3.3TT 2018 Genesis G80 3.3T - Questions, Concerns, Long term effects

[goodry]

Hello!

I am the new(to me) owner of a 2018 Genesis G80 3.3T. I love the car and came across the JB4 tuner. I just had questions regarding it's use.

Does the modification put undue\excessive stress on the engine? Enough that it would decrease the life of the engine?

Has anybody had any catastrophic engine issues after installing?

Is changing the spark plugs the only change needed to the engine? Different oil, different exhaust, anything else have to be changed?

 

[kenneth196]

Any type of mod outside of stock parameters will generally put more of a stress on the engine (and/or any associated parts), and (typically) decrease the life of said parts/engine.

Yes, changing the spark plugs to the correct type/gap is the only pre-req (for the lower maps anyway).

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

There have been people with failed engines and transmissions who were tuned by JB4. That isn't saying that the JB4 tune was the cause though. Any modifications that add horsepower and/or torque will increase strain on the vehicle which increases the chances of something going wrong.

Oh and hello n' welcome!!

 

[goodry]

There have been people with failed engines and transmissions who were tuned by JB4. That isn't saying that the JB4 tune was the cause though. Any modifications that add horsepower and/or torque will increase strain on the vehicle which increases the chances of something going wrong.

Oh and hello n' welcome!!

Thank you for the warm welcome!


Hmm - In that case, Maybe I'll just stick with the Pedal Commander... no turbo lag at least sounds more fun.

 

[Flaniganskywalker]

Hello!

I am the new(to me) owner of a 2018 Genesis G80 3.3T. I love the car and came across the JB4 tuner. I just had questions regarding it's use.

Does the modification put undue\excessive stress on the engine? Enough that it would decrease the life of the engine?

Has anybody had any catastrophic engine issues after installing?

Is changing the spark plugs the only change needed to the engine? Different oil, different exhaust, anything else have to be changed?

I am working with KIA on mods--exhaust past the cats is fine--I have a str8 pipe and KIA reset the comp.You can also do intakes.BUT I was told no JB4 or piggyback tunes specifically--they destroy the plugs very quickly and if you do not get the perfect gas amount can do other damage. I ran a 4.27 to 60 and a 12.7 in the 1/4 mile with just an exhaust and I never used launch control. Most you can get safely is probably a little over 400 HP and maybe mids 12s in the quarter--anything after that with mods and you can kiss the warranty goodbye.Amazingly the KIA near me replaced the dudes plugs under warranty--but he was warned and a bulletin was sent to the dealer about JB4. Also many permamnent tunes add PSI to the turbos which is also a no no--I knew this from the 90s when a freind took his turbos from like 12 PSI to 20 and a month later the turbo blew--3k repair. I want my car to be fast but there is a limit.I also have very good gas near me--from 93 all the way up to 97 at the marina--with 94 right down the street--but I am not risking a JB4 that already caused problems at my KIA for one guy.

 

[G70 Owner]

I am working with KIA on mods--exhaust past the cats is fine--I have a str8 pipe and KIA reset the comp.You can also do intakes.BUT I was told no JB4 or piggyback tunes specifically--they destroy the plugs very quickly and if you do not get the perfect gas amount can do other damage. I ran a 4.27 to 60 and a 12.7 in the 1/4 mile with just an exhaust and I never used launch control. Most you can get safely is probably a little over 400 HP and maybe mids 12s in the quarter--anything after that with mods and you can kiss the warranty goodbye.Amazingly the KIA near me replaced the dudes plugs under warranty--but he was warned and a bulletin was sent to the dealer about JB4. Also many permamnent tunes add PSI to the turbos which is also a no no--I knew this from the 90s when a freind took his turbos from like 12 PSI to 20 and a month later the turbo blew--3k repair. I want my car to be fast but there is a limit.I also have very good gas near me--from 93 all the way up to 97 at the marina--with 94 right down the street--but I am not risking a JB4 that already caused problems at my KIA for one guy.

This is some reefer madness level fear mongering and complete misunderstanding about how a car works. But yes, if you don’t know what you’re doing and are unable to do basic maintenance then maybe don’t tune your car and expect the dealer to replace plugs for you

 

[goodry]

I am working with KIA on mods--exhaust past the cats is fine--I have a str8 pipe and KIA reset the comp.You can also do intakes.BUT I was told no JB4 or piggyback tunes specifically--they destroy the plugs very quickly and if you do not get the perfect gas amount can do other damage. I ran a 4.27 to 60 and a 12.7 in the 1/4 mile with just an exhaust and I never used launch control. Most you can get safely is probably a little over 400 HP and maybe mids 12s in the quarter--anything after that with mods and you can kiss the warranty goodbye.Amazingly the KIA near me replaced the dudes plugs under warranty--but he was warned and a bulletin was sent to the dealer about JB4. Also many permamnent tunes add PSI to the turbos which is also a no no--I knew this from the 90s when a freind took his turbos from like 12 PSI to 20 and a month later the turbo blew--3k repair. I want my car to be fast but there is a limit.I also have very good gas near me--from 93 all the way up to 97 at the marina--with 94 right down the street--but I am not risking a JB4 that already caused problems at my KIA for one guy.

Yeah im not going to crazy lengths to get 25 more HP - if the JB4 isnt a long term solution.... I currently (still) have a 2009 Nissan Altima with 195k miles on it. I expect to keep this one the same amount of time.

 

[goodry]

This is some reefer madness level fear mongering and complete misunderstanding about how a car works. But yes, if you don’t know what you’re doing and are unable to do basic maintenance then maybe don’t tune your car and expect the dealer to replace plugs for you

This is kind of what I've read as well. I'll have to replace my plugs every 20k miles - which, i'm fine with.

 

[goodry]

This is some reefer madness level fear mongering and complete misunderstanding about how a car works. But yes, if you don’t know what you’re doing and are unable to do basic maintenance then maybe don’t tune your car and expect the dealer to replace plugs for you

Have you put the JB4 in? Everywhere i'm reading, if not tuned go with HKS M35iL's and tuned either HKS M45iL's or denso 5346 IKH24 1 steps. $80 every 20k is fine.

 

[G70 Owner]

This is kind of what I've read as well. I'll have to replace my plugs every 20k miles - which, i'm fine with.

Come check out the forum with plenty of g80 owners, this is where us genesis people hang out for the most part: Genesis Forums

 

[goodry]

Come check out the forum with plenty of g80 owners, this is where us genesis people hang out for the most part:

They pointed me here haha.

 

[G70 Owner]

They pointed me here haha.

Rude haha. The G80 crowd doesn’t tune as much as the G70 crowd. Anyways the burger site has the recommended plugs and gap, I’m on my phone so it’s a little tough to switch tabs and such. As for replacing the plugs you need to watch your logs, and preemptively plan on replacing every 20k is not a bad idea. Take the JB4 off for dealership visits, keep the maps to 1 or 2 with the right octane and you’ll be set. Now keep in mind the couple original posters were right. There’s a phrase in the modding community: you’ve got to pay to play. Risk vs reward has to be considered

 

[Flaniganskywalker]

This is some reefer madness level fear mongering and complete misunderstanding about how a car works. But yes, if you don’t know what you’re doing and are unable to do basic maintenance then maybe don’t tune your car and expect the dealer to replace plugs for you

No fear mongering--just telling you what KIA told me and showed me the repair bill.JB4 and things like it are known to ruin spark plugs.I actually go and drag my car twice a year and on street tires--a mid 12 second quarter mile is one of the faster times in that division.Most american muscle cars and other RWD cars can not get the power down and run high 12s low 13s.Here is one of my runs against a 600 HP kenny bell lightning that I beat.Some folks just want to do light mods that keep the warranty and that is what i provided.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPXOx4KnR6A

 

[Flaniganskywalker]

Yeah im not going to crazy lengths to get 25 more HP - if the JB4 isnt a long term solution.... I currently (still) have a 2009 Nissan Altima with 195k miles on it. I expect to keep this one the same amount of time.

You can get 20 HP plus with a free flowing exhaust--I have str8 pipes--mufller delete and had KIA reset the comp--and I am .3 of a second faster to 60 and the quarter mile then magazine times and I did not even use launch control. I just got my helmet and plan on running mid 12s--I got booted on my third run for no helmet and going under 13 seconds. Here is a race against a 500 HP WRX--my 12.79 to his 13 flat.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeHhE8cPZ0w&t=66s--I only went about 85% on this run cause I got warned previous race about no helmet--I got booted after this race for that infraction.

 

[Terry@BMS]

You pick the wear and tear level by selecting what JB4 map you want to run. But overall the 3.3L platform has proven pretty solid, no systemic issues reported, even by customers running 25-30% more power than factory.

 

[Flaniganskywalker]

You pick the wear and tear level by selecting what JB4 map you want to run. But overall the 3.3L platform has proven pretty solid, no systemic issues reported, even by customers running 25-30% more power than factory.

Here is a response I got from a service tech I know.JB4 in it's mildest setting is pretty similar (IIRC) to PPK in results. Just to caution you: many of the threads about blown engines or even lesser problems with injectors, misfires due to plugs/coils, or whatever have JB4 in the mods list. There are no "safe" tunes: they all have risk--and the warranty has the potential to be denied.obviuosly it is all over the placee with responses.

 

[monusa]

You can get 20 HP plus with a free flowing exhaust--I have str8 pipes--mufller delete and had KIA reset the comp--and I am .3 of a second faster to 60 and the quarter mile then magazine times and I did not even use launch control.

So this is not a mod???? May not be doing what the JB4 is but in order to get that extra 20hp, aren't the "stock" engine dynamics being "modified" by the exhaust, uh hum, I mean, "mod"?

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

So this is not a mod???? May not be doing what the JB4 is but in order to get that extra 20hp, aren't the "stock" engine dynamics being "modified" by the exhaust, uh hum, I mean, "mod"?

I mean people get horsepower gains by just swapping to an aftermarket catback exhaust even without a tune apparently...

 

[Flaniganskywalker]

So this is not a mod???? May not be doing what the JB4 is but in order to get that extra 20hp, aren't the "stock" engine dynamics being "modified" by the exhaust, uh hum, I mean, "mod"?

An exhaust just lowers back pressure and the computer can make the minor adjustment--ask KIA--they will assist you--as long as you do not touch the cat converters you are fine.You can do very light mods that will not mess up the car and likewise the car will only be slightly faster then stock

I mean people get horsepower gains by just swapping to an aftermarket catback exhaust even without a tune apparently...

KIA reset my computer after I put an exhaust on--the computer will adjust to it and my car was faster then stock by .3 sec to 60 and in the 1/4--and I did not use launch control.

 

[Dodger Blue]

Yeah we get it, you don't use launch control, lol...


OP, my understanding is that if you stick to map 1 and have the recommended, properly gapped plugs, it's well within the tolerances of the engine and turbos. It will synergize nicely with a freer flowing exhaust and intake and make plenty of power for street use without much risk. People have been doing it for years without issues at this point and you don't need to worry about boosting octane, or going to e85, or installing WMI. You can also keep the intake and exhaust stock and remove the jb4 whenever you take the car to the dealer, they would have no way of knowing you were running any mods.

All that said, once you're talking about major increases in boost pressure, map 4+ with race fuel, stuff like that, my guess is that you're lowering the lifespan of the engine. The WMI guys may make good arguments that their valves are cleaner than yours, but is that a net benefit over putting more strain on everything else?

Your mileage, literally, may vary.

I say when it comes to your car, do what makes you happy. If mods cause you more anxiety than joy, then don't do them.