short/long term risks associated with chip

[m3f_frmcol]

Are there any short/long term risks with software upgrade for a 1999 m3?

[m3f_Edgy_592e912c16]

No, and it's reversible if you ever want to return to stock, say if selling for example.

[m3f_orijinal_p_92d6bcd8a9]

if buying a name brand chip, there should be no problems b/c the chip is reprogramming the a/f ratio. most chips raise the redline safely & remove the top speed governor. as long as you put in the recommended octane of gas, there shouldn't be any risk.

[m3f_Gazoline]

Like orijinal_poser stated, if you used the correct octane - 91 minimum I believe - you should be fine. However, by chance if you get bad gas, 87 octane labelled as 91 for instance, I am wondering if the upgraded software has the safety precautions programed in, such as timing changes, that the stock does in order to run without major issues. Maybe someone knows?

[m3f_orijinal_p_92d6bcd8a9]

Like orijinal_poser stated, if you used the correct octane - 91 minimum I believe - you should be fine.



m3's require 91 octane minimum but my dinan chip requires 93 octane or higher

[m3f_95GreenDin_a5d1e794f4]

I thought that dinan chips were also set to use 91 Octane. I'm not sure, but I've seen some chips that are geared to use only 93 and up octane. I just didnt think that Dinan did that as well.

[m3f_orijinal_p_92d6bcd8a9]

all i know is my dinan booklet said to use the full potential of the chip, you must use 93 octane or higher. but i don't think that's possible in california where the max octane they have out there is 91. correct me if i'm wrong :nixweiss:

[m3f_Tpb31_67f747186d]

all we have is 91, except for a few places where you can buy race gas from the pump. But it is like $6.00/gallon for 110 octane

[m3f_Predator_7d824d33ea]

all we have is 91, except for a few places where you can buy race gas from the pump. But it is like $6.00/gallon for 110 octane

It would'nt make a difference if you used race octane or not as i think our M3's wouldn't recognise a difference of heptane.



Secondaly in Europe the E36 Evo can only use 98 ron, nothing less. The bastards UK petrol is like 4 or 5 times more exspensive than your american fuel ! ! !



SO there is no damage even though your engine is performing that extra bit more ?

[m3f_Edgy_592e912c16]

Secondaly in Europe the E36 Evo can only use 98 ron, nothing less. The bastards UK petrol is like 4 or 5 times more exspensive than your american fuel ! ! !



This has been discussed before -- US and UK compute octane differently, 93 US = 98 UK



Also, full potential and cause damage are very different things. If chips caused damage every time some dope used cheaper gas, I'd bet we would have heard about it by now.

[m3f_DOUGYKIM_04b96b288d]

Ok...correct me if I'm wrong...



I don't know about S50s, but S52 OBDII motors have a knock-control sensor that allows for transient 87 octane usage. Obviously, fuel would be burned faster and gas mileage would be lower. From what I know, even accidental 87 octane fuel usage would not hurt an S52 OBDII motor with knock-control, regardless of whether it's sharked or not. You just take a huge hit on gas consumption w/ low octane, but don't hurt the motor as long as you don't switch too often.



Again...correct me if i'm wrong.

[m3f_orijinal_p_92d6bcd8a9]

Also, full potential and cause damage are very different things. If chips caused damage every time some dope used cheaper gas, I'd bet we would have heard about it by now.



very true, and good point DOUGYKIM. with the knock sensors that are controlled from the ECU, it definitely prevents the engine from pinging with lower octane gas. i have used 89 octane before and will say that i did not feel a difference or notice any knocking. i believe dinan and other reputable chip manufacturers recommend higher octane so that you can use the full performance of the chip. the chip reprograms the ecu for better fuel/air mixture and therefore changes the timing advance. i don't think the octane levels should affect the chip that bad, as long as you're not running too lean all the time. but again, someone correct me....

[m3f_95GreenDin_a5d1e794f4]

I know that conforti recommends 91 octane. I think most chip manufacturers will tell you 93 octane is recommended, but that is just to account for the possibility that the gas is actually a bit lower than advertised (which from what I understand, is actually quite common).

[m3f_nialscorva]

What's the gas milage hit on a car using modded software?

[m3f_Gazoline]

I wouldn't think there to be any fuel consumption hit at alll with a chip. If anything, it may run slightly leaner across the rev range so it may actually use slightly less fuel.