[mxh4n]

I was thinking about bm3 stage 1 tuning my 330i, it has 65,500 miles on it. Would I end up blowing up my engine or is it worth it?

[bquatt]

Originally Posted by mxh4n

I was thinking about bm3 stage 1 tuning my 330i, it has 65,500 miles on it. Would I end up blowing up my engine or is it worth it?

I imagine you’d be just fine. Would likely want to change your plugs first though. Unfortunately I can’t speak from experience but solid, reputable tunes should be safe for the engine considering you use quality fuel/correct octane.

[ztech]

I've been through a few tunes for this car, starting at 37k miles, and I drive pretty aggressively (but not like I stole it), the car has held up perfectly fine up until the current mileage of 79k. I do a lot of aggressive part throttle accelerations and more spirited takeoffs, from a stop, but I rarely go beyond 3500rpm. I have changed plugs every 10K miles and oil changes at every 3K miles. The B48 is rated for 400-450hp so it is a strong engine internally.

That being said, there are some common suggestions for anyone wanting to tune this car - the 'charge pipe' is prone to cracking and should be upgraded. This was easy enough that I was able to perform it myself, but a shop shouldn't charge more than an hour of labor (max) to get it done.

[BmwDriverStockholm]

I'd recommend you change the ignition coils. On my car with 50k km (~33k miles) it was a source of problems. And gapping spark plugs to 0.02 inch (0.55 mm) helps the coils to survive when you push more air and fuel into the engine - tuners recommend this and you can find it on the internet. And get an ODB adapter so you can regularly read error codes. It will help you to prevent bigger problems with the engine. If you keep up with the maintenance and fix error codes (I mean fix the root cause of malfunctions) - your engine will last long enough.

[FK23622]

Anybody know how much faster in terms of 0 to 60km or 0 to 100km generally for stage 1 on 330i with b48d?

[4cylenjoyer]

Originally Posted by BmwDriverStockholm

I'd recommend you change the ignition coils. On my car with 50k km (~33k miles) it was a source of problems. And gapping spark plugs to 0.02 inch (0.55 mm) helps the coils to survive when you push more air and fuel into the engine - tuners recommend this and you can find it on the internet. And get an ODB adapter so you can regularly read error codes. It will help you to prevent bigger problems with the engine. If you keep up with the maintenance and fix error codes (I mean fix the root cause of malfunctions) - your engine will last long enough.

Don’t tuners rec stock gap for 330i’s?

[BmwDriverStockholm]

Originally Posted by 4cylenjoyer

Don’t tuners rec stock gap for 330i’s?

You need to gap it to 0.022'

[mateodido]

Originally Posted by BmwDriverStockholm

You need to gap it to 0.022'

You don't need to change anything for Stage 1. Keep the stock plugs. As long as you do a more frequent maintenance, no need to worry about anything.

[4cylenjoyer]

Originally Posted by ztech

I've been through a few tunes for this car, starting at 37k miles, and although I don't drive too aggressively, the car has held up perfectly fine up until the current mileage of 79k. I do a lot of aggressive part throttle accelerations and more spirited takeoffs, from a stop, but I rarely go beyond 3500rpm. I have changed plugs every 10K miles and oil changes at every 3K miles. The B48 is rated for 400-450hp so it is a strong engine internally.

That being said, there are some common suggestions for anyone wanting to tune this car - the 'charge pipe' is prone to cracking and should be upgraded. This was easy enough that I was able to perform it myself, but a shop shouldn't charge more than an hour of labor (max) to get it done.

whats point of tuning if you dont go above 4k rpms Also, charge pipes are a problem on the n20 not the b46. Been running stage 2+ with no charge pipe upgrade or problems.

[4cylenjoyer]

Originally Posted by BmwDriverStockholm

You need to gap it to 0.022'

no you dont... also you can find tons of threads citing problems from gapped plugs. LOL, only rec for 6cyl like the b58 not b48...

[ztech]

Originally Posted by 4cylenjoyer

whats point of tuning if you dont go above 4k rpms Also, charge pipes are a problem on the n20 not the b46. Been running stage 2+ with no charge pipe upgrade or problems.

I feel my car delivers enough power and torque, I rarely need to go about 3500, and that's usually when I'm passing, or taking off the line more aggressively. My car spins it's tires on stage 2+, so I have to be gentle on takeoff and below 50mph. I'm trying to resolve the issue with new (less aggressive) Dinan lowering springs, and wider rim/tire combo 275mm on 9" x 18".

As for the charge pipe, I was just taking peoples word for it, and it's easy enough to do a self-install.
Here is the one I got: https://x-ph.com/ftp-bmw-b48-b46-2-0t-charge-pipe-v2/


Do you get a lot of wheelspin off the line? Did you know your 60MPH time, by any chance?

[4cylenjoyer]

Originally Posted by ztech

I feel my car delivers enough power and torque, I rarely need to go about 3500, and that's usually when I'm passing, or taking off the line more aggressively. My car spins it's tires on stage 2+, so I have to be gentle on takeoff and below 50mph. I'm trying to resolve the issue with new (less aggressive) Dinan lowering springs, and wider rim/tire combo 275mm on 9" x 18".

As for the charge pipe, I was just taking peoples word for it, and it's easy enough to do a self-install.
Here is the one I got: https://x-ph.com/ftp-bmw-b48-b46-2-0t-charge-pipe-v2/


Do you get a lot of wheelspin off the line? Did you know your 60MPH time, by any chance?

I was wrong, apparently it was the n55 with the charge pipe problem not even the n20. But yeah I get wheel spin, but I also havent upgraded my tires- on the shitty runflats still. I need to get a draggy soon (for 0-60), probably once my e-85 map is complete.

[ztech]

Originally Posted by BmwDriverStockholm

You need to gap it to 0.022'

I've heard from reliable sources that you keep it at stock gap. I had mine at .022 and when I regapped to .030 - there was small, but noticeable and appreciable, bump in power and smoothness. (I'm Stage 2 E85 tuned)

[EDWYER]

Originally Posted by ztech

I've heard from reliable sources that you keep it at stock gap. I had mine at .022 and when I regapped to .030 - there was small, but noticeable and appreciable, bump in power and smoothness. (I'm Stage 2 E85 tuned)

How do you like the tune? Any dragy #"s?

[ztech]

Originally Posted by EDWYER

How do you like the tune? Any dragy #"s?

2019 330i RWD (RACEBOX MINI)
0-30 MPH 2.32 seconds
0-60 MPH 4.97 seconds
60-100 MPH 6.29 seconds
30-60 MPH 2.65 seconds

This is with SOFT LAUNCH. With better tires, and proper launch control, I can get 60 time down to ~4.7

[EDWYER]

Originally Posted by ztech

2019 330i RWD (RACEBOX MINI)
0-30 MPH 2.32 seconds
0-60 MPH 4.97 seconds
60-100 MPH 6.29 seconds
30-60 MPH 2.65 seconds

This is with SOFT LAUNCH. With better tires, and proper launch control, I can get 60 time down to ~4.7

Nice. Better tires will help a ton.

[BmwDriverStockholm]

Originally Posted by 4cylenjoyer

no you dont... also you can find tons of threads citing problems from gapped plugs. LOL, only rec for 6cyl like the b58 not b48...

I'm not an expert in tuning but after an issue with an ignition coil, I decided to gap my spark plugs.
Physics says: if you get more air and fuel in the cylinder - it is harder to "shoot" a spark for the coil. More fuel&air mix in the cylinder - more energy needed to ignite it properly.

Tuning is trial and error. As you know there are no guarantees. Some dude on the internet can write something but it is ultimately your car, so do whatever feels right

ANd BTW b58 and b48 are pretty much the same when it comes to ignition. If I'm not wrong, they have the same spark plugs and ignition coils

[ztech]

Originally Posted by bquatt

I imagine you’d be just fine. Would likely want to change your plugs first though. Unfortunately I can’t speak from experience but solid, reputable tunes should be safe for the engine considering you use quality fuel/correct octane.

Here is my compression readings across all cylinders. Keep in mind, my car has been tuned since 37K (now just past 80K), and I do drive aggressive:

Compression looks even across all cylinders:
Cylinder 1: 185
Cylinder 2: 180
Cylinder 3: 184
Cylinder 4: 185

I mean there is 5 psi less on # 2 . I tried # 2 again and got 189. Tried # 1 again and got 181. It's within 10psi, so it's considered normal.

[4cylenjoyer]

Originally Posted by BmwDriverStockholm

I'm not an expert in tuning but after an issue with an ignition coil, I decided to gap my spark plugs.
Physics says: if you get more air and fuel in the cylinder - it is harder to "shoot" a spark for the coil. More fuel&air mix in the cylinder - more energy needed to ignite it properly.

Tuning is trial and error. As you know there are no guarantees. Some dude on the internet can write something but it is ultimately your car, so do whatever feels right

ANd BTW b58 and b48 are pretty much the same when it comes to ignition. If I'm not wrong, they have the same spark plugs and ignition coils

Yeah they do use same spark plugs but b58 tuned pushes way more power than b48 tuned so thats why they gap. On gapped plugs I got a rough idle, that goes away on my stock gapped plugs

[Anything_but_sideways]

Originally Posted by mxh4n

I was thinking about bm3 stage 1 tuning my 330i, it has 65,500 miles on it. Would I end up blowing up my engine or is it worth it?

2 weeks ago I decided to go stage 1 (let's call it that way, it was just a ECU remapping) on my B48. 100k miles on the clock, haven't changed anything, just regular maintanance and we will see what happens.

I do have an experience with N20 tuning. Did a ECU remap 2 years ago with 120k on the clock, changed intercooler, no more major upgrades and no major problems with the drivetrain.

So don't worry, stage one tuning won't hurt your B46

[DrachenWerks Kfz-Technik]

Originally Posted by ztech

I've been through a few tunes for this car, starting at 37k miles, and I drive pretty aggressively (but not like I stole it), the car has held up perfectly fine up until the current mileage of 79k. I do a lot of aggressive part throttle accelerations and more spirited takeoffs, from a stop, but I rarely go beyond 3500rpm. I have changed plugs every 10K miles and oil changes at every 3K miles. The B48 is rated for 400-450hp so it is a strong engine internally.

That being said, there are some common suggestions for anyone wanting to tune this car - the 'charge pipe' is prone to cracking and should be upgraded. This was easy enough that I was able to perform it myself, but a shop shouldn't charge more than an hour of labor (max) to get it done.

By rated at 400-450 hp, do you mean that a B46 can comfortably handle 400 hp (crank) with forged internals and pistons as a safety measure? I'm curious as I'm new to this forum but have been in the process of starting my tuning company, so I'm just looking for second opinions before I proceed with anything crazy.

[BmwDriverStockholm]

Originally Posted by DrachenWerks Kfz-Technik

By rated at 400-450 hp, do you mean that a B46 can comfortably handle 400 hp (crank) with forged internals and pistons as a safety measure? I'm curious as I'm new to this forum but have been in the process of starting my tuning company, so I'm just looking for second opinions before I proceed with anything crazy.

I think what people mean here is that they hope it is rated to 400-450hp (which is also an inflated number shown by those dynos to please customers). In reality, you will probably not see here anyone posting a story or a video "I've blown my engine because I'm stupid".

If you are looking at 400+ hp you probably should buy 6cyl engine. The amount of money to invest into 330i in order to make 400+ hp is just too much, and the risk to break something is too high.
For example, I did moderate Stage 2 and my engine mounts broke, had to replace them =(