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    #1

    Changing ECUs

    I posted this question on my intro thread, but nobody replied, so I figured maybe it needed an exclusive post to get noticed.

    What's the difference between the 153, 173, and 380 ECUs? And does changing from 380 to 173 have any adverse effects on the car?


    Cheers
    This is your M20 on steroids:
    Tags: None
    #2
    I think you can only change from a 153 to a 173 ECU but I don't think you can jump from a 153 to a 380.

    The 153 ECU was a flakier ECU and the 173 was an updated version of the 153 ECU that was much more reliable.

    Comment

      #3
      ok clarification: I said is it ok to change from "380" BACK to "173"?
      This is your M20 on steroids:

      Comment

        #4
        yes, 153, 173, 380 are all ecu's for the 325i model cars and interchangable. Each has it's own perks.
        85 325e 2.7 ITB'd stroker

        Comment

          #5
          There are several different ecu's, 153, 173, 351, 380, 525, 526, I think maybe a 154 too. Most if not all of these are completely interchangeable (with some 5 series as well).

          If I'm not mistaken the 173 was the first to be pdated from firmware version 1.1 to 1.3.

          Sarcasm is a body's natural defense against stupid.
          When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's £3.95 per minute.
          "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." Jack Nicholson"
          Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

          Comment

            #6
            If the car originally has a 153 ECU can you swap it with a 380 ECU? I used to have a 153 ECU then swapped it with a 173.

            If so what are the different perks of each one?

            Comment

              #7
              I think so. I've personally never even seen a 380.

              Sarcasm is a body's natural defense against stupid.
              When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's £3.95 per minute.
              "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." Jack Nicholson"
              Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

              Comment

                #8
                yep 380 will work in a 153 car.
                173 had updated idle and is motronic 1.3
                380 is also 1.3 not sure about the idle
                85 325e 2.7 ITB'd stroker

                Comment

                  #9
                  Now mine had a 173 in it when I got it. I thought the ecu had went bad and put a 525 in it. It idles worlds better, or course nothing says the 173 was 100% either.

                  Sarcasm is a body's natural defense against stupid.
                  When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's £3.95 per minute.
                  "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." Jack Nicholson"
                  Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    sorry for bringing up a dead post, but what are the differences? My 88 325i has a 380...

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Originally posted by peterz
                      sorry for bringing up a dead post, but what are the differences? My 88 325i has a 380...
                      Small, evolutionary changes in software and hardware.

                      They are all compatible with eachother; none of the hardware on the motor itself changed. 153 to 173, 380, etc are direct plug in upgrades.

                      I noticed in this thread somebody said 154 is compatible, which it is not. 154 is the 'super eta' ecu. It will plug in and run, but you won't like it very much.
                      Adam Fogg- '88 M3

                      Common sense- It's the new 'gifted'

                      Comment

                        #12
                        what about 526?
                        Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

                        Originally posted by TimKninja
                        Im more afraid of this thread turning into one of those classic R3v moments, where Pizza gets delivered.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Can you plug in a 173 from a US spec car into a Canadian car with a 524 ECU? I know the ecu's are interchangable but will everything work accordingly on the Canadian car since everything is in KPH and the OBC reads in L/100km for mileage? This has been troubling me for a bit.

                          Mike

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Originally posted by herragge
                            Can you plug in a 173 from a US spec car into a Canadian car with a 524 ECU? I know the ecu's are interchangable but will everything work accordingly on the Canadian car since everything is in KPH and the OBC reads in L/100km for mileage? This has been troubling me for a bit.

                            Mike
                            The speed signals are all the same. The speedo is just a different face, it still reads the same; and the OBC calibration is done internally in the OBC itself.
                            Adam Fogg- '88 M3

                            Common sense- It's the new 'gifted'

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Thanks for clearing that up, it was bugging me for a bit!

                              Mike

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