Powerchip and Air temperature & Multiple Q - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Andy Leeper · 16th June 2005, 07:03

Ok multiple questions. I recently purchased a 03 M5 w/ 25K miles and installed the Powerchip and noticed slightly more torque in the low revs. However since I live in Florida the air temperature has gone up to the high 80's/low 90's and I've noticed that the car lacks the punch I experienced even before the Powerchip installation. Does Air Temp/Heat make that much a difference? The previous owner installed K&N filters which I probably will replace since they've been installed for 15K miles. Will this really make that much difference? I really would like to keep the 03 M5 for a long while and plan on changing the oil every 3K or less. Any other recomended maintenace/ service? The car was also CPO'd but the dealer didn't do anything but inspect and change the oil.
Thanks

ard · 16th June 2005, 07:54

You might consider an intake air temp sensor relocation.

The engine computer may be an artificially high reading when the car is stopped or moving slowly due to 'heat soak' within the engine compartment. By locating the sensor in the intake air path, you don't get false readings. The next step may be CAIs, but I can't speak to their real benefit.

Congrats on the 03 purchase-

Adam

Ahmed · 16th June 2005, 10:31

Normal phenomenon!

Our temperatures here in Bahrain can get up to 130 degress! Even with my IATS relocation kit installed, my beasts loses 40hp's inpower!

MIB · 16th June 2005, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Leeper

Ok multiple questions. I recently purchased a 03 M5 w/ 25K miles and installed the Powerchip and noticed slightly more torque in the low revs. However since I live in Florida the air temperature has gone up to the high 80's/low 90's and I've noticed that the car lacks the punch I experienced even before the Powerchip installation. Does Air Temp/Heat make that much a difference? The previous owner installed K&N filters which I probably will replace since they've been installed for 15K miles. Will this really make that much difference? I really would like to keep the 03 M5 for a long while and plan on changing the oil every 3K or less. Any other recomended maintenace/ service? The car was also CPO'd but the dealer didn't do anything but inspect and change the oil.
Thanks

Hey Andy,

If the previous owner had the K & N's, they may have fouled the Mafs. They may need cleaning. If they are fouled then you will feel a huge difference once cleaned.

IATS is a great bang per buck option as well and yes, Temp makes a huge difference.

Regards MJ

Andy Leeper · 16th June 2005, 17:34

Mj

I've read the posts about the fouling of the MAFs but not sure that's occurred. Don't get me wrong the car still hauls b_tt, I just don't have anything to compare the performance too. If I wanted to clean them should I go the route of simple green as posted on this forum? A repair facility told me they wouldn't clean them and I'm not all that mechanically inclined. Still the instructions I saw were clear. Also, if I move the sensor will that affect the Powerchip software?
I'll ask Powerchip as they were very helpful.
Thanks for the response
Andy

mottati · 16th June 2005, 20:58

Andy, you can move the sensor without any adjustment to the software. It doesn't care where the data is coming from!
As for cleaning the mafs, i didn't have the needed torx bit, so i just removed the entire sensors and sprayed the inner bits with electrical contact cleaner. I'm sure if that is a bad idea someone will chime in, but the car is running great without ses lights!
Mike

XrayMD · 17th June 2005, 04:01

Mike...Until I was able to find the Torx Security Plus bit I needed, I cleaned them exactly the same way you did! I use Electrowash PX from Chemtronics. Leaves no residue and the PX version won't harm plastics.