tune Alpha N

[Vanne]

anyone here running said Tune? any issues? how do you like it?

and ofcourse, what was the reason you went alpha N?

cheers

[AndyBeech]

Don't know why you would use AlphaN to be honest unless you have an airbox that deletes the MAF. A lot of people with M3's reported hesitation/stutter low down as the MAF which is vital to the DME using the correct map is no longer providing information. Unplugging your MAF basically puts the DME into AlphaN mode from what i understand, albeit an untuned version.
I would think for day to day it's pretty unpractical and not worth it, track work probably more useful in the high revs. The DME on a standard engine will always work better the more 'information' it has. The more highly tuned and modified would probably benefit from an AlphaN tune.

[Beedub]

bmw ran speed density or alpha n tuning on the CSL so any concerns about having drivability issues done properly is just not true, my car runs better than it ever did stock particularly at idle and low down in the rev range.... but unless your highly tuned with carbon airbox or FI i don't see the need tbh.

[AndyBeech]

bmw ran speed density or alpha n tuning on the CSL so any concerns about having drivability issues done properly is just not true, my car runs better than it ever did stock particularly at idle and low down in the rev range.... but unless your highly tuned with carbon airbox or FI i don't see the need tbh.

Totally different setup though, the CSL still runs a MAP sensor and an air temp sensor, the OP is talking about running Alpha N on a standard S54 de-MAF'd I believe so my point stands. There's plenty of threads on Alpha N on the Cutters forum and many people have experienced the stutter low down, so there must be some truth in it. On your personal application is different again, I'm not saying it can't work on the right setup, and obviously does on yours, but on a standard S54 which relies on the MAF as an input for low down driveability, it stands to reason this will be affected. I can only see the benefit if your changing your intake to an application that has no inputs for a air mass sensor.

[Beedub]

bmw ran speed density or alpha n tuning on the CSL so any concerns about having drivability issues done properly is just not true, my car runs better than it ever did stock particularly at idle and low down in the rev range.... but unless your highly tuned with carbon airbox or FI i don't see the need tbh.

Totally different setup though, the CSL still runs a MAP sensor and an air temp sensor, the OP is talking about running Alpha N on a standard S54 de-MAF'd I believe so my point stands. There's plenty of threads on Alpha N on the Cutters forum and many people have experienced the stutter low down, so there must be some truth in it. On your personal application is different again, I'm not saying it can't work on the right setup, and obviously does on yours, but on a standard S54 which relies on the MAF as an input for low down driveability, it stands to reason this will be affected. I can only see the benefit if your changing your intake to an application that has no inputs for a air mass sensor.

you don't know what setup OP is talking about as he didn't say.. lol...

i see no reason why anyone would want to run a limp mode alpha N, so i can only assume he means a proper Speed density setup using said sensors... or FI.

[beanie]

It's a mixed bag by all accounts with some people reporting no issue yet others having some driveability issues. Personally I'd rather run with a map sensor but I'm not aware of anyone who's done this on our cars. I also have no idea if this could be integrated in to our ecus.

Fwiw however, it seems those running alpha-n on our ecus are generally experiencing better results.

Beedub, does yours run a maf/map sensor?

[AndyBeech]

bmw ran speed density or alpha n tuning on the CSL so any concerns about having drivability issues done properly is just not true, my car runs better than it ever did stock particularly at idle and low down in the rev range.... but unless your highly tuned with carbon airbox or FI i don't see the need tbh.

Totally different setup though, the CSL still runs a MAP sensor and an air temp sensor, the OP is talking about running Alpha N on a standard S54 de-MAF'd I believe so my point stands. There's plenty of threads on Alpha N on the Cutters forum and many people have experienced the stutter low down, so there must be some truth in it. On your personal application is different again, I'm not saying it can't work on the right setup, and obviously does on yours, but on a standard S54 which relies on the MAF as an input for low down driveability, it stands to reason this will be affected. I can only see the benefit if your changing your intake to an application that has no inputs for a air mass sensor.

you don't know what setup OP is talking about as he didn't say.. lol...

i see no reason why anyone would want to run a limp mode alpha N, so i can only assume he means a proper Speed density setup using said sensors... or FI.

His setup is in his sig it would appear. And as we're both apparently assuming things (he didn't say a speed density tune) maybe we should agree to disagree then At least we agree on the Alpha N part, and that's what he specifically asked about so that's what I answered

[sixspeed]

I have an Alpha-N tune on mine (with an Epic Motorsports tune mated to an Evolve "CSL" airbox) and I have never had any low-down stutter issues.

I would probably agree there is little benefit though unless you replaced the airbox, or carried out other mods that meant the MAF was no longer a viable solution.

[Vanne]

sixspeed, you are my new best friend , How did you go with Randy? how was the tune and are you running anything else? pipes? cams? etc..

sorry guys, should have been much, much more specific, …

Bought a carbon ram intake.





and some magic from Randy at
Alpha N,

and was just wondering how people are doing with their Tunes? Id also like to hear any advise you may have for the actual install. This box does not come apart so will be fitted in one bit into the engine bay.. still trying to figure out actual fitment as i want cold air from the front of the car.

Also, the temp sensor i have order is the e36 one that the CSL guys run, and not 100% sure when to chuck that puppy into this box yet. so yeah any advice would be great guys..

[TomK]

I don't quite 'get' that box. If it's one piece where does the filter panel go? Looks more like just a CF plenum to me, does it use the OEM filter housing? If so you might find you can use the maf arrangement still. If you are deleting the MAF and going alpha-n try and mount the IAT sensor as far away from the engine as possible to avoid heat soaked readings from it.

[Vanne]

Its the same as this box by Vac motorsports

[TomK]

Interesting, not seen one like that before. So a cone filter on the end of it. I guess that should work fairly well as the z4 air input to the engine bay looks to be close to the filter.
The box should have a hole and mount for your iat.
Good luck with it.

[Vanne]

Thanks Tom, yeah in the pm I was trying to explain that it was a one piece. I am expecting the box in the mail anyday now. and then if feasible, do the install myself. Hoping it has a temp probe hole ..
the flashing is supposed to be pretty easy, just have to give Randy the correct details about the pipes and fuel rating.. Ive also gotta fix a egt sensor before I start mucking around too much..

[Babw]

I have an Alpha-N tune on mine (with an Epic Motorsports tune mated to an Evolve "CSL" airbox) and I have never had any low-down stutter issues.

I would probably agree there is little benefit though unless you replaced the airbox, or carried out other mods that meant the MAF was no longer a viable solution.

Hi Sixspeed,

I might push the button on an Evolve airbox soon. I did read about the heel-toe issues with their alpha n tune so glad to hear you have found a solution.

How did you go about uploading the tune? Did you buy Epic upload cable? How much did the tune cost? How are you finding the tune/airbox for daily use? The Z4M is my daily so would want good drivability and no cold weather issues.

[pokeybritches]

Vanne, you already know my opinion on Alpha-N, but for everyone else: I've had three Alpha-N tunes on two different Z4M's. It's imperative to get it done with the best tuner money can buy.

When I switched from the OEM North American catted headers to stepped headers, I actually lost power until I got the car retuned. Once you go Alpha-N, any hardware changes will require a retune. I gained about 50 whp with stepped headers, s-pipe, amd dyno tune on my ESS VT2-500 car. I even dropped down to 6-6.5 psi of boost, putting less stress on the engine due to the increased airflow. But again, I initially lost power because of the hardware change and Alpha-N tune that had been optimized for my old setup.