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Thread: E36 OBD1 Tuning Please Help!

  1. #1
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    E36 OBD1 Tuning Please Help!

    Ive been searching for the past couple of months to tune the Motronic ECU but can not find enough info. I have the ostrich 2.0 and a chip reader/writter.

    I can edit the fuel maps but I dont know how to add boost maps. I've been trying to research this forever staying up till 3am searching still cant find answers.

    How can I datalog from the ecu if possible how can I tune fuel maps for boost. I know I need new maf. I just want to get the ecu problem figured out.

    I used to have a turbo civic I built and I tuned it via chip in computer with live datalogging. It used same chip as motronic DME so I still have the hardware I used left over from the civic.

    I have a 92 325I that I plan on building and turbo charging for 600hp. I can do everything else no problems but I need to figure out the tuning problem. Are there any standalone ecus for these cars? Or can I somehow tune the oem ecu and make it run right with boost?

    Any help appreciated. I searched for a long time already so please dont tell me to search on google. Just need some options.

  2. #2
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    Your best and probably easiest bet man, is to ditch that ecu, use the factory 325i one and get the miller w.a.r. chip. You can tune it urself with no issues. I had that chip in my old turbo 94 325i with 720cc injectors, precision turbo, hks bov, fmu, factory bmw fuel pump, and i was able to put down a nice 420 on 22 psi high boost. I ran the car daily on 16 psi. stock bottom end and heads. only reason i got rid of the car was due to rust issues.

  3. #3
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    I read about the war chip. Does it have datalogging? How do you tune without? I do have stock ecu. Motronic

  4. #4
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    stock motronic cant see boost...
    thats the limitation of the stock MAF i believe
    thats why most go aftermarket or aftermarket MAF
    or real budget people run the MAF pre-turbo
    either way, stock MAF is only good at measuring airflow upto something like 350bhp and then its pegged full
    Long time E34 owner
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  5. #5
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    How can I datalog from the ecu if possible how can I tune fuel maps for boost. I know I need new maf. I just want to get the ecu problem figured out.
    There are so many great standalone solutions for OBD-I E36's that I much prefer over trying to use stock or reflashed stock components. Sure, you pay more up front but the time and energy saved by proper data logging, the ability to control the tune completely and the turbo-specific engine safety strategies pay for themselves.

    -Neel

  6. #6
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    I know stock maf can't read boost. I'm doing porsche maf. Please give me list of stand slimed for e36 obd1. That's all I want. I found one for 3k but a little too much. I know megasquirt but it's a lot of wiring to do that I don't think is a good idea. Thanks!

  7. #7
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    megasquirt isnt really a lot of wiring tbh...
    i built an adaptor out of an old motronic box, cost me about £5 and a few spare lunchtimes at work.
    Plug and play, swap between stock and megasquirt in literally 2 minutes on an e34.

    anyway, thats my wander slightly off topic
    Long time E34 owner
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  8. #8
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    5mall5nail5 can build you a bamf megasquirt setup

    im going to be running a dta set up- radowski makes a plug and play set up

    aem setup- radowski makes a harness for plug and play set up

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by uk525td
    stock motronic cant see boost...
    thats the limitation of the stock MAF i believe
    thats why most go aftermarket or aftermarket MAF
    or real budget people run the MAF pre-turbo
    either way, stock MAF is only good at measuring airflow upto something like 350bhp and then its pegged full
    False, well true in some cases. The stock mag has been know to make ~350whp. Such as my old AA stage 2 kit.
    This is my signature....

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by hellrot98m3 View Post
    5mall5nail5 can build you a bamf megasquirt setup

    im going to be running a dta set up- radowski makes a plug and play set up

    aem setup- radowski makes a harness for plug and play set up

    Where can I get a wiring diagram for the AEM and the megasquirt? Im thinking aem right now but just in case I change my mind I want to have both. I want to make the harness myself.

    Also if I do a standalone AEM or megasquirt will I be able to use the factory sensors like O2 to get good MPG? I could care less about the mpg Im just asking to see if possible. Id like to have the car running as much stock like as possible without check engine lights.

  11. #11
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    on megasquirt, yes you can run with every factory component, o2 sensor, CLT, IAT,Crank,Cam etc etc
    but in all honesty, youll end up fitting a wb and controller, or if oyu didnt, you'd be considered clinically insane...
    Last edited by uk525td; 11-17-2011 at 04:16 AM.
    Long time E34 owner
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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by uk525td View Post
    but in all honesty, youll end up fitting a wb and controller, or if oyu didnt, you'd be considered clinically insane...
    Yes of course wideband. No other way to tune or see how cars running.

    Where can I find ecu pin out for the OBD1? I searched on google but for some reason no luck. Anyone have something like that?

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by uk525td View Post
    but in all honesty, youll end up fitting a wb and controller, or if oyu didnt, you'd be considered clinically insane...
    Yes of course wideband. No other way to tune or see how cars running.

    Where can I find ecu pin out for the OBD1? I searched on google but for some reason no luck. Anyone have something like that?

  14. #14
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    DUDMD is offline BMW Maniac Supporting Vendor
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kalinchuk View Post
    Yes of course wideband. No other way to tune or see how cars running.

    Where can I find ecu pin out for the OBD1? I searched on google but for some reason no luck. Anyone have something like that?
    Buy or download a Bentley Manual for your vehicle. it has the pinouts and labels for almost every plug in the car, including the the DME.
    Performance Tuning and EWS Delete for MSS52/MSS54/MSS54HP/MS41/MS42/MS43/ME7.2/M5.2
    Virgnize DME service available to unlock DME to sync to another vehicle on EWS3 vehicles 98+. M5.2.1, M7.2, MS42, MS43, MS45, ME9.2 and more.

    Easiest way to contact me is to send me a message on my facebook page "DUDMD Tuning"

  15. #15
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    Ok thanks for the help. Finally starting to work on my dream car. A little at time of course. Running a small business and building bimmer is a little tuff. Ordered Megasquirt today.

    One more question. Is there any other mafs out there besides porsche and war? just want all the options I can get.

  16. #16
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    if you've ordered megasquirt you dont need a MAF (but you can run one if you so desire)
    what spec of megasquirt have you gone for?

    More useful than the bentley manual is the electrical trouble shooting manual
    i found the manual for my e34 by googling e34 etm pdf
    it should also apply to your car too assuming its obd1 on bosch management
    Last edited by uk525td; 11-18-2011 at 04:39 AM.
    Long time E34 owner
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  17. #17
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    I got ms3 vs3.0. Should I get the 3G adapter or is it not needed?

  18. #18
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    So you selling the Ostrich now?

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by rarak69 View Post
    So you selling the Ostrich now?
    lol no sorry. I dont tend to sell stuff. I had it lying around for a year and a half now but Im sure I'll get another civic one day. I have the whole kit. chip burner, emulator, and datalogging.
    I dont know. I'll think about it.

    Quote Originally Posted by Kalinchuk View Post
    I got ms3 vs3.0. Should I get the 3G adapter or is it not needed?

    I meant MS3x expansion. Iphone spell checker. Should I get it or not worth it?
    Last edited by Kalinchuk; 11-19-2011 at 07:50 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  20. #20
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    It's cool, its not like its an expensive device anyways!

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by bksm311203 View Post
    Your best and probably easiest bet man, is to ditch that ecu, use the factory 325i one and get the miller w.a.r. chip. You can tune it urself with no issues. I had that chip in my old turbo 94 325i with 720cc injectors, precision turbo, hks bov, fmu, factory bmw fuel pump, and i was able to put down a nice 420 on 22 psi high boost. I ran the car daily on 16 psi. stock bottom end and heads. only reason i got rid of the car was due to rust issues.
    Really would like to know more on this build

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