turbos, takes time to spool them.

I do wonder if the M4C also feels weak in the low end.

Based of dyno sheets they purposely lower boost down low to gain traction. Just like F90, X3m. It's got the torque there but with it being felt mostly in the low midrange to redline. I wouldn't call it "weak" at all.

No Downpipe. Just like the F90 platform it's not necessary. Plus it makes these cars sound just straight terrible to me. I was able to achieve 10.3x with my F90 with just race gas and jb4. I'd suspect it's no different on this platform.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I have been running Race chip on my personal M4 Comp for a few months and im very happy with it. Lots of power without any issues.
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1856506


I will be trying the Jb4 soon since i have access to E85. Im expecting to not have any issues either and make even more power with the better fuel i will be using

[Circa77]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I have been running Race chip on my personal M4 Comp for a few months and im very happy with it. Lots of power without any issues.
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1856506


I will be trying the Jb4 soon since i have access to E85. Im expecting to not have any issues either and make even more power with the better fuel i will be using

I hadn't seen you updated this post with dyno post showing fuel and map information. You've singlehandedly provided more information than either of the vendors so seriously thanks for that.

edit: Bah this is for a comp. Still zero real world information on base M3s available it seems.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Circa77

I hadn't seen you updated this post with dyno post showing fuel and map information. You've singlehandedly provided more information than either of the vendors so seriously thanks for that.

edit: Bah this is for a comp. Still zero real world information on base M3s available it seems.

All tuning companies are getting the comp model, the base M3/M4 data will need to be provided by regular users.

Once I post the Jb4 thread , I will also include a datalog of the dyno run.

[Circa77]

I mean it's still great that you posted dynos that show map and fuel. Just wish somebody would post these for base.

Racechip claims they developed for use with the base M3, but show no data. Did they simply not log any dynos? Either they didn't log dynos or they simply aren't sharing the information. I'm not sure which is worse. But I can tell you it's why I have yet to order one.

Both companies are really quiet when it comes to specifics about the maps and the recommended fuel types and the expected gains. JB4 at least publishes a map guide (on their forums, not as part of the product docs) but even when I ask them directly about boost targets and how they relate to the base m3 I get basically a non-answer and a response of "we'll need to see a log (after you purchase, install, and dyno our product)"

Like, I'm an engineer so I believe in doing the due diligence when it comes to product specs. If a customer were to ask me "How will your product perform?" and my response was essentially "No idea, how about you buy it, deploy it, and then you tell me!" I'd get laughed out of the room.

[mattburks]

Circa77

Well, took the plunge. Going JB4 + Bluetooth. Install scheduled for Tuesday with AST springs & Macht Schnell spacer set. Will be a good day, and will report back with data as I’ll have logging capabilities.

[GabbyChaves]

I'm very happy with the Jb4 so far. Added mid range tq lights up the tires in 2nd gear now. Pulls harder all the way thru the rpm range. I'm running my own custom map 6 for 93 fuel and results are very pleasing, almost a 3 second improvement 60-130mph

[G80SWFL]

Originally Posted by GabbyChaves

I'm very happy with the Jb4 so far. Added mid range tq lights up the tires in 2nd gear now. Pulls harder all the way thru the rpm range. I'm running my own custom map 6 for 93 fuel and results are very pleasing, almost a 3 second improvement 60-130mph

1/4 times ?

[Indo Rider]

I'm a fan of the JB4, have been since it was JB3 10+ years ago. I wouldn't hesitate to go that route while waiting for flashing to be widely available. I can't imagine JB4 and race chip are that far apart in terms of power output potential, but who can chime in on driving feel during times when you're not hooning it? Does either do better as far as retaining the stock smoothness when driving casually? Jerkiness on/off throttle and any hesitation from the piggybacks? That's the feedback I'd be looking for right now.

Adding: this question is specifically for MT. Because typically the early development is focused on AT cars, making sure they shift well and drive smooth. MT gets second priority in this area it seems, which isn't too surprising since there's just less of them.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Indo Rider

I'm a fan of the JB4, have been since it was JB3 10+ years ago. I wouldn't hesitate to go that route while waiting for flashing to be widely available. I can't imagine JB4 and race chip are that far apart in terms of power output potential, but who can chime in on driving feel during times when you're not hooning it? Does either do better as far as retaining the stock smoothness when driving casually? Jerkiness on/off throttle and any hesitation from the piggybacks? That's the feedback I'd be looking for right now.

I cant tell the difference between stock and race chip. JB4 should be just as smooth.

Power is not that different between Jb4 and Race chip unless you are using E85 or race gas.

the Jb4 has maps for higher octane including a custom map, Race chip does not

[LongBeachDinanFan]

Originally Posted by Indo Rider

Adding: this question is specifically for MT. Because typically the early development is focused on AT cars, making sure they shift well and drive smooth. MT gets second priority in this area it seems, which isn't too surprising since there's just less of them.

The two big differences are CANbus and direct wastegate control. My understanding is the former makes the tuning smoother and safer while the latter gives a strong performance boost.

[Circa77]

Originally Posted by mattburks

Circa77

Well, took the plunge. Going JB4 + Bluetooth. Install scheduled for Tuesday with AST springs & Macht Schnell spacer set. Will be a good day, and will report back with data as I’ll have logging capabilities.

Any information on MT would be great. You putting it on the dyno at all?

[GabbyChaves]

Originally Posted by G80SWFL

1/4 times ?

From 12.4down to 12.1 biggest difference is trap speed from 115 to 124. Definitely a sub 12 in it with better traction. The added power isn't playing nice with the LC and the 0-60 is about .3 slower and is actually slower all the way to the 1/8 mile

[LongBeachDinanFan]

Use the JB4 to lower boost during launch in 1st gear, it's a setting in their app. I used it on the F90 to reduce wear and tear on the transmission in launch mode.

[GabbyChaves]

Originally Posted by LongBeachDinanFan

Use the JB4 to lower boost during launch in 1st gear, it's a setting in their app. I used it on the F90 to reduce wear and tear on the transmission in launch mode.

Yep doing that already feels much better with a -5lbs reduction in 1st. I'll have to find some clear roads and get in another run now

[mattburks]

Originally Posted by Circa77

Any information on MT would be great. You putting it on the dyno at all?

Circa77
This is a great thought. The shop does have a dyno... wonder what he'd look for $$$ on a before and after pull? Would be nice to have for sure.