Flywheel w/o software upgrade? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

SandBeast · 19th August 2004, 02:50

Has anyone installed a lighter-than-OEM flywheel (e..g, Dinan) without upgrading software/chip and doing fine? Dinan says the chip is needed to prevent stalling during idle. But how about those folks that have installed the UUC flywheel/clutch? or another brand? Did you need some sort of mod to timing?

I am comtemplating installing a Dinan flywheel (to be bought from a private party), but I want to try Powerchip instead of buying Dinan chip. I don't think Powerchip and Dinan chip work together.

Any advice?

gsfent · 19th August 2004, 04:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by chenjoe88

Has anyone installed a lighter-than-OEM flywheel (e..g, Dinan) without upgrading software/chip and doing fine? Dinan says the chip is needed to prevent stalling during idle. But how about those folks that have installed the UUC flywheel/clutch? or another brand? Did you need some sort of mod to timing?

I am comtemplating installing a Dinan flywheel (to be bought from a private party), but I want to try Powerchip instead of buying Dinan chip. I don't think Powerchip and Dinan chip work together.

Any advice?

Talk to Wayne at Powerchip. I think he can set you up. If not, he should be honest enough to tell you that.
Regards,
Jerry

SandBeast · 19th August 2004, 07:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsfent

Talk to Wayne at Powerchip. I think he can set you up. If not, he should be honest enough to tell you that.
Regards,
Jerry

I did talk to Wayne couple of weeks back, and he says the Powerchip does not do anything specific for the flywheel. But he says his customers had flywheel but had no apparent problems.

gsfent · 21st August 2004, 04:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by chenjoe88

I did talk to Wayne couple of weeks back, and he says the Powerchip does not do anything specific for the flywheel. But he says his customers had flywheel but had no apparent problems.

One thing you might want to do is raise the idle speed by 100-200 rpm. This will help get the car launced without bogging since a lightened flywheel will not hold the energy quite as well. I think Wayne can adjust the idle speed if you want it upped a little.
Regards,
Jerry

SandBeast · 21st August 2004, 04:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsfent

One thing you might want to do is raise the idle speed by 100-200 rpm. This will help get the car launced without bogging since a lightened flywheel will not hold the energy quite as well. I think Wayne can adjust the idle speed if you want it upped a little.
Regards,
Jerry

Thanks for the response. Just talked to Joel at Powerchip today, and he confirmed what Wayne told me two weeks ago, and that the answer is Powerchip does not do anything special to help with lightened flywheels. He does suggest that Powerchip can co-exist with Dinan chip, just have Powerchip provide parameters that are not covered by Dinan chip.

So, I'm back to square one. Any other method of increase the idle speed?

Alex5 · 21st August 2004, 06:11

Ask your BMW dealer to increase your idle (about 200rpm) and than get Powerchip. Powerchip will keep whatever your idle reading is and they will add whatever else is needed. I made a mistake and got Dinan chip first, and than Powerchip later. It worked fine as Dinan already increased the idle. The downside is that I paid for both!

warhaven · 21st August 2004, 06:29

Indeed,

You'll need to go with powerchip. Dinan software only works if you go in their specific stair step approach. If you do anything out of order or choose not to go with their products, you'll need a custom program. powerchip is the way to go.

SandBeast · 21st August 2004, 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex5

Ask your BMW dealer to increase your idle (about 200rpm) and than get Powerchip. Powerchip will keep whatever your idle reading is and they will add whatever else is needed. I made a mistake and got Dinan chip first, and than Powerchip later. It worked fine as Dinan already increased the idle. The downside is that I paid for both!

Really? Can BMW dealer really do that? What if they ask? Would they accept the reason being installing an aftermarket part? Can BMW-proficient mechanic shops do that?

gsfent · 21st August 2004, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by chenjoe88

Really? Can BMW dealer really do that? What if they ask? Would they accept the reason being installing an aftermarket part? Can BMW-proficient mechanic shops do that?

I don't know if the dealer can raise the idle speed, but if they can, it shouldnt matter why. Just tell them you have a hard time getting away from a light, that you tend to bog the engine, and an extra couple of hundred rpm at idle to get a smoother launch would help you enjoy the car more!!!!

Regards,
Jerry

Alex5 · 21st August 2004, 17:57

Exactly. If you have a good relationship with your BMW Service tell them what you really want and they should do it. You may need to pay. M3 had a recall for uneven idle that is fixed by increasing the idle speed. My X5 occasionally stall when A/C is off and BMW suggested to increase the idle as nothing else is wrong. Therefore, they are equipped and know how to do it. If you don't have a good relationship with Service, tell them that you have an occasional stall, but I wouldn't go that way.