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This question is directed ONLY to the members that have installed a JB4 on their totally stock 335i. I am trying to research the reliability and drivability of the car once this is done with no other mods. If your car meets this criteria I would really like to hear your thoughts on these topics. Otherwise please refrain.

[CHECKERED]

I originally started with just a JB4 G5 non ISO on a stock car, as far as reliability I had no issues once I put new spark plugs in, but do hear/read of the charge pipe melting under constant high boost.

As far as drivability, it was a bit ruffer on cold starts, but not overly intrusive. No issues now with ISO and BB flash.

As far as power it was a bit unpredictable without LSD, and downright scary on race gas and map 7.

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This is exactly the kind of information I was after. Thank you.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

If there are any weak links in your vehicle, IE injectors on their way out, coilpacks, fuel pumps ETC any tune will bring these weak links to your attention and they will need replacement.

Otherwise any tune itself on as stock vehicle is reliable in regards to the engine. Yes, I've had all the tunes on my personal vehicle stock and mild to wild.

[Miller335]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

If there are any weak links in your vehicle, IE injectors on their way out, coilpacks, fuel pumps ETC any tune will bring these weak links to your attention and they will need replacement.

Otherwise any tune itself on as stock vehicle is reliable in regards to the engine. Yes, I've had all the tunes on my personal vehicle stock and mild to wild.

Exactly.

[mike@x-ph.com]

a tune (any tune ) will expose any weak parts.
That being said thousand of cars have the JB4 and are running 18+ boost (FBO) with no problems.

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Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

If there are any weak links in your vehicle, IE injectors on their way out, coilpacks, fuel pumps ETC any tune will bring these weak links to your attention and they will need replacement.

Otherwise any tune itself on as stock vehicle is reliable in regards to the engine. Yes, I've had all the tunes on my personal vehicle stock and mild to wild.

Thanks Jeff for the great information as far as reliability with the tune. I am not looking forward to finding any of these weakness but these would not be the end of the world should one or more pop up.

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Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

a tune (any tune ) will expose any weak parts.
That being said thousand of cars have the JB4 and are running 18+ boost (FBO) with no problems.

Thanks Mike, Great to know.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

On a stock car stick to map1. With that there should be no issues. Like Jeff mentioned if there is a failing component on the car and you install a tune it may bring it out sooner then later, but on a properly maintained car zero issues with the JB4.

We have guys running 17-19 PSI on stock turbos and cars are holding up so map1 and even map2 are pretty conservative when you look at it that way.

Mike

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Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

On a stock car stick to map1. With that there should be no issues. Like Jeff mentioned if there is a failing component on the car and you install a tune it may bring it out sooner then later, but on a properly maintained car zero issues with the JB4.

We have guys running 17-19 PSI on stock turbos and cars are holding up so map1 and even map2 are pretty conservative when you look at it that way.

Mike

Thanks for the reply Mike. How well behaved is the car with the tune? In other words, if I am driving around and not getting on it, will I notice any difference between tune and no tune?

[CHECKERED]

Originally Posted by BPWFlorida

Thanks for the reply Mike. How well behaved is the car with the tune? In other words, if I am driving around and not getting on it, will I notice any difference between tune and no tune?

I can feel a difference only if I give it about 30% or more throttle, anything under that the car feels stock

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Originally Posted by CHECKERED

I can feel a difference only if I give it about 30% or more throttle, anything under that the car feels stock

Ok, Great. Thanks again for all the great information.

[SgtGoldy]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

On a stock car stick to map1. With that there should be no issues. Like Jeff mentioned if there is a failing component on the car and you install a tune it may bring it out sooner then later, but on a properly maintained car zero issues with the JB4.

We have guys running 17-19 PSI on stock turbos and cars are holding up so map1 and even map2 are pretty conservative when you look at it that way.

Mike

I ran 17.5 psi on my stock ChargePipes and broke them (as you know with my recent order).


I love my JB4 and wouldn't trade it for any other tune. It suits my driving style perfectly. Even with stock its still a fun tune.

[ErzenE92]

you will need to make sure to check the condition of your plugs and coils when you install the JB4. the JB4 was my first mod and I found out real fast that I had some bad coils and plugs. My car had approx. 50000 miles on it at that time.

[SgtGoldy]

Originally Posted by ErzenE92

you will need to make sure to check the condition of your plugs and coils when you install the JB4. the JB4 was my first mod and I found out real fast that I had some bad coils and plugs. My car had approx. 50000 miles on it at that time.

funny enough 2 weeks after my jb4 I started misfiring like a mother fucker. Got my all my coils, spark plugs, and injectors replaced under warranty

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Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

funny enough 2 weeks after my jb4 I started misfiring like a mother fucker. Got my all my coils, spark plugs, and injectors replaced under warranty

No kidding. That is pretty awesome. How many miles do you have since you put in your JB4?

[SgtGoldy]

Originally Posted by BPWFlorida

No kidding. That is pretty awesome. How many miles do you have since you put in your JB4?

idk like 4k maybe... if that. I love the thing, but coupled with mods it really shows its true potential . Map 5 w/ e85 and a few bolt on feels like a completely different car

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Originally Posted by ErzenE92

you will need to make sure to check the condition of your plugs and coils when you install the JB4. the JB4 was my first mod and I found out real fast that I had some bad coils and plugs. My car had approx. 50000 miles on it at that time.

Ok, cool. How do you check the coil to see if it is going to fail or not? Do you use a meter and look for certain values or is there an easier way?

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Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

idk like 4k maybe... if that. I love the thing, but coupled with mods it really shows its true potential . Map 5 w/ e85 and a few bolt on feels like a completely different car

Nice, I am really looking forward to tapping into a little of that potential. If I am not careful though I am going to need a signature like yours. Lol

[SgtGoldy]

Originally Posted by BPWFlorida

Ok, cool. How do you check the coil to see if it is going to fail or not? Do you use a meter and look for certain values or is there an easier way?

Nah, best way is to wait for a misfire in a cylinder. Then move that coil to another cylinder to see if the misfire follows. If it does, time to replace that coil.

[SgtGoldy]

Originally Posted by BPWFlorida

Nice, I am really looking forward to tapping into a little of that potential. If I am not careful though I am going to need a signature like yours. Lol

lol, so far it hasn't been too bad. I put a lot of money into my old G37s, but I wanted to be more tame with my 335i... I don't see that happening. I still need to get my meth setup since I just bought 09 ER ChargePipe and had them add two meth bungs. And if you run meth your gonna need to have an upgraded intercooler of course, so I have to get one of those as well... lol

Obligatory photo of my G


Obligatory photo of my new CP


Obligatory photo of my JB4 G5 w/ USB

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

I ran 17.5 psi on my stock ChargePipes and broke them (as you know with my recent order).


I love my JB4 and wouldn't trade it for any other tune. It suits my driving style perfectly. Even with stock its still a fun tune.

Ya the charge pipe is another thing we should add to the list for people to keep an eye out on. They break a lot, even under stock boost conditions. We probably ship out 1-2 charge pipes a week to customers with cracked stock charge pipes. We specifically try to stock a few and have them aside for these emergencies.

Mike