[Volasko]

If you have been following the "*Official* Active Autowerke Flash Thread" (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634855) you already know there are a lot of questions regarding the gains from the N52 Stage 2 version of the AA tune. Being someone who already had the original version of the AA tune, I was very excited to hear AA has tweaked its original offering. To my understanding they found a way to play with the valve timing in the VANOS software to give you a more aggressive cam profile. Initial reviews were positive with claims of another 5-8 HP over the original tune. I couldn't wait any more and called up Jon at Bimmersport.ca (local GTA AA dealer) and setup a time to re flash my car. Using advice from MaximusJ I also had Jon clear my adaptations. I have run half a tank of aggressive driving through my car and I am here to say I am happy with the results.

Initial impressions were subtle with improvements being more noticeable at the top end. As I neared 300 km on the new tune I felt the "sweet spot" widen on the power band between 5-7k rpm. It really feels like the engine has more power on the top end to the point of a surging like feel when the needle gets up there. The initial claims of 5-8 hp didn't feel too far from the truth using my super accurate butt dyno

The "dead" spot from 3500-4500 I had before seems to be eliminated also! This improvement combined with the more aggressive throttle response, the 155mph limiter removal and the few hundred RPM added to the redline make this a no brainier for anyone with a 330i (or 325/328 with a 3 stage intake manifold). I just wanted to share my experience with the E90 community and hopefully we get a more comprehensive dyno from AA?!?!

Apr 23rd Update:
Added dyno pull and videos!

[SlowAsHell]

Nice..I'm thinking about getting this. Do you think it's worth the money?

[RazRokz.!]

Do you have a 3 stage on your car?

[spacemonkey1112]

Originally Posted by RazRokz.!

Do you have a 3 stage on your car?

HAHA dude he has a 330. people buy a 3 stage manifold so somewhat convert their car into a 330

[SV Concepts II]

Nice review

[arctic330i]

Agree with everything, drove a stock 330i today and it felt anemic compared to this tune.

[RazRokz.!]

Originally Posted by spacemonkey1112

HAHA dude he has a 330. people buy a 3 stage manifold so somewhat convert their car into a 330

Damn, cant believe I missed that. lolz

[spacemonkey1112]

Originally Posted by RazRokz.!

Damn, cant believe I missed that. lolz

haha its all good ^_^

I think its cause there is all this talk about 3 stage manifold that we think of it almost as an after market mod =P but that ish is a golden OEM part! =P

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by SlowAsHell

Nice..I'm thinking about getting this. Do you think it's worth the money?

Absolutely!! How else can you get 15ish HP for a few hundred bucks?!?

[SlowAsHell]

Originally Posted by Volasko

Absolutely!! How else can you get 15ish HP for a few hundred bucks?!?

15ish hp? If this is true then I will certainly be getting this. Sorry if this is a stupid question but what is a Butt dyno? Do you think the tune alone produced this type of number or do you think the performance exhaust helped?

[darkrom]

Butt dyno is the power difference you feel in your seat as you bang through the gears haha.

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by SlowAsHell

15ish hp? If this is true then I will certainly be getting this. Sorry if this is a stupid question but what is a Butt dyno? Do you think the tune alone produced this type of number or do you think the performance exhaust helped?

The PE is just for that sweet sound and doesn't really add any noticeable power.

[SlowAsHell]

Originally Posted by darkrom

Butt dyno is the power difference you feel in your seat as you bang through the gears haha.

Interesting lol

[spacemonkey1112]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-13...-e9x-325i.aspx

Turner Motorsport seems to have a more custom tune for 325 guys w/ the manifold swap (and also takes into consideration if you have headers, exhaust, and intake)

Does anyone know how AA's stage 2 compares to this (funny how turner's tune is also labeled stage 2 for those with the manifold swap)

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by Volasko

The PE is just for that sweet sound and doesn't really add any noticeable power.

I disagree. I agree that it doesnt gives a lot; but still gives a couple ponies.

With a proper intake and 2nd cats deleted, I would bet that those new lungs gives a good 10 whp.

[jwise36]

Originally Posted by Volasko

If you have been following the "*Official* Active Autowerke Flash Thread" (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634855) you already know there are a lot of questions regarding the gains from the N52 Stage 2 version of the AA tune. Being someone who already had the original version of the AA tune, I was very excited to hear AA has tweaked its original offering. To my understanding they found a way to play with the valve timing in the VANOS software to give you a more aggressive cam profile. Initial reviews were positive with claims of another 5-8 HP over the original tune. I couldn't wait any more and called up Jon at Bimmersport.ca (local GTA AA dealer) and setup a time to re flash my car. Using advice from MaximusJ I also had Jon clear my adaptations. I have run half a tank of aggressive driving through my car and I am here to say I am happy with the results.

Initial impressions were subtle with improvements being more noticeable at the top end. As I neared 300 km on the new tune I felt the "sweet spot" widen on the power band between 5-7k rpm. It really feels like the engine has more power on the top end to the point of a surging like feel when the needle gets up there. The initial claims of 5-8 hp didn't feel too far from the truth using my super accurate butt dyno

The "dead" spot from 3500-4500 I had before seems to be eliminated also! This improvement combined with the more aggressive throttle response, the 155mph limiter removal and the few hundred RPM added to the redline make this a no brainier for anyone with a 330i (or 325/328 with a 3 stage intake manifold). I just wanted to share my experience with the E90 community and hopefully we get a more comprehensive dyno from AA?!?!

Would it be worth my while to run this tune on a 2011 328 xi e90 without the 3 stage intake manifold?

[blackbeast06]

Originally Posted by spacemonkey1112

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-13...-e9x-325i.aspx

Turner Motorsport seems to have a more custom tune for 325 guys w/ the manifold swap (and also takes into consideration if you have headers, exhaust, and intake)

Does anyone know how AA's stage 2 compares to this (funny how turner's tune is also labeled stage 2 for those with the manifold swap)

This is very interesting to see. 3 years ago Turner offered a package where you could get the manifold and tune that we all have been doing. For some reason they quit doing it and only offered a stage 1 tune with the stock 325i manifold. A year and a half ago I contacted Turner and they told me they no longer kept their intake manifold tune on the shelf and they could not sell the tune anymore (maybe due to supply/demand pricing). Now they are back on the scene offering this tune again. I am also very curious to see what numbers they are producing after all, they are the originators of this swap and tune.

[t1mmy]

I just put the tune on my car (2008 328i) and drove it around yesterday / today. Initial impressions... decent.

I paid most attention to the throttle sensitivity, since I wanted to make sure whatever performance gains I got were from actual performance increases and not just throttle re-mapping (PBX style). I'm happy to say that I didn't notice much change to my RPM with how much I throttled it, so that's good.

At first, not really feeling anything. Had me wondering whether I correctly did the flash. But I did notice from 1st gear to 2nd, less of the engine 'shuttering' from when you shift too soon. Could be from increased HP / TQ, as in a manual if you feel that you gas it more to prevent yourself from stalling out.

Car seems to accelerate a bit better, but I have to really pay attention to notice it. IMO, I won't notice anything in daily driving. I haven't had a chance to open it up yet. I'll do that this weekend and post more, since most of the gains are in the upper-band (4500RPM+)

Those of you posting tremendous success are the ones with the manifold + tune combination, so it might be the additive benefits of both

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by t1mmy

I just put the tune on my car (2008 328i) and drove it around yesterday / today. Initial impressions... decent.

I paid most attention to the throttle sensitivity, since I wanted to make sure whatever performance gains I got were from actual performance increases and not just throttle re-mapping (PBX style). I'm happy to say that I didn't notice much change to my RPM with how much I throttled it, so that's good.

At first, not really feeling anything. Had me wondering whether I correctly did the flash. But I did notice from 1st gear to 2nd, less of the engine 'shuttering' from when you shift too soon. Could be from increased HP / TQ, as in a manual if you feel that you gas it more to prevent yourself from stalling out.

Car seems to accelerate a bit better, but I have to really pay attention to notice it. IMO, I won't notice anything in daily driving. I haven't had a chance to open it up yet. I'll do that this weekend and post more, since most of the gains are in the upper-band (4500RPM+)

Those of you posting tremendous success are the ones with the manifold + tune combination, so it might be the additive benefits of both

Did you have the previous version of the tune? If this is the first time flashing give it a chance to adapt, like 300-400 miles. The tune needs time to adapt.

[t1mmy]

Originally Posted by Volasko

Did you have the previous version of the tune? If this is the first time flashing give it a chance to adapt, like 300-400 miles. The tune needs time to adapt.

No I have the stage 2. Again, just initial impressions. May have been unfair to post a less than informed review.

Truthfully, I'm extremely happy that the throttle wasn't changed too much. I always felt that was kind of cheating (pbx style). Just means whenever I do get to fully exercise the tune it will be real power

[CombatNinja]

Anyone have a before and after dyno of a 328?

[spacemonkey1112]

Originally Posted by blackbeast06

This is very interesting to see. 3 years ago Turner offered a package where you could get the manifold and tune that we all have been doing. For some reason they quit doing it and only offered a stage 1 tune with the stock 325i manifold. A year and a half ago I contacted Turner and they told me they no longer kept their intake manifold tune on the shelf and they could not sell the tune anymore (maybe due to supply/demand pricing). Now they are back on the scene offering this tune again. I am also very curious to see what numbers they are producing after all, they are the originators of this swap and tune.

yeah I am in the same boat as you; i remember reading articles about turner converting 325i's back in 06/07 and never heard from them again.

unfortunately the dyno on that site is of the stage 1 tune. Hopefully we see something from them with their stage 2 tune. there stage 1 tune didn't seem to give them that much in power so hopefully we see some better numbers (maybe create a new thread for this? I dunno haha)