R8 COIL TESTING (BY PRECISION RACWORKS)

[PRECISION RACEWORKS]

Precision Raceworks Coil Testing
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For almost a year now we have been getting request to compare our coils against others on the market. We did Okada coils as we figured they were a scam in the first place which they did prove to be and that only yielded in more coil test request.

R8 COIL TESTING

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Many have asked us to do testing on the Audi R8 coils used by Bimmerlife but we have shied away from public testing for a while not wanting to cause problems with a great group of guys.

We feel that the Bimmerlife can be a great option for customers in the right application / consumer needs and do not want to turn things into an “US vs. Them” and this is why we have avoided public testing. Unfortunately this has not been good enough for the public and we continue to get requests.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM US?

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So with that said we are considering public testing of the coils but in order to do it with as little drama as possible we need help from the public. These tests cost us time and money so we want to capture everything people want to see. We are asking people to let us know things they would like us to test and publish and what you need as “proof” that nothing was skewed so we can accommodate this whenever possible as well. This is a chance to ask for what you want to see and how you want to see it so you can trust the end results. We will not publish anything that isn’t asked for as we want to remain as unbiased as possible.

OPEN DISCUSSION

This is an open discussion we expect to stay open for 3-4 weeks so say what you would like to see talk with us and we will do our best to accommodate everyone. This is not intended to be a bashing session only a fact finding event utilizing our equipment and ability to get information the public wants so please do not speak negative about any product this is not a “product review” it is a means for people to get data they are not capable of acquiring on their own.

 

[Rob09msport]

I think straight bench of voltage and spark duration on set of n20 plugs which seems to be the go to plug and then a test for max gap firing like two electrodes in free air or if possible a compressed chamber.

 

[cloud9blue]

Dyno comparison with the same OTS map

 

[suspenceful]

This is out of my area of expertise, but I'm looking forward to the comparison with data from people who know what they're talking about, lol.

 

[fmorelli]

Many have asked us to do testing on the Audi R8 coils used by Bimmerlife but we have shied away from public testing for a while not wanting to cause problems with a great group of guys.

Since many have been asking, I would imagine they are asking you for specific tests. What are they asking to be tested? That seems like a good place to kick off the conversation, if you would share.

What I will add to the conversation - coils are not the only thing to test. Other factors, such as connectors, harnesses, et cetera are just as much ... in fact ... more of a factor wrt reliability, et cetera. It's the custom stuff spec'd and fabricated to work with our cars that doesn't have millions of dollars in professional engineering and testing that one should consider.

Filippo

 

[PRECISION RACEWORKS]

I think straight bench of voltage and spark duration on set of n20 plugs which seems to be the go to plug and then a test for max gap firing like two electrodes in free air or if possible a compressed chamber.

We can do something for voltage and duration for sure, we can try to do it with the N20 plug but typically it's done with just a controlled environment. We have a couple ideas how we could do it with a plug if they show repeatable that should not be a problem either.

Free air gap shouldn't be an issue either we have done it in the past between the two there is a more fancy way we have been wanting to do it just haven't found time this could be a good excuse.

Dyno comparison with the same OTS map

We would need a full Bimmerlife kit to do this, if they are willing to donate a complete kit for testing we will put the car up on dyno and do pulls with each. We won't use an OTS map but we will use the check box in MHD to enable the PR coils and to enable the R8 coils. This way the map is the same only change is public available check box and physical hardware.

If it is OK we will also do a set of pulls with our High Voltage driver and stock dwell/multispark etc to show how it compares this way N55/S55 customers don't ask us to do same testing next month.

Since many have been asking, I would imagine they are asking you for specific tests. What are they asking to be tested? That seems like a good place to kick off the conversation, if you would share.


What I will add to the conversation - coils are not the only thing to test. Other factors, such as connectors, harnesses, et cetera are just as much ... in fact ... more of a factor wrt reliability, et cetera. It's the custom stuff spec'd and fabricated to work with our cars that doesn't have millions of dollars in professional engineering and testing that one should consider.

Filippo

Honestly it has been close to a year of asking and people haven't been overly specific, also we don't want to sound like we are offering ideas we want to stay out of it other than doing the testing people ask for in this public forum.

The other factors start becoming a "product review" which is something we do not want this to tun into so we will need to think on it. We do know that our current connector method and such is changing very shortly and we have offered to sell Bimmerlife connectors as well since they will be made to OEM specs off molds we designed and own.

Maybe the Reliability portion you mentioned could be done as part of this testing but we would need something specific that we are testing for.

 

[veer90]

Dyno comparison with the same OTS map

This, except on a *high power* N54. No point in messing with stock boost or even a stock turbo car in my opinion. If the coils make any measurable difference in power it will be on a high hp car.

I would focus on coil performance only and not mention anything like fitment, harness quality, etc. That info is easy to find and it's bound to start a pissing match since everyone has their own opinions on it anyways.

 

[Streetz65]

Would like to see comparison on a high powered N54 also...

 

[PRECISION RACEWORKS]

This, except on a *high power* N54. No point in messing with stock boost or even a stock turbo car in my opinion. If the coils make any measurable difference in power it will be on a high hp car.

I would focus on coil performance only and not mention anything like fitment, harness quality, etc. That info is easy to find and it's bound to start a pissing match since everyone has their own opinions on it anyways.

Would like to see comparison on a high powered N54 also...

Our car was at 650ish whp last weekend on the dyno, we planned on turning it up to around 700ish whp... would this be enough for everyone? It's easiest to use our own car for testing since we can use it whenever we need it as long as we want.

 

[N54QC]

Our car was at 650ish whp last weekend on the dyno, we planned on turning it up to around 700ish whp... would this be enough for everyone? It's easiest to use our own car for testing since we can use it whenever we need it as long as we want.

I think that's what most people would be interested in. High hp but not so far out of the box that majority of people couldn't relate.

 

[PRECISION RACEWORKS]

I think that's what most people would be interested in. High hp but not so far out of the box that majority of people couldn't relate.

Perfect then this shouldn't be a problem so long as we can get a kit, we will reach out to BL and see if they would be willing to offer a kit for public testing. I am sure like us they know what the results of most tests will be but they are very transparent as well and sure they would like to show off their coils.

 

[dyezak]

Have a complete new person install each without help or guidance.

 

[chrisdfv]

Test how to run them straight from the DME without having to convert the firing signal

 

[PRECISION RACEWORKS]

Have a complete new person install each without help or guidance.

This would be a product review not a test of the actual coils themselves, our connection methods are changing soon as are Bimmerlife so it wouldn't be a great thing to do right now anyways.

Test how to run them straight from the DME without having to convert the firing signal

Ours already run straight from the DME without converting signal, but this also isn't a test of coil ability.

 

[PRECISION RACEWORKS]

Great news!
We reached out to Alex owner of Bimmerlife and had some good discussions. He has accepted our invitation to fly to Houston to be a part of the testing. This means there will be no argument about how a test was performed as both companies will be on site with their product making sure everything is done correctly. We couldn't be more excited that he has agreed to come here and be a part of the testing. Supplier transparency is key to a good company which we strive to be as transparent as possible and we were confident Bimmerlife is the same way!

Keep the testing suggestions coming!

 

[Steven@ClarkPerformanceFab]

I can push past 700 if you want further testing. Already running PR coils. PTE 6466 1.0 AR, 750cc PI, stage 3 LPFP, return.

 

[Christian87n]

This, except on a *high power* N54. No point in messing with stock boost or even a stock turbo car in my opinion. If the coils make any measurable difference in power it will be on a high hp car.

I would focus on coil performance only and not mention anything like fitment, harness quality, etc. That info is easy to find and it's bound to start a pissing match since everyone has their own opinions on it anyways.

I wouldn’t say just high-powered N54s, although I agree that’s probably where you’d see the biggest change. I would like to see a stock turbo but tuned (maybe on 93 only) test as well. Not all of us have a high-powered N54 or aftermarket turbos, and I personally wouldn’t need be surprised if the results are different at different power settings.

 

[BMWE92_Harry]

I would like to see data when the spark plugs are gapped at different distance, what is the performance between the two, and if there’s a point that will no longer be beneficial to open up the gap.
It would be nice to see how they perform with S55 plug as well.

 

[Jerry_3:16]

I wanna see which coil pack is better at taking a .308 round at 50 yards. That will be the make or break factor for me.

 

[fmorelli]

Great news!
We reached out to Alex owner of Bimmerlife and had some good discussions. He has accepted our invitation to fly to Houston to be a part of the testing. This means there will be no argument about how a test was performed as both companies will be on site with their product making sure everything is done correctly. We couldn't be more excited that he has agreed to come here and be a part of the testing. Supplier transparency is key to a good company which we strive to be as transparent as possible and we were confident Bimmerlife is the same way!

This is the kind of interaction I like to see in vendors. I'd spend a lot more money with a bunch of them, if they were not frequently paranoid or at each other's throats ... as a customer, one can easily come to the conclusion, "one day, I could be the guy they treat that way!"

Good job guys! Look forward to what you guys do...

Filippo