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More engine power .

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1758297946#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter johndeeredr
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Air filter, pipes and tune; haven’t heard of any engine mods that would do it. If you come up with something let me know.
 
We’re can I get the ecm tuned ? I’m pretty sure I heard you can send yours in to a company that can reprogram the factory settings .
 
I think what some people here have done is to purchase the BrenTune aka BT Moto and squeezed a bit more HP.
Each to their own but I personally prefer to leave mine as it is. That boxer engine is not stressed at all and yes, it can deliver a bit more, but tbh it has plenty of power for my needs, hence I would not tune it. Need a bit more oomph or va va voom? Try switching to Rock mode and she will become livelier within factory tolerances.
 
Check out: Bren Tune - https://bt-moto.com/product/bmw-r18-flash
I'd get aftermarket pipes, either DnA or Sprint air filter then have the flash from Bren Tune. It will be expensive, and I don't think the performance gains would be worth it however in terms of looks and sound very much so. Unlike a HD touring model where you can squeeze out extra power and torque with the various stage kits, I don't think the market has developed solutions to wring out the boxer motor. Nate Kern who is racing the R9t did the 3 mentioned upgrades and then reduced the weight of the bike by using carbon fiber parts; no further engine modifications.
 
Anibal said:
I think what some people here have done is to purchase the BrenTune aka BT Moto and squeezed a bit more HP.
Each to their own but I personally prefer to leave mine as it is. That boxer engine is not stressed at all and yes, it can deliver a bit more, but tbh it has plenty of power for my needs, hence I would not tune it. Need a bit more oomph or va va voom? Try switching to Rock mode and she will become livelier within factory tolerances.
Click to expand...
^ What Anibal said ...
 
+1 on the BT Moto product. I have no direct experience with them but from my searches, they seem to be in the lead for this model. I've watched a few review videos and riders all report good things: increased throttle response, better hot starts, smoother power delivery. If you get one it would be nice to hear what you think.

Often the air filter/exhaust combo is recommended, but I haven't seen any dyno runs to back it up with data. I personally wouldn't go with an aftermarket filter because I trust the engineers at BMW over the ones at K&N or ABC aftermarket parts LLC. Here's a paper comparing the performance of OEM (paper medium) and K&N (cotton) air filters: Effect of OEM Style and Aftermarket Performance Air Filters on Vehicle Parameters.

I didn't find a whole lot out there, but this one seems to claim that the air flow gains you get from aftermarket are due to larger pore size and with that more particles make their way into the combustion chamber. Hard to say if it's worth it 🤷‍♂️. I think I also agree with Anibal, this thing is already a beast lol!
 
What do you mean by normal? In rock mode the bike idles more lopey than the others and from what I understand the BT tune emphasizes that a bit more even. The rock mode lope is normal
 
I've done the tune/filter/pipe thing and have been meaning to have it dyno'd at some stage.... possibly could only compare it to other bikes done on the same dyno now though (say stock 114/117 etc).
 
the stock ECU programming has some 30% margins in the parameters. As such it is to a large degree self adapting/tuning to performance modificatiosn aimed at flowing more air.
Put a different way, the ECU will add more fuel if you flow more air, adapting the A/F míxture to the same values as before.

BT will change the míxture mapping, most likely just that bit richer in most areas.

The easiest way to make the bike breathe a bit easier is to swap the air filter for one flowing more. Be aware that elements with oil or static fluid cán affect the MAF sensor.
The Sprint filters are akin OEM paper but with finer fibers. This flows more air while filtering (at least) as good: With finer fibers, there fit more of the same size holes in the same surface because the mesh takes up less space, obstructs less.

Higher flow filter makes most sense when the actual intake openings flow more too. One might want to open up the holes in the filter lid further and enlarge the opening in the top of the panels where the cables enter. You need to get those off anyway to change the filter.
Addionally, you can replace the ´1800´ plates with same but open mesh back ground. The plates each cover an opening which this way flows sóme more air.

Because in a naturally aspirated engine the one and onle feed to the engine is the difference in ambient air pressure and intake manufold air pressure, ÁNY loss in the intake = power left on the table. Thus ensuring large enough actual intake area is step 1. Manufacturers know this very well obviously but they are limited by noise emision levels and a smaller intake opening = less noise. Ergo look at the intake openings.
 
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and as such opening up does make a difference.
I am ok with the oompf as it is for the time being and will addrress when time for the next filter change. Will go for a Sprint filter and enlarge the opening for the cables at the top. That will be not visible and increase induction sound the least.
The stock ECU program will adjust the mixture.
Should be noticeable as the eninge will suck less. Literally.As I explained ány pressure drop over the induction tract equals dropin BMEP and vv of course.

But, but..the exhaust I hear you think.
That end is fundamentally different as unlike the intake being fed by ambient air pressure only, the exhaust side is literally pushed out by the effin big pistons. Any increase in BMEP will also be more pressure expelling the gas.
Yes, fitting a less restrictive exhaust will improve flow but that too will work better with more air flowing ín and will come with more noise.
I am quite ok with the sound of stock fish tailed pear drops.

As observed above, also ok with the stock power, but the mods will also slighly improve responsiveness and fuel economy whhen I need to change the filter anyway.
 
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