ECU + chipping question

[Globulator]

Hi chaps,

I've got a 1986 RHD 325i (convertible) with its original ECU (part number unseen) and I also have a spare Motronic from a later (1992) 325i, part number 0 261 200 173.

So a couple of questions:

Where is the ECU actually fitted in the car?
Will the later ECU be better?
Which one of Ant's chips should be used in which ECU?
Where do I buy Ant's chip?
To fit the chip - do I really need to bend the tabs on the top cover to get it off or is there a magic way to just unscrew it?
And finally: is it worth the money and effort (it's a standard 325i) or should I put the money towards an M52 or something in the future?

Cheers - sorry for the number of questions but it may help others too!

[carannc]

Where is the ECU actually fitted in the car? above your right leg behind the trim panel
Will the later ECU be better? you may have an early ecu which have different plugs so cannot easily be changed
Which one of Ant's chips should be used in which ECU? pass
Where do I buy Ant's chip? ants on here look under engine changes
To fit the chip - do I really need to bend the tabs on the top cover to get it off or is there a magic way to just unscrew it? lid off, prise off clip on retainer remove chip, instal new one and replace ratainer
And finally: is it worth the money and effort (it's a standard 325i) or should I put the money towards an M52 or something in the future? no.
Makes no difference,

[ShepsEvo3]

Chipping a 325i is worth it. For the cost of them now just for an EPROM change, its the biggest gain to value for money.

As said above, the ECU is behind the under-dash panel below the instrument pack,

The EPROM is easy to change as described above.

Ant's chip or the Zone chip are great. Also the old BBR Starchip as fitted to my old 1987 Tech1 Sport raised the power of that car to nearly 190bhp with some tweaking of the AFM. Thats nearly 20bhp for around £50. Not bad and in my opinion is worth it. Also improvements in fuel consumption are seen and any flatspots improved or removed.

Hope this hels.

[Globulator]

Cheers guys, I'll whip off the panel and checkout the connector and part number tomorrow then.
£50 sounds OK for a chip, anyone else tried chipping their 325?

Cheers

[ShepsEvo3]

I am pretty sure that all Motronic ECU's have the same pin locations as long as there are 3 rows of pins.

Don't quote me on this though

[Globulator]

I've had a look at the evolve site, but they do 2 chips.

http://www.evo-s.co.uk/shop/index.php?c ... _2290_2292

Evolve Performance Chip - E30 325i 1988 >
Evolve Performance Chip - E30 325i >1987

So is that less than 1988, 1988 and after, just after 1988, sometime around teatime in the 80's?? The next chip makes absolutely no sense to me either. I remember now why I have never bought a chip for my ECU Everyone else uses dates I can understand but >1987 just says to me 'greater than 1987' and 1988 > means 1988 is greater than (what, 1901??)

I'm off now to find the part number of the ECU fitted... (some time passes) 0 261 200 073

Questions:
So are these two ECUs compatible?
Can I use a 1988 evolve chip in the later ECU (0 261 200 173) and plug it into the 1986 car?

[garyn]

> 1987 , means up to 1987 , and 1988 > ,means from 1998 on , with no mention of teatime .

[garyn]

sorry ,1988

[Globulator]

> 1987 , means up to 1987 , and 1988 > ,means from 1998 on , with no mention of teatime .

OK, I wonder why anyone would write > 1988 when they could write "up to 1988" - perhaps this is to confuse anyone who has done maths (< and > have specific meanings - i.e less than and greater than).

It also leaves 1988 unknown.

I suspect (reading further) they actually mean:

up to 1988 (ecu part number 0261 200 073)
or
1988 and on (ecu part number 0261 200 173)

That I (and everyone else) would understand.
I also found this thread: 'Ant Explains'
which explains how the 073 ecu does not need chipping so much.

So I can rest easy now and maybe chip later if I really want to![/url]

[Ant]

the 073 will benefit greatly from a revised chip file, more timing with the higher CR leads to much more urge

happy to supply an exchange chipped 073 for you when the time comes dude.

[Globulator]

Hi Ant!
So is it best to upgrade the 173 and stick that in, or have the 073 done and use that?
i.e. when chipped are the two identical?