RE: G-Power tunes new BMW Z4 to 500hp
Monday 8th July 2019
G-Power tunes new BMW Z4 to 500hp
It's hard to imagine many BMW buyers needing it; Supra drivers, however...
If there's one tangible positive to the proliferation of turbocharged cars now offered to customers, it's their relatively simple tunability. Huge gains never possible with natural aspiration can be had with induction, exhaust and ECU tweaks, which is almost exactly what's happened with this G-Power BMW Z4.
With the addition of a Performance Software V2 map, new downpipes, sports cats, a bigger intercooler and a modified turbo, the Z4 M40i makes 500hp and 516lb ft. Noticeable tweaks, sure, but not a huge amount to yield another 160hp and 147lb ft over standard. As G-Power itself notes, "even the BMW Z4 M will not produce that many horses. If it'll be realised at all..."
Unsurprisingly, G-Power also recommends a top speed de-limit to fully exploit the Z4's potential; it's said to be capable of 186mph "and beyond" once unshackled from the software. There seems to be little beyond a set of forged wheels to improve the Z4 chassis wise, though G-Power does maintain that the aircraft-grade aluminium rims "lower the unsprung weight for improved acceleration, handling and braking." Capable though the Z4 has proven itself already, this sort of improved performance should probably be supported by some additional braking power at least. And maybe some suspension changes. And tyres...
Then we're into tuning, which inevitably means talking about the Supra this Z4 shares so much with. Presumably G-Power could do just the same with the Toyota as with the BMW, the resulting Supra arguably more interesting to enthusiasts than the equivalent Z4. Still, 500hp is 500hp, whichever form it comes in - G-Power's Z4 upgrades are available to order now.
Discussion
Because of the deluded journalistic view that all supra owners modified their cars. Which obviously didn't happen when they were new
Bet their are more bmw owners right now modifying* their cars than Toyota owners.
Bet their are more bmw owners right now modifying* their cars than Toyota owners.
- Modifying in 2019 is a remap and maybe induction kit along with bmw performance bolt on tinsel
dibblecorse said:
It's hard to imagine many BMW buyers needing it; Supra drivers, however...
Why ??????
What about all those tuned M140i's ?Why ??????
This isnt new, the B58 has been around since 2016 and has had various tuning options emerge.
With a tuning box people are seeing between 415 and 440 bhp, so can see how with supporting mods it will do 500.
They arent that far off the M4 engine design wise, same capacity, closed deck block, forged crank etc. The B58 just has a single turbo and can struggle with track work as it doesnt have the S55 engines baffled sump for high G loads so the engines get starved of oil on track and can expire.
But, apparently its not as good as a 2JZ, but nobody has actually give any technical details as to why ? Am really interested to know, it may be the case. Be interesting to see where they take it, and whether it can make over 1000 bhp ? might be being an alloy block it wont put up with as much ?
J4CKO said:
dibblecorse said:
It's hard to imagine many BMW buyers needing it; Supra drivers, however...
Why ??????
What about all those tuned M140i's ?Why ??????
This isnt new, the B58 has been around since 2016 and has had various tuning options emerge.
With a tuning box people are seeing between 415 and 440 bhp, so can see how with supporting mods it will do 500.
They arent that far off the M4 engine design wise, same capacity, closed deck block, forged crank etc. The B58 just has a single turbo and can struggle with track work as it doesnt have the S55 engines baffled sump for high G loads so the engines get starved of oil on track and can expire.
But, apparently its not as good as a 2JZ, but nobody has actually give any technical details as to why ? Am really interested to know, it may be the case. Be interesting to see where they take it, and whether it can make over 1000 bhp ? might be being an alloy block it wont put up with as much ?
dibblecorse said:
J4CKO said:
dibblecorse said:
It's hard to imagine many BMW buyers needing it; Supra drivers, however...
Why ??????
What about all those tuned M140i's ?Why ??????
This isnt new, the B58 has been around since 2016 and has had various tuning options emerge.
With a tuning box people are seeing between 415 and 440 bhp, so can see how with supporting mods it will do 500.
They arent that far off the M4 engine design wise, same capacity, closed deck block, forged crank etc. The B58 just has a single turbo and can struggle with track work as it doesnt have the S55 engines baffled sump for high G loads so the engines get starved of oil on track and can expire.
But, apparently its not as good as a 2JZ, but nobody has actually give any technical details as to why ? Am really interested to know, it may be the case. Be interesting to see where they take it, and whether it can make over 1000 bhp ? might be being an alloy block it wont put up with as much ?
Which is more model, not make specific as M140i owners seem to be all over the tuning options.
I went in a 450 bhp and it was rapid, but they are already struggling a bit to deploy the power as standard.
It will be interesting to see if the B58 is as tough as the 2JZ. Ally blocks might be less strong, but have better heat rejection. BMW really did seem to build it with strength in mind, and apparently were receptive to feedback from Toyota about component durability. Toyota engineers were surprised how much BMW spent developing the engine, BMW engineers were surprised how exacting the Toyota guys were about the quality of every part.
Was the 2JZ so impressive just because of the TLC really high output projects get, or because the engine was actually bombproof? Doesn’t sound like BMW has cut any corners (forged crank etc). Will the ZF cope with all this extra energy?
Was the 2JZ so impressive just because of the TLC really high output projects get, or because the engine was actually bombproof? Doesn’t sound like BMW has cut any corners (forged crank etc). Will the ZF cope with all this extra energy?
I think that trying to pin down the number or type of people modding their cars is a pointless exercise.
The logic that people who will buy and drive a Supra are more likely to be looking for enhancements, rather than a regular Z4 driver is perfectly sound in my option.
Sure, there are loads of BMW owners out their modding their 140s and M cars, however without actually doing a census, I think it's reasonable to conclude that it's a larger number of the saloon and hatch buyers than it is the Z4 roadster owners.
Supra has been deliberately designed with modding in mind, e.g. provision for bonnet and wing vents, and pre-reinforced tailgate ready to accept a wing. As similar as the underpinnings of the cars might be (massively over simplified in most stories or posts), the demographic buying them and their associated "culture" is very different.
The logic that people who will buy and drive a Supra are more likely to be looking for enhancements, rather than a regular Z4 driver is perfectly sound in my option.
Sure, there are loads of BMW owners out their modding their 140s and M cars, however without actually doing a census, I think it's reasonable to conclude that it's a larger number of the saloon and hatch buyers than it is the Z4 roadster owners.
Supra has been deliberately designed with modding in mind, e.g. provision for bonnet and wing vents, and pre-reinforced tailgate ready to accept a wing. As similar as the underpinnings of the cars might be (massively over simplified in most stories or posts), the demographic buying them and their associated "culture" is very different.
J4CKO said:
They arent that far off the M4 engine design wise, same capacity, closed deck block, forged crank etc. The B58 just has a single turbo and can struggle with track work as it doesnt have the S55 engines baffled sump for high G loads so the engines get starved of oil on track and can expire.
1) B58 engine doesn't suffer with oil starvation issues, it has a similar design to the S55, upgraded from the N55, with twin pick ups and baffling and windage trays2) N55 in the FXX series cars also has windage trays and some baffling, only the one pick up - you hear the odd issue of oil starvation but it's very rare and certainly not something I have experienced on 8 track days with mine nor is it a particularly widely reported issue in cars that actually race (EG Bathurst 24 hr endurance team running an N55 ran it 0.5L over with no issues for the entire race!)
Sorry, bit of a pet peeve when people go "every bmw used on track has oil starvation!//!11one!11/" - when this is simply not the case.
Completely true however, the B58 tuning is nothing new and you can do it for a lot less than G-Power is charging.
xjay1337 said:
J4CKO said:
They arent that far off the M4 engine design wise, same capacity, closed deck block, forged crank etc. The B58 just has a single turbo and can struggle with track work as it doesnt have the S55 engines baffled sump for high G loads so the engines get starved of oil on track and can expire.
1) B58 engine doesn't suffer with oil starvation issues, it has a similar design to the S55, upgraded from the N55, with twin pick ups and baffling and windage trays2) N55 in the FXX series cars also has windage trays and some baffling, only the one pick up - you hear the odd issue of oil starvation but it's very rare and certainly not something I have experienced on 8 track days with mine nor is it a particularly widely reported issue in cars that actually race (EG Bathurst 24 hr endurance team running an N55 ran it 0.5L over with no issues for the entire race!)
Sorry, bit of a pet peeve when people go "every bmw used on track has oil starvation!//!11one!11/" - when this is simply not the case.
Completely true however, the B58 tuning is nothing new and you can do it for a lot less than G-Power is charging.
Amazing now you can pick up a M140i for 20 grand or thereabouts, spend a grand or so and have a 450 bhp car.
mat205125 said:
I think that trying to pin down the number or type of people modding their cars is a pointless exercise.
The logic that people who will buy and drive a Supra are more likely to be looking for enhancements, rather than a regular Z4 driver is perfectly sound in my option.
Sure, there are loads of BMW owners out their modding their 140s and M cars, however without actually doing a census, I think it's reasonable to conclude that it's a larger number of the saloon and hatch buyers than it is the Z4 roadster owners.
Supra has been deliberately designed with modding in mind, e.g. provision for bonnet and wing vents, and pre-reinforced tailgate ready to accept a wing. As similar as the underpinnings of the cars might be (massively over simplified in most stories or posts), the demographic buying them and their associated "culture" is very different.
You'd be surprised, loads of owners over on the Z4 specific forums undertaking the same remapping being taken advantage of by the 135/40 mob and enjoying the extra horses .... The logic that people who will buy and drive a Supra are more likely to be looking for enhancements, rather than a regular Z4 driver is perfectly sound in my option.
Sure, there are loads of BMW owners out their modding their 140s and M cars, however without actually doing a census, I think it's reasonable to conclude that it's a larger number of the saloon and hatch buyers than it is the Z4 roadster owners.
Supra has been deliberately designed with modding in mind, e.g. provision for bonnet and wing vents, and pre-reinforced tailgate ready to accept a wing. As similar as the underpinnings of the cars might be (massively over simplified in most stories or posts), the demographic buying them and their associated "culture" is very different.
Baddie said:
BMW really did seem to build it with strength in mind, and apparently were receptive to feedback from Toyota about component durability. Toyota engineers were surprised how much BMW spent developing the engine, BMW engineers were surprised how exacting the Toyota guys were about the quality of every part.
Where do people find this drivel?! Mackofthejungle said:
Baddie said:
BMW really did seem to build it with strength in mind, and apparently were receptive to feedback from Toyota about component durability. Toyota engineers were surprised how much BMW spent developing the engine, BMW engineers were surprised how exacting the Toyota guys were about the quality of every part.
Where do people find this drivel?! The ZF 8HP is supplied in different torque ratings, it would be interesting to know which one is bolted to the B58 here.
E65Ross said:
Baddie said:
Will the ZF cope with all this extra energy?
The 8 speed box is already in cars with over 500lbft 
Some people may have more and it’s fine but it wasn’t a risk I was willing to take. I’m guessing tuners will really go mad when they offer the Supra and BMW with a manual.
Chestrockwell said:
E65Ross said:
Baddie said:
Will the ZF cope with all this extra energy?
The 8 speed box is already in cars with over 500lbft Some people may have more and it’s fine but it wasn’t a risk I was willing to take. I’m guessing tuners will really go mad when they offer the Supra and BMW with a manual.
Baddie said:
The ZF 8HP is supplied in different torque ratings, it would be interesting to know which one is bolted to the B58 here.
I would imagine it's the ZF8HP45 which is rated to 450NM I believe.However as with many things you can run much higher than this without issue.
Many cars run 600nm+ for tens of thousands of miles without issue.
You can get XHP gearbox software for increased clamping pressure (I have stage 3 software on mine, it's brilliant).
And like a DSG gearbox it needs regular servicing (this is not mentioned in any service routine in BMW)
I would recommend every 40-50k. It doesn't cost that much. 300-400 tops.
xjay1337 said:
Baddie said:
The ZF 8HP is supplied in different torque ratings, it would be interesting to know which one is bolted to the B58 here.
I would imagine it's the ZF8HP45 which is rated to 450NM I believe.However as with many things you can run much higher than this without issue.
Many cars run 600nm+ for tens of thousands of miles without issue.
You can get XHP gearbox software for increased clamping pressure (I have stage 3 software on mine, it's brilliant).
And like a DSG gearbox it needs regular servicing (this is not mentioned in any service routine in BMW)
I would recommend every 40-50k. It doesn't cost that much. 300-400 tops.
A 600nm engine will do less harm used for general street driving and outlast say 450nm used for regular full power standing starts and track days.
Baddie said:
Was the 2JZ so impressive just because of the TLC really high output projects get, or because the engine was actually bombproof?
The whole mythos around the 2JZ is just that, really. ~600hp (and 200bhp per litre) on stock internals is impressive, but like other equally capable engines of its era, it's a pretty heavy thing. Modern engines can and have done the same, both in tuned for and (in the case of the latter figure) from the factory. There are US BMW B58 engines making ~560whp with just a stage 3 turbo, JB4, exhaust and intake. More with water/meth.I think the main reason for its continued allure is relative availability (tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of engines out there- circa 50k Mk4 Supras (split between turbo and non-turbo) plus the various other cars that the 2JZ-GTE went into) and the relative availability of well regarded upgrades for them. The RB26DETT is similar in that it found its way into at least 80k GT-Rs across three generations, plus other edge uses.
Edited by HM-2 on Monday 8th July 16:21
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