What happens when you run MHD OTS Map on 17T's

RollinE92

New Member
Dec 29, 2021
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Genuinely curious and want to learn from others who know this stuff better than I, so please correct me if my understanding is incorrect.

Plenty of threads with people asking if you can run OTS maps on 17T's, the general consensus has always been that you absolutely need a custom tune because OTS were designed for stock turbos, but no one really explains why. Just repeat what everyone else is saying. But what actually happens when you run an OTS map on upgraded turbos?

I see guys talking about bigger turbos produce more volume of air at 18psi vs. stock turbo at 18psi, which makes sense since bigger turbo = higher cfm, however N54 does not have a MAF sensor, but instead has a MAP & TMAP to measure pressure which in turn tells DME what to expect in terms of fueling. After combustion we have short band and wide band o2 sensors that measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust and DME will adjust (add or remove) fuel accordingly.

So what would one expect when running an OTS map on larger than stock turbos exactly?
 

carabuser

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Oct 2, 2019
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The WDGC base table is set up for stock turbos. It's a starting point lookup based on target airflow and target boost pressure. So the DME knows it wants to target 300g/s and 15PSI it will use that 3D lookup to get a base value to send to the WG. On a healthy car that will be 95% correct and the rest will be covered by the boost control PID that corrects based on the error value of the boost target.

With 17Ts that base table will be too high, and you end up over boosting. As a result the DME will reduce the WG as much as allowed by the PID (which is only a small amount) and still be above boost target, so it will then close the throttle plate as an emergency measure to reduce the boost.

Having the throttle plate constantly modulating at WOT trying to control the boost is bad, you'll frequently lean out in areas where the throttle control is too slow to react. In my experience you'll also see extra timing corrections which are probably caused by the poor airflow distribution as a result of the throttle being used to hold back the charge pressure.

You're also not going to be getting any benefit from the larger turbos as it will be capped by the stock turbo boost targets.
 

pbondar

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May 30, 2020
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The WDGC base table is set up for stock turbos. It's a starting point lookup based on target airflow and target boost pressure. So the DME knows it wants to target 300g/s and 15PSI it will use that 3D lookup to get a base value to send to the WG. On a healthy car that will be 95% correct and the rest will be covered by the boost control PID that corrects based on the error value of the boost target.

With 17Ts that base table will be too high, and you end up over boosting. As a result the DME will reduce the WG as much as allowed by the PID (which is only a small amount) and still be above boost target, so it will then close the throttle plate as an emergency measure to reduce the boost.

Having the throttle plate constantly modulating at WOT trying to control the boost is bad, you'll frequently lean out in areas where the throttle control is too slow to react. In my experience you'll also see extra timing corrections which are probably caused by the poor airflow distribution as a result of the throttle being used to hold back the charge pressure.

You're also not going to be getting any benefit from the larger turbos as it will be capped by the stock turbo boost targets.
Likewise heard cited that shall not..but this is the first time I’ve heard a cogent response…👌
 

IQraceworks

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Jul 7, 2020
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I've seen several people claim that they are running 17t's on the MHD maps with no issues at all.........but I really find that hard to believe (because of the very good response posted above). A good custom tune is not that expensive, if you can't afford the tune.....stay with stock sized turbos. Just my opinion.....
 

marv85

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Jun 14, 2018
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E90 335i MT
I realize you are asking about the MHD OTS maps but I've been running 1KM0S stock map with my hydra HP650 turbos and it's been great. Is it optimized? No, it's not. It would definitely benefit from custom tuning, which I'm planning to go for soon.

Boost control is different on 1KM0S though. I've taken the car to a track day running the 1M map and the car performed great. Obviously, the 1M map isn't pushing a lot of power relative to most MHD OTS maps.

Here's a third gear log.
https://datazap.me/u/marv85/log-1714341204?log=0&data=3-4-20
 

carabuser

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Oct 2, 2019
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I realize you are asking about the MHD OTS maps but I've been running 1KM0S stock map with my hydra HP650 turbos and it's been great. Is it optimized? No, it's not. It would definitely benefit from custom tuning, which I'm planning to go for soon.

Boost control is different on 1KM0S though. I've taken the car to a track day running the 1M map and the car performed great. Obviously, the 1M map isn't pushing a lot of power relative to most MHD OTS maps.

Here's a third gear log.
https://datazap.me/u/marv85/log-1714341204?log=0&data=3-4-20
I don't think the turbos are working particularly well there. You're failing the hit the 11psi boost target and the PID had timed out. HP650 turbos should be boosting more than 10PSI at 52% WGDC in the midrange. Maybe one of them is missing the vacuum line?

It's like the worst of both worlds, not spooling until 3k and not even hitting stock turbo targets.
 

wheela

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Jun 4, 2021
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2015 e84 X1 35i Msport
I realize you are asking about the MHD OTS maps but I've been running 1KM0S stock map with my hydra HP650 turbos and it's been great. Is it optimized? No, it's not. It would definitely benefit from custom tuning, which I'm planning to go for soon.

Boost control is different on 1KM0S though. I've taken the car to a track day running the 1M map and the car performed great. Obviously, the 1M map isn't pushing a lot of power relative to most MHD OTS maps.

Here's a third gear log.
https://datazap.me/u/marv85/log-1714341204?log=0&data=3-4-20
But with those bigger turbos, it now looks to be taking about 2 seconds to get up to the boost target. You're only hitting about 75% wgdc during spool, so by running this tune I think you're also leaving a lot of response on the table in addition to not having higher load targets that these bigger turbos can support. Boost is also still oscillating a bit before settling in near the boost target. I know you're already aware of this, so not trying to knit pick or anything, just pointing some details out for OP since he's looking for specifics👍

I am curious though, did you use this 1KMOS tune on your stock turbos before upgrading to the hp650's? If so, I'm curious how it felt driving before/after the upgrade. Could you tell a loss in response and gain in top end just from swapping turbos?
 

marv85

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Jun 14, 2018
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E90 335i MT
But with those bigger turbos, it now looks to be taking about 2 seconds to get up to the boost target. You're only hitting about 75% wgdc during spool, so by running this tune I think you're also leaving a lot of response on the table in addition to not having higher load targets that these bigger turbos can support. Boost is also still oscillating a bit before settling in near the boost target. I know you're already aware of this, so not trying to knit pick or anything, just pointing some details out for OP since he's looking for specifics👍

I am curious though, did you use this 1KMOS tune on your stock turbos before upgrading to the hp650's? If so, I'm curious how it felt driving before/after the upgrade. Could you tell a loss in response and gain in top end just from swapping turbos?
you're not nitpicking at all, I appreciate your feedback. The only reason I'm running 1KM0s is because I haven't had enough time to custom tune ahead of a track day and the stock tune, despite it being far from optimized, was good enough for me not to postpone my track day.

I did use 1KM0S on stock turbos but mine were tired. How does that car feel now? it feels a lot laggier, but once boost builds, it's definitely faster. But there should be a lot more room on those turbos. I've been in contact with hydra sharing logs and such because I've personally felt that WGDC is a little high for the boost, which is what @carabuser was eluding to in his previous post. I'm having Hydra tune my car though, so we'll see how that goes. If there are installation issues, the logs will show them. I guess my old turbos were so bad that the car feels better (minus the lag).
 
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RollinE92

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Dec 29, 2021
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The WDGC base table is set up for stock turbos. It's a starting point lookup based on target airflow and target boost pressure. So the DME knows it wants to target 300g/s and 15PSI it will use that 3D lookup to get a base value to send to the WG. On a healthy car that will be 95% correct and the rest will be covered by the boost control PID that corrects based on the error value of the boost target.

With 17Ts that base table will be too high, and you end up over boosting. As a result the DME will reduce the WG as much as allowed by the PID (which is only a small amount) and still be above boost target, so it will then close the throttle plate as an emergency measure to reduce the boost.

Having the throttle plate constantly modulating at WOT trying to control the boost is bad, you'll frequently lean out in areas where the throttle control is too slow to react. In my experience you'll also see extra timing corrections which are probably caused by the poor airflow distribution as a result of the throttle being used to hold back the charge pressure.

You're also not going to be getting any benefit from the larger turbos as it will be capped by the stock turbo boost targets.
Got it, makes sense. I was actually watching 0-60 on YouTube and he pretty much explained it as such. It comes down to WGDC and throttle closure from going over target boost. At the moment, I am not looking to push WOT anytime soon so custom tune will have to wait unfortunately. Unless there's a way I can adjust WGDC or generate and upload my own custom PID 😣

Idk what I was thinking when I got the 17Ts, got new index 12 injectors, silicone inlets, downpipes, stage 2 LPFP, colder spark plugs, new coils, walnut blast etc. Car is pretty much ready maintenance wise. Only got 113k miles on the ride.
 
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krmiller70

New Member
May 26, 2024
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I have a similar situation and question. I am new to this platform and recently purchased the MHD super license for the N54. My car was purchased with either 17 T's or 19's twin's. I have no way to verify which they are because apparently they have no identification plates or labels on the turbo housings or bodies. I've been told that they are Dynamic Autowerx turbo's. My primary question is, with the various "versions" associated with the MHD license. what are the differences between V.5 through V.10 when flashing the maps to the DME ?
I have Catless DP's, fmic, DCI, tial BOV and silicone inlets as well as the VRSF aluminum Charge pipe.
I've been experimenting with the different versions on the MHD app, but I can't tell much of a difference between them. I haven't logged any runs yet and am still learning to navigate the MHD app.
Any suggestions and feedback would be helpful and appreciated.
 

That4chanhackerguy

Specialist
May 27, 2022
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short answer, ringlands leave the chat, this is caused but hotspotting and too much duty causing too high of cylinder temps and pressure along with the load tables not being matched.
 

JohnDaviz

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Jan 6, 2019
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I realize you are asking about the MHD OTS maps but I've been running 1KM0S stock map with my hydra HP650 turbos and it's been great. Is it optimized? No, it's not. It would definitely benefit from custom tuning, which I'm planning to go for soon.

Boost control is different on 1KM0S though. I've taken the car to a track day running the 1M map and the car performed great. Obviously, the 1M map isn't pushing a lot of power relative to most MHD OTS maps.

Here's a third gear log.
https://datazap.me/u/marv85/log-1714341204?log=0&data=3-4-20

there has to be a boost leak. WGDC is way too high for that boost levels in 3rd gear on those turbos.
 

Maroon_e90

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Sep 30, 2021
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2009 335i - xdrive 6MT
What exactly is this supposed to mean ?
My motor did this, 17t's maxed WGDC on pump gas. Not happy cyl got too hot the rings butted against each other and blew apart the piston.
What it means is on stock motor you have to be careful about cyl temps as factory ring gap is too small for high power for extended periods. One hotspot in the Cyl or one timing mistake can do the piston in.
 

piotrek4000

New Member
Oct 14, 2024
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Such a great thread, finally some real answers. I am almost done with my 17t install and I'm curious about the last post (about hot rings and blown piston), would a competent tuner know to avoid maxing out the WGDC? I'm going to get my custom tune done in about a month and I know nothing about tuning so I'm putting my trust in the tuner. Is there anything I should tell the tuner specifically (like, hey man, don't max my WGDC) or is that a basic thing tuners know?
 

Maroon_e90

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Sep 30, 2021
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2009 335i - xdrive 6MT
Yeah any reputable tuner will not do that, I just had multiple failures on mine as I was pushing limits. It’s not just wgdc tho, make sure to keep cylinder temps down, don’t run super high timing use good fuel preferably some ethanol etc.

My blown motor was a combination of high wgdc on 93 octane higher timing than probably should have used and finally port injection giving out and afr leaned way out
 

piotrek4000

New Member
Oct 14, 2024
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That's great info, sorry to hear about your failure, hopefully you were able to come out on top. The original question "can I run MHD OTS tune" was in my mind because I'm wondering if I can drive my car across town to the tuner just on the MHD tune and the new 17t's, or if I need to trailer it there. I've already decided that I should trailer it there based on some info here in this thread, but also just in case something goes catastrophically wrong. Other people might be wondering the same thing though, any opinions?
 

carabuser

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There's no risk if you stay out of boost. No sense in paying for a trailer.

Drive like you have a crate of wine in the boot and you'll be fine.
 
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