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      03-19-2021, 02:04 PM   #1
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Flexfuel kit

Anyone checked out Bend Calibration flexfuel kit just released for the f80 platform? Thoughts?

https://www.bendcalibration.com/shop/p/f8x-ultimate
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      03-20-2021, 07:50 AM   #2
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I am considering it now that BM3 offers flex fuel capability. You are paying extra for the fuel filter integration and plug-n-play ability, but not as much as you might think when you take a closer look. You might be able to save some money if you purchased the Zeitronix unit elsewhere, but not much (unless you already have one laying around). Also, Bend Calibration offers a similar kit without fuel filter integration for a notably cheaper price.

Personally, I like the fuel filter integration. While technically not required for flex fuel integration, based on my research, I like the added benefit the filter provides when adding this kit to an older/higher mileage vehicle (like mine). I love to DIY my own "kits" as it can save you money if you are willing to put in the time and research to gather the correct parts. But I have found over the years of DIY'ing "kits", that sometimes paying extra for a plug-n-play solution that "just works" pays for itself in the long run by not having to deal with potential issues/bugs that can arise from a DIY kit.

After all we are talking about a major fuel system upgrade on a very capable (and expensive) BMW performance engine, not cobbling together a rudimentary DIY cold air filter kit. Only you can determine how much ease of install (and piece of mind) is worth to you when modifying your car...
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Last edited by jmciver; 03-20-2021 at 03:58 PM..
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      03-22-2021, 07:59 PM   #3
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https://www.bendcalibration.com/shop/p/f8x-flex

I just ordered the basic kit last week and received it today. Now i have to find the time to install it.
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      03-22-2021, 10:22 PM   #4
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High quality components. Love my kit.
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ecutek - bend calibration pro tune - flex fuel - mpe - stock turbos - oem+
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      03-31-2021, 08:06 PM   #5
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I got mine in. Very nice kit with AN fuel lines. I did have to extended the sensor harness though.
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      04-02-2021, 10:45 AM   #6
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The bend kit is the best one I’ve seen. I’m using an older style from a different company that is more difficult to install. The basic Ecutek or bootmod3 kits are a good value compared to that one.

Go one step further and get the ultimate. You should try to protect the engine from injectors sticking if you can. Idk if I buy that dirty injectors are the primary cause for them sticking, but it is a reason they can stick. It’s more likely running the fuel system at duty cycles and pressures that they weren’t designed to sustain. Ignition coils and spark plugs will wear faster as well.
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      04-02-2021, 12:43 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coxxoc View Post
The bend kit is the best one I’ve seen. I’m using an older style from a different company that is more difficult to install. The basic Ecutek or bootmod3 kits are a good value compared to that one.

Go one step further and get the ultimate. You should try to protect the engine from injectors sticking if you can. Idk if I buy that dirty injectors are the primary cause for them sticking, but it is a reason they can stick. It’s more likely running the fuel system at duty cycles and pressures that they weren’t designed to sustain. Ignition coils and spark plugs will wear faster as well.
I don’t think the issue is with the injectors themselves failing due to the different fuel characteristics of E85, per se, as they should last the life of the car when using clean, gasoline or E85. From what I have learned, the issue is when you use E85 with older cars. Specifically, sediment and other impurities can build up in the fuel system with age, especially in the gas tank. This is supposedly true even if you take care of your fuel system by using good, branded gas with the appropriate fuel additives.

Ethanol, specifically E85 due to its higher concentration of ethanol, is a really good solvent. In older cars with sediment in the tank or other “gum” from normal pump gas use, the E85 will “clean” the system, thus breaking loose any baked on gum. These particles are allegedly what make their way to the injectors, directly contributing to injector failure - especially for the high pressure injectors found in direct injection engines.

The theory is that the Bend kit with the filter will capture all of the displaced gunk from using E85, thus helping to protect your injectors and other critical fuel system components. Since my car has 50k+ miles on the clock, I think my car will benefit from such a filter setup when making the switch to E85 - even though I have always used branded gas and fuel system cleaners routinely.
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      06-20-2021, 01:46 PM   #8
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Does the bend ultimate BM3 kit have enough length to plug into the F80 FEM module or do you need to extend the harness in order to get the wire from under the car into the cabin?
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      06-21-2021, 07:42 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hellokitty View Post
Does the bend ultimate BM3 kit have enough length to plug into the F80 FEM module or do you need to extend the harness in order to get the wire from under the car into the cabin?
From what I have read (and I don't have the kit yet) the harness will need to be extended. Although, allegedly this has been brought to the attention of Bend and supposedly they may provide a longer harness so you should ask them. Although, there is a PT-CAN bus tap point in the driver side footwell as well (I forget the module name off hand, found it in the wiring diagrams in ISTA). But I have not been able to find a good fire wall penetration on the driver side other than the clutch line - which does not work for me since I have a 6MT.
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      06-22-2021, 02:02 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hellokitty View Post
Does the bend ultimate BM3 kit have enough length to plug into the F80 FEM module or do you need to extend the harness in order to get the wire from under the car into the cabin?
Finally finished installing my Bend Cal "Ultimate" kit over the weekend. Had to extend the harness (which was the new plug & play offering, according to Ian at Bend). The harness is extremely well-built, as are the fuel line components.

I think a lot of the issue with needing to extend the wires is dependent on the route chosen during the installation. Either way, it was easy to extend the harness and get it plugged in. Absolutely loving the setup after driving a good bit over the weekend.

I used these connectors and 22ga wire, and had no issues adding on the extra 3' or so:

https://www.amazon.com/Kuject-Connec.../dp/B073RMRCC3
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      06-22-2021, 02:54 PM   #11
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So to go full flex fuel on an otherwise stock F8x, is this the process:

- Acquire BM3 (or ecutek)
- Do a crank hub fix solution as a preventative measure
- Get aftermarket chargepipes
- Purchase Bend Cal’s Ultimate kit BM3 (or ecutek) version and install (while extending the harness)
- Contact Cary or Paul via BM3 for a flex fuel tune

Is that the logical way to go about getting FF?

So far, I have aftermarket chargepipes, BM3 (running stage 1 right now) and the CBC only solution. I’m almost there I guess.
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      06-22-2021, 03:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpy1980 View Post
So to go full flex fuel on an otherwise stock F8x, is this the process:

- Acquire BM3 (or ecutek)
- Do a crank hub fix solution as a preventative measure
- Get aftermarket chargepipes
- Purchase Bend Cal's Ultimate kit BM3 (or ecutek) version and install (while extending the harness)
- Contact Cary or Paul via BM3 for a flex fuel tune

Is that the logical way to go about getting FF?

So far, I have aftermarket chargepipes, BM3 (running stage 1 right now) and the CBC only solution. I'm almost there I guess.
From my understanding, you don't need a custom flex fuel tune unless you are chasing after absolute maximum power. You just need to flash the bootmod3 stage 2 custom rom (flex fuel enabled) map and it will automatically increase load and torque based on your ethanol sensor reading regardless of what map slot (1-4) you are in.
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      06-22-2021, 03:50 PM   #13
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This is what I'm doing. The OTS Flex Fuel tune is actually solid and has much better power delivery than my custom 93 octane tune did. Eventually I'll move to a custom but for now I'm loving the flexibility of this set up.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hellokitty View Post
From my understanding, you don't need a custom flex fuel tune unless you are chasing after absolute maximum power. You just need to flash the bootmod3 stage 2 custom rom (flex fuel enabled) map and it will automatically increase load and torque based on your ethanol sensor reading regardless of what map slot (1-4) you are in.
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      06-22-2021, 04:32 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c4ss View Post
This is what I'm doing. The OTS Flex Fuel tune is actually solid and has much better power delivery than my custom 93 octane tune did. Eventually I'll move to a custom but for now I'm loving the flexibility of this set up.
Sweet! So I just need a crank hub solution and the bend kit. If it’s a bm3 stage 2 ots kit, will I need a downpipe as well?
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      06-22-2021, 05:50 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpy1980 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by c4ss View Post
This is what I'm doing. The OTS Flex Fuel tune is actually solid and has much better power delivery than my custom 93 octane tune did. Eventually I'll move to a custom but for now I'm loving the flexibility of this set up.
Sweet! So I just need a crank hub solution and the bend kit. If it’s a bm3 stage 2 ots kit, will I need a downpipe as well?
Yes downpipes are needed
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      06-23-2021, 10:09 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpy1980 View Post
So to go full flex fuel on an otherwise stock F8x, is this the process:

- Acquire BM3 (or ecutek)
- Do a crank hub fix solution as a preventative measure
- Get aftermarket chargepipes
- Purchase Bend Cal’s Ultimate kit BM3 (or ecutek) version and install (while extending the harness)
- Contact Cary or Paul via BM3 for a flex fuel tune

Is that the logical way to go about getting FF?

So far, I have aftermarket chargepipes, BM3 (running stage 1 right now) and the CBC only solution. I’m almost there I guess.

I've been trying to find a comprehensive list of everything required to run a flex fuel set up. Does this list cover everything? Are charge pipes actually recommended or required to run flex fuel? I've seen others mention upgraded spark plugs for straight E85, is this recommended or required for flex fuel as well?
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      06-23-2021, 10:24 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gpennell0812 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpy1980 View Post
So to go full flex fuel on an otherwise stock F8x, is this the process:

- Acquire BM3 (or ecutek)
- Do a crank hub fix solution as a preventative measure
- Get aftermarket chargepipes
- Purchase Bend Cal’s Ultimate kit BM3 (or ecutek) version and install (while extending the harness)
- Contact Cary or Paul via BM3 for a flex fuel tune

Is that the logical way to go about getting FF?

So far, I have aftermarket chargepipes, BM3 (running stage 1 right now) and the CBC only solution. I’m almost there I guess.

I've been trying to find a comprehensive list of everything required to run a flex fuel set up. Does this list cover everything? Are charge pipes actually recommended or required to run flex fuel? I've seen others mention upgraded spark plugs for straight E85, is this recommended or required for flex fuel as well?
Yes, you'll want upgraded charge pipes and NGK 97506 gapped to .018.
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      06-23-2021, 10:56 AM   #18
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Is everything self integrating or is there tuning/setup involved with the Zeitronix?
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      06-23-2021, 11:19 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gpennell0812 View Post
Is everything self integrating or is there tuning/setup involved with the Zeitronix?
It is plug and play with bootmod3. You just need to flash the custom rom map in bootmod and it will self adapt based on the Zeitronix readings. Bootmod flex fuel capability originally developed using the Zeitronix unit.
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      06-23-2021, 11:24 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hellokitty View Post
It is plug and play with bootmod3. You just need to flash the custom rom map in bootmod and it will self adapt based on the Zeitronix readings. Bootmod flex fuel capability originally developed using the Zeitronix unit.
Okay, good to know. Installing everything doesn't look too complicated, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't any complicated set up required for the Zeitronix. I'm getting a CBC installed this weekend and already have BM3 stage 1.
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      06-23-2021, 11:42 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gpennell0812 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellokitty View Post
It is plug and play with bootmod3. You just need to flash the custom rom map in bootmod and it will self adapt based on the Zeitronix readings. Bootmod flex fuel capability originally developed using the Zeitronix unit.
Okay, good to know. Installing everything doesn't look too complicated, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't any complicated set up required for the Zeitronix. I'm getting a CBC installed this weekend and already have BM3 stage 1.
You might want to stick with stage 1 custom rom if you are just doing CBC. Maybe that's your plan already but I would avoid stage 2 and full e85 without a full crank hub installed.
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      06-23-2021, 07:16 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hellokitty View Post
You might want to stick with stage 1 custom rom if you are just doing CBC. Maybe that's your plan already but I would avoid stage 2 and full e85 without a full crank hub installed.
Sticking with BM3 stage 1 is my plan at this point. Just wanting to improve the performance a little more than the ACN 91 gas here in CA. Definitely have no plans of running full E85. I did recently see another post about running BM3 stage 2 but dialing back the torque. I don't really know how that differs from the regular BM3 Stage 1.
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