[funkdoc]

Since there probably isn't any legit stage 1, stage 2, or stage 3 6at revised flashes, I'd like to give a real world performance review of it. Now, take in account that I have a 2.5 inch borla exhaust after the 2nd cat and the mighty Dinan intercooler, this review may not be indicative of what others will experience with just the reflash. First of all, the low end boost is definitely higher than the previous flash. Couple that to the calibrated throttle, a second gear roll on at 2000 is so torquey and is sustained throughout the power band. The boost profile is definitely more linear and starts low-a good thing. All that said that the midrange is gone, just do a 3rd gear pull at 4k and talk to me later. The power doesn't taper at all past 6k and the torque thrust keeps your seat belt tightened even after you slow down. The car now feels very naturally aspirated and not like before where the apparent lag created a feeling of a large single turbo like an evo that kicked in the midrange instead of the twins. The sound of the exhaust is so sweet-really deep down in the low revs and increases in intensity up the power band without sounding overly loud or raspy. When you let go of the throttle, the sound of the engine braking is really yolked. Driving home yesterday, I blasted the car on the 101 and it just pulls with alot of thrust and the intercooler does its job on the top end since the car doesn't feel like it is trying so hard. Very consistent power. Oil temps stayed at 240 degrees and even dipped to 235 on the stock oil cooler. Off the line,no launch, Steve Dinan got the car to get squirrely everytime with dtc/dsc off and that was with my heavy ass in the car too. That was a great experience but not as crazy as the time Shiv took me for a test run back in the days. This is a very nice upgrade if you're not ready to pony up for stage 3 which is yeah, just 14 psi but the best that Dinan is gonna probably offer since I talked to him about meth injection and other avenues of power making which he pretty much didn't like and had good reasons against. The turbos are in the works but at possibly 10k for a pair and just 25-30hp, thats a hellllll noooo!!!! On a side note, the fail safe mode could actually be worst than stock mapping since I saw 7.5 psi with a peak of 7.98 at 5700 on the dyno in order to protect the engine. Therefore some of you may be underpowered. Re-dynos to come and possibly the borla delete cat pipe. That should be stage 3 powah.....

[Kelvin1000]

Can I get a yeaaahhhhh, yeeaahhhhhh.. OOOOOKKKKK!

Kick ass!

[vase330]

And that ladies and gentlemen explains those measly Dyno results I got. I knew I was up to something. at $110 its not cheap, but I had to know because I was so disappointed and pissed you can't imagine.

[AWD Addict]

Good review although:

The car now feels very naturally aspirated and not like before where the apparent lag created a feeling of a large single turbo

no. This car doesn't feel anything like a large single turbo. Not at all.

[funkdoc]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

Good review although:



no. This car doesn't feel anything like a large single turbo. Not at all.

You're right maybe not a gt30 or 20g or something, but the dinan original flash because of the revised linear throttle and lower low end boost setting had a wait, wait then hit effect. I like this revised revised flash now. Instaboost!!!

[ybbiz34]

That's the ticket! Thanks funkdoc!

[Kadarin]

Question: I have seen a couple of references here to the effect that the Dinan FMIC didn't work on or didn't fit the 6AT cars. You have one, so I can assume this is not true, and that the Dinan FMIC works without issue?

[ChaneRZ]

nice review!

[Fraggy]

Damn this thing is calling my name But I dunno... 2k, and if I dont like/want it anymore, I have nothing to sell and get some money back. But damn, this sounds like a winner...

[Zimo]

They need to hurry up and make this available on new DME.

[Spazdoc]

Okay, so this is the 'fixed' Dinan flash for the AT? Combined with the other post, I was getting confused.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Spazdoc

Okay, so this is the 'fixed' Dinan flash for the AT? Combined with the other post, I was getting confused.

Finally this is the fixed version. Here is the chronology:

There was the first, original Dinan software flash, which is now called Stage II. Both 6AT and 6MT afficianados were happy with the flash, for the most part. People learned to appreciate that toned-down low end throttle response. All was well in the land of Dinan.

Then, the Stage II Revised Flash came out, which supposedly had all the good qualities of the initial flash, with the addition of adding back the powerful low-end response. Well, it turns out that all the 6AT cars that got this revision, got flashed back to STOCK because this new revision flash was developed on a Dinan 6MT car, so there was an error in the programming that wouldn't allow the Stage II Revised flash to work on 6AT cars (No added boost!). A lot of people with 6AT's who got the revision noticed it was crap. A lot of people got the 6AT revision and were brainwashed into thinking it was good.

6MT cars actually benefited from the revision. They weren't flashed back to stock. The flash actually worked.

Now, we know the Stage II Revision is CRAP, and Dinan has a new update out for the 6AT guys, and according to funkdoc, it delivers the goods.

The End.

[drphil71]

That is a pretty idiotic mistake for a company with their reputation to make. Sorry to state the obvious I was just pretty surprised by it.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by drphil71

That is a pretty idiotic mistake for a company with their reputation to make. Sorry to state the obvious I was just pretty surprised by it.

+1, it's damn sloppy not to install and test the software on every current 335i model.

[funkdoc]

Went to work out late and took the car out. If you are on the fence about switching to stage 2 revised revised flash for 6ats or those unfortunate to be running a faulty stage 2, get ready for some low end fun. 6ats need to get this updated flash. 100 octane is like crack so I put half a tank in-holy bejesus its $6.29 here in norcal. Insane. I literally broke the tires loose turning onto the freeway at part throttle at 2k rpms in manual mode second gear, very scary since you really got to modulate throttle now in the cold weather. You can leave the car in a higher gear now because of all the low end boost too and just rip. There is no jerkiness in the throttle at all-just response with your right foot. There is no discernible lag with the larger intercooler, just nice top end power that doesnt taper that badly at all but its there. I hit 140 and the oil temps hit 250 but it dropped down to 235 within seconds. I can see why the stage 3 needs the dinan oil cooler. I could probably use another psi of boost now. Haha! Fellas, save up that 1599 for the intercooler and get a nice catback exhaust and youll be good as gold for now with a warranty. It's a whole lot cheaper than stage 3 and I think if I go to the track again, it should be mid 12 110mph + car in the 1/4.

[Calgary Agent]

Glad to hear you got things worked out for your car Doc

Sounds as if Steve Dinan knew exactly what the issue was *and you didn't have to plead with him to listed to the facts* (could be because I emailed them early Tuesday AM detailing your story, among others).

As I get ready to turn the computer off for the night, I can't help but wonder just how many AT owners are driving around with the REV Stg 2 flash, unaware that their cars have been neutered ..... ?

[funkdoc]

Funny he did mention many calls from Canada and the East Coast. Hmm, I wonder who they could be? He's gonna have to pay some major overtime to the guys that stayed back to work on my car. But it was worth it to him to validate that the flash worked or alot of hell to pay to many angry dinanites out there.

[StarrDlux]

i can't wait till winter. rawk. oh well now i have something to do this or next weekend.

so we need pics. videos to prove your new chip exists how bout some donuts with traction control on

[Mike07335i]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

+1, it's damn sloppy not to install and test the software on every current 335i model.

+1000 I thought you guys were charged all this money b/c Dinan actually performs R&D on their stuff............

Mike

[vase330]

Originally Posted by funkdoc

Funny he did mention many calls from Canada and the East Coast. Hmm, I wonder who they could be? He's gonna have to pay some major overtime to the guys that stayed back to work on my car. But it was worth it to him to validate that the flash worked or alot of hell to pay to many angry dinanites out there.

I called them like a broken record. I call their number and that lady Kelly picks up, as soon as I say my name she knows who I am and knows I am calling to bitch so she says I'll call Luis or Andy etc. Puts me on hold (I don't know if they are always busy or its a tactic to make me go away) then I am like here we go again. Guys says, "What is it now?" So I start to explain what I have observed and tested and ... Maybe I bitched a little too much and they just thought I was just a cranky customer so ignored what I told them until others started calling in saying same exact thing. When I called yesterday, they were a lot more receptive and I felt like the guy listened then proceeded to explain what is the issue and what they will do or are doing about it. So I am ok with it now as long as I only have to wait couple weeks to get my boost back. If I am impressed I might be persuaded to go to the next level.

So Doc, are you sure your FMIC + Exhaust is really getting you more power than just a stage II? I am thinking you'd need the stage III software to take advantage of it no?

[thekurgan]

Dinan intercooler is now officially on my: "To Santa, From Santa" list this year!

[sparkyg]

Originally Posted by vase330

I called them like a broken record. I call their number and that lady Kelly picks up, as soon as I say my name she knows who I am and knows I am calling to bitch so she says I'll call Luis or Andy etc. Puts me on hold (I don't know if they are always busy or its a tactic to make me go away) then I am like here we go again. Guys says, "What is it now?" So I start to explain what I have observed and tested and ... Maybe I bitched a little too much and they just thought I was just a cranky customer so ignored what I told them until others started calling in saying same exact thing. When I called yesterday, they were a lot more receptive and I felt like the guy listened then proceeded to explain what is the issue and what they will do or are doing about it. So I am ok with it now as long as I only have to wait couple weeks to get my boost back. If I am impressed I might be persuaded to go to the next level.

So Doc, are you sure your FMIC + Exhaust is really getting you more power than just a stage II? I am thinking you'd need the stage III software to take advantage of it no?

From what I have heard Vase even when you add the Stg II it asks if you have an upgraded intercooler or the Dinan intercooler so something must change, or we can assume soemthing changes.

We talked about this in the Stg II original link with Sparkplug since that was gonna be his route.