E46 m3 ECU swap??

[a_riddler]

I came across this thread:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=841893

Aside from the obvious question of why hasn't this been done already (or has it??), why wouldn't this work?

Mike Essa built a Z4 with a m3 S54 and turbo already.

Rolling off trailer: http://platewave.com/videos/bmw/v/mi...-car-start-up/

Interview:

Test Run:

[ZStig]

I thought about it too. Even if you lose the traction/stability control, but you can counter that by adding a racelogic system

[psygnosis]

I'm guessing that drift Z4 is a 2003/04, it looks like it has orange headlights. I can see why they would put an M3 S54 in it.

[ZStig]

You'd also have to get the keys, ignition thing, and the security box that matches up with it all, to start the car. Or at least thats what I had to do with my 318ti to s52 swap years and years ago

[krnnerdboy]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

You'd also have to get the keys, ignition thing, and the security box that matches up with it all, to start the car. Or at least thats what I had to do with my 318ti to s52 swap years and years ago

nice! do you have a build thread?

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

nice! do you have a build thread?

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...highlight=swap

[Finnegan]

Isn't our ECU actually a step up in terms of capability and speed from the E46 M3? I can't find it, but I recall reading that in several posts from some pretty well informed forum members (then again, who knows, I may be dreaming).

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Isn't our ECU actually a step up in terms of capability and speed from the E46 M3? I can't find it, but I recall reading that in several posts from some pretty well informed forum members (then again, who knows, I may be dreaming).

Yes it is. I remember talking with Roman and AJ from ESS and they explained how it's not the same and is a much more advanced system then the E46 M3.

[ZStig]

more advanced or not, its not, its MUCH MUCH harder to get a turbo kit to work with it

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

more advanced or not, its not, its MUCH MUCH harder to get a turbo kit to work with it

Yes, it's a low production car and there are a lot more E46 M3s. What's the story with the E46/S54 and turbos?

[a_riddler]

Its all about more options. eliminate the ecu excuse and upgrade options open up, right?

[arggg45]

after a certain point, it is probably more productive to go to a full standalone...it will give you more ability for tuning than the OEM ecu ever will.

EFI, MoTeC, etc...

EDIT: That said, you'll have to find someone to wire and tune it that knows what they're doing, but it's not rocket surgery, and finding reputable BMW tuners isn't especially difficult.

[Shipkiller]

The Z4M uses the MSS70 ECU. The E46 uses the MSS45 ECU.

Supposedly, the MSS70 is a very close cousin of the ECU's in the M5 and M6.

I tried to post a link to the build tread but that board is banned from this board.....

[ZStig]

guys you're missing the point, we all know the z4m has a different/more advanced ecu, the question is if you can put in a different ecu to make a turbo kit like HPF pretty much plug and play

[onelove]

Of course you can swap an E46 M3 ECU in.... combined with the wiring harness, key, etc. The problem is in doing so you're spending enough time and energy to be locked into a factory ECU that you will then have to piggy back, that you'd be better off spending the money on a full standalone like Motec/Pectel/etc and getting rid of all of it. The only downside to that is the need for additional tuning time which will add onto the budget quick.

I'm not convinced the factory ECU can't be piggy backed just as HPF does it with the E46, it's just that no one has invested the time (more importantly the $$$$) necessary to make the factory ECU play nice with the E86's ECU.

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by onelove

it's just that no one has invested the time (more importantly the $$$$) necessary to make the factory ECU play nice with the E86's ECU.

My manhood tickles at the thought that one day, this becomes reality


On a more serious note. If I were able to sell my MR2T, I would do us all a favor and invest all of that money in starting up a turbo app for our E85/E86 MSS70 Z4Ms >=]

[onelove]

Personally for the $$$ and time needed, I'll say the hell with a turbo kit and go for the E92 V8 or E60 V10. When you break down the overall costs it will likely be very similar, however I prefer NA since I spend more than a handful of weekends on the track.

It can't be any harder than the Gallardo Twin Turbos that we're doing now with 2 ECU's to think about, 2 DBW throttle bodies and 20 injectors.

[ZStig]

the e92 V8 isn't much of an upgrade over an ESS stage 1 kit, and the e60 V10 is pretty heavy. My engine of choice would be an LS7 with some cams

[onelove]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

the e92 V8 isn't much of an upgrade over an ESS stage 1 kit, and the e60 V10 is pretty heavy. My engine of choice would be an LS7 with some cams

E92 could be SC'd for more power, we have a well setup one at the shop and I really enjoy driving it, just wish it were lighter, V10 may be heavier but it has plenty of HP / TQ to move the extra weight around, not to mention it sounds like heaven.

LS7 would be a nice choice, but I like this car too much to cram a Cheby engine in it, although it's the cheapest way to get great performance.

[mfanatic325]

Can you give me a ballpark of what's needed and what the costs are for piggyback or standalone for turbo application? I'm thinking V8 or V10 swap would be MORE expensive, no?

- Give me some namebrand ECUs to look into, that can possibly work with our MSS70
- I'm sure finding turbo hardware will be a piece of cake compared to everything else
- I know tuning costs will obviously not be very easy to estimate..

[mpower03]

have you guys ever thought that maybe ess is over exaggeratting on how hard it is to tune our ecu's... after all all they sell is superchargers, and if they can discourage us from trying to go turbo'd then they are pretty much competition less. just a thought, but does anybody really now for a fact if it is that much more difficult.

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by onelove

E92 could be SC'd for more power, we have a well setup one at the shop and I really enjoy driving it, just wish it were lighter, V10 may be heavier but it has plenty of HP / TQ to move the extra weight around, not to mention it sounds like heaven.

LS7 would be a nice choice, but I like this car too much to cram a Cheby engine in it, although it's the cheapest way to get great performance.

yeah, I've been in a blown e92, its acceleration was very smooth, but not overly dramatic

+ you're paying thousands on top for the blower kit + adding even more weight