The BMW 114i is the entry-level F20 1 Series, and its 102hp comes from a 1.6 litre turbocharged N13 that BMW also used at 136hp in the 116i and 170hp in the 118i. It is the same physical engine held well below what it can do, which is why the gain from software is so large: a Stage 1 file takes it from 102hp and 180Nm to around 210hp and 310Nm. That is not a marketing figure, it is what the platform gives once the factory restriction comes off.
Measured on our Mustang AWD rolling road in Maidstone. Wheel figures, drivetrain loss added for the flywheel numbers.BMW 114i ECU Remapping – They say the best things come in small packages…Well in regards to tuning that is certainly the case with the BMW 114i!
What if we told you we could nearly double the power of the 114i engine whilst keeping everything with in a safe and sustainable limit?
Well thats exactly what we have managed to do here at JF Automotive – the 114i shares the same engine as the 116i, and 120i. It’s limited due to marketing tactics, meaning that with the limiters removed there’s some huge gains available whilst remaining totally safe. I mean, we’re not even tuning the engine till it’s at 177BHP – just removing manufacturer set restrictions in the software.
Stock Dyno Run
After conducting some stock runs on the 114i engine we found that it produced 114BHP & 206NM from factory. Thats 14BHP & 26NM over BMW’s quoted figures and it just gets better from there.
ECU Drilling
Here at JFautomotive we are always looking for the most efficient way of doing to job correctly. The 114i engine is equipped Bosch MEVD17.2.5 ECU. Unfortunately at the this time the ECU couldn’t be tuned via the OBD port. This in turn required us to remove the ECU and bench tune it. When bench tuning an ECU we would normally have to open the ECU casing to allow for access to the SMD PCB (Surface-mount device printed circuit board). Due to the complex nature of the 114i ECU casing we decided to take a fresh approach in regards to accessing the ECU’s SMD PCB.
This lead to us investing in new equipment that would allow us drill a precise hole in the casing of the ECU. This ensured the we could both read and write to the ECU on the bench without having to remove the casing. Drilling a hole in the ECU casing may sound like a daunting prospect… not for the JFA technical team.
We managed to drill the ECU casing safely and then proceeded to write the tuned file accordingly.
Once the file had been written we resealed the ECU ready to go back into the vehicle.
Here’s a video we shot at the time to explain the process a bit better;
BMW 114 ECU Remapping – Tuned Dyno Run
After refitting the ECU we then conducted the tuned runs on our 2000BHP Mustang Dyno. This is where the BMW 114 ECU Remapping comes into its own. Once tuned this 114i engine made a staggering 206BHP & 305NM!
This was a huge gain of 92BHP & 99NM over what the vehicle was running stock!
Whilst running the vehicle we data logged ignition timing, boost pressure, IAT and fuelling to ensure that the vehicle was always running 100% safe.
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Photos from the build
7 photos of this BMW in our Maidstone workshop. Tap any to enlarge.
Questions we get asked
How much power does a BMW 114i make remapped?
Around 210hp and 310Nm at Stage 1, from a standard 102hp and 180Nm. It is one of the biggest percentage gains of any car we tune, purely because the factory held it so far below the engine's capability for insurance and pricing reasons.
What engine is in the BMW 114i?
The N13B16, a 1.6 litre turbocharged four-cylinder, shared with the 116i at 136hp and the 118i at 170hp. Mechanically it is the same unit; the difference between the badges is software and a little hardware.
Is it safe to tune a 114i that hard?
The engine, turbo and injectors are the same parts fitted to the higher output versions, so the components are working within what BMW designed them for. What we check is condition first: the timing chain, the plugs and the general health of the car, because it is now an older engine.
Will it affect the gearbox?
The manual is fine. If yours is the automatic, it has its own torque limiter which can clip the gain, so we would look at the gearbox software alongside it. Send the registration and we will tell you which box you have.
Is the 114i a good car to tune?
For the money, one of the best. You are buying the cheapest 1 Series and ending up with more than a standard 118i, on the same hardware. That is a rare thing.
Will it still pass an MOT?
Yes. Stage 1 changes no hardware, so the catalyst and every emissions component stay exactly as they are. We keep your original file and the car can go back to standard at any time.
