JB3 1.4 and JB3 Hardware

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Hey guys..

There have been a few posts about different "generations" of the JB3 hardware and what is compatible with what, so I thought I would make this thread explaining things a little more as there appears to be some confusion.

There are three types of JB3 boards in circulation, Gen-1, Gen-2 and Gen-3, but in terms of software and hardware compatibility we can group Gen-2 and Gen-3 together.

Gen - 1 - Sold up to March 2009

Gen - 2/Gen-3 - April 2009 - current

Around the time when 1.3 was finalized BMS added an additional component to the board, the blue 10uf capacitor shown in the picture. BMS and I found around 5% of cars out there needed this capacitor to run the stronger 1.3/1.4 lagfix maps. Thus the G1 board with the extra capacitor is the G2/G3 board.

So what does this mean in terms of the new 1.4 software. Probably nothing for most of you unless you have an older G1 board and are having problems with the latest lagfix maps. Problems such as random 2ABC SES codes, or random stumbles only with the lagfix maps under light throttle. The 1.4 lagfix maps are even stronger than the 1.3 maps, and future maps will be stronger, so this may become more of an issue for you.

If you are having these issues please email or PM me, but first please figure out what version of the JB3 you have.

I would also like to make it clear that the Gen-3 board ads nothing in terms of performance or drivability over the Gen-2 board. The Gen-3 board will be important when 2.0 comes out, but we will have more info on that later on.

FYI - All current JB3's ship with the Gen-3 board and the latest 1.4 (8.5) software

Hope this clears a few things up.

Mike

[larryn]

Thanks Mike. Mine looks like Gen 3, except without the extra 10uf capacitor (only the one smaller one exists). Will I have issues with 1.4 or higher?

[chinoxs203]

can you clarify this?

or random stumbles only with the lagfix maps under light throttle

when i accelerate the car is not all that smooth. you can feel little blips all the way through during hard accelerations.

running JB3 with i think gen 2 board.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by larryn

Thanks Mike. Mine looks like Gen 3, except without the extra 10uf capacitor (only the one smaller one exists). Will I have issues with 1.4 or higher?

No, with G3 the cap isn't needed as it was switched to a 4 layer PCB. The first 100 did not have it and had the capacitor as shown in the picture.

Mike

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by chinoxs203

can you clarify this?


when i accelerate the car is not all that smooth. you can feel little blips all the way through during hard accelerations.

running JB3 with i think gen 2 board.

What software version of the JB3?

If you are accelerating under boost its not related to the G1/G2, so upgrade to 1.4 which corrected boost oscillation in certain ECU versions. Also scan the car for codes. Fueling and plug problems will have a similar feeling.

Mike

[escobar929]

great info, thanks!

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

No, with G3 the cap isn't needed as it was switched to a 4 layer PCB. The first 100 did not have it and had the capacitor as shown in the picture.

Mike

Hope it's not a stupid question, but why would you add the 10uf capacitor onto the Gen 3 board, after mine (and 99 others) were produced, if it's not needed? Am I missing something obvious?

[My135]

I had a Gen 1 board and V1.22 soft ware.

How much and what it takes to upgrade mine to V1.4?

Can I send you an older chip (which has the original V1.1x maps on it) for you to burn the new V1.4 maps and send me the 10 uf capacitor which I can DIY at home? Please let me know. Thanks.

[chinoxs203]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

What software version of the JB3?

If you are accelerating under boost its not related to the G1/G2, so upgrade to 1.4 which corrected boost oscillation in certain ECU versions. Also scan the car for codes. Fueling and plug problems will have a similar feeling.

Mike

My bad i'm on 1.3. I didn't know 1.4 was official yet. Does it include the ability to chang maps via rixgauge yet?? I didn't see that option on n54tech

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by larryn

Hope it's not a stupid question, but why would you add the 10uf capacitor onto the Gen 3 board, after mine (and 99 others) were produced, if it's not needed? Am I missing something obvious?

You would need to ask BMS. But I've been told those first 100 G3 boards do not require the cap and are good to go for 1.4.

Mike

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by chinoxs203

My bad i'm on 1.3. I didn't know 1.4 was official yet. Does it include the ability to chang maps via rixgauge yet?? I didn't see that option on n54tech

No, they did not include that in the firmware yet. It will be a special map called 1.4_RIX. I'll go harass BMS for you. Check on n54tech early next week for it.

Mike

[chinoxs203]

Thanks!

I must have the gen2 beacuse I had to send my board bAck when 1.3 first came out because of codes and limps.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

bumping thread

Mike

[Schn3ll]

Mike, how can I get a V3 board now? Can I return my V1 + Cash? Or is this deal not quite ready for public consumption yet? Thanks!

[Mega Man]

Any idea on the changes 2.0 will bring?

[mattssi]

logging, tuning, and remote updating.

[Yep 135]

So what is the JB3 1.0 (first one) compatable with now in terms of power and delivery?

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by Yep 135

So what is the JB3 1.0 (first one) compatable with now in terms of power and delivery?

The JB3 1.0 should work fine on all cars, and if anybody has it they should just order the 1.4 upgrade to bring it up to date. Its only $20.00 and money well spent as the improvements from 1.0 are enormous!!

Mike