PBX on a Manual 328i review

ni8shadow · 01-16-2010, 07:59 PM

Thanks to Brad@PSIMOTORS for the local hookup.

Install

Was straightforward, but time consuming. Give yourself 2hrs of free time. Hardest part was putting the large connector back in. I had to pull out the ECU a few inches and push back some rubber "thing" and even then I had a hard time. But with skill/luck I got it in.

After install I fired her up and gave her a few revs and wow, the tach jumped to 4000 RPMs with a slight tap on the peddle! And I swore I heard a "turbo-ish" sound...but that could have been wishful thinking

Note on a discrepency in the instructions - According to the instruc., pin 7 on the small grey subconnector on the small ECU connector should be a white wire, but on my car pin 7 was a white AND yellow wire. I tripled checked and indeed pin 7 was white AND yellow. I trusted the instruc. though and it worked out in the end. Just thought I would throw it out there in case someone else noticed this during their install and freaked out.

Driving impressions
I have to say you MUST adapt to the new throttle (map3) quickly. I easily found myself in the 6000+RPM range while driving normally on the streets. Low end power is definitely there. I was approaching a left turn and I heel-toed into 2nd (more or less

) and punched it at the exit. She threw me back into the seat with greater force than before and with no loss of power whatsoever

. I usually do this at this light and have NEVER experienced that before. So I tried it again and again and again to make sure it wasn't a fluke...or was that because I wanted to do it again and again and again

Switched to map2 and noticed a slight decrease in throttle response. But once I put my foot down it acted like map3. I would prob. use map2 for commutes and maybe in the rain. I tried map0 and sure enough it was stock.
I must say it is nice to have options like that.

Anyway, this is the best engine performance mod out there thus far for the
N52. If you are on the fence hurry up and fall off on the PBX side already

Shazmonkee · 01-16-2010, 08:12 PM

interestinggg

HPFREAK · 01-17-2010, 01:41 PM

Glad you got in without issue and noticed the change so fast that is awesome. I was happy to help you out and make the personal delivery. I guess I am the Dominos of tunes.lol

Robben@ltbmw · 01-18-2010, 03:39 AM

have you tried it at map 6 with the tune off? is the throttle response the same?

ni8shadow · 01-18-2010, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbbplanet

have you tried it at map 6 with the tune off? is the throttle response the same?

No not yet. So far have tried 0,3,2,and1. Been raining here so I can't push it anymore

But my guess would be that you would feel the "pull" on map 6, but just take a little longer to get there

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 01-18-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbbplanet

have you tried it at map 6 with the tune off? is the throttle response the same?

Throttle response is mapped independently from the performance mapping so it would be the same on map3 or map6.

Glad you're enjoying the tune

Its really a must for all N52's.

Mike

Nafta · 01-20-2010, 08:34 PM

Thanks for the review. It helps to know what to expect when you get it.

ni8shadow · 01-25-2010, 05:09 PM

Update after a week: Damn, the "boost" kicked in and on the freeway my car felt like a leashed dog in front of a plate of steak!! I wanted to put my foot down more but I didn't want another ticket so I had to practice restraint

I'll prob switch to map 2 for commutes to avoid frustration.

Flyer · 01-25-2010, 05:37 PM

I'm surprised so many are so impressed with the increased performance when you only get a few more horses and a little bit more T.

c_jeong89 · 01-25-2010, 05:39 PM

its more about the throttle response rather than the hp/torque. it is amazingly better than stock.

JakeN5 · 01-25-2010, 05:52 PM

Any noticeable effect on your mpg with the tune in? I'm def interested.

HPFREAK · 01-25-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeN5

Any noticeable effect on your mpg with the tune in? I'm def interested.

Ya I am sure it has gone down

No but seriously there is no claimed increase in mpg but it is possible if you drive normal, but that will be hard to do with the added response and power. It will get addicting

JakeN5 · 01-25-2010, 06:09 PM

Sorry one more question: I assume that like all ECU tunes you should take it out before each dealer visit for service, right? Does it leave any codes they can pick up?

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 01-25-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeN5

Sorry one more question: I assume that like all ECU tunes you should take it out before each dealer visit for service, right? Does it leave any codes they can pick up?

The PBX is diagnostically invisible so even if left in they will not be able to see it, but as with any mod its always safer to remove, but saying that the only way BMW can find it is if they open the ECU compartment, which they don't regularly do.

Mike

ni8shadow · 01-25-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer

I'm surprised so many are so impressed with the increased performance when you only get a few more horses and a little bit more T.

It pulls harder and sooner. The responsiveness is vastly improved. The car is just much more fun to drive.
Mpg is the same so far, but it has been raining.

speed_dmon · 01-25-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer

I'm surprised so many are so impressed with the increased performance when you only get a few more horses and a little bit more T.

Get one and you'll understand. My gf got me it for Christmas and I'm still glad she did.

Alexander · 01-26-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed_dmon

Get one and you'll understand. My gf got me it for Christmas and I'm still glad she did.

I just got mine in the mail today, but alas my car is still at the dealer after 3 long weeks...

Anyone have a link to an install write up or instructions?

Mine just came in a padded envelop with the invoice and nothing else.

ni8shadow · 01-26-2010, 02:30 AM

http://burgertuning.com/support.html

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 01-26-2010, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aonarch

I just got mine in the mail today, but alas my car is still at the dealer after 3 long weeks...

Anyone have a link to an install write up or instructions?

Mine just came in a padded envelop with the invoice and nothing else.

http://www.n54tuning.com/pictures/powerbox.pdf

Mike

zamba0321 · 01-26-2010, 01:39 PM

watch the JB3+ install video on that site as it has similar first steps as the BMS

simp0man · 01-27-2010, 06:13 PM

Ok having seen that how-t0-nstallation pdf, oh man I am not touching circuits. I am having a pro do it for me. I feel more comfortable to have a pro handle electrical work.

ni8shadow · 01-27-2010, 08:07 PM

It seems pretty daunting at first but if you go step by step you'll find it is fairly simple. The only hard part is putting back the large connector. Si se puede!

01-16-2010, 07:59 PM	#1
ni8shadow First Lieutenant 43 Rep 363 Posts Drives: e90 328i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canyon Country iTrader: (2)	PBX on a Manual 328i review Thanks to Brad@PSIMOTORS for the local hookup. Install Was straightforward, but time consuming. Give yourself 2hrs of free time. Hardest part was putting the large connector back in. I had to pull out the ECU a few inches and push back some rubber "thing" and even then I had a hard time. But with skill/luck I got it in. After install I fired her up and gave her a few revs and wow, the tach jumped to 4000 RPMs with a slight tap on the peddle! And I swore I heard a "turbo-ish" sound...but that could have been wishful thinking Note on a discrepency in the instructions - According to the instruc., pin 7 on the small grey subconnector on the small ECU connector should be a white wire, but on my car pin 7 was a white AND yellow wire. I tripled checked and indeed pin 7 was white AND yellow. I trusted the instruc. though and it worked out in the end. Just thought I would throw it out there in case someone else noticed this during their install and freaked out. Driving impressions I have to say you MUST adapt to the new throttle (map3) quickly. I easily found myself in the 6000+RPM range while driving normally on the streets. Low end power is definitely there. I was approaching a left turn and I heel-toed into 2nd (more or less ) and punched it at the exit. She threw me back into the seat with greater force than before and with no loss of power whatsoever. I usually do this at this light and have NEVER experienced that before. So I tried it again and again and again to make sure it wasn't a fluke...or was that because I wanted to do it again and again and again Switched to map2 and noticed a slight decrease in throttle response. But once I put my foot down it acted like map3. I would prob. use map2 for commutes and maybe in the rain. I tried map0 and sure enough it was stock. I must say it is nice to have options like that. Anyway, this is the best engine performance mod out there thus far for the N52. If you are on the fence hurry up and fall off on the PBX side already
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01-16-2010, 08:12 PM	#2
Shazmonkee 110 Rep 2,455 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: United States iTrader: (11) Garage List 2007 BMW 328i E92 C ... [0.00]	interestinggg
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01-17-2010, 01:41 PM	#3
HPFREAK Lieutenant Colonel 63 Rep 1,884 Posts Drives: C6 ZO6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Socal iTrader: (8)	Glad you got in without issue and noticed the change so fast that is awesome. I was happy to help you out and make the personal delivery. I guess I am the Dominos of tunes.lol __________________ My Youtube Channel
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01-18-2010, 03:39 AM	#4
Robben@ltbmw 118 Rep 2,215 Posts Drives: E90 Space Grey Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: ROSEMEAD, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	have you tried it at map 6 with the tune off? is the throttle response the same?
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01-20-2010, 08:34 PM	#7
Nafta Elite Member 4 Rep 48 Posts Drives: E92 328 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ontario iTrader: (2)	Thanks for the review. It helps to know what to expect when you get it.
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01-25-2010, 05:09 PM	#8
ni8shadow First Lieutenant 43 Rep 363 Posts Drives: e90 328i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canyon Country iTrader: (2)	Update after a week: Damn, the "boost" kicked in and on the freeway my car felt like a leashed dog in front of a plate of steak!! I wanted to put my foot down more but I didn't want another ticket so I had to practice restraint I'll prob switch to map 2 for commutes to avoid frustration.
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01-25-2010, 05:37 PM	#9
Flyer Captain 21 Rep 766 Posts Drives: 2011 e92xi Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (8)	surprised I'm surprised so many are so impressed with the increased performance when you only get a few more horses and a little bit more T.
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01-25-2010, 05:39 PM	#10
c_jeong89 Banned 85 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: E90 TiAg Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Irvine/Bay Area iTrader: (16)	its more about the throttle response rather than the hp/torque. it is amazingly better than stock.
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01-25-2010, 05:52 PM	#11
JakeN5 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 257 Posts Drives: e90 328i LCI Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Any noticeable effect on your mpg with the tune in? I'm def interested.
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01-25-2010, 06:09 PM	#13
JakeN5 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 257 Posts Drives: e90 328i LCI Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Sorry one more question: I assume that like all ECU tunes you should take it out before each dealer visit for service, right? Does it leave any codes they can pick up?
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01-26-2010, 02:30 AM	#18
ni8shadow First Lieutenant 43 Rep 363 Posts Drives: e90 328i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canyon Country iTrader: (2)	http://burgertuning.com/support.html
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01-26-2010, 01:39 PM	#20
zamba0321 Private First Class 22 Rep 133 Posts Drives: '09 BMW 328i convertible Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (0)	watch the JB3+ install video on that site as it has similar first steps as the BMS __________________ 09 328i Blue water E93 \| M-Sport \| Step \| Prem \| Nav \| ipod \| Lux H8 \| BMS PBX \| Remotekey+ \| MFD scoops \| LED turn signals and sidemarkers \| MTEC Fogs \| Black BMW performance grills \| LCI Paddle shifters
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01-27-2010, 06:13 PM	#21
simp0man Not looking 2 SPEED, just looking GOOD 45 Rep 2,516 Posts Drives: 07 328i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stockton, Ca iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	Ok having seen that how-t0-nstallation pdf, oh man I am not touching circuits. I am having a pro do it for me. I feel more comfortable to have a pro handle electrical work. __________________
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01-27-2010, 08:07 PM	#22
ni8shadow First Lieutenant 43 Rep 363 Posts Drives: e90 328i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canyon Country iTrader: (2)	It seems pretty daunting at first but if you go step by step you'll find it is fairly simple. The only hard part is putting back the large connector. Si se puede! Last edited by ni8shadow; 01-27-2010 at 08:12 PM..
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