+35 HP for < $100

[jarvik]

Hi everyone, I recently bought a 2004 325i (sport package) and was wondering if I could get more punch out of the engine. I was looking around and I went though some 2-3 year old discussions on this forum where it seemed very clear that ECU/chip mods will not get a whole lot more from the 2.5 L V6... and that one needs to also mod intakes, exhausts, pulleys to get over 20-25 HP. And that this would cost upwards of $1000 ..

Now looking around I ran into this :

http://www.myhotbmw.com/bmw/Surge/Performance_Chips/BMW_Surge_Performance_Chip/533052

They claim that this performance mod of upto 35 HP for < $100 was done with a single chip. Is this BS ? For the price, I'm tempted to just buy it and try it out myself but I also have a policy of not getting swindled

So I thought I'd ask the experts about what they thought ... any ideas ??

 

[gpiron]

Dinan performance has been doing mods that give 35 hp for 5000USD... Stage 1, 2 and 3 ...

Are they stupid??? I do not think so. BMW engines are already twicked very well and I dought a chip at 100$ will do what they claim [???1]

 

[Kirby]

BMW Surge Performance Chip - Total BS. If it sounds to good to be true....

This ad stinks of the typical auto performance enhancer scam. If it could give all of these benefits for such low cost, the manufacturer would have already done it!!

This is the same as the EBAY 20 hp scam - if you fall for it, at least buy it on Ebay cheaper so you won't be wasting as much money!!

I can take a very educated guess at what this device is trying to do IF it does anything at all. Since it plugs into the IAT (Intake Air Temperature) harness, they are attempting to simply fool the ECU into thinking that the intake air is a different temperature in order change the fuel injection air/fuel ratio.

If it works at all, you'd likely get one or two hp more (which you CAN'T feel) at the expense of lower fuel mileage. The danger is that messing with the air/fuel ratio can dump carbon or raw gas in the cat converter, destroying or clogging it, and also damage Oxygen sensors. This mod can also cause the ECU to throw codes because the ECU can detect that things don't add up. You better buy a scan/ECU reset tool, or plan on repeated trips to the dealer for ECU resets.

No way this can "add up to 35 hp"!

Note that the picture says "Not actual product". Why? Because they want to fool you with a "hi tech chip" picture when they aren't even using one!!!! It is a resistor worth about 15 cents, plus some wire harness connectors!!! That alone should be warning enough!


# Add up to 35 Horse Power*
# Add up to 20+ Ft.LBS. of Torque
# 0-4 MPG Savings
# More low end torque
# Faster 0-60 MPH times
# Faster 1/4 and 1/8th mile track times
# Faster Acceleration at all RPM
# Up to 20% quicker throttle response time
# Smoother get up and go (Automatics only)

These clowns also sell the infamous "Turbonator" scam and the totally useless electric 1 psi superchargers on their website. I personally would RUN the other way from myhotbmw.com !

 

[Big Daddy]

And the 2.5 is not a V6, BMW has never produced a V6.

 

[jarvik]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I am very glad I posted here and I hope more folks stumble across your replies and keep away from these scammers.