Best Gearbox / Engine Map for N54/ N55 (E9X)
Discussion
It really depends on what you want to do.
As you're after a gearbox map, I'm gonna assume you have the ZF6HP auto, and its a big sluggish.
I bought XHP and reflashed mine, I found that the stage 3 was a bit too aggressive & hard to drive smoothly with, I stuck with stage 2, which works well on the road. It also means that when I'm in sport mode and switch to manual shift on the paddles, it no longer auto changes up, so I can hold gears if I wish.
I do however find that the down shifts are a bit jerky in sport mode unless I'm hard on the brakes.
As for the engine, most people just use the MHD Flasher and associated maps.
If planning to track the car, the cooling system is inadequate for the stock power levels, so you'd need to look at that first, more power is fine for day to day running with the occasional hoof down moment though.
As you're after a gearbox map, I'm gonna assume you have the ZF6HP auto, and its a big sluggish.
I bought XHP and reflashed mine, I found that the stage 3 was a bit too aggressive & hard to drive smoothly with, I stuck with stage 2, which works well on the road. It also means that when I'm in sport mode and switch to manual shift on the paddles, it no longer auto changes up, so I can hold gears if I wish.
I do however find that the down shifts are a bit jerky in sport mode unless I'm hard on the brakes.
As for the engine, most people just use the MHD Flasher and associated maps.
If planning to track the car, the cooling system is inadequate for the stock power levels, so you'd need to look at that first, more power is fine for day to day running with the occasional hoof down moment though.
Interesting.
Do you get a range of tune maps with the flash?
And regarding the gearbox, were there any of rhe other features you found of interest. We've sorted a lot of minor annoyances with Bimmercode but the sluggish shifts are the worst.
Are you not able to adjust jerky downshift parameters?
Do you get a range of tune maps with the flash?
And regarding the gearbox, were there any of rhe other features you found of interest. We've sorted a lot of minor annoyances with Bimmercode but the sluggish shifts are the worst.
Are you not able to adjust jerky downshift parameters?
EmailAddress said:
Interesting.
Do you get a range of tune maps with the flash?
And regarding the gearbox, were there any of rhe other features you found of interest. We've sorted a lot of minor annoyances with Bimmercode but the sluggish shifts are the worst.
Are you not able to adjust jerky downshift parameters?
It may be possible to sort them, but my gearbox is on 110k miles now & as far as I know, its never had an oil change, so there's a good chance its down to that. Do you get a range of tune maps with the flash?
And regarding the gearbox, were there any of rhe other features you found of interest. We've sorted a lot of minor annoyances with Bimmercode but the sluggish shifts are the worst.
Are you not able to adjust jerky downshift parameters?
My cable I used for flashing has a loose connection, so I didn't want to risk a reflash when I didn't have to & loose the connection partway through.
For me it was mainly about the day to day slugishness (cured) and being able to use the flappy paddles without the car deciding to take back control whenever it wanted to.
I did also set it to always pull away in first gear, which is nice most of the time, but when in a traffic jam it means that the cars moving a bit quicker than the rest of the traffic unless I drop it to first gear manually.
As for MHD, you can buy different licenses which give you different maps, although most just buy the all inclusive one. If you google it, should be easy enough to find the details.
Off the top of my head its about 360hp ish on stage 1 which requires no other modifications, if you fit a performance intercooler then it bumps it to 380, etc etc. Its a bit paint by the numbers & you're fixed to the upgrade path they set for you, but its the cheapest way to do it.
Dropped a Black Friday on XHP.
Just removing the creep has made entering junctions/ roundabouts etc a million times better. All the benefits of Auto + Manual rolled into one.
The shift change is also lighting.
Why did they not ship them like this!
Rolling start in 2nd is so much smoother too.
Bizarrely, the car, no. plate, and vin all think it has 6, while it actually has 7. Which confused the OBD options until I overwrote it.
Just removing the creep has made entering junctions/ roundabouts etc a million times better. All the benefits of Auto + Manual rolled into one.
The shift change is also lighting.
Why did they not ship them like this!
Rolling start in 2nd is so much smoother too.
Bizarrely, the car, no. plate, and vin all think it has 6, while it actually has 7. Which confused the OBD options until I overwrote it.
rottenegg said:
With xHP, you should be able to tune out the shift jolting in sports mode with the 'reassign shifts' option iirc, i.e. set sports shifts to have the 'normal' or 'comfort' shift algorithm - i.e. softer clutch engagement/disengagement.
Cheers, I need to sit down & have a good play around with it, just need another cable so I don't accidently brick it. However I'm seriously toying with the idea of swapping in the 8 speed gearbox from the F series as a fun little project.
EmailAddress said:
Just removing the creep has made entering junctions/ roundabouts etc a million times better. All the benefits of Auto + Manual rolled into one.
Glad it was worthwhile for you! I hadn't realised you were DCT. 
MiddayGun said:
rottenegg said:
With xHP, you should be able to tune out the shift jolting in sports mode with the 'reassign shifts' option iirc, i.e. set sports shifts to have the 'normal' or 'comfort' shift algorithm - i.e. softer clutch engagement/disengagement.
Cheers, I need to sit down & have a good play around with it, just need another cable so I don't accidently brick it. However I'm seriously toying with the idea of swapping in the 8 speed gearbox from the F series as a fun little project.
Check out the Australian YouTube channel "Zero to 60" if you want some 8HP swap inspiration. It's really not hard at all. 8HP70s are plentiful, and is the one I would go with for a tuned N55 personally for it's torque handling (700nm official - although can handle more).
In fact, being underwhelmed with the ZF6 was why he got into 8HP swaps in the first place, and they put them in all sorts of cars. Skylines, RX8s, Land Rovers, anything RWD or 4WD can accommodate an 8HP. The 8HP is also bomb proof. Do the oil and filter every 60K and it will outlive the car.
rottenegg said:
Ha, I was going to suggest the very same thing. The 8HP70 is a fantastic gearbox. Stage 3 xHP with that box is almost DCT fast.
Check out the Australian YouTube channel "Zero to 60" if you want some 8HP swap inspiration. It's really not hard at all. 8HP70s are plentiful, and is the one I would go with for a tuned N55 personally for it's torque handling (700nm official - although can handle more).
In fact, being underwhelmed with the ZF6 was why he got into 8HP swaps in the first place, and they put them in all sorts of cars. Skylines, RX8s, Land Rovers, anything RWD or 4WD can accommodate an 8HP. The 8HP is also bomb proof. Do the oil and filter every 60K and it will outlive the car.
I'm actually N54, but its the same story really. Check out the Australian YouTube channel "Zero to 60" if you want some 8HP swap inspiration. It's really not hard at all. 8HP70s are plentiful, and is the one I would go with for a tuned N55 personally for it's torque handling (700nm official - although can handle more).
In fact, being underwhelmed with the ZF6 was why he got into 8HP swaps in the first place, and they put them in all sorts of cars. Skylines, RX8s, Land Rovers, anything RWD or 4WD can accommodate an 8HP. The 8HP is also bomb proof. Do the oil and filter every 60K and it will outlive the car.
Thanks for the link, I've actually watched most of his stuff, although he uses a Lamik ECU, whereas it seems the best option now is the CANTCU, which allows for basically stock integration into an E90 platform, OEM+ is how I like to do things, so that works for me.
Though in my case I would go with the 8hp45 found in cars like the M135i, its basically a straight swap in dimensions wise with the 6hp box, so stuff like the prop shaft, can stay the same & I don't need any adapters to make it bolt up.
Since the most I'll ever want to tune to is 400hp, its easily within limits.
I specced up a proper service on the Zf6 and its actually quite expensive when you can pick up an 8 speed box for less than £300 now.
MiddayGun said:
rottenegg said:
Ha, I was going to suggest the very same thing. The 8HP70 is a fantastic gearbox. Stage 3 xHP with that box is almost DCT fast.
Check out the Australian YouTube channel "Zero to 60" if you want some 8HP swap inspiration. It's really not hard at all. 8HP70s are plentiful, and is the one I would go with for a tuned N55 personally for it's torque handling (700nm official - although can handle more).
In fact, being underwhelmed with the ZF6 was why he got into 8HP swaps in the first place, and they put them in all sorts of cars. Skylines, RX8s, Land Rovers, anything RWD or 4WD can accommodate an 8HP. The 8HP is also bomb proof. Do the oil and filter every 60K and it will outlive the car.
I'm actually N54, but its the same story really. Check out the Australian YouTube channel "Zero to 60" if you want some 8HP swap inspiration. It's really not hard at all. 8HP70s are plentiful, and is the one I would go with for a tuned N55 personally for it's torque handling (700nm official - although can handle more).
In fact, being underwhelmed with the ZF6 was why he got into 8HP swaps in the first place, and they put them in all sorts of cars. Skylines, RX8s, Land Rovers, anything RWD or 4WD can accommodate an 8HP. The 8HP is also bomb proof. Do the oil and filter every 60K and it will outlive the car.
Thanks for the link, I've actually watched most of his stuff, although he uses a Lamik ECU, whereas it seems the best option now is the CANTCU, which allows for basically stock integration into an E90 platform, OEM+ is how I like to do things, so that works for me.
Though in my case I would go with the 8hp45 found in cars like the M135i, its basically a straight swap in dimensions wise with the 6hp box, so stuff like the prop shaft, can stay the same & I don't need any adapters to make it bolt up.
Since the most I'll ever want to tune to is 400hp, its easily within limits.
I specced up a proper service on the Zf6 and its actually quite expensive when you can pick up an 8 speed box for less than £300 now.
Excellent, sounds like you're good to go! Best get shopping on the old ebay
This will be an interesting one to follow as I'm a big fan of OEM+ as well.I don't think the factory 8HP equipped BMWs would be half as rapid or fun without them to be honest, it's that good a gearbox.
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