How much of a difference can I expect from a performance chip?? [Archive] - Bimmerforums

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Badass Bimmer

08-08-2002, 05:07 PM

Hi, I am currently looking into purchasing a performance chip for my 1995 BMW 325i Convertible. I was wondering if you can actually feel the difference once installed. Most chips out there claim 22hp and 20lbs of torque which seems like a lot to me on a car with only 189hp to begin with. I was wondering if anybody could tell me the how much improvement I can expect to my 0-60 and 1/4 times. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Also, any recommendations as to which I should get? Thanks

Stylin

08-08-2002, 07:19 PM

dont believe the claims.. but you should feel a lil difference. Its not like anything crazy.. expect a lil more response from the throttle and usually a bit stronger top end.

///Major Havoc

08-08-2002, 08:45 PM

I installed the Jim Conforti chip on my wife's '95 325iA. I felt a significant difference and my wife said it felt like she had a new car! I raced a stock 325iA uphill from a dead stop. I pulled 1 1/4 car lengths on him in ONE GEAR and continued to pull away strong! Get the chip! It works wonders on ODB 1 cars like yours. You'll love it.
Jim Conforti/TurnerMotorsport chips are the best. I have heard that Active Autowerks has a new more aggresive chip based on Jim Conforti's main chip.
Good Luck!

The Beastmaster

08-09-2002, 03:19 AM

It's more mental hp than anything else.

DSK M3/4

08-09-2002, 10:27 AM

big gains from chips can occur, but usually only in turbo cars where the chip can actually increase boost.

chips do some things well: higher redline, no speed limiter, and crisper response (if used with premium gas). chips for auto trannys will also firm up shifts, which will improve acceleration.

i would be shocked to actually see 20hp at the crank or rear wheels from a chip. car and driver (if i remember right) did a test on chips about 2 years ago. i believe an M coupe was one of their test cars, and it showed something like a 5hp gain. not bad, but not 20hp.

it would be great if someone could post a dyno of their car (not a manufacturer's claim) before and after a chip. i just don't think there is much to be gained.

Rahul325

08-09-2002, 10:59 AM

As every1 else said, the claim for 22HP is a load of BS but u will feel a difference and it increases the redline. only downside is that u have u use only premium fuel.

later...

Loud_TIGER

08-09-2002, 05:21 PM

dont you use premium fuel already anyways?

///Major Havoc

08-09-2002, 05:32 PM

The Car and Driver article was done with an ODB II M Coupe and software was used not a chip. ODB II cars do not use chips but software reprogramming.
ODB I car on the other hand do use chip software and respond better to upgrades. I would say the ODB I shark chip added at least 15 crank hp to the car! Like I said I was able to pull more than one car lenght in First gear on a stock 325iA after I gave him the jump! I kept pulling away strong!
That's not mental HP.

DSK M3/4

08-09-2002, 05:46 PM

according to http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com/chips.html the shark injector adds 19 peak hp to an OBDI M3 but 34 peak hp to an OBDII M3. don't think i believe either one, but if someone wants to post a personal, unbiased dyno i'll take a look at it.

makken

08-09-2002, 11:16 PM

dinan gives out dyno charts on their website for their upgrades, with chip/software, I think they claim it gains around 10hp or so

http://www.dinanbmw.com

DSK M3/4

08-10-2002, 01:53 AM

10hp is a little more realistic, but i would like to see an independently confirmed dyno. everything i've seen that's been done by a third party has shown minimal gains in n/a applications.

Bernanke

08-10-2002, 02:39 AM

yes it does help alot. I would say at least 15HP at wheels (though they claim more), its definately worth it

nftyM3

08-10-2002, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by Loud_TIGER
dont you use premium fuel already anyways?

that's what I was thinking......

Gatorbait

08-10-2002, 05:50 PM

Re: How much of a difference can I expect from a performance chip?

None.

Rave TT

08-10-2002, 06:38 PM

A chip along with other mods. is a noticeable difference, but the chip alone is virtually unnoticeable. Some chips get rid of the limiter so that helps for highspeeds.

DSK M3/4

08-10-2002, 07:02 PM

this is true. if you are going to be changing compression, changing cam profiles, going to bigger injectors, etc., then a chip customized to your new set up can help quite a bit.