JB4 tune

[HiTechredneck]

I'm strongly considering the JB4 instead of ProCal because of the flexibility to change mapping with the BT interface. Price is about the same, install is no biggie and I don't have to go to the dealer. I do regular road trips for business and don't really want to pay the extra buck a gallon for 93 when I'm on the road. Anyone have experience with the JB4? Thanks!!

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[Jsullivan]

I'm strongly considering the JB4 instead of ProCal because of the flexibility to change mapping with the BT interface. Price is about the same, install is no biggie and I don't have to go to the dealer. I do regular road trips for business and don't really want to pay the extra buck a gallon for 93 when I'm on the road. Anyone have experience with the JB4? Thanks!!

No experience with the JB4 but I am also interested in a tuner that doesn't require 91 at all times.
Could I ask you to supply a link to the JB4.
Thanks,

 

[B22-2023]

I'm strongly considering the JB4 instead of ProCal because of the flexibility to change mapping with the BT interface. Price is about the same, install is no biggie and I don't have to go to the dealer. I do regular road trips for business and don't really want to pay the extra buck a gallon for 93 when I'm on the road. Anyone have experience with the JB4? Thanks!!

I have if and it is great. Very flexible. You don’t get a transmission ”tune” like some of the others but plenty of extra boost when needed, a moderate throttle ”+” controller, and yes flexibility to run across several octane numbers. Good gauges through the app, and easy to install (or remove).

 

[ScLeCo]

Why not both? The transmission tune is worth the price of the procal by itself.
The JB4's ability to run an ethanol tune is worth the price, Combined they are a pretty good combo.

 

[ChrisB351]

Ive had a JB4 in a previous car and it was great. Especially once I added downpipes. Best part is it takes 5min to remove if you go in for warranty repair and wont show up when they scan the computer.

 

[LethalPerformance]

I'm strongly considering the JB4 instead of ProCal because of the flexibility to change mapping with the BT interface. Price is about the same, install is no biggie and I don't have to go to the dealer. I do regular road trips for business and don't really want to pay the extra buck a gallon for 93 when I'm on the road. Anyone have experience with the JB4? Thanks!!

Oh do we have experience with it!
We love the JB4 for its ease of use and install. Its amazing what is "locked" behind the stock map.
We have an entire write up, here:
https://www.lethalperformance.com/info/bronco-jb4

We have videos and dyno runs in that write up!
If looking for the actual product, it can be found here:
https://www.lethalperformance.com/b...ner-2021-ford-bronco-bronco-sport-400716.html

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[B22-2023]

Why not both? The transmission tune is worth the price of the procal by itself.
The JB4's ability to run an ethanol tune is worth the price, Combined they are a pretty good combo.

I have really thought about both for that improvement in shifting, but my impression from reading about the ProCal is it requires you run higher octane all the time, is that true? I can’t always get higher octane.

 

[Brian_B]

I have really thought about both for that improvement in shifting, but my impression from reading about the ProCal is it requires you run higher octane all the time, is that true? I can’t always get higher octane.

91 minimum, yes.

Some will say you can run under that and the engine will just derate itself. I don't prescribe to that theory, I've seen what knock can do to an engine - but when it's your car, you do what you want.

 

[ScLeCo]

I have really thought about both for that improvement in shifting, but my impression from reading about the ProCal is it requires you run higher octane all the time, is that true? I can’t always get higher octane.

Yes. But I have run 87 and it's was fine. Knock sensors didn't register anything abnormal. However I was gentle with the throttle and it wasn't hot. YMMV.
Also, if you're worried just carry a couple of cans on octane booster when you know you may not be able to get 91 (make sure it has MMT, controversial I know but limited use is fine).
By the way, where are you going that you can't get 91? Even in Jarbidge NV population 16 I was able to get 91.

91 minimum, yes.

Some will say you can run under that and the engine will just derate itself. I don't prescribe to that theory, I've seen what knock can do to an engine - but when it's your car, you do what you want.

So have I but it matters what the engine is actually doing. If it's knocking yeah, that's no bueno, but is it actually knocking?
Data logging is important otherwise you're just guessing.

 

[ChrisB351]

Ford says you can run 87 or higher. I only run premium 93. I can feel a difference with it. With the JB4 you can tune it for higher ethanol content but if your fuel system isnt designed for it they dont recommend going higher than 30-40%.

 

[Brian_B]

So have I but it matters what the engine is actually doing. If it's knocking yeah, that's no bueno, but is it actually knocking?
Data logging is important otherwise you're just guessing.

There was a post here not too long ago that discusses the actual engine timing strategy, it was very informative.

On the ProCal, you can monitor a parameter called Lrnd_Knk_Mod, found in the Spark section. Ford uses this parameter as a long-time bias for the timing adjustment, over a period of a few hundred miles (possibly aimed at a full fillup?). This way, the engine doesn't have to re-learn octane parameters, it has some long-term memory of what you tend to use, and it uses this as the baseline when starting up, then adjusts based on real-time knock sensor values.

The engine starts from Lrnd_Kck_mod setpoint, and then if no knocking is detected, will advance until it starts to detect knock. If knocking is detected, it will retard the timing to try to prevent additional knocking. There is a floor and ceiling to how far over and under it can adjust timing. Over time, Lrnd_Kck_mod will adjust based on what the real-time values are reading. I think of it as a running average over time.

Lrnd_kck_mod has a range of -1.0 to 1.0, with 0.0 being no bias either way. A value of -1.0 means you are biased more aggressively - you are achieving max horsepower and the engine isn't detecting any knock (you have room to tune more aggressively if you wanted to). A value of +1.0 means the engine is derated fully, and you are likely still knocking.

So, if you have an ECM / ODB scanner, and can find Lrnd_Kck_mod, you can tell if you are knocking or not. Any value other than -1.0 means you've experienced some knocking at some point in the past few hundred miles - enough that the engine has had to retard sufficiently to affect this long-running average. That doesn’t mean it will break, but if you are seeing positive numbers you may want to evaluate either your tune or your fuel. A value at or near +1.0 is living on the edge.

I just run ProCal, and I run 91 octane pretty much exclusively, from one of about four Top-Tier gas stations locally. I live in the mountains, so a lot of hill driving. My Lrnd_Kck_Mod ranges from about -0.6 to -0.9 depending on various factors. I have no idea what running 87 long term would do though - that would be interesting to see.

 

[turboelvis]

Oh do we have experience with it!
We love the JB4 for its ease of use and install. Its amazing what is "locked" behind the stock map.
We have an entire write up, here:
https://www.lethalperformance.com/info/bronco-jb4

We have videos and dyno runs in that write up!
If looking for the actual product, it can be found here:
https://www.lethalperformance.com/b...ner-2021-ford-bronco-bronco-sport-400716.html

Let us know if you have any questions.

Hi, I just installed jb4 on Branco raptor . I only got 17,9 psi on map 3 , it’s normal ?

 

[Terry@BMS]

Hi, I just installed jb4 on Branco raptor . I only got 17,9 psi on map 3 , it’s normal ?

Log map0 and map3 and then post those or send them in, and lets see how target looks vs factory target.

 

[swamp2]

I'm strongly considering the JB4 instead of ProCal because of the flexibility to change mapping with the BT interface. Price is about the same, install is no biggie and I don't have to go to the dealer.

I've got one brand new, in box, never installed advertised here on the forum for a DEEP discount. Take it off my hands. I simply went an entirely different route.

 

[turboelvis]

Map0

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