Cobb install time

Installed Cobb the other day ... ver 301 Stage 1 Drive, Stock Throttle. The full install took about 1/2 hour (includes download of OEM ECU data).

Last night I thought it would be interesting to install the Beta ver 401 of Stage 1 Drive. It was my first map reflash. The instructions said it should take about 1 minute to flash a new map, but it actually took 10 minutes! Needless to say, got a bit nervous.

Has anyone else run into that situation? Since I've never even reflashed a v301 to another v301 map before, I'm wondering if the long install time is because I was going from v301 to v401, and they had to reinstall all (or most of) the ECU data.

I had a battery tender connected during the installation/flash, but I'm wondering if it has something to do with a possible battery problem. 2009 535i Sport, 3 1/2 years old, original battery.

I installed the Cobb sport v301 on my 2010 535i last month and am very happy. Haven't changed my map so I can't help with your question about the time involved. But I would be very interested in your feedback on V401 software.
Thankn

Well, I'm taking a 1,300 mile trip up north, and since I haven't had much Cobb experience to date, decided to unistall it for now (don't want to be experimenting with software when I'm out of my local area). I'll probably reinstall when I get to my son's house and fool around with it then since I'll be there for a couple of weeks.

Every time i have changed a map it takes a few minuets.

What I'm talking about is going from version 3 to version 4.

Burnie, make sure your Cobb AP is on an updated ROM. I can say it's normal going from a v3 map to a v4 map to take longer then a minute. Nop reason to be nervous about it.

Originally Posted by xclone

Burnie, make sure your Cobb AP is on an updated ROM. I can say it's normal going from a v3 map to a v4 map to take longer then a minute. Nop reason to be nervous about it.

I updated the AP firmware when I first got it ... it's v1.6.5.0-4044.

I sort of figured the flash of a version 3 to a version 4 would take longer (it took 10 minutes). But since I had not yet reflashed with a different map from version 3, I didn't have any reflash experience, and I thougtht 10 minutes was a bit much.

Since the car is 3 1/2 years old on the original battery, and the original install took about 30 minutes (instead of 20 minutes as stated in the documention), I was concerned that it was the battery that slowed things down (even though I used a battery tender).

I'll be trying again, this time reflashing a version 3 map with another version 3 map.

I came home tonight to my Cobb AP in the box. I flashed my car with a Stage 1 map. There were several installed on the Cobb, including an "Aggressive", "Sport", "Drive" and I think there were two of each for the stage 1 maps. Being anxious, I installed a Stage 1 Aggressive and all went fine. I went on a short drive and could feel the new power right away, it was definately noticable and very exciting.

I'd like to get all the new maps for my Cobb AP but it's confusing on their website picking what ECU I have (I'm assuming the ECU is the car or is the Cobb AP) and I also want to pick a good map for my 70% freeway driving and 30% residential or city driving. Not sure yet what that is but I'll stick with my current map for the time being. I don't have easy access to anything other than 91 octane, which is why I'm sticking with Stage 1 for now.

Is there a good website that describes all the N54 maps?

Originally Posted by uwhusky

I came home tonight to my Cobb AP in the box. I flashed my car with a Stage 1 map. There were several installed on the Cobb, including an "Aggressive", "Sport", "Drive" and I think there were two of each for the stage 1 maps. Being anxious, I installed a Stage 1 Aggressive and all went fine. I went on a short drive and could feel the new power right away, it was definately noticable and very exciting.

I'd like to get all the new maps for my Cobb AP but it's confusing on their website picking what ECU I have (I'm assuming the ECU is the car or is the Cobb AP) and I also want to pick a good map for my 70% freeway driving and 30% residential or city driving. Not sure yet what that is but I'll stick with my current map for the time being. I don't have easy access to anything other than 91 octane, which is why I'm sticking with Stage 1 for now.

Is there a good website that describes all the N54 maps?

Hey uwhusky, the cobb site says to run 93 octane when you are doing the stage 1 aggressive maps. I'm not sure what issues there might be but I know the higher octane might be needed for the increased boost (if thats what that map does). On a side note glad to see you got your cobb. Hopefully mine should be arriving on thurs.

Originally Posted by uwhusky

I came home tonight to my Cobb AP in the box. I flashed my car with a Stage 1 map. There were several installed on the Cobb, including an "Aggressive", "Sport", "Drive" and I think there were two of each for the stage 1 maps. Being anxious, I installed a Stage 1 Aggressive and all went fine. I went on a short drive and could feel the new power right away, it was definately noticable and very exciting.

I'd like to get all the new maps for my Cobb AP but it's confusing on their website picking what ECU I have (I'm assuming the ECU is the car or is the Cobb AP) and I also want to pick a good map for my 70% freeway driving and 30% residential or city driving. Not sure yet what that is but I'll stick with my current map for the time being. I don't have easy access to anything other than 91 octane, which is why I'm sticking with Stage 1 for now.

Is there a good website that describes all the N54 maps?

How long did it take to do your initial install?

Did you use a battery tender?

Did you leave the doors and windows closed (like it says in the video)?

The two maps for each stage are "stock throttle" (unlabeled in v301) and "linear".

Originally Posted by uwhusky

I came home tonight to my Cobb AP in the box. I flashed my car with a Stage 1 map. There were several installed on the Cobb, including an "Aggressive", "Sport", "Drive" and I think there were two of each for the stage 1 maps. Being anxious, I installed a Stage 1 Aggressive and all went fine. I went on a short drive and could feel the new power right away, it was definately noticable and very exciting.

I'd like to get all the new maps for my Cobb AP but it's confusing on their website picking what ECU I have (I'm assuming the ECU is the car or is the Cobb AP) and I also want to pick a good map for my 70% freeway driving and 30% residential or city driving. Not sure yet what that is but I'll stick with my current map for the time being. I don't have easy access to anything other than 91 octane, which is why I'm sticking with Stage 1 for now.

Is there a good website that describes all the N54 maps?

Your ECU is your "engine control unit" - essentially the computer that controls your engine. Your Cobb AP should tell you exactly what ECU you have when you first plug it in. Make sure you plug it into your computer and insure the ROM is up to date before you try new maps.

Each map adjusts the timing of the engine and the boost level. Drive is the tamest tweak with aggressive being the, well, most aggresive. if you only have access to 91 then I would highly recommend NOT using the aggressive map. The octane rating of the fuel is critical when tuning cars and while the ECU should see that your car is not running right, and override the timing adjustments, it's just not a good idea as you have nothing to gain from it (and if something went wrong, everything to lose).

There is really no website that goes over all the maps, but there is a great thread on e90 post (it's a 3 series forum but the information for the most part translates to the 5 guys as well - except for car mods). http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472813

I thought stage 1 was for 91 octane and stage 2 was for 93 octane. Apparently I'm wrong on that so I'll change maps tonight when I get home. What maps should I run then for 91 octane?
What ECU version should I have if I have the most up to date ECU version?

How long did it take to do your initial install?
About 30 minutes total time for uninstall and install.

Did you use a battery tender?
No. What is that?

Did you leave the doors and windows closed (like it says in the video)?
I didn't follow the video, I followed the small manual/pamphlet that came with it. I closed the doors but windows were open. It didn't seem to matter.

The two maps for each stage are "stock throttle" (unlabeled in v301) and "linear".
I don't quite understand.

The octanes are drive (87/89), sport (91) and aggressive (93). The stage 1, 1+, 2 & 2+ are for cars that have bolt on modifications (aftermarket intakes, downpipes, intercoolers, etc). If you want to run stage 1 aggressive, then you'll need 93 octane. If you want to run stage 2 aggressive, you'll need aftermarket downpipes, an intake and 93 octane. If you want to run stage 2 sport, it would be downpipes, intake and 91 octane. Make sense?

The initial install takes a while. Each car is a little different so if yours takes a bit longer, then don't worry about it.

A battery tender is just used to keep your battery from draining during the install, as all of the cars systems are on, draining the battery, but the engine is not running to re-charge it. I have not used on but others have needed it - all depends on the age of your battery.

Keep the doors closed. Windows can be done but don't open the door when it's programming. I just left my windows down, hung the ap outside of the car and went inside while it was installing.

The two "maps" are actually throttle maps (linear & stock). A stock pedal has more power lower in the throttle.. so at 30% throttle depression, you may be getting 65% of the power (not sure of the exact #'s). A linear map is 30% depression, 30% power. It comes down to taste. I'm running stg 2+ and stock is honestly, too much for my taste. I like being able to absolutely walk away from traffic at a light but I don't want to ALWAYS do that, so linear allows me the same power when I need it. On the flip side, the car feels less aggressive. Try them both out and see what you like best.

So if I have none of the mods you've discussed (no downpipes, intakes, etc.) what map should I be running and what will it say on the Cobb AP? I was a bit confused last night looking at the various maps but thought I recalled all stage 1 maps were for 91 octane. Apparently not. So is the best map I can currently run called a Stage 0 Sport Map?

Any idea what the latest ECU is?

Run stage 1 sport map. If you like how the throttle feels now leave it stock.

Originally Posted by booyaazaa

Run stage 1 sport map. If you like how the throttle feels now leave it stock.

Exactly...

There is no "latest" ECU. Plug the AP into your car BEFORE you download any maps. It will then find your ECU and store the version on your AP. Then check it from the AP software and download the maps for that ECU.

OK. I think I'm getting the hang of this. I was able to figure out I have ECU I8A0S and from there could easily figure out what maps I can and can't use.

So I installed Stg1 Sport I8A0S v301 first with Linear throttle (took about 1 minute) and then decided I wanted Stock throttle instead (so that install only took another minute). The linear throttle is clearly designated while the Stock throttle isn't that I could tell so I installed the non-linear throttle and am assuming it's stock. We'll see. I haven't driven the car yet since I re-mapped it.

Cool. Let us know how it goes.

Well this evening I reinstalled Cobb using Stage 1 Drive, Stock Throttle ... took 27 minutes for the full install.

Then I reflashed with Stage 1 Sport, Stock Throttle ... took 1 minute and 36 seconds.

Both maps were the same version (301) thus the fast reflash. So as noted in earlier posts, doing a reflash while changing major versions is much the same as the full install.

Took the car for a ride, and think I'm going to keep Stage 1 Sport loaded ... it's much quicker than Stage 1 Drive with a lot more torque (feeling) at the lower end ... I love it!

Burnie - in your AP software, allow "beta" firmware to be loaded then look for the red "beta maps" link under the ECU version page on the cobb website. Download the v401 maps - much smoother all the way around. I've been running it for 5 months with zero issues and am pushing my car alot harder then you are yours.

Also - just to clarify a point. The maps are the same for each ECU, it's just the coding has to be different in each ECU version (which is why they are all listed).

I had tried loading a v401 map as I noted above. Because it took so long to load (replacing a v301 map), that's why I started this thread. I'll try v401 when I get back down to Florida in a couple of weeks ... thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by burnie35

I had tried loading a v401 map as I noted above. Because it took so long to load (replacing a v301 map), that's why I started this thread. I'll try v401 when I get back down to Florida in a couple of weeks ... thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by uwhusky

OK. I think I'm getting the hang of this. I was able to figure out I have ECU I8A0S and from there could easily figure out what maps I can and can't use.

So I installed Stg1 Sport I8A0S v301 first with Linear throttle (took about 1 minute) and then decided I wanted Stock throttle instead (so that install only took another minute). The linear throttle is clearly designated while the Stock throttle isn't that I could tell so I installed the non-linear throttle and am assuming it's stock. We'll see. I haven't driven the car yet since I re-mapped it.

How's the Cobb doing for you guys?

Love it so far ... Stage 1 Sport, Stock Throttle ... but I think my mileage has gone down!

So far very happy with it. Stage 1 Sport, Stock Throttle (just like burnie35). My wife doesn't like driving with me as much because I'm driving more like a race car driver on the freeway, on onramps, coming up the hill to our house and anywhere where I can test it out. I'm sure I'll settle down at some point but right now I can tell the difference and am enjoying the extra pulling power!

You should also note Cobb recently released ATR - which is essentially tuning software for the enthusiast. Now, you can blow up your car if you don't know what you are doing but there is a great thread on e90 post with some great resources to ask for help. And, unlike most everything else for BMW's, it's free.