Bimmerlife Fixed Coil Harnesses

fmorelli

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I think people just want the "red top" lol.
Actually I think it is two things, at least in my case, and I'll do them backwards.
  • I think all these fixes are a case of incrementalism, I have a shovel and I'm in a hole digging. It's easy to look back now and say, "gee, why?" ... I wanted to fix what I had. In hindsight I don't consider it time well spent.
  • When I made the purchase some time back, I chose BL because 1) I preferred the factory-like install and integration, 2) I liked the DME off-load, 3) I liked the general design concept behind a smart coil.
Time and again on this platform I've seen products come out that are insufficiently developed. BTW that's not all vendor's fault by a long shot - no one wants to pay BMW prices. Anyone who has seriously built anything in their life knows that more cost is in testing than in any other part. But the BL setup is a classic example that sold at "alpha prototype" stage.

I think if it just worked it would be a good solution. Today the PR v2 solution seems a better one, likely because I burned out by grabbing the shovel and digging in the alpha prototype hole. Some assembly required .......

Filippo
 

Torgus

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If PR offers them in blue and red I guarantee the reds sell at 2x the rate ;)

1) I preferred the factory-like install and integration, 2) I liked the DME off-load, 3) I liked the general design concept behind a smart coil. <--These are the reasons I was looking at/considering them. No one sees under my hood but me. I don't hard park my shit and pop the hood so idiots can stare at fancy colors and shiny bits.

When is the PR V2 going to be released?
 

fmorelli

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If PR offers them in blue and red I guarantee the reds sell at 2x the rate ;)

1) I preferred the factory-like install and integration, 2) I liked the DME off-load, 3) I liked the general design concept behind a smart coil. <--These are the reasons I was looking at/considering them. No one sees under my hood but me. I don't hard park my shit and pop the hood so idiots can stare at fancy colors and shiny bits.

When is the PR V2 going to be released?
I have a valve cover on my car so but hey if people are into the red thing ... hahaha ... anyway, I though the PRs with the triangle connectors are and have been out? Isn't that the whole group buy thing that was going on?

Filippo
 

matreyia

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20180730_205654.jpg
Actually I think it is two things, at least in my case, and I'll do them backwards.
  • I think all these fixes are a case of incrementalism, I have a shovel and I'm in a hole digging. It's easy to look back now and say, "gee, why?" ... I wanted to fix what I had. In hindsight I don't consider it time well spent.
  • When I made the purchase some time back, I chose BL because 1) I preferred the factory-like install and integration, 2) I liked the DME off-load, 3) I liked the general design concept behind a smart coil.
Time and again on this platform I've seen products come out that are insufficiently developed. BTW that's not all vendor's fault by a long shot - no one wants to pay BMW prices. Anyone who has seriously built anything in their life knows that more cost is in testing than in any other part. But the BL setup is a classic example that sold at "alpha prototype" stage.

I think if it just worked it would be a good solution. Today the PR v2 solution seems a better one, likely because I burned out by grabbing the shovel and digging in the alpha prototype hole. Some assembly required .......

Filippo


Dude... I did it again and even measured against a modified vs. Normal coil...there is literally zero difference. See dept Mark's in photo.

I don't know what you folks are doing but I tried it two ways now and also different angles of insertion with different pressures...always has same depth as unmodded coils. See the silver marker in the photo between the nodded vs. Unmodded coils.

I think I will leave it alone. Less work for me.
 

fmorelli

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Glad you posted a photo: the shielding needs to be removed completely or cut back to where we show. If not the coil is too rigid and can not bend in the shaft which angles.

IMG_20180423_205812.jpg


Filippo
 

matreyia

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Glad you posted a photo: the shielding needs to be removed completely or cut back to where we show. If not the coil is too rigid and can not bend in the shaft which angles.

View attachment 14106

Filippo

Nope. That didn't work. I tried that the first time and the thing would not hold on to the spark plug. That's why I did this style this time. It held on tight, but would not go down.
 

fmorelli

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Just so I'm clear - the first time you tried with the shield cut back AND the nubs were removed?

Filippo
 

matreyia

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Just so I'm clear - the first time you tried with the shield cut back AND the nubs were removed?

Filippo

first time was all metal ripped off fins cut off and nubs gone... it did not hold onto the plugs and got misfires immediately.
this time, cut metal at tip, cut nubs, cut fins... it did not go down farther than stock r8 coils unmodded...regardless of pressure or angle of entry. I can double check the bmw stock coil length to compare and the pliability as well. But the bmw stock coil has that locking clip to make it stay still and the r8 does not.

VT
 
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Rob09msport

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Can you post pic of the one that misfired at first, i have an extra coil i modified im going to plug a spark plug into it to see what you mean i could have sworn their was positive engagement.
 

matreyia

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Can you post pic of the one that misfired at first, i have an extra coil i modified im going to plug a spark plug into it to see what you mean i could have sworn their was positive engagement.

Unfortunately, I trashed them all and they took it away to the trash yards. They were shaved, no nibs, no fins, no rubber seal, no metal. And they did not hold onto the plug ends very well. They went down farther, but they did not hold on...and misfired. When you pull on them, they feel as if they don't even grip on anything almost...just slides out with minimal force...while they in the holes, they wiggle around like they are only connected at the plug end with no clamping force surrounding the plug end and ceramic section.
 

Rob09msport

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Unfortunately, I trashed them all and they took it away to the trash yards. They were shaved, no nibs, no fins, no rubber seal, no metal. And they did not hold onto the plug ends very well. They went down farther, but they did not hold on...and misfired. When you pull on them, they feel as if they don't even grip on anything almost...just slides out with minimal force...while they in the holes, they wiggle around like they are only connected at the plug end with no clamping force surrounding the plug end and ceramic section.
You def want to use the rubber seal it needs to be trimmed but it secures the coil so it isn't bouncing around and also will keep debris and moisture out of the shaft
 

kayzrx82

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If PR offers them in blue and red I guarantee the reds sell at 2x the rate ;)

1) I preferred the factory-like install and integration, 2) I liked the DME off-load, 3) I liked the general design concept behind a smart coil. <--These are the reasons I was looking at/considering them. No one sees under my hood but me. I don't hard park my shit and pop the hood so idiots can stare at fancy colors and shiny bits.

When is the PR V2 going to be released?
I can't speak for everyone but I honestly would prefer a black coil.
 
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Rob09msport

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Caliper paint should handle heat no prob, i usually have my engine cover on anyway so i could care less about the color.
 

matreyia

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Just so I'm clear - the first time you tried with the shield cut back AND the nubs were removed?

Filippo


OK, finally got them to work. I did keep the seals at the top, cut the nibs off and cut the metal after the narrowing section off. The coil does sit visibly lower than the rest of the stock coils. When compared to the bmw oe coils, the point where it settles is exactly the same distance to the tip as the stock oe coils so I know they will be completely stock fit now.

Thanks for the patience.
 

sirdaft1

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Nov 11, 2016
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Color of coil was irrelevant in my case. I purchased these under the assumption that they were both plug and play and abundantly available should a replacement be needed. Unfortunately it appears that #1 is not the case, but #2 still holds true - while it’s still not clear what exact coil is needed if/when a replacement is needed for the PR kit. That would be the major difference between the two IMO.

Also, quick update... I caused a fuss on IG a while back about the shoddy 3D printed harness connectors with my unused BL kit and they had me ship them back for a replacement, free of charge. Good news is, it was painless and I have the new harness now. What I’m not so sure about is that the new connectors are also 3D printed. At this point I still believe 3D printing is more suitable for rapid prototyping, not for finished production parts. But we will see...
 

matreyia

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Color of coil was irrelevant in my case. I purchased these under the assumption that they were both plug and play and abundantly available should a replacement be needed. Unfortunately it appears that #1 is not the case, but #2 still holds true - while it’s still not clear what exact coil is needed if/when a replacement is needed for the PR kit. That would be the major difference between the two IMO.

Also, quick update... I caused a fuss on IG a while back about the shoddy 3D printed harness connectors with my unused BL kit and they had me ship them back for a replacement, free of charge. Good news is, it was painless and I have the new harness now. What I’m not so sure about is that the new connectors are also 3D printed. At this point I still believe 3D printing is more suitable for rapid prototyping, not for finished production parts. But we will see...

PR kit uses their own coils I think. Anyone own one chime in?
 

marim-udi

New Member
Jan 6, 2019
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335i N54
Ill make a thread with the details in case anyone want to make their own. I'm currently rebuilding my motor. Waiting on pistons to arrive.
I'm looking forward to it!
I did not find help to make the harness and IC.