1989-1991 Dinan Performance Chip

[GSU_ENGR]

Dinan Perfomance Chip for 89-91 325i. Came with my car, I just never installed it. $100

[NYCDelphin]

can it be used on a 1988 325e ?
completely stock motor 2.7

[flipper325es]

can it be used on a 1988 325e ?
completely stock motor 2.7

Definitely not, the chip for the Eta M20B27 motor must be Eta-specific. You can get an Eta chip for 93 Octane gas, but unless you can find one used (make sure it's from a reputable source), the hp/torque increase is fairly small.

[GSU_ENGR]

can it be used on a 1988 325e ?
completely stock motor 2.7

I honestly don't think so. But if your ecu# matches the ecu# in the third picture then you should be ok but I do believe it's only for i-models

[flipper325es]

... if your ecu# matches the ecu# in the third picture then you should be ok...

No. Even if the ECU is the same, the maps are totally different, and specific to the engine. These maps specify fuel delivery and ignition timing based on throttle position, temperature, and other factors. They are tailored to the specific engine configuration and fuel Octane rating (your chip is likely tuned for 91 or 93 Octane.) The Application / Fitment Guide below (scroll down to the middle of the page) is clear.

https://www.dinancars.com/products/software-tuning/engine-tuning/engine-chips/parts/ENGINECHIP

[Bimmerwolf]

can it be used on a 1988 325e ?
completely stock motor 2.7

I have one for a b27. Here’s a pic

[NYCDelphin]

Definitely not, the chip for the Eta M20B27 motor must be Eta-specific. You can get an Eta chip for 93 Octane gas, but unless you can find one used (make sure it's from a reputable source), the hp/torque increase is fairly small.

ok cool.
thanks for the pointers

[NYCDelphin]

I have one for a b27. Here’s a pic

was it worth it? how different was the acceleration...

[reelizmpro]

was it worth it? how different was the acceleration...

Be advised, If you have an 88 325 "super eta"..none of these chips will work for you. They didn't make a chip for the 154 DME and regular eta chips won't work.

[flipper325es]

Be advised, If you have an 88 325 "super eta"..none of these chips will work for you. They didn't make a chip for the 154 DME and regular eta chips won't work.

Good catch! As I recall, eta chips were 4K, but with higher red line and advances in electronics, BMW went to 8K chips for i engines. That allowed them to maintain the same spacing/detail in their maps that now had to cover more rpm space.

Mark D'Sylva makes some of the best chips for M20s of various types and with various enhancements (and other engines.) If he has a chip for your application, that would be my first choice. I remember that his website listed only standard or most common configs, so I'd check with him directly if he has a chip for Seta, either with your native ECU or another one that can be swapped in. His email address is mark@dsylva-tech.ca, or https://www.facebook.com/mark.dsylva on FB.

[Max325ix]

Might this be the same chip that is in my 89 325ix Dinan Turbo? Wondering if there its worth having a spare if it’s the same unit. Do these things ever fail?
Max

[Proudfatherof3kids]

Still got them available for sale ?
getting this for my neighbor

thanks

[GSU_ENGR]

Might this be the same chip that is in my 89 325ix Dinan Turbo? Wondering if there its worth having a spare if it’s the same unit. Do these things ever fail?
Max

I do not believe this will work for a turbo application.

[Max325ix]

I do not believe this will work for a turbo application.

Ok, Thanks

Max

[flipper325es]

Might this be the same chip that is in my 89 325ix Dinan Turbo?

Definitely not. Different engine (even if similar in some ways) = different tune.

Wondering if there its worth having a spare if it’s the same unit. Do these things ever fail?
Max

In principle, everything can fail, but it's much more likely that an ECU will fail rather than a tune chip. This type of memory chip is called EPROM, and they are extremely robust -- once written, they can only be erased with strong UV light (unlike newer memory types that can be electrically erased.) EPROMs can be read hundreds of thousands/millions of times without really any degradation. I've never heard of one fail under normal operation (car fire doesn't count.) So in short, not worth it getting a spare.