1998 E36 M3 Performance Chip

[m3f_easye]

All,



I have a 1998 manual convertible M3 at the dealer being checked out for some sort of engine management anomaly. Just in case they tell me that I need a new ECU, should I consider an after market performance ECU?



If so, do the after market products replace the ECU completely, or inolve a flash or chip replacement?



My last question is; does anyone know what an ECU replacement costs?



Thanks,



Eric

[m3f_salty]

The aftermarket products enhance your existing ECU. I would imagine the ECU is ridiculously expensive new....but probably reasonable used as most ECU's are pretty reliable so the market is not very big. Aftermarket software for a 98 rarely lives up to billing from what I hear.

[m3f_easye]

Thanks for the reply. I'm just trying to consider my options in advance.

[m3f_beebo100]

i got my 98 m3 sedan sharked(j. conforti). biggest waste of money. just bumps the rev limiter by 500, which is probably useless for any quarter mile time improvements. don't even think about exhaust unless u do something about the restrictive cats. your best bet for cheap power is pulleys.

[m3f_VTRick01]

Comments like these are what has kept me from "wasting" my money on chips for these cars. It sounds like the stock software is pretty ideal as it is, and you should spend money on other things for power.



If I want more power, I'd start with pulleys, maybe do a CAI and an exhaust overhaul. Cams supposedly are the best performance upgrade you can do to this car and keep it NA, but they cost about 3,000.

[m3f_SG_M3]

I'm making 235 rwhp on stock software. IMO, software is only needed from 3.5" hfm or cams.

[m3f_m3_858]

it's actually recommended on obd 2 m3s to get some kind of software to run with cold air intake, it also takes off your top speed limiter, u do feel a little difference, i would say the most difference you will feel is from intake vs. chip, pulleys, exhaust.. get yourself the 3.5inch benfer carbon fiber cold air intake, cut your brake duct for more cold air, and get either dinan stage 2 software that u can always upgrade to stage 4 as you add more mods (3.5hfm, throttle body), maybe some exhaust system, uuc tse is the best exhaust for the money and then some pulleys, evo sport, uuc or whatever else..

[m3f_SG_M3]

it's actually recommended on obd 2 m3s to get some kind of software to run with cold air intake

uhhh, no its not. You don't need any software to run any mods but a 3.5" hfm, larger injectors, or cams.

[m3f_m3_858]

maybe the other way around, intake is required to have if you want software, not exactly sure i just heard it from dinan guy that did my software on my car, maybe i missunderstood, i mean it kinda makes sense for a better fuel to air mixture..

[m3f_dcasanova]

I talked to a guy at Turner Motorsports about the Conforti chip. He said that the basic software retunes the engine for 91 or better octane, removes the governor, and ups the rev limiter to 7k. By basic software, I mean the software if you are otherwise stock or have only the cold air intake. My local mechanic who is BMW trained and does most of the performance work in my area said the same thing. He also added that in the 95 it is like adding another cylinder, but said that the 3.5 inch HFM isn’t enough of a power increase to justify the bucks. My questions were concerning the chip for my 95. My wife now has a 98 convertible. I’ve been told that the same mods on hers would give even greater increases.



However, the vp of the local bimmer club did the software upgrade to his 328, not to sure of the year but think it is a 98, and he was so disappointed that he sent it back. Conforti told him that he was the first to return it.



I would very much like to know the true answer to this question because I’m about to do the chip and CAI on both of our Ms. Has anyone ever gotten a before and after on a dyno?