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M2 Technical Topics > N55 Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust / Bolt-ons / Tuning > A conservative review of the JB+

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      04-24-2017, 01:04 PM   #1
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A conservative review of the JB+

Here's a slightly different review of the JB+. I do not plan on doing any significant mods (Maybe a DP down the road). I actually felt the stock power on the M2 to be enough, but like many of you, wanted more, just a little more. Ordered the JB+ last week (Thanks for the help Mike) and arrived a few days later. Installation was simple as many have stated, the toughest part was probably figuring out the clip to the connector. After that, it was easy.

Before I installed the unit, I opened it up to check the setting, to my surprise, it was set to max. So I adjust it back to 12 o'clock (around 3 psi) as I do not want an aggressive tune. Took it out for a drive, very noticeable power and torque gain. Lots of wheel spin everywhere, like many have said, first 3 gears, spin spin spin. And I wasn't even going WOT. There were some jerks here and there, and the transmission was doing some shifts on it's own. I figured it was the ECU trying to learn, so I just left it at that. Next few days the shifts were a lot smoother but the power was still there. And that dip in the 5k rpm range shown in the dyno graphs from other reviewers is true. There's also a little bit more turbo lag, not a lot, but it's there.

Maybe I'm getting old, but I do not enjoy wheel spin, especially when it's in the mid rpm range. I don't want to modulate the throttle when I'm going straight. And I definitely don't want that to happen when I'm on the track. Also want a smoother delivery. So I did the unthinkable... I dialed it down to 11 o'clock.

I'm liking it a lot more. Power is smoother, no more unwanted wheel spins. The car felt more balanced. I would not be surprised if I go back to stock one day, as I feel the stock tune to be very well balanced and "safe" on the track.

Overall, I'm satisfied with the product, considering the price/hp it's the bargain of the century. Will be heading to the track in a few weeks, will give some more feedback after. Heat soak would be my concern without upgrading the intercooler, but it's still relative cold up here, so it should be fine with the current setting.


P.S. For you Canadians, shipping/tax/custom was painless as they ship from Mississauga. Wish more US companies would do that.
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      04-24-2017, 01:28 PM   #2
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Thanks for the writeup. I'm definitely interested in any potential heat soak @ the track. Keep us posted. 93 octane?
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      04-24-2017, 04:13 PM   #3
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FWIW, MAF signal, which this device modifies, is only indirectly influencing boost. So max or 3 psi on the M2 by no means is the equivalent of max or 3 psi on an M235i for example. Load is going to be calculated differently due to the differences in stock tune.

What we do know for sure is that at peak RPM the M2 has about 1-1.5psi available margin on 93 octane and no margin at all on 91.

AFAIK no one running an otherwise stock M2 with JB+ on max is having any problems.
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      04-24-2017, 06:08 PM   #4
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Thanks for the clarification. I'm running 94 octane at the moment and 100 at the track. So as long as I'm not getting negative boost, I'm happy with what the end result is right now.
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      04-25-2017, 01:53 AM   #5
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Best Review for boost-only type piggyback to date.
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      04-25-2017, 10:34 AM   #6
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Don't blame you, I would run stock boost for the track but for the street extra power if fun. Thanks for the review.
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      04-25-2017, 08:47 PM   #7
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      04-26-2017, 10:13 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FSociety View Post
3Si if i lived in Toronto my car would be with proTUNING Freaks
I'm sure they are great and bootmod3 has been receiving some awesome reviews. Perhaps one day when I feel I need more power, I'd definitely visit them. But for the time being, a slight boost is all I need.
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      05-03-2017, 02:00 PM   #9
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Good write up
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      05-11-2017, 08:45 AM   #10
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Thanks for the write up.

I have a couple questions...
You say that it shifted on it's own a few times - so I assume you have DCT... why not shift yourself so you can hold the gear to really feel the power?(or lack of it)
Also, you post this in April, in Toronto. What is the temperature average on these days you test it? I ask because not only will the car make more power with the cold air, but the tires would not perform anywhere near their peak if cold - which may have both led to the wheel spin issue.
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      05-12-2017, 07:27 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McPurrs View Post
Thanks for the write up.

I have a couple questions...
You say that it shifted on it's own a few times - so I assume you have DCT... why not shift yourself so you can hold the gear to really feel the power?(or lack of it)
Also, you post this in April, in Toronto. What is the temperature average on these days you test it? I ask because not only will the car make more power with the cold air, but the tires would not perform anywhere near their peak if cold - which may have both led to the wheel spin issue.
Yes, I have DCT and when I said it shifted itself, I meant it shifted itself in manual mode. (Only happened twice, problem no longer exist.)

Temperature was around 10C. And you are correct, that definitely has an effect on the tires.

Here's more observation after a track day. Once tires are warmed up, wheel spin turned into a little churp. Car ran well with breaks in between 6-8 laps. No noticeable heat soak running at 11 o'clock position.

On a side note... I've read many many post about camber plates, no I believe. Quite a bit of uneven wear on the outside of the front tires. Need to invest in a set.
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      05-12-2017, 07:38 AM   #12
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Are you telling stock IC is good enough to handle piggyback boost on track?
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      05-12-2017, 08:00 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanWRT View Post
Are you telling stock IC is good enough to handle piggyback boost on track?
I can't speak for all, but it was good enough for my specific setting. 11 o'clock setting on the dial. 15C temperature. And breaks in between 15-20 mins run.

Once it gets warmer here, will add to this thread.
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