DinanTronics Performance Tuner Box for BMW N55, S55, N63TU, and S63TU (N26 to come later) motors gets CARB approval and is 50 states emissions legal
Dinan's piggyback tuning box for modern turbo BMW motors is now officially CARB (California Air Resource Board) legal. This also retroactively means it is effectively 50 state legal and any N55, S55, N63TU, and S63TU engines running this tune are emissions compliant.
What is interesting to note is that for S63 and N63 powered vehicles Dinan still sells flash ECU tunes and not all of them are CARB compliant. As Dinan can not flash tune the F-Series N55, S55, N63TU, and S63TU that is why we see the DinanTronics approach on these models.
Dinan responded to some of the questions BimmerBoost raised regarding the Dinan flash versus piggyback tuning debate but that is old news. Where we are today is that Dinan is offering a 50 state emissions legal tuning package for the modern turbo motors supplemented by Dinan's own drivetrain warranty.
For those who are apprehensive to tune or who really care about their warranty (perhaps their BMW is a lease) Dinan certainly has appeal in this area. CARB certification is a major plus and will come in handy during emissions testing. That said, for anyone with a piggyback worried about emissions testing they can simply disconnect their piggyback. Not that the BoostAddict Performance Automotive Forum Network would ever advise any activities on the road that bend or break the law.
Many of you may remember that BMS (who really would be the main piggyback tuning rival on the modern BMW turbo platforms for Dinan) ran into some CARB trouble. Dinan not having these same issues shows his reach and of course ability to get through the somewhat convoluted CARB certification process.
This news will likely make more BMW turbo owners open to tuning as it will alleviate some fears. Those with BMW tuning fears are likely not reading this website. It really comes down to do you want emissions compliance for $2000+ (depending on model) or more power for less money from other sources which come with potential risks (that are easily mitigated)?
Well the answer to that is up to you.