M54. Let the foolishness begin.

[matt]

If you're running OBDII and want a cam position gauge, I will have one that reads the data directly out of the ECU very shortly. A couple of months.

[hoveringuy]

Innovate LM-2

Guess what Santa brought me...

I have a dyno in my center console now. It logs A/F, RPM and throttle position.

So far it backs up my previous dyno readings. I'm mostly around 14.3 to 14.9 except at WOT and higher RPM's, when it gets to around 15.5.

It should really help Matt create my custom chip when I get the VANOS controller working (hint, hint).

[e30polak]

Guess what Santa brought me...

I have a dyno in my center console now. It logs A/F, RPM and throttle position.

So far it backs up my previous dyno readings. I'm mostly around 14.3 to 14.9 except at WOT and higher RPM's, when it gets to around 15.5.

It should really help Matt create my custom chip when I get the VANOS controller working (hint, hint).

Wow that's sick! Your build is so badass, much respect for all your effort! :up:

[matt]

Man, that's funny. I wish you had told me you were looking for one of those, because I've had one sitting in my closet 100% unused for about 5 months because it doesn't work with BMWs over the K-line (OBDII protocol).

If you're only using it to log analog data and AFRs I'm sure it's fine.

I'm now working on my own solution for OBDII BMW logging.

[hoveringuy]

Power Steering!

I now have 500 miles on the swap and finally got power steering. I'm really excited and don't fear parking lots anymore.

Anyway, I'm using an X5 ZF pump and e46 mounting brackets. An E46 Luk pump will work fine, too. The only significant note I have is that the E36 pump to rack line won't work because the banjo fitting is one size larger on the new pump. I had to graft a new fitting onto my existing line. I could also have bought the E46 hose.

After 500 miles I can say I really like this motor. Even with OBD1 only driving the intake VANOS and the excessive advance (for now) the motor really scoots. Idle is super smooth. VANOS is very quiet. It just seems more refined. Day to day commuting is perfect.

I am very close to having the PWM module on my control circuit working and I should have it tied to the position measurement within a month. As an interim milestone, I hope to have it limit advance to a fixed 13 degrees through the PID loop and then I will work on a variable control map.

[himizoli]

M54b30 in E21

Hello

Congratulation your works!
I also building a E21 with a M54b30. I almost done with the installation of mechanical part. It will come the electrical work. I will go with stanalone ECU with dual VANOS controller.

[hoveringuy]

Hello

Congratulation your works!
I also building a E21 with a M54b30. I almost done with the installation of mechanical part. It will come the electrical work. I will go with stanalone ECU with dual VANOS controller.

Beautiful engine bay!

Which standalone will you be using?

[himizoli]

Beautiful engine bay!

Which standalone will you be using?

Thanks!

I am using Whistler ECU (http://www.whistlerracing.hu/ecu)
I know the programer guy and we making the Vanos controller together.

Here is the ECU :)





Do you have Oscilloscop measurement of the Exhaust cam sensor?

[hoveringuy]

Thanks!

I am using Whistler ECU (http://www.whistlerracing.hu/ecu)
I know the programer guy and we making the Vanos controller together.



Do you have Oscilloscop measurement of the Exhaust cam sensor?

I am 1/2 done with my VANOS controller. I have an issue that has halted work for a few weeks, my programmer is having problems and I've lost a few chips.

Are you saying that the Whistler doesn't do the VANOS control?

Not yet. It will be similar to the intake, only the phase will be different. I will measure it when I get to that point.

[himizoli]

Vanos

I am 1/2 done with my VANOS controller. I have an issue that has halted work for a few weeks, my programmer is having problems and I've lost a few chips.

Are you saying that the Whistler doesn't do the VANOS control?

Not yet. It will be similar to the intake, only the phase will be different. I will measure it when I get to that point.

Whistler doesnt publised the Vanos controller for public yet. It is basicly done.
Only the GUI is missing and some calibration (it will be down on my car :) ) missing.
I am running a simulator for calculate the VANOS values.

I still have to build a exhaust system before the engine will run.

Are you using PID conroller for the Vanos?

[hoveringuy]

Closed loop!

I've been working on little sections of the VANOS controller at a time. First, identify the missing tooth and count the teeth to maintain crank angle. Add in the cam shaft trigger and read camshaft phase. Add basic PWM output and see how the cam reacts to different signals. Next, add a PID function to try to make the cam match a command position.

It's been one obstacle after another, the latest being the PWM solenoid switching inducing noise into my cam signal, throwing the board off.

So I finally got all that working and am able to move the cam to intermediate positions. Hurray for me!

It's a lot like balancing an upside-down pendulum, the cam really likes being at one extreme or another.

I have more PID tuning left and then I will start making an RPM-throttle position-cam advance map. I also need to see how it reacts at different RPMs and oil pressures.

Some of the issues I will need to overcome include, How to I give the 413 a "vote" in positioning the cam? I can't completely usurp its will because it switches maps internally. Plus, I've found that standard VANOS isn't even on that often. Not on when the motor is cold, at very low RPM's, high RPM's, low throttle settings or anytime you are decelerating (low throttle setting).

It's only on when you mash the pedal on a warm motor.

Maybe in another month I will have a mapped controller with the 413 controlling my MOSFET drivers.

[matt]

Some of the issues I will need to overcome include, How to I give the 413 a "vote" in positioning the cam? I can't completely usurp its will because it switches maps internally. Plus, I've found that standard VANOS isn't even on that often. Not on when the motor is cold, at very low RPM's, high RPM's, low throttle settings or anytime you are decelerating (low throttle setting).

That's because it's smart...

If the oil is too cold, the oil pressure will be too high and you'll blow out your VANOS seals. (that's just conjecture, but still it makes sense that you don't need max power on a cold motor)

All of those factors are adjustable in the 413 software. :)

I'm excited to see the rest of the results of your work on the vanos controller... writing microcontroller code has never been my thing, but from my experience reverse engineering it, it's not easy.

[CorvallisBMW]

What kind of education/work experience do you have in electrical stuff? You're going nuts on this thing and seem to know exactly what you're doing. Very impressive, I wouldn't touch it with a 20ft pole.

[hoveringuy]

What kind of education/work experience do you have in electrical stuff? You're going nuts on this thing and seem to know exactly what you're doing. Very impressive, I wouldn't touch it with a 20ft pole.

I have a Smorgasboard of experience, I'm drawing on lots of different things I've learned over the years to get this done.

-I learned how to program Z-80 processors in assembly language as a kid. Remember the TRS-80 computers? I'm doing this controller in C++ but it's the same idea.

- My BS is in Systems Engineering which is all about the theoretical side of control systems. I also taught that for 2 years. Feedback, Error, Stability, etc. Sound familiar?

- MS in ITM (Information Technology Management). More computer stuff and LOTS of signal analysis, FFT and such.

- My mechanical background comes from being German. Is that stereotyping?

- I flew helicopters for 15 years. I expect things to work but plan for them to break.

- I have a P.E. in EE which is where I learned a some other useful tricks.

- I have the Google machine!

Put it all together and I'm comfortable doing this. My weakness will be in the theoretical and practical side of exactly when to advance/retard the cams for best performance and tuning.

Currently I have the closed-loop control working marginally well. I've increased the gains to get faster response but that's given me some overshoot and hunting. I'm hoping that more tuning of the parameters will smooth that out. I have a little potentiometer that I can turn back and forth to adjust the cam. It's my "dial-an-advance". :grin:

[m3_eater]

- I flew helicopters for 15 years. I expect things to work but plan for them to break.

OT: Can you perform an autorotation in the types you're rated for? I've often wondered how effective they are at saving lives. I'd guess that different single-engine choppers have much different survival chances (think: JetRanger vs. Hughes 500) and altitude would be a factor.