WAR chip.....

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

http://www.millerperformancecars.com/catalogue.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=60&category_id=45

just seen it advertised on BF I think I'm going to order it this week. should be better then ordering a chip for tuning my cams, whatever else i do to my car i can just change the tune.

any one else look into this?

[red325]

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[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

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I did there's nothing on here that I seen about it. I think it just came out for the 24valves....

[red325]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=133912&highlight=miller+war+chip

and

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=141617&highlight=miller+war+chip

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

some talk there but i want to know if any one has really looked into it for there 24v e30........ its also on sale now.

[SamE30e]

I haven't heard much about it either. Got me wondering if it's all it was cracked up to be.

[zav3n]

if u feel confidant in your tuning abilities go ahead just make sure to read the manual...
im gunna get one very soon..

http://www.millerperformancecars.com/files/WAR%20Chip%20-%20Manual.pdf

just be aware a fucked tune will result in a fucked motor...

[Uber E30]

Not specific for a 24v but an interesting read none the less

My Car: 1989 325i Sedan:
rebuilt/uprated suspension (Eiback/Koni, etc), brakes (Slotted discs, EBC Yellowstuff pads, E32 BMC, etc), UUC clutch and short shifter, BBTB, ported inlet manifold and Supersprint exhaust (cat-back), E21 Motorsport Recaros, a load of new trim, bits and pieces ~ the car is something of a running restoration...total cost thus far approximately $15-20K AUD.

The installation was relatively unproblematic, though a little time consuming. The car started first pop. Smooth idle. A little low, though.

Initial impression: the "urge" that comes with these motors at around 4000 rpm is improved and this strength carries over into the top end. Power delivery is also very smooth. I didn't feel that the car is noticeably quicker...just that it appears to pull very easily and appears quite eager from around 3500-4000rpm. Throttle response is definitely snappier.
Downside: the car appears to have lost a little below 3000rpm. It seems "soft", a little lacking in power.

Problem: idle is now very low ~ smooth-ish, but very low. Almost problematically so. The car used to idle around 850rpm and is now nowhere near that. Because the AFM is gone there is no means of adjusting this. The idle appears to be tied to the coding of the chip, so it appears that I am stuck with an idle of barely 700rpm...which is just too low for my liking. There is the occasional cold start issue, too. All components of my car that might be involved in this idle issue, ICV, possible vacuum leaks, TPS...all have been investigated and have been excluded as possible causes. It just seems to be a quirk of the chip. Perhaps the WAR chip will provide a means of rectifying this issue.

For their Gen III MAF they claim an increase in power of 20hp and 22 ft/lbs of torque. This is NOT Peak. They find the greatest area under the graph via comparison runs and state that as their figure. The greatest difference in power at peak is close to 10hp, not the 20 stated. This fair enough as it is clearly stated on the dyno-charts.

After reading this stuff this morning I reassessed exactly what might happen at my own dyno test. The results bear some scrutiny and would possibly divide people into two camps as to whether or not they believe that such a mod is worth it in terms of a single mod that one might carry out on one's car.

Let's look at the graphs:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s248/AdeE30/E30%20Project/Dyno1resize.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s248/AdeE30/E30%20Project/Dyno2resize.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s248/AdeE30/E30%20Project/Dyno3resize.jpg

One thing stands out immediately. Peak power has increased 1 Kilowatt. That's it. 1. That right there is a disappointment. Mind you, as Rob from Sabaddin Automotive (my dyno guy) said, my cat is a little tired and might be a restriction. Still, we both thought that the increase in peak was a let down.

Previously, I had stated that the car's midrange and top end had felt stronger on the "butt dyno" something that I do NOT believe in. However, the graphs seem to bear this feeling out as peak power comes in a whole 1000 rpms earlier and torque is increased once the car comes "on cam".

If you look at the area between the lines of comparison you will also notice something else. After the MAF conversion, things are smoother and with more power from earlier on the results are interesting: between about 4300-5800rpm there are instances where power is greater by as much as 7-8 Kw with a lower figure of 2-3 kw or so. Around 4-5 Kw seems to be the median. This would explain, along with the increase in torque (though not as much as described by Miller) why the car really seems to start to boogie beyond 4000rpm.

Of course, this leads us to the other side of the dyno coin. Both power and torque are lost lower down. Nothing catastrophic, but it is there. It makes a negligible difference in day to day trundling around town but prospective purchasers should be made aware of this. Beneath the typical 3800-4000rpm "moment" when these cars start to get up and move you WILL have less under your foot.

Now, this brings us to the debate. Is it worth it? The MAF II conversion was not a cheap modification.

There are two schools of thought here: 1) pure, peak power...what it makes max is the be all and end all. In terms of bragging rights I can understand this, and 2) the extent of a power increase and how it influences overall performance. This is more "me". This is more my school of thought. I am after mods that will help me on the track. I have no interest in traffic light GPs. They are meaningless to me.

Now, seeing as I've gained usable power in a rev range that is typically what most of your trackday time will be spent at I will side on a qualified "yes it is worth it" answer. I am making peak power 1000rpm earlier than previously and holding an increase over stock until more or less 6000rpm. This is a good thing. The torque increase ~ while disappointing ~ is still an increase and thus a benefit.

Reference/Test (Launch): Revving the car out from an aggressive start results in wheelspin through all of 1st gear and well into 2nd gear. You have to keep the car "on the boil" to gain the benefit. Prior to the MAF conversion, at most you'd get a "chirp" into 2nd. Launches now have to be a bit more subtle. :) (EDIT: launch test carried out on a private road :) )

Points of note: Rob the dyno guy was of the opinion that the mod was, overall, a good one. Not spankingly outstanding, but solid. We both felt that the chip shipped with the MAF might have an issue with coping with the BBTB and the worked inlet manifold. These factors and the possible issue with the cat might have had some influence on the power runs.

Final word: as a track/fast road mod: yes, do it. In the 4000-6000rpm range you get tangible benefits. For a street only "cruiser" type car...perhaps not...might be a bit of a waste.

The above is meant to be a rundown on MY experience with the Miller Gen II MAF. It is my opinion only. I can't speak for others; everyone will experience their relation with it differently. I will say, in closing, that I have found the company very good to deal with and that the craftsmanship behind their product is first-rate.

It will be interesting to see what happens when my top end rebuild takes place in a couple of weeks. A worked head, Scrick cam, Schrick vlave springs, 6 branch manifold, hi flow cats.

[nrubenstein]

FYI, the WAR chip appears to be on sale right now. I just ordered one for $250 for my swap car. Now let's just hope that it works out well. :)

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

FYI, the WAR chip appears to be on sale right now. I just ordered one for $250 for my swap car. Now let's just hope that it works out well. :)

Ya It just came out so its on sale 100bucks off.... ordering mine this week.