swaping ECUs

[bottlecapE30]

This is just a thought as i have a 2.7 eta with a 325i head and cam the thing runs just not well. i was told to change over the ecu to the "i" type any one know what is needed to do so wireing ect. or can i just swap the box ( im sure its not that simple) and would this give any performance gains?

[Hyperion]

hello, thats a interesting Q, i think they will swop over, the connectors should be the same at the back. I think you might be better off getting the current ECU "chipped" or re programmed for the new engine setup.

[bottlecapE30]

I had a chip and it made 200hp at the wheels i then hooked up a air fuel guage and found the car was running rich at idle and lean at wot. I'm not sure if this is a bad chip? but i think last i asked about a chip for the car Ant said i should swap the ecus and it should run better. i guess i could just pull the ecu and drop in an "i" ecu and see what happens.

[EndaW]

Its the software and not the ecu that causes the majority of problems.
For instance, the 173 ecu used on the 325i and the 525i will run all varients of this model/ecu code but not perfectly.
You need the specific software mod related to your controller so if you have an ecu with 0261200173 on the cover yet the software on your original chip is 1357355402 and you use a chip designed for the 0261200173 ecu with 1357355011 (or any other software code) it will not run as it should.
The difference over the different softwares can be wide with overall % of fuel being out by as much as 6% which at idle isnt really a problem but at wot can be very hazardous.
Added to this you can also have different address details in the mapping so that when you modify one chip and lets say the fuel at part load starts at address 7ffc and everything is perfect, you could have the same ecu but different software where the start address for fuel at part load is 7ffd.
Now this will cause the jumping of maps in design making the engine eratic or problematic in various ways from rough idle through too a rev counter not working.

[bottlecapE30]

that sorts it out then don't swap the ecus back to MS or this guy at Moderen Performance that has a maf conversion kit. i emailed him today and will see what comes of it. his cost is rather low only $500 and i have heard good things, the meter uses the data from your afm and converts form anolog to digital ( to work with the meter). he then has some nice equip to burn chips taylored to your motor.

[bottlecapE30]

Spoke to Nick at Moderen Performance and he said that they supply you with a starting map and you can tune it on your own or log a drive send the data to them via email and they set up a new map. prices are $975 includeing the MAF and $675 w/o this sounds like a good deal to me what do you guys think?

[Ant]

Seems a bit $$$ compared to getting an MS setup and really opening up some whoopass on your M20.

you're on the right side of the pond to gt MS at its cheapest dude, use that advantage

Basemap and Auttune will see you running sweet in a few hours dude

then dyno to dial it right in

[bottlecapE30]

I have really been looking at MS and after reading a few installs i don't think i can build the unit my self. i can hook up a pre built kit but they start at around $400 and i will need a few other bits i'm thinking it will cost around $500. and i don't know shit about the maps is there any where i can find a base map to get me on the road fast?

[reggid]

go for a piggyback

[bottlecapE30]

MS or are there other options?