DME Tuning and how its done

[mostarac]

Hello ppz

I thought to start a thread to see if there is someone who knows a bit about engine tuning

Now Im working as an IT-security specialist for a worldwide maker of mobile-phones but Im interested in optimizing my E46 325Ci DME

Now the question is...how you do it? I have heard that people use PA Soft BMW Scanner 1.3.6 to dump their DME data to a BIN file.

Then the question is what do you do to change that BIN data? How do you reprogram it, what registers are you changing and with what software and you prolly upload it to the car via PA soft software again.

Im not into starting my tuning business but im definitely interested in getting to know my car better + to tune it as best as possible

Ive got an automatic steptronic gearbox as well, if that has some meaning.

Thank you in advance

[zeshon]

Your best bet is waiting for Shark Edit to be released. Along those lines, you would also benefit from tuning while on a dyno. Just plugging numbers in isn't going to help much.

[shady3one3]

Just buy off the shelf software and leave custom tuning to the folks with aftermarket ECU's. Cheaper, safer, smarter.

[rays330ci]

Your best bet is waiting for Shark Edit to be released. Along those lines, you would also benefit from tuning while on a dyno. Just plugging numbers in isn't going to help much.
I second it!!!

[mechanicalmadness]

Just buy off the shelf software and leave custom tuning to the folks with aftermarket ECU's. Cheaper, safer, smarter.

Thats what "they" would like you to think. Honestly I know very little about the subject. Aside from plugging in the hardware, and installing the software.

There were actually rumors of a DME editor that was supposed to come out a few months ago but that never came to pass. Honestly most people who have cracked the DME code for BMW have kept the secret to themselves. Its more lucrative to them that way. Will consult a buddy of mine and get back to this thread with some more relevant info.

[shady3one3]

Thats what "they" would like you to think. Honestly I know very little about the subject. Aside from plugging in the hardware, and installing the software.

There were actually rumors of a DME editor that was supposed to come out a few months ago but that never came to pass. Honestly most people who have cracked the DME code for BMW have kept the secret to themselves. Its more lucrative to them that way. Will consult a buddy of mine and get back to this thread with some more relevant info.

"They" who? We tune aftermarket ECU's everyday. I know what is involved with proper tuning, and I know that doing it the right way costs infinitely more than an off the shelf solution (which is adequate for street cars). Unless you are building something with no emphasis on reliability and streetability, stay away from truly custom tuning.

[mechanicalmadness]

Ok obviously I said "they" as a joke. But thats my point. YOU tune ECU's. I assume your a professional shop? Thats fine. We all have to eat. i do realize that in order to properly tune a ECU you need to have a ton of time and a dyno, although a dyno is not mandatory it does help in fine tuning your vehicle. I have dabbled with re-maping ecu's for various vehicles in the past. It is hard work and definitely not for the average DIY guy. You do need to be able to think a little after all. I'm not trying to put down what you do at all. So please dont take my post the wrong way. But anyone who tunes BMW ECU's usually keeps the "how to secrets" and the associated software/hardware to themselves usually for profit. I seriously doubt the industry doesnt want to release a ECU editors just to keep BMW drivers from blowing their motors.

BTW the DME editor I was talking about earlier i believe was called the shark edit. Could be wrong though.

[shady3one3]

If you really think you can tune properly without a load-based dyno, you aren't ready to try DIY tuning.

I wasn't taking offense to what you said, I was just asking who you meant.

[PEI330Ci]

I think there's some things extra here that haven't been acknowledged.

Sure there's load based spark and fuel maps to tune, but there are also 2 camshafts with a vast amount of adjustment. And then there's traction control and even cruise control that have a preset model of how the car will respond to run.

So yes, you can mess around with these things...but "mess" is the key word unless you have experience and a lot of free time. Anyone wonder why it's taken NickG so long to release his turbo kit for the E46? He knows what he's doing too....

For what it's worth, I have both the hardware and software to download/upload code into the DME, but I'm not planning to use it.

[F1004fun]

Hey I am with mechanicalmadness here on this, I have a 330 with a unichip and have really started having lots of fun tuning this car with an Innovate LC-1 wideband, have a couple of different maps for different combinations of mods. There are so many things that I would love to be able to change I knew what all that coding actually meant. First off would be the damn electric thermostats on our cars, the plastic can't take the heat. Can't complain keeps me with work.
So chip tuner buddy, dont be stingy over there. How do we get chips for something like different cams and adopting my fuel map I already have on the unichip?

[mechanicalmadness]

If you really think you can tune properly without a load-based dyno, you aren't ready to try DIY tuning.

I wasn't taking offense to what you said, I was just asking who you meant.

It can be done. But it is a lot safer, and less time consuming with a dyno. a lot of Rally racing teams in Europe(not talking about the majors) can't afford dyno time. After all necessity is the mother of invention;)

PEI330CI what software and hardware are you using?

I havent had too much time to search, but what little searching I have done has yielded almost no results

[kraimer]

was hoping to see more responses - i know a lot of maxima guys use Emanage Ultimate as a piggyback along with some data logger EU seems to do what its supposed to - raises rev limit, adjust a/f, etc.; seems to be very flexible. anyone can input on this?

[shady3one3]

You can use anything you want as a piggyback but you need files or a basis to start tuning from and you need to know how changes you make to one thing effect everything else. Also, alot of setups out there are not capable or ideal for controlling VANOS.

[mechanicalmadness]

You can use anything you want as a piggyback but you need files or a basis to start tuning from and you need to know how changes you make to one thing effect everything else. Also, alot of setups out there are not capable or ideal for controlling VANOS.

What would you recomend shadyone? As far as hardware and software is concerned. Not looking to get too in depth at the moment but I would like to optimise some of my cars parameters. In all honesty the shark injector looks like the easiest option at the moment, but I'd also like something that will actually be able to give me some feedback as to how well the motor is running, A/F ratio, timing, temps, pressures, things of that nature.

[shady3one3]

What would you recomend shadyone? As far as hardware and software is concerned. Not looking to get too in depth at the moment but I would like to optimise some of my cars parameters. In all honesty the shark injector looks like the easiest option at the moment, but I'd also like something that will actually be able to give me some feedback as to how well the motor is running, A/F ratio, timing, temps, pressures, things of that nature.

I recommend not buying an ECU. Off the shelf software from AA, ESS, Shark, etc. is fine for your needs. Unless for some reason you want to spend upwards of $5k for an ECU, data logger, and help setting them up....in that case I recommend Autronic and Aimsport.