Motronic 1.1 -> Motronic 1.3

[Panici]

Will swapping to a "173" ecu (Motronic 1.3) from my "153" (Motronic 1.1) provide any increase in performance?

I know I will have the code checking ability "stomp test", and more availability of tunes.

This is on my '87 325is (Build date 19/12/86).


Also, is it indeed as easy as e30zone suggests? According to their page, all I have to do is physically swap the ECUs, everything else (wiring, sensors etc) is all compatible.

[nando]

no performance difference. yes, you just swap ECUs.

[Panici]

Thoughts?

just noticed something today.. was helping someone try to sort a tune out on the same software that im using. anyway hes running a 153 ECU at the minute so ive had to dust off my 153 stuff to get a look at what hes using and when i compared his file to a standard 153 chip file i noticed something.. the 153 standard file has more ignition advance than the 173 standard file so in laymans terms if anyone out there with a 173 (probably goes for 380 as well) wants a cheap bump in performance they can pick up a used 153 ECU with its original chip and pop that in the car. im unsure yet whether the 153 chip will work in the 173 ECU but ill be checking that out soon.

kicking myself for not thinking to compare the 2 standard files side by side some time ago because i remember someone over on BFC saying how they thought the 153 ECU seemed to make the car feel stronger than the stock 173 so that should have tipped me off way back when but i only noticed there is a sizable difference in ignition values lastnight.

this should make spec E30 a bit more interesting lol

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100561

[mazzo]

No performance gain, but...

you gain:
1) stomp test - now you can pull the check engine light code out using gas pedal
2) less chance of failure because 173 is a single board ECU. Also easier to do chip upgrade.