[jwwcree]

Originally Posted by jnkirk1974

Is this based on the YouTube video that has nothing to back up the facts and has the comments turned off?

I absolutely love my i8, but this 2.8 sec claim is laughable.

Ok as I said this what I was told - with Launch control engaged - btw the 0-60 website reports the i8 consistently at 3.6sec - I am not sure how they got this
If I come anywhere near the 2.8sec with 10pct lighter weight car and the tuning I will post a video- otherwise I agree there is more to i8 but surely it deserves more power and better electric and better tires I am sure that BMW has a planned pipeline but I also agree the i8 philosophically is not heading in that direction - time will tell and hence we volunteered these comments

[Jo-Sta07]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Really? I'm looking forward to test driving the NSX. On paper it looks like a beast. If I could only have one car now between the i8 and NSX I'd say NSX hands down by just looking at the pictures and hp rating. The i8 is unique and techy but the NSX looks like a race car and the interior with the two-tone alcantara looks like that from a luxury race car.

I mean I love my i8 for commuting and stuff. But a race car it is not.

It's hard to describe, and also remember I may have personal bias just because I was so disappointed with my last MDX. The buttons on the steering wheel, for example, are exactly the same! The NSX isn't an i8 replacement because the i8 embraces eco tech and gives performance while the NSX outperforms the i8 but does all it can to mask the hybridness. Why? Embrace it! If you ever have a chance to drive a 458 (I know it's a hard car to live up to) you'll understand how the NSX lives in this weird world where it isn't special/exciting enough to compete on performance but also doesn't offer any of the eco tech performance cooolness of the i8. And it's as expensive as a Mclaren 570s or Porsche Turbo.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by jwwcree

Ok as I said this what I was told - with Launch control engaged - btw the 0-60 website reports the i8 consistently at 3.6sec - I am not sure how they got this
If I come anywhere near the 2.8sec with 10pct lighter weight car and the tuning I will post a video- otherwise I agree there is more to i8 but surely it deserves more power and better electric and better tires I am sure that BMW has a planned pipeline but I also agree the i8 philosophically is not heading in that direction - time will tell and hence we volunteered these comments

Yeah I can guarantee no i8 no matter how modified can get anywhere close to high-2 second 0-60's. I have thousands of launches with a vbox hooked up to many different cars I currently and formerly have owned including of course my i8 and also much faster cars. Shaving off tenths from stock 0-60mph is tough for any car. Sure you can increase power but then at some point you have to address traction/drivetrain otherwise you will inhibit tire spin and it makes the 0-60 slower. Mid 3's at 450 hp (tune/exhaust) and aftermarket wheels with sticky tires would be the best anyone could probably hope for.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07

It's hard to describe, and also remember I may have personal bias just because I was so disappointed with my last MDX. The buttons on the steering wheel, for example, are exactly the same! The NSX isn't an i8 replacement because the i8 embraces eco tech and gives performance while the NSX outperforms the i8 but does all it can to mask the hybridness. Why? Embrace it! If you ever have a chance to drive a 458 (I know it's a hard car to live up to) you'll understand how the NSX lives in this weird world where it isn't special/exciting enough to compete on performance but also doesn't offer any of the eco tech performance cooolness of the i8. And it's as expensive as a Mclaren 570s or Porsche Turbo.

Ok thanks for the perspective. I haven't driven one sounds like I might be a little underwhelmed.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Yeah I can guarantee no i8 no matter how modified can get anywhere close to high-2 second 0-60's. I have thousands of launches with a vbox hooked up to many different cars I currently and formerly have owned including of course my i8 and also much faster cars. Shaving off tenths from stock 0-60mph is tough for any car. Sure you can increase power but then at some point you have to address traction/drivetrain otherwise you will inhibit tire spin and it makes the 0-60 slower. Mid 3's at 450 hp (tune/exhaust) and aftermarket wheels with sticky tires would be the best anyone could probably hope for.

I agree but I think it could get to 3 seconds with some gumball tires, lighter wheels and significant mods to the power deployment.

The acceleration with my 275 Rears and 255 Fronts is significantly improved from my butt dyno/vbox measurement. I'd like to see the results with Cup or Corsa System tires because the changes are visceral in the entire performance envelope.

Cheers-mk

[Ghetto2315]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Yes. Thanks for the catch. The 19s are burned into my brain from my E63 M6. The weather was rather bad today. I will attempt to do a pic for you tomorrow.

Pics?

[stressdoc]

We are getting to the point where systematic testing of mods would make helpful contributions to the i8 community.

If the stock market continues its current surge, I will take a bit off and get some BBS DI-r wheels (at around 10k+ w rubber...) and run some before/after performance tests.

I think the most rational mods will include: forged rims, general weight reduction, and software tweaks.

Hmmm... wrong. The most rational mod is to save every dime and wait for the i8S!

[JasH]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I think the most rational mods will include: forged rims, general weight reduction, and software tweaks.

!

Personally, I'd say the best bang for your buck mods will be:

1/ ECU tune (10% bhp)
2/ Lighter wider wheels, with wider tyres

Basically more power, and more grip with reduced unsprung mass giving better handling

Hopefully someone will also find a way to unlock the front motor's extra power.

[stressdoc]

We are in full agreement. 17 lbs. BBS rims, wider rubber, Tune if you can deal w warranty issues.

Originally Posted by JasH

Personally, I'd say the best bang for your buck mods will be:

1/ ECU tune (10% bhp)
2/ Lighter wider wheels, with wider tyres

Basically more power, and more grip with reduced unsprung mass giving better handling

Hopefully someone will also find a way to unlock the front motor's extra power.

[Jo-Sta07]

I'm waiting for the i8s. Seems simplest route for me. In the meantime I'm plenty happy with the current offering. Always room for improvement even Veyron owners feel that way.

[MalibuBimmer]

Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07

I'm waiting for the i8s. Seems simplest route for me. In the meantime I'm plenty happy with the current offering. Always room for improvement even Veyron owners feel that way.

Well the "improvement" for a Veyron owner is the Chiron. I doubt the i Division of BMW is going to make an S or an M type car. But it would be nice and would tempt me.

[Jo-Sta07]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

Well the "improvement" for a Veyron owner is the Chiron. I doubt the i Division of BMW is going to make an S or an M type car. But it would be nice and would tempt me.

You know what I mean though. Rarely are you 100% satisfied with anything. BMW is set to release up an update to the i8 that will better the car. Even then, we'll still want more. That's the nature of a successful person who can afford this type of stuff. Never satisfied with good.

[JasH]

Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07

I'm waiting for the i8s. Seems simplest route for me.

I love the i8, and appreciate it for what it is. But that's not to say that it can't be improved in a cost effective manner.

Upgrading to an i8s will likely result in less improvement, but at a vastly higher cost if trading up.

Modifying a car always gives the highest performance for the money.

My Lotus for example is extremely modified, and is MUCH faster and better performing in all respects than the very latest most powerful factory Exige - despite 16 years of factory developments.

Latest Exige http://www.lotuscars.com/exige-sport-380

Also much faster than virtually any factory supercar in fact:

[Jo-Sta07]

Spent a weekend with the NSX. Totally changed my thoughts on the car. I kind of love it. Still don't like the interior plastics or infotainment. But it's a pretty amazing machine. Kudos to Honda. It would be a great addition to the i8.

[MrBreezenovel]

I am curious exactly who in the states does this ECU tune, and are there any real numbers to back up these increased claims. Are these done by flashes or piggy backs?They have a very simple way of ECU tuning with the 4C a cloned ECU (bringing the car to 320hp 313tq), and 0-60 times as low as 3.5 seconds. Takes 5 minutes to switch the ECU's if the car needs to go in for service. I have a dinan tune in 650, BMW sound a performance in the 440 and have used burger tuning in the past as well. None of them offer anything for this car, nor does GIAC who I have worked with in the past.

[Twitch Massacre]

Originally Posted by MrBreezenovel

I am curious exactly who in the states does this ECU tune, and are there any real numbers to back up these increased claims. Are these done by flashes or piggy backs?They have a very simple way of ECU tuning with the 4C a cloned ECU (bringing the car to 320hp 313tq), and 0-60 times as low as 3.5 seconds. Takes 5 minutes to switch the ECU's if the car needs to go in for service. I have a dinan tune in 650, BMW sound a performance in the 440 and have used burger tuning in the past as well. None of them offer anything for this car, nor does GIAC who I have worked with in the past.

I skipped through most of the thread so I'm only assuming you're asking about the i8 ECU flash tune (it's not a piggyback, Burger Tuning tried this but put the project on the back burner after realizing one of the essential connections was too difficult to reach for a piggyback tune which is meant to be easy to install/remove). Anyways, for the flash tune I know Omar@VelosDesignwerks has done a few down here in Miami.

[JasH]

For UK owners, Celtic Tuning do it for i8.

[MalibuBimmer]

Do we know for certain that flash tunes to the i8 that are reversed are undetectable?

[ericsi]

Originally Posted by JasH

For UK owners, Celtic Tuning do it for i8.

Have you driven one of their tuned cars.

[MrBreezenovel]

Thanks, in my experience no flash tune in completely undetectable.

[MrBreezenovel]

Wonder why they have no information about the i8 tune on their website.

[JasH]

Originally Posted by ericsi

Have you driven one of their tuned cars.

No, but I know the owner of one i8 with their tune. He says it is excellent and the power is noticeable.