JB4 Thread for Lotus Emira AMG i4 (M139 Engine) – Tuning, Setup, Results & Support

[675430VME]

At what HP should one consider the upgraded intercooler and turbo

490>

 

[TurboTambo]

The JB4 tune was work out on a 400hp version. I have no idea how this piggyback is actually works, but do you think that there is more room in the tune to enhance the 360hp car further? Could the JB4 tune be pushed further for the 360hp version to match the JB4 tune for the 400hp version? Or does it only work on percentages of standard tune?

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

The JB4 tune was work out on a 400hp version. I have no idea how this piggyback is actually works, but do you think that there is more room in the tune to enhance the 360hp car further? Could the JB4 tune be pushed further for the 360hp version to match the 400hp tune? Or does it only work on percentages of standard tune?

I had an increase of 60 Hp and 33 nm torque on my 360 Hp Australian Emira, which means 420 HP (matching the AMG Merc 45s) and 20HP more than the USA delivered 400 models. Torque at 33NM increase, delivers 341.2 NM up from 308 (stock). No problems, goes well. Only have the JB4 installed, no other power mods fitted.

 

[TurboTambo]

I had an increase of 60 Hp and 33 nm torque on my 360 Hp Australian Emira, which means 420 HP (matching the AMG Merc 45s) and 20HP more than the USA delivered 400 models. Torque at 33NM increase, delivers 341.2 NM up from 308 (stock). No problems, goes well. Only have the JB4 installed, no other power mods fitted.

Hey. Yeah, this is a good tune, but I wanted to see if the 360hp can be pushed more to get closer or match the 400hp JB4 tune. Which is around 460hp i think.

 

[abel1789]

For you all i4 owners running jb4 without the obd2 plugged in, can you tell me what PSI readings you are seeing on your boost gauge in the app?

Is the boost reading accurate? I dont see the boost reading anywhere over 25psi at all even on map 3. Is there something wrong?

 

[dbjames]

Has anyone used JB4 i4 on track? I understand that i4s on track can be a temperamental throwing codes etc. even whilst stock so interesting to know if the JB4 exacerbates this and also if the DCT transmission can adapt to keep up with the piggyback under stress

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

Has anyone used JB4 i4 on track? I understand that i4s on track can be a temperamental throwing codes etc. even whilst stock so interesting to know if the JB4 exacerbates this and also if the DCT transmission can adapt to keep up with the piggyback under stress

Yes I run the JB4 in my i4 on track with no problem at all. I have track test run all map settings (0 to 3) even through quite high ambient temperatures here in Australia. Only once did it throw up a random insignificant code that made no difference to power performance. From memory I was actually using map 0 at the time. I cleared it and it never came back again.
When not on track, I use map 0 (stock) just as an extra engine preservative measure, since like others, I believe the stock power (360 hp in my case) is plenty for suburban use. The (Dyno tested) 420+hp available from map 3, I generally reserve for track use.

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

Hey. Yeah, this is a good tune, but I wanted to see if the 360hp can be pushed more to get closer or match the 400hp JB4 tune. Which is around 460hp i think.

Would be great. But probably you would need to make mechanical hardware changes to the AMG engine (aside from the JB4 that is). Piggy backs can only take the power increase so far. Other engine enhancements such as the Bathurst model doubtless has is probably your next port of call.
I wonder how long it will take before (even under bright lights, deprived of sleep) one of the Bathurst team disclose what they have done to get the 500hp and sort the transmission clutch problems, increased power brings!

 

[Lotus F1]

Well did they crack the CPC? Because if so they are the only ones

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

Well did they crack the CPC? Because if so they are the only ones

Who knows! Whatever they have done, discovered, fudged………. Obviously it must work. All we need, is to have someone on that dealership team, open up and let us know.

 

[spats]

Who knows! Whatever they have done, discovered, fudged………. Obviously it must work. All we need, is to have someone on that dealership team, open up and let us know.

The bathurst car tuners were still having issues with the cpc which is why the tune is not being offered to other emira customers just yet.

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

The bathurst car tuners were still having issues with the cpc which is why the tune is not being offered to other emira customers just yet.

I’m happy for them. Being a Sydney Lotus Dealership (I understand) they are in the best position and have the best resources available to sort out that problem. Guys pushing 600 hp out of their 45s Mercs, have obviously found the answer. It worries me not.

 

[Lotus F1]

The Australian company doesn't have anything special. There are several vendors in the US that can tune the ECU. They all have the same problem and that's the CPC. It's the umbrella guardian and will always limit what the car can do.

 

[dbjames]

I assumed Bathurst tuners were given ECU/CPC access by Lotus themselves. It seems implausible that a drivable 500hp and 600NM could be obtained without cracking the CPC otherwise torque would be restricted and undrivable

 

[675430VME]

I assumed Bathurst tuners were given ECU/CPC access by Lotus themselves. It seems implausible that a drivable 500hp and 600NM could be obtained without cracking the CPC otherwise torque would be restricted and undrivable

For street use its fine. My original tune was over 500hp and 600NM, no problem for daily driving. Track use is another story.

 

[dbjames]

For street use its fine. My original tune was over 500hp and 600NM, no problem for daily driving. Track use is another story.

Noted. Have you found a way to make this work on track?

 

[675430VME]

Noted. Have you found a way to make this work on track?

Tuned down to around 480 and longer cooling period between session. 460 is more ideal for track rats. CPC is not really restricting the torque output but without modifying the limit it will slip.

 

[Lotus F1]

My understanding is a CPC is a Mercedes-Benz lockout even to Lotus. Don't know if it's true or not

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

My understanding is a CPC is a Mercedes-Benz lockout even to Lotus. Don't know if it's true or not

It’s difficult to know not only the thinking of manufacturers such as Lotus-AMG let alone the reasoning behind Lotus accepting an engine that is restricted from its full potential (despite Mercedes also being part of the Geely group).
Go somewhere else, if Merc/AMG would not budge. Lotus are in the throws of doing that now.

Perhaps to Merc/AMG, supplying their engines to power other cars is just a ‘thorn in the flesh’ and they would prefer to concentrate all efforts on their own vehicles. It could be, Merc/AMG did not want a much better looking car utilising their engine with unrestricted power, leaving their own ‘sport models’ eating dust behind Emira’s. Who knows.

Talking to guys who have A45s cars, self tuned to over 600hp and a torque figure to suit, would make an interesting conversation. Were they faced with the same CPC problem? Or did their cars come without constraints?

 

[Lotus F1]

It’s difficult to know not only the thinking of manufacturers such as Lotus-AMG let alone the reasoning behind Lotus accepting an engine that is restricted from its full potential (despite Mercedes also being part of the Geely group).
Go somewhere else, if Merc/AMG would not budge. Lotus are in the throws of doing that now.

Perhaps to Merc/AMG, supplying their engines to power other cars is just a ‘thorn in the flesh’ and they would prefer to concentrate all efforts on their own vehicles. It could be, Merc/AMG did not want a much better looking car utilising their engine with unrestricted power, leaving their own ‘sport models’ eating dust behind Emira’s. Who knows.

Talking to guys who have A45s cars, self tuned to over 600hp and a torque figure to suit, would make an interesting conversation. Were they faced with the same CPC problem? Or did their cars come without constraints?

They did have the same CPC issue, but it's been cracked ... 600hp would be perfect