[detroitm2]

Got this in the mail today, just after Christmas! Super excited to get it installed! I know theres a couple of M2's on the forum running these. So I'm just opening this thread as a general discussion thread to act as a resource for anyone interested.

I purchased the "stock fuel line" model, which effectively has the lines/connectors to connect the unit to the OEM fuel lines. Plug and play essentially. You can always remove the connectors/lines if you want to later upgrade your fuel lines.

Additionally, I opted for the "Ultimate Ecutek" version, which comes with a Zeitronix ECA-2 unit for connecting the flex fuel sensor to your cars CANbus, and allowing tuning software (Ecutek, and soon, BM3) to adjust the tuning based on the ethanol content of the fuel. The ECA-2 also has outputs for analog gauges to read ethanol content as well as fuel temperature.

This is pretty much the best all-in-one solution you can find for the f8x platform as far as I can tell. It comes with all the connectors, lines, etc, along with a nice flex-fuel sensor, an ID F750 fuel filter, and a nice 3D printed mounting plate to connect it to your car.

I'll likely be doing an install video for this once I get into the shop, to give an overview of how its done. Mind you, I've never installed one of these, so it may be a bit of a trial and error.

Stay Tuned.

[ZM2]

Nice, I’ll go this route once BM3 releases flex fuel/map switching support.

What’d it set you back?

[-Eidos]

Originally Posted by ZM2

Nice, I’ll go this route once BM3 releases flex fuel/map switching support.

What’d it set you back?

Can be found here: https://www.bendcalibration.com/shop/bmw-f8x-flex-fuel

[detroitm2]

Yup. See above for link to page. I got the ultimate ecutek kit for OEM fuel lines, which is the most expensive, it was about $975.

Pricey, but the quality is top notch.

That said, I did discover a problem with the package. It seems the ECA-2 they sent me does not support CANbus wires. (it had a 6 pin connector instead of the 8 pin connector.) Oddly, the wires included in the box were 8 pin, and the instructions clearly show 8 pin (also in the box). So Zeitronix must have messed up and put the wrong unit in there.

I've already contacted Bend Calibration and they are working with Zeitronix to get it sorted out, and sending me a replacement. Ian over there even opened up a couple other ECA-2 boxes and found one was fine, and the other had the same issue I found.

[Commanderwiggin]

I also have an Ecutek Ultimate - Custom Fuel Line Kit on my M2C and it's been great! Highly recommend anyone wanting a high quality setup to buy one. Bend Calibration also has good installation instructions as well. The filter/fuel line assembly is a super simple setup to install. The wiring is also very simple if you've done any amount of wiring/interior trim removal before.

[Commanderwiggin]

Originally Posted by PrinceCity

Does this only work for e85? Or can it tell the octane ratings of normal fuel?

It can tell any content from 0-100%. Typical pump fuels read around 10% ethanol and E85 will be between 70-85%. When running a flexfuel tune like Ecutek currently has or BM3 will have soon, you can fill up with any blend of 91 or e85 and the tune will automatically adjust to the specific ethanol content detected by the flex fuel sensor.

For BM3 users wanting to have a setup ready to go, the filter/sensor assembly can be installed and then you guys can connect the zeitronix adapter (or whatever adapter in the future) at a later date. Nothing wrong with filtering the fuel to a proper bosch spec; really surprising that BMW no longer has a serviceable, low micron fuel filter in these cars.

[-Eidos]

Originally Posted by PrinceCity

Does this only work for e85? Or can it tell the octane ratings of normal fuel?

This only reads ethanol content. You can get the octane rating of the mixture in your tank by inferring from the ethanol content reading, but this isn't the intended usage as flex fuel tunes go off of ethanol content %.

[F87source]

I wish the filter wasn't mounted underneath the car for 2 reasons:

1) It is going to be really close to the ground and at risk of damage.

2) You can't see the delta P indicator without getting underneath of the car, which is a hassle.


Otherwise it looks like a really nice kit.

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by F87source

I wish the filter wasn't mounted underneath the car for 2 reasons:

1) It is going to be really close to the ground and at risk of damage.

2) You can't see the delta P indicator without getting underneath of the car, which is a hassle.


Otherwise it looks like a really nice kit.

For what its worth, its under the skid plates on the bottom of the car. Its no more susceptible to impact that the OEM fuel lines themselves.

As for number 2, yeah, thats a pain in the butt.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by detroitm2

For what its worth, its under the skid plates on the bottom of the car. Its no more susceptible to impact that the OEM fuel lines themselves.

As for number 2, yeah, thats a pain in the butt.

It's really not a skid plate, that thin carpet like composite material is so flimsy it will bend under its own weight. That thing is more of a piece for aero dynamics and small debris protection, but it will offer little to no protection if you hit something big (like how the oil cooler on the S55's get damaged), and anything that sticks down more and is larger than the factory fuel lines will be more susceptible to damage. Albeit you'd have to hit something really hard like riding up on a curb to damage it.


Still, I think it is going to suck to keep an eye on a filter placed there.

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by F87source

It's really not a skid plate, that thin carpet like composite material is so flimsy it will bend under its own weight. That thing is more of a piece for aero dynamics and small debris protection, but it will offer little to no protection if you hit something big (like how the oil cooler on the S55's get damaged), and anything that sticks down more and is larger than the factory fuel lines will be more susceptible to damage. Albeit you'd have to hit something really hard like riding up on a curb to damage it.


Still, I think it is going to suck to keep an eye on a filter placed there.

Technically, if you ran your own fuel lines, you could reposition it somewhere else. Though I'm not sure exactly where.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by detroitm2

Technically, if you ran your own fuel lines, you could reposition it somewhere else. Though I'm not sure exactly where.

Yeah you could, but then that super nice bracket couldn't be used anymore. Plus there is literally no room in these engine bays, so bottom mounted it is. It might be better if it was more forward and in the engine bay near the steering rod from the fire wall, but I can't remember how much room there is.

But in all honestly I wouldn't be too worried about it at stock ride height, maybe if the car was really really lowered then you might have an issue going up and down curbs if you go in side ways towards the driver side. I would prefer it be mounted in the engine bay, but since there is a lack of room in this platform anywhere where it can be cleanly mounted will have to do.

[cookiesowns]

Originally Posted by F87source

Yeah you could, but then that super nice bracket couldn't be used anymore. Plus there is literally no room in these engine bays, so bottom mounted it is. It might be better if it was more forward and in the engine bay near the steering rod from the fire wall, but I can't remember how much room there is.

But in all honestly I wouldn't be too worried about it at stock ride height, maybe if the car was really really lowered then you might have an issue going up and down curbs if you go in side ways towards the driver side. I would prefer it be mounted in the engine bay, but since there is a lack of room in this platform anywhere where it can be cleanly mounted will have to do.

In all honesty, if you're worried about damaging the fuel line down there with the filter, it's just as susceptible to the stock fuel lines, tank vent, among a variety of other sensors. The F87 has plenty of room down there unlike the X3M

detroitm2

Honestly still curious why you didn't go with ECUTek so you can get everything wired up and running

[Commanderwiggin]

Originally Posted by F87source

I wish the filter wasn't mounted underneath the car for 2 reasons:

1) It is going to be really close to the ground and at risk of damage.

2) You can't see the delta P indicator without getting underneath of the car, which is a hassle.


Otherwise it looks like a really nice kit.

It's in the same spot as the OEM filters on all BMW's (which have replaceable fuel filters). N20 Flex Cars in Brazil and the diesels being the newest models. E46 and all others previous have them there too. Would have a lot of other components damaged before the filter would get hit imo.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by cookiesowns

In all honesty, if you're worried about damaging the fuel line down there with the filter, it's just as susceptible to the stock fuel lines, tank vent, among a variety of other sensors. The F87 has plenty of room down there unlike the X3M

detroitm2

Honestly still curious why you didn't go with ECUTek so you can get everything wired up and running

Well not really, if it's sticking up further against the liner it's more susceptible to bumps that push the liner in.

The reason why I'm so paranoid with this is because I ran fuel lab fuel filters on my frs, and they always looked dinged up when it was bottom mounted. I suspect the covers on the f87 to keep it safer, but if you live in a country with deep snow and it's pressing up against the underbody, this could be bad news.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Commanderwiggin

It's in the same spot as the OEM filters on all BMW's (which have replaceable fuel filters). N20 Flex Cars in Brazil and the diesels being the newest models. E46 and all others previous have them there too. Would have a lot of other components damaged before the filter would get hit imo.

True, like I said I'm just paranoid and imprefer it in the engine bay.

But as of now this looks to be the best unit available out of any filter option. I especially like the vent to dump the fuel line pressure, saves me the hassle of pulling fuses and running the car till it stalls to swap filters.


Btw is this pnp into existing holes or do holes need to be drilled for the bracket to mount?

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by cookiesowns

In all honesty, if you're worried about damaging the fuel line down there with the filter, it's just as susceptible to the stock fuel lines, tank vent, among a variety of other sensors. The F87 has plenty of room down there unlike the X3M

detroitm2

Honestly still curious why you didn't go with ECUTek so you can get everything wired up and running

Not going Ecutek yet. Working in getting the Nostrum HPFP I'm running sorted out on BM3 first.

Ecutek later this year with some other upgrades

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by F87source

True, like I said I'm just paranoid and imprefer it in the engine bay.

But as of now this looks to be the best unit available out of any filter option. I especially like the vent to dump the fuel line pressure, saves me the hassle of pulling fuses and running the car till it stalls to swap filters.


Btw is this pnp into existing holes or do holes need to be drilled for the bracket to mount?

The instruction sheet it came with said it goes into existing threaded holes.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by detroitm2

The instruction sheet it came with said it goes into existing threaded holes.

Absolutely excellent, I love this solution even more now.

[detroitm2]

Headed into the shop to do the install for this over the weekend. I'll be recording the process as best as possible for anyone interested in doing it themselves to post on my youtube channel.

[MTWO]

Nice kit but I’ll probably just make my own lines and fittings for it when BM3 releases flex fuel and other goodies. Fuel filter is nice but unnecessary I feel as you already have it in the fuel tank.

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by MTWO

Nice kit but I’ll probably just make my own lines and fittings for it when BM3 releases flex fuel and other goodies. Fuel filter is nice but unnecessary I feel as you already have it in the fuel tank.

The one in the tank is a "lifetime filter" and is certainly not a high micron filter like the ID F450.

Whether it's needed or not is questionable, but it couldn't hurt.