ECU Numbers

[CrazyJew89]

So, I'm starting to suspect that my ECU repair isn't sticking, because the idle has started surging again. So, I'm considering buying an ECU for a spare/diagnostics, but I don't know what ECU number I'm looking for. I did some looking, and the number I keep coming back to is 059, but I still have some questions.

Did the 059 ECUs come on all M30 e28s (early/late model changes)? Was the 059 used on other motors?
What ECU came on M20 powered e28s?
I've gathered that the 150 ECU was for the B35, was it used in any other places? Did the B35 ever use any other ECU?

Some of these questions are out of curiosity more than necessity.

Side Note: I would not mind compiling a bunch of ECU information to create a good sticky reference for future use, if anyone is interested.

[Ben]

059 was used on all Motronic 1.0a equipped E28/E24/E23 from '85-88 (with the exception being the late '88 E24 which were Motronic 1.1/1.3)

150 was only used in early E32 735i (1988) and some early B35 equipped E24s and E34s which used Motronic 1.1. You can easily upgrade to a 179 ECU.

179 was the more common equipped DME for Motronic 1.3 and is far superior to the 150.

027 was used on all 82-87 325e/528e where Motronic 1.0 was used.

154 was used on '88 only 325e/528e Super ETA cars, which used Motronic 1.1

There is probably a list compiled somewhere, but that's just off the top of my head.

[CrazyJew89]

If there is I couldn't find it. Thanks for the quick knowledge.

I do have another quick question/knowledge verification though. All of the M30B34s were 1.0a equipped, correct?

[Ben]

Sure, you're welcome.

Yes, all M30B34's where equipped with Motronic 1.0a, even the Euro 535i/M535i. However those euro cars equipped with the "dirty" motor or 10:1 compression engine used a 061 DME. These ECU's had a slightly different timing map for the higher compression and also lacked an Oxygen sensor input to the ECU.

[CrazyJew89]

Cool. Once again thank you for the fast reply and good info.

[CrazyJew89]

So, I started looking for an 059 ECU and came across another question. What is the difference between the 24 and 28 pin? The only thing I have found so far is that the 28 pin is required for a miller chip. Was there an update in the engine tune or was it just a hardware revision?

[Mike W.]

007 Early eta
027 Later eta, removable chip, otherwise interchangeable with 007
??? Super eta
008 82-84 3.3 M30
059 85-88 3.5, M30B34

So, I started looking for an 059 ECU and came across another question. What is the difference between the 24 and 28 pin? The only thing I have found so far is that the 28 pin is required for a miller chip. Was there an update in the engine tune or was it just a hardware revision?

No change in stock engine tune, but I guess it had more, unused capabilities. Except for the chip they function the same.

[CrazyJew89]

"unused capabilities"... sounds like they might have been homogenizing parts for 1.1

[Blue Shadow]

http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/Prod ... ategory=55

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/93517

[CrazyJew89]

Well, that is a nice list. The part numbers on bba-reman's site don't seem to line up with what has been said though.

BTW: Turns out the issue that I thought was the ecu was just the intake boot that I forgot to tighten down.

[Blue Shadow]

Well, that is a nice list. The part numbers on bba-reman's site don't seem to line up with what has been said though.

Keep in mind that those are UK ECUs, probably for the € cars and not for the US market in most cases. It is additional information, not the whole list.

Obviously, with the 061 and 060 units specified for the 535, it is NOT for US cars as those are for non-cat motors.

[CrazyJew89]

Oh, I missed that it was for the euro cars. That makes sense.

[harrypalmer]

Sure, you're welcome.

Yes, all M30B34's where equipped with Motronic 1.0a, even the Euro 535i/M535i. However those euro cars equipped with the "dirty" motor or 10:1 compression engine used a 061 DME. These ECU's had a slightly different timing map for the higher compression and also lacked an Oxygen sensor input to the ECU.

Wow! Just what I needed, thank you! But can you kindly clarify two things for me please? -If I go the "dirty" motor, will I also need to replace the wiring or harness in my '86 US 535i 5 speed? Yes/No? What else besides, cam, pistons, headers, 061 DME, exhaust, maybe different valves? And lastly, you also mention no OS and down this thread, no Cat, but I get a bit confused here since I recently owned a '93 RX7 without a Cat (straight down pipe) but it did have an OS, so what would give in the "dirty" engine anyway, Cat no OS, Cat yes OS? Thank you once more.

[Ben]

Sure, you're welcome.

Yes, all M30B34's where equipped with Motronic 1.0a, even the Euro 535i/M535i. However those euro cars equipped with the "dirty" motor or 10:1 compression engine used a 061 DME. These ECU's had a slightly different timing map for the higher compression and also lacked an Oxygen sensor input to the ECU.

Wow! Just what I needed, thank you! But can you kindly clarify two things for me please? -If I go the "dirty" motor, will I also need to replace the wiring or harness in my '86 US 535i 5 speed? Yes/No? What else besides, cam, pistons, headers, 061 DME, exhaust, maybe different valves? And lastly, you also mention no OS and down this thread, no Cat, but I get a bit confused here since I recently owned a '93 RX7 without a Cat (straight down pipe) but it did have an OS, so what would give in the "dirty" engine anyway, Cat no OS, Cat yes OS? Thank you once more.

In short, no you will not need to change the harness if you want to use the 061 DME. It will plug right into your '86 US 535i harness, but will not receive a signal from the OS as it was never designed to receive one (i.e. it runs open loop all the time).

The "dirty" motor was a euro only engine. It used the same bore and stroke as the US 535i (92mm bore x 86mm stroke), but used domed pistons with a "piano top" shape to them. Hence when you search, you'll find them called piano top pistons. Everything in the cylinder head was also the same except for the camshaft which used a better profile to utilize the higher compression pistons. This cam also has the same lift and duration as the camshaft in all of the M30B35 engines found in the 89+ 535i/735iL cars.

[NAH]

A little side remark, you can also use a E30 325i ecu as a replacement for the 059/061 boxes.

You just have to move the Chip (Eprom) for your 059/061 ecu over into the 325i box.

I had a lot of ECU problems once, and couldn't find another one right when i needed it, so found out this swap could work.

Can't remember the ECU number right now, have to check the car.

[Ben]

A little side remark, you can also use a E30 325i ecu as a replacement for the 059/061 boxes.

You just have to move the Chip (Eprom) for your 059/061 ecu over into the 325i box.

I had a lot of ECU problems once, and couldn't find another one right when i needed it, so found out this swap could work.

Can't remember the ECU number right now, have to check the car.

Maybe the EU-spec 325i ECU can be a replacement (2-row pins), but the US-spec 325i ECU (3-row pins) cannot be used at all with the 059/061. And the EU-spec 325i ECU is exceedingly rare, even in Europe.

[NAH]

A little side remark, you can also use a E30 325i ecu as a replacement for the 059/061 boxes.

You just have to move the Chip (Eprom) for your 059/061 ecu over into the 325i box.

I had a lot of ECU problems once, and couldn't find another one right when i needed it, so found out this swap could work.

Can't remember the ECU number right now, have to check the car.

Maybe the EU-spec 325i ECU can be a replacement (2-row pins), but the US-spec 325i ECU (3-row pins) cannot be used at all with the 059/061. And the EU-spec 325i ECU is exceedingly rare, even in Europe.

Didn't know there was a difference in the US and euro model, but yes i used a euro 2 row Box, exactly the same box, both size and looks.

Funny you say they are rare, they are not that rare here in Denmark, couldn't find a 061 Box but there was a lot of the other ones for sale.

[harrypalmer]

In short, no you will not need to change the harness if you want to use the 061 DME. It will plug right into your '86 US 535i harness, but will not receive a signal from the OS as it was never designed to receive one (i.e. it runs open loop all the time).

The "dirty" motor was a euro only engine. It used the same bore and stroke as the US 535i (92mm bore x 86mm stroke), but used domed pistons with a "piano top" shape to them. Hence when you search, you'll find them called piano top pistons. Everything in the cylinder head was also the same except for the camshaft which used a better profile to utilize the higher compression pistons. This cam also has the same lift and duration as the camshaft in all of the M30B35 engines found in the 89+ 535i/735iL cars.

Ben -Thank you! Your advice is truly very much appreciated, and so is your ultra fast response!

So if I understand you clearly, there are no other modifications needed, just plug and play the 061 ECU (when I find it). No different injectors, valves, guides, lifts are required but the same from the M30 B34 engine; just the camshaft that you've previously mentioned and that's it? What about the headers, do these need to be replaced? And a full non Cat Euro exhaust system? Thank you once more.

[jsedita74]

whats the number on that euro 325 box?