Daily driving - JB4 vs EK1 lite

[DavidinGA]

Trying to decide which route to take for my '21 awd daily driver.
Stock at the moment, but planning to add basic bolt on's (intake, plugs, catchcan, catback) and then tune with either the JB4 or the EK1.

I was originally set on just going with the JB4 + a tcu tune (at some point), but then I came across the Ek1...


What kind of power difference would there be between the JB4 and EK1?

Mods: Intake and catback:

JB4 map 2 vs EK1 (whatever flash can be run on 93)?

JB4 map 5 vs EK1 (whatever flash can be run on E30)?


Everything seems to be in favor of the EK1 from what I've read EXCEPT being able to switch to different maps based on fuel used on the fly. This would necessitate the need to purchase additional files for the EK1 (a flash for e30 and a flash for 91oct for instance) and manually load them; correct?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[DavidinGA]

My own suspicion is that the EK1 will be good for around 30whp more than the JB4 with the same setup.

What do you think?

 

[rk88]

Following this thread as I am in a similar boat. I am leaning to the EK1... more money but can do both tunes from a single device.

 

[MFNTRBO]

With EK1 you have a lot more options as far as tuning. Sxth, Tork, and BMS are all developing tunes that can be flashed via EK1. Sxth and Tork both have TCU tunes available and Sxth can send you a custom tune file like in my situation I have access to 93 and E85 but I don't want to run E85 so he designed me a tune that runs on 83 and I can add E85 if I want more power.

 

[DavidinGA]

Also....

One other question I had that I forgot to ask, does an ECU tune that advances timing impact fuel economy much (since this is my daily I don't want a huge drop in fuel economy)?

Thanks

 

[MFNTRBO]

Also....

One other question I had that I forgot to ask, does an ECU tune that advances timing impact fuel economy much (since this is my daily I don't want a huge drop in fuel economy)?

Thanks

The timing seems to affected the most in Sport mode. I daily drive in Eco or Comfort and still get the better gas mileage from those modes.

 

[Scorpion24]

With EK1 you have a lot more options as far as tuning. Sxth, Tork, and BMS are all developing tunes that can be flashed via EK1. Sxth and Tork both have TCU tunes available and Sxth can send you a custom tune file like in my situation I have access to 93 and E85 but I don't want to run E85 so he designed me a tune that runs on 83 and I can add E85 if I want more power.

Do you think it’s better off to start with JB4? And eventually go into a more aggressive flash tune. I feel like most ppl recommended keeping the Jb4 anyways for the logging capabilities.

I’m pretty happy with Jb4 right now. We’ll see in a few months or a year if I want more..

 

[Terry@BMS]

Start with the JB4 and then later if you want more and decide to flash (which does flag the car) then add in EK1 and our back end flash map: JB4 back end flash maps for 3.3L via EK1Lite update - JB4tech.com - International Turbo Tuning Discussion

 

[Terry@BMS]

Following this thread as I am in a similar boat. I am leaning to the EK1... more money but can do both tunes from a single device.

As a flashing platform its great but you won't have on the fly map switching, boost by gear, bluetooth logging via app, ethanol sensor support, active safety systems, and a lot more provided by the JB4. For most customers we suggest starting with the JB4 then adding in one of our $75 back end flash maps if you need more power than JB4 only offers.

 

[DavidinGA]

As a flashing platform its great but you won't have on the fly map switching, boost by gear, bluetooth logging via app, ethanol sensor support, active safety systems, and a lot more provided by the JB4. For most customers we suggest starting with the JB4 then adding in one of our $75 back end flash maps if you need more power than JB4 only offers.

The back end flash map would require investing in the ek1 lite/pro device still tho, right?

 

[DavidinGA]

Start with the JB4 and then later if you want more and decide to flash (which does flag the car) then add in EK1 and our back end flash map: JB4 back end flash maps for 3.3L via EK1Lite update - JB4tech.com - International Turbo Tuning Discussion

If you flash the ecu back to original/oem before going in for warranty work is there evidence left behind still???

 

[Terry@BMS]

If you flash the ecu back to original/oem before going in for warranty work is there evidence left behind still???

Yep. And even if you exchange the entire ECU. Just the cost of admission for flash tuning.

 

[Terry@BMS]

The back end flash map would require investing in the ek1 lite/pro device still tho, right?

Yes an EK1 is required to load our flash maps.

 

[DavidinGA]

Yep. And even if you exchange the entire ECU. Just the cost of admission for flash tuning.

How can they discover or prove it's been modified if you swap back in an oem ecu??? That's crazy...

 

[DavidinGA]

Anyone care to venture out on hp differences between the two?

 

[MFNTRBO]

As a flashing platform its great but you won't have on the fly map switching, boost by gear, bluetooth logging via app, ethanol sensor support, active safety systems, and a lot more provided by the JB4. For most customers we suggest starting with the JB4 then adding in one of our $75 back end flash maps if you need more power than JB4 only offers.

I can confirm that you won't get a better value with better features than the JB4 and the BEF via EK1. I've had the Sxth tune and I had nothing but overboosting and bad timing corrections. My car has never run better than with the JB4 and the BEF and I haven't even added the CPI kit yet.

 

[DavidinGA]

I can confirm that you won't get a better value with better features than the JB4 and the BEF via EK1. I've had the Sxth tune and I had nothing but overboosting and bad timing corrections. My car has never run better than with the JB4 and the BEF and I haven't even added the CPI kit yet.

How much more is gained with the JB4 bef via ek1? Is there a thread on it specifically?

Thanks

 

[MFNTRBO]

How much more is gained with the JB4 bef via ek1? Is there a thread on it specifically?

Thanks

I don't know but I know I'm not overboosting and my timing is on point. It just FEELS better. Wouldn't know the actual hp numbers without a dyno.

 

[DavidinGA]

I don't know but I know I'm not overboosting and my timing is on point. It just FEELS better. Wouldn't know the actual hp numbers without a dyno.

My own guess is the BEF is probably adding in some timing and that's where it's adding another 30hp or so on top of the JB4's own potential.

 

[STINGER]

JB4 owner since July 2018 and recently added BEF, the combo works very well and I highly recommend it.

Get the JB4 first, the power gain and features are amazing. I think the modding experience should be done somewhat slowly and in stages rather than all at once, the BEF just gives you something to look forward to down the line.