[boosted43]

Hey so I just purchased a JB4 and have a quick question before the seller ships it out. It is the Standard JB4 board and not the EWG. It does include the EWG wire. My vehicle is a 2015 so obviously EWG. Is there any benefit to running the EWG vs the standard board? I would like to make sure that it is future proof and I could use the OBD cable and flex fuel wire. If there is no difference between having and the other I would be happy lol.

[mike@x-ph.com]

If your car is EWG, why are you getting non EWG board?

there is a difference between the 2 and i recommend the EWG board for your car. They also have different wiring, EWG has 1 less connection

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by kabawi91

Hey so I just purchased a JB4 and have a quick question before the seller ships it out. It is the Standard JB4 board and not the EWG. It does include the EWG wire. My vehicle is a 2015 so obviously EWG. Is there any benefit to running the EWG vs the standard board? I would like to make sure that it is future proof and I could use the OBD cable and flex fuel wire. If there is no difference between having and the other I would be happy lol.

The EWG board is the latest hardware for the JB4 and all updates features will be on this system. If you are EWG then the EWG BOARD is a MUST. The EWG Wires are not needed as they are optional but you 100% the EWG board for your car.

Mike

[yoandry]

Question about this.
How will perform PWG vs EWG boards. IS there any difference in power output or it is just different boards?

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by yoandry

Question about this.
How will perform PWG vs EWG boards. IS there any difference in power output or it is just different boards?

PWG VS EWG is based on which your vehicle has.

Early models had a PWG, later vehicles had EWG.

Unfortunately you can't mix but I don't recall seeing anything to decipher one is better at power then the other. It's just a different means of controlling boost but the end result should be similar. However, EWG does have the option for additional boost ceiling with the add on EWG connector. So there is that advantage but you won't be able to do anything about it unless you changed vehicles or turbo setup (and possibly more stuff).

***

To the OP: You need to select the appropriate board for your vehicle. The latest units from most dealers come with OBD II and flex fuel wires at no extra cost. If you have EWG you can add an additional EWG connector to increase your boost further. I say most dealers because there is an off chance some dealers have old inventory they are trying to off load.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by yoandry

Question about this.
How will perform PWG vs EWG boards. IS there any difference in power output or it is just different boards?

The old JB4 had the same board for PWG and EWG cars, but the harness was different. The NEW JB4 as of last year has an EWG specific board and an EWG specific harness.

Mike

[qalameida]

So being new to this and looking for some clarification for myself (and my '14 453i), I know I would need the EWG board but not necessarily the EWG connector? I just get a little confused when I look at vendor sites and see the word "harness" used almost interchangeably to describe both components. I'm guessing that may be why there seems to be a couple cases of people picking up the incorrect board/harness for their wastegate type?

[Earthmaster]

EWG makes better top end power without E85. PWG takes E85 better and of which makes up the difference.

[platty]

Originally Posted by qalameida

So being new to this and looking for some clarification for myself (and my '14 453i), I know I would need the EWG board but not necessarily the EWG connector? I just get a little confused when I look at vendor sites and see the word "harness" used almost interchangeably to describe both components. I'm guessing that may be why there seems to be a couple cases of people picking up the incorrect board/harness for their wastegate type?

Correct - you need the EWG type JB4. The EWG connector/wires are optional (if you only plan to run Map 1 or 2 - you don't need them).

[jlaspire]

So getting the old board for both ewg and pwg is it good? Will it work fine? Will it have same power gains vs the new board specifically for ewg?

[qalameida]

Originally Posted by platty

Correct - you need the EWG type JB4. The EWG connector/wires are optional (if you only plan to run Map 1 or 2 - you don't need them).

Awesome, thanks for the clarification. Good to know that I can just throw on the connector down the line should I get additional upgrades.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Some random thoughts:

1) This post is only relevant to those with electronic wastegates. Those with pneumatic wastegates please move along. Nothing to see here.

3) For the N20 motor the wastegate harness is relatively easy to reach but there is little benefit to be had. The JB4 can control up to map 2 levels well and the N20 motor is not reliable at higher boost levels. For these reasons we've not done much N20 EWG development.

3) For the N55 motor the wastegate harness is difficult to reach but the gains are considerable for more aggressive enthusiasts. Those who are using only map 1 may not want to bother. Those who plan to run map 2 or higher will benefit. Those who want to use race gas, meth, E85, etc, will see a huge benefit.

4) As a general rule EWG cars are not very E85 friendly. If reliability is a concern no more than 30% E85 should be used and the highest map used should be map 2. Using map 5 or map 7 with E85 mixtures may result in boost running high enough to exceed your fueling capacity triggering various codes and/or JB4 safety map 4 switches. If you are more experienced and able to analyze your own logs you are welcome to play around, but we've instructed technical support NOT to provide assistance or advice to anyone exceeding map 2 when using E85 with the EWG platform. If you run map 5 or 7 on E85, run in to problems, and ask for help, you'll get the company line of "for E85 use no higher than 30% and map 2". For more power consider race gas instead of E85, or add in a methanol kit allowing use of map 3.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by qalameida

So being new to this and looking for some clarification for myself (and my '14 453i), I know I would need the EWG board but not necessarily the EWG connector? I just get a little confused when I look at vendor sites and see the word "harness" used almost interchangeably to describe both components. I'm guessing that may be why there seems to be a couple cases of people picking up the incorrect board/harness for their wastegate type?

You are correct.

You need the EWG board, but the EWG addon harness is optional and is meant for full bolt on applications. Not needed on mild to moderately modified cars.

Mike

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by qalameida

Awesome, thanks for the clarification. Good to know that I can just throw on the connector down the line should I get additional upgrades.

The wires are sold separately and come separately even if ordered with the JB4. You have to manually pin them into the JB4 Harness (DB25 Connector) So makes no difference if getting now or later. I usually tell customer not to bother with them unless going hard core

Mike

[boosted43]

My question is answered. I got a good deal on one from a forum member and unfortunately thought it was the EWG board at the time of purchase. It turned out it was the PWG board with the EWG connector. Luckily he was nice enough to refund the money.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by kabawi91

My question is answered. I got a good deal on one from a forum member and unfortunately thought it was the EWG board at the time of purchase. It turned out it was the PWG board with the EWG connector. Luckily he was nice enough to refund the money.

Now go to the vendor section and get the ewg jb4

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by kabawi91

My question is answered. I got a good deal on one from a forum member and unfortunately thought it was the EWG board at the time of purchase. It turned out it was the PWG board with the EWG connector. Luckily he was nice enough to refund the money.

Thats awesome.. I rarely hear positive stories around used tunes. Glad it worked out for you.

Mike

[boosted43]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

Thats awesome.. I rarely hear positive stories around used tunes. Glad it worked out for you.

Mike

Yeah I'm just gonna go ahead and purchase one new. I need to stop being a cheap brokeass

[stxf30]

Much love to the Mikes...I've purchased nothing but "used" parts and have appreciated all the knowledge that Mike@n54tuning.com and Mike@x-ph.com have dropped on us "Newbs"!