Chips, injectors and M30 AFMs oh my!

[Fidhle007]

So after some searching I'm still somewhat confused by my options...

The other day my boss mentioned to me that he had several 027 M30 AFMs lying around and this got me thinking. I've been planning on getting a Mark D chip for awhile but I know he offers them both for stock injectors and for 17 or 19lb injectors too, would an M30 AFM really be a worthwhile upgrade with either of these and how of an improvement can I expect with the upgraded injectors?

Also, can I install the 027 and keep my stock airbox or do I need to do some sort of custom thing? I have a heatshield sitting around that I haven't used yet so if I have to go custom I can, but I'm thinking I may want to keep the stock airbox for now.

[Court M3]

www.davelength.net has a good write up on the M30 install with results.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

You can modify the stock airbox to fit the M30 AFM

Consists of drilling two new holes and using two existing ones. Also, don't forget to open up the opening a little.

[Fidhle007]

Question number two, AFM aside, what kind of gains are to be expected with the larger injectors and the Mark D chip vs. the chip for the stock fuel system? I read throught that link that Court posted and I'm a little confused still, do I NEED a FPR if I'm doing the chip or will that take care of the ECU issue that was addressed in that article? Right now I'm looking for simple, cost-effective and easy. I just started working at a BMW shop so I have access to a lot of tools and such but not a lot of time so I'd like simple. If that means the MarkD chip for the stock injectors will offer the best gain, I'll go that route.

[CarsSuck]

I did the MarkD chip and 19lb injectors without a FPR. The car ran log dog shit at first. Obviously super rich, louder, really lumpy. I just drove the car a bit and the first time i got the car above 4k rpm (after about 5 mins of driving) the ECU corrected and everything was suddenly much much better than ever before. I just wish the AFM chip was available when I chipped my car, I definitely would have done all three.

[Jonathan M3]

Question number two, AFM aside, what kind of gains are to be expected with the larger injectors and the Mark D chip vs. the chip for the stock fuel system? I read throught that link that Court posted and I'm a little confused still, do I NEED a FPR if I'm doing the chip or will that take care of the ECU issue that was addressed in that article? Right now I'm looking for simple, cost-effective and easy. I just started working at a BMW shop so I have access to a lot of tools and such but not a lot of time so I'd like simple. If that means the MarkD chip for the stock injectors will offer the best gain, I'll go that route.

PM RCWells, as he did this upgrade. Though the car seemed to be running fine, it was running too lean on the topend when we put it on the dyno with a wideband hooked up. We then installed an AFPR and brought the A/F ratio back into spec. He has all of the dyno graphs and results.

[Fidhle007]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll get in touch with Bobby about his setup too. I just ordered some injectors and I suppose I'll pick up a chip and possibly an AFM soon.

Just to be clear, does Mark make a chip for 19lb injectors AND an M30 AFM or is it just programmed for the injectors?

[delatlanta1281]

Yes he does. I have it, it rules. I have the afm, injectors, chip, porsche afpr, heat shield, and I have honed the intake manifold. There are gains, but nothing compared to stroking or turbos. If you can get this stuff cheap, do it. I got the afm and injectors at a great price, that's why I did it. The chip makes a difference over a "programmed chip", in my opinion that is where you will see most gains. It sounds a whole lot cooler at wot.

[Fidhle007]

The injectors were cheap, as I'm sure the AFM will be too. We just parted out a few E28s and I know I can get my hands on one. The big expense will be the chip, but really, I guess that's not bad in the long run.

So what kind of gains do we think, 10, maybe 15 hp? Possibly as high as 20...?

[CarsSuck]

hmmm, i wouldnt go off talking actual horsepower gains here, you're gonna start some huge argument about dyno numbers and AFM swaps. As i said, the chip and injectors made a big difference in responsiveness of the engine and the car overall definitely feels faster and smoother.