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New Z1 Hotbox: a JB1 competitor?

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18K views 62 replies 16 participants last post by  23BlackOpal  
#1 · (Edited)
Z1 launched a new product for the Q50/Q60, the Z1 3.0t HotBox Performance Tuner. It appears to be a competitor to the JB1. Non-RS gains of 34hp/36tq, RS gains of 23hp/38tq. No OBD/rpm based stuff, no customization. Priced at $349.99
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I'm not sure what market they are trying to hit here. They're a little late to the game since there hasn't been any demand for the JB1 in years. And even though I'm not the biggest JB4 fan (especially after going EcuTek), it is capable of much more power, has higher customization, and is a known reliable product. Plus it only costs about $100 more used.

The only hope I have for the HotBox is if they are planning on a more JB4 feature compatible model in the future. Otherwise, it seems like an obsolete product that's a few years late to the game. However I do appreciate that Z1 actually included a mounting bracket. It always annoyed me that the JB4 just sat in the master cylinder compartment.
 
#2 ·
Not even a JB1.
 
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#3 ·
Z1 launched a new product for the Q50/Q60, the Z1 3.0t HotBox Performance Tuner. It appears to be a competitor to the JB1. Non-RS gains of 34hp/36tq, RS gains of 23hp/38tq. No OBD/rpm based stuff, no customization. Priced at $349.99
Guessing from those numbers its just a ROM device calling for + 2 PSI over stock? Probably highest PSI over stock they could and be safe for an RS. Pretty useless for a non RS in comparison to JB1 or JB4. Must be a pure cost play...probably costs them next to nothing to have on their website and will pull a few suckers in
 
#4 ·
I run +3 PSI. I guess my days are numbered.
 
#9 ·
Looks like ultra safe conservative true bolt-on/plug in drive mod that does raise whp/tq for what seems like the non-enthusiast" who wants plug in hp bump..At say $150 bucks could make sense?
 
#11 ·
Theyre able to get away with it because of the closed loop WOT and wideband O2's correcting for fueling. They would have been ALOT smarter to offer 2 versions, 1 RS and 1 non and add 5 psi or so for a non-RS. People would have gotten more excited about a 75 hp bump for the non-RS and it still would have been perfectly safe. A bit late for sure. I am interested in what the extra connector is for. There 1 to connect to the HotBox, 4 to get inline with the map sensors, and then there's 1 more....Maybe stealing power from elsewhere?
 
#12 ·
I was on the FB page watching this launch unfold and man is that community TOXIC AF. There was literal hate for this product from JB1/4 stans. Am I one of the only people that get excited for new stuff for this platform? Knock off, Copy, Original, or Similar, I feel like its all good for the platform. As much as I dont personally like some of the stuff that's used in the B&C turbo kit (no name turbos, cheaper brand parts), I by no means hate on them nor wish them bad fortune. On the fence if I would every run their stuff, but that's just me. I can be swayed with good results from Community. I am glad people are out there R&D the platform further. I get not everyone Wants to pay AMS prices, but I look at it at Good, Best, Better tiers when I look at Mods and Tuners. Everyone can make a buck if they make a good product.

This Hot box has a place for this platform.

Now I hope Z1s rumored Turbo kit is around the corner. They look like Bigger Casting OEM turbos. If that is true and they are direct fit but allow me to run full 93 with out the need for Flex like the Pures, thats the way I want to go.
 
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#13 ·
I was on the FB page watching this launch unfold and man is that community TOXIC AF. There was literal hate for this product from JB1/4 stans. Am I one of the only people that get excited for new stuff for this platform? Knock off, Copy, Original, or Similar, I feel like its all good for the platform. As much as I dont personally like some of the stuff that's used in the B&C turbo kit (no name turbos, cheaper brand parts), I by no means hate on them nor wish them bad fortune. On the fence if I would every run their stuff, but that's just me. I can be swayed with good results from Community. I am glad people are out there R&D the platform further. I get not everyone Wants to pay AMS prices, but I look at it at Good, Best, Better tiers when I look at Mods and Tuners. Everyone can make a buck if they make a good product.

This Hot box has a place for this platform.

Now I hope Z1s rumored Turbo kit is around the corner. They look like Bigger Casting OEM turbos. If that is true and they are direct fit but allow me to run full 93 with out the need for Flex like the Pures, thats the way I want to go.
I left those groups for that reason. If you arent tuned by 1 of 3 companies, spent 2G on an exhaust, and have wheels an inch wider than your tires....it's trash. Ignorance really is bliss.
 
#16 ·
Looks cool, though. 🤷‍♂️. So there's that.
 
#20 ·
so I bought one. And this is my review. It’s worth it to buy at the $350 discounted price. But not $420. With a full catback and lower down pipes it definitely shines! It woks! I got 4 psi on mine. And it’s a little cheaper than a jb4. Also it’s true plug and play, no hassle, and it has its bracket! Buying for the $350 now lets you sell it for $300 when wanting to go their ecuteck route.
 
#21 ·
I don't think anyone expects it not to work, it's just not as good or as safe as what's already out there. You can't log with it right?
 
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#25 ·
Of course it's an oversimplification. There's pages of discussion covering how these devices work. It's all been said before, and if you want to know more you can read those threads.
 
#34 ·
Clean it up or I'll close the thread.
 
#35 ·
Go Chiefs!!😎
 
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#37 ·
Longtime Chiefs Nation fans are praying we don’t embarrass ourselves… 🥴
 
#39 ·
Wahoo - Go Chiefs Nation !! 🎉
 
#41 ·
Check is in the mail - we also have some gift cards headed to the turf team (the Eagles were slipping and sliding all night.)
 
#42 ·
Between the conference championship botched call with the Bengals and now this with the Eagles it was obv. a KC year. I'm amazed they gave Mahomes MVP, but shouldnt be. I don't like KC, but dislike when the game is taken out of the players hands even more. If we disnt have people over i woild have shut the game off after that call. It was already too much after the gifted illegal substitution flag that gave KC a chance to review and challenge earlier.

Turf is no excuse since they both played on the same field. I don't want to hear any complaints from either side on that lol.
 
#43 ·
What a tailspin of a thread :LOL:

IMO, the hotbox isn't a **** product as far as I can tell (have only heard one opinion) as far as reliability, but it's overpriced for what it is when the JB4 can be had for a similar price and lets you get more power + logging.

I can only hope that this is a test run and that they drop a Hotbox Pro or something in the future with FW+EWG+BT which competes with the JB4 platform. Burger tuning is the only competitor in the space, so they don't give the product any real attention (Trans_T 😭). At least in the BMW world, they have to try a bit since tuning is cheaper. Either way, glad I'm flash tuned now so I don't have to bet on it lol.
 
#45 · (Edited)
I just traded my q50 RS in and am selling my Z1 Hotbox. I have created a post for it in the classifieds section.

 
#46 ·
I realize this is an old thread, but adding to it. Ordered a Z1 HotBox Wednesday and it arrived Friday. Installed this morning in about 10 minutes. For my Q50S there are noticeable gains! I realize I could get much more with EcuTek or JB4, LDPs, CBE etc etc etc...but it is a daily driver and I don't have the desire to spend the time and/or money on all the other mods. This is quick, got it on sale for $299 and it definitely works as advertised.

Again, old thread, but I can't resist. Eagles fans are STILL crying about the SuperBowl 6 months later! Jeez! Same field for both teams and I don't recall Kadarius Toney having any footing issues during the punt return or the TD that quickly followed it!
 
#47 · (Edited)
Hi guys, old thread so I’m sorry for bringing it back from the dead. I’ve been doing some research between this and the JB1 to add some punch to my 23 red sport at the drag strip (also have Burger heat exchanger, Fast Intentions LDP and MBRP cat back). Now sure how new it is but it appears that the app they developed for it provides some sort of basic data logging, so I think I’m sold on it vs the JB1.
I live in western Canada where there’s no 93 octane fuel so I’ll have to start adding a bottle of Lucas octane booster when I fill up with Costco 91.
 
#48 ·
The JB4 is a better boost controller by far with a lot more flexibility and will generate more power than the Hotbox.

I would advise against Lucas octane booster or any other octane booster that contains Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl. MMT will foul your plugs, O2 sensors and catalytic converters in a short amount of time.
 
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