The BMW N54 Tune Comparison: JB4 vs. Cobb vs. MHD. Prior to purchasing a tune for your N54 it is important to think about the pros and cons of the readily available tunes on the market. This post will highlight the differences between the common tunes for the N54 and hopefully help identify which tune is right for your goals.
Piggyback vs. Flash Tunes
An important aspect of tuning your N54 is the distinction between a piggyback tune and a flash tune. I will quickly explain the major, however not exhaustive, differences in between the two kinds of tunes. A piggyback tune is a direct plug-and-play tune for the N54; this enables you to set up the tune straight to the stock ECU.
A piggyback tune essentially manages boost by modifying or altering the signal sent out to the computer; the ECU still thinks the car is running stock increase levels (around 8-9psi). The computer is still running the factory timing and fueling tables. However, by changing the increase signal, numerous engine sensors and controls recognize the need to increase fuel flow and change timing on the fly to make up for the greater boost and power.
On the contrary, a flash tune completely reprograms the stock or remaps ECU; this is installed by flashing the brand-new software through the OBD port. A flash tune entirely rewords the stock increase, timing, and fueling tables. Flashing the computer system enables greater precision, but is more complex than just piggybacking the ECU.
This is turn might negate or lower the efficiency of some of the security features that are configured into the stock ECU tune. However, the capability to totally reprogram the ECU does enable more consistent and aggressive tunes.
In summary, both tunes are extremely safe and effective if done properly. Due to the ease of piggyback tunes they are generally less pricey than the alternative flash tunes. Piggyback tunes likewise permit you to change maps in seconds while on the fly, while a flash tune takes a number of minutes to rewrite the ECU’s shows. Advancements in the N54 tuning community have allowed for using back-end flash maps coupled with piggyback tunes. This allows for the best of both worlds and will be gone over later on in the post.
N54 Flash Tunes
MHD Flash Tunes – $148 to $364.
If the piggyback JB4 choice isn’t best for you, we highly recommend choosing the N54 MHD flash tuning app. We have actually written a few other posts relating to MHD. They provide great off the rack (OTS) flash tunes. 4 map packs are readily available, consisting of: Phase 1, 1+, 2, and 2+. Each map pack comes with different tunes depending upon octane or ethanol material. The N54 map packs need to be bought for $49 each (you just need one, unless you want more choices).
Pros:
- Cost effective.
- Excellent OTS tunes.
- Unique features.
- Highly proven.
Cons:
- Can not be utilized to manage meth or port injection.
- Unable to change maps/tunes on the fly.
- Less safety features compared to JB4.
All things thought about, the MHD is an excellent tuning option for the N54. Ultimately, as referenced above, we suggest selecting the JB4 and coupling it with the MHD back-end flash maps. The back-end flash maps are totally free with the purchase of the MHD flasher module for $99. Furthermore, JB4 + MHD back-end flash allow for aggressive tunes. Map 7 on the E85 back-end flash may target in excess of 20psi.
N54 Piggyback Tunes.
Hamburger Tuning JB4 G5 – $479.
Hamburger Motorsports JB4 G5 piggyback tune lacks a question the most popular tune in the N54 community. Terry and the men at Hamburger Tuning are highly involved in the N54 and BMW neighborhood and are continuously improving their products. Hamburger Tuning offers excellent product and tuning support and there is endless details concerning their products. One great feature of the JB4 is its Map 5 auto tune. This map is continuously making modifications based upon fueling (e85 mixes vs. pump gas), temperature level, and numerous other criteria.
Pros:
- Unequaled item support and information.
- Excellent safety features.
- Exceptional boost control.
- In dash determines.
- Auto-tuning variables.
Cons:
- Can not be used as a standalone tune for larger turbos.
- Minimal by the stock ECU timing table and fueling.
The cons of the JB4 might be irrelevant as back-end flash tunes combined with the JB4 fix these concerns. MHD provides some very cost effective back-end flash maps for the JB4. The back-end flash moves the timing, VANOS, and sustaining to the flash side while the JB4 retains its more precise increase control, in-dash evaluates, E85 autotuning, and various security features.
COBB Accessport V3 – $650.
COBB’s Accessport V3 is one of the most common flash tunes for the N54. The device includes lots of built-in flash maps and can be flashed simply by plugging the Accessport into the OBD-II port. In addition, COBB and other tuning business provide personalized flash tunes specifically for your car (although this includes an additional expense for each tune). These customized tunes are able to provide great precision and consistency by establishing maps created particularly for your mods and objectives.
Pros:
- Store up to 100 flash maps.
- Custom-made tunes.
- Greater precision and consistency than standalone piggyback tunes.
- Excellent assistance and item details.
- Supports all various mods, consisting of bigger turbo( s).
Cons:
- More costly than JB4.
- Additional expenses for customized tunes.
- Less safety features than piggyback tunes.
- Less boost control.
COBB provides an all around terrific item and is an outstanding alternative for those searching for a flash tune. Custom-made flash maps deliver outstanding precision, however, they feature an extra expense. Flash tunes alone likewise do not permit gauge hijacking and the stock ECU safety features used from piggyback tunes.
Other Flash Tunes:
Dinan and Wedge, amongst many other tuning companies, provide standalone flash tunes for the N54. A number of them have similar advantages and disadvantages to the COBB, as such, I decided to avoid discussing them. Most significantly, I wanted to cover the benefits of running these flash tunes paired with a piggyback tune.
Back-End Flash for N54 Piggyback Tunes.
As mentioned throughout the post, running a back-end flash combined with a piggyback tune allows for the best of both worlds. Piggyback tunes have unequaled security features, increase control, ethanol auto tuning, and many other features that flash tunes can not use. However, piggyback tunes are limited by the ECU’s factory flash. They just customize the boost signal sent out to the ECU and allow the ECU to adjust timing and fueling on the fly based upon the increased boost levels. This permits less accuracy as the ECU can only adjust these criteria so much.
Related: Cleaning the BMW N54 Intake Valve
A back-end flash reprograms the ECU and allows the flash tune to control timing, fueling, VANOS, and other functions. The piggyback tune allows for superior security features and increase control, while preserving on the fly map changes, gauge hijacking, shift lights, etc. Integrating the benefits of piggyback and flash tunes gives the best of both worlds; the flash tune makes sure accuracy while the piggyback tune preserves lots of safety and control features that flash tunes do not offer as standalone tunes.
BMW N54 Tuning Options Summary.
This post was planned to highlight the differences between piggyback and flash tunes while attending to the benefits of combining the two. Due to the JB4’s remarkable product assistance, development, and information related to the product, our company believe this is really the very best standalone tune for the N54. The JB4 has numerous exceptional safety features that a flash tune can not use; it also permits ultimate boost control. The JB4 uses lots of alternatives to add a back-end flash for more precise and customizable tuning.
Burger Tuning’s outstanding involvement and support in the N54 community means the JB4 is constantly improving and developing. Regardless of your tuning objectives, the JB4 has something to provide for everybody. Couple the JB4 and MHD back-end flash tunes for the most effective, aggressive off the shelf tunes.
