Part 4: BMW 635csi ECUmaster Classic Install

Episode 4: Video showing steps to install fully programmable sequential ECU from ECUmaster into BMW 635csi (E24 chassis). It covers background information on the car, as well as what is needed for the conversion. Applicable for all E28, E30, and E34.
Cost Breakdown:
ECUMaster Classic $899.00
Salvage coils $71.98
Salvage cam sensor $9.99
MS wiring bundle $51.00
Vacuum tubing $9.77
eBay fuel injectors $57.57
WBO2 sensor $69.99
Cam sensor plate $93.00
Salvage throttle body $64.10
3" exhaust pipe (x2) $31.98
Spark plug wire boots $17.97
Mis. wires/cables $19.96
New crank sensor $23.00
Salvage crank trigger wheel $25.00
Salvage IAC Valve $10.00
Cloth/fleece tape $6.69
Wire wrap / loom $16.99
Scrap metal $25.99
Fuel pump $99.00
New fuel sender $105.79
Thermashield $14.99

[@ericreed1673]

Thanks for the update! Glad to see you got everything squared away and are happy with the results.

[@safetythird4555]

Thanks!

[@sheldonarkinstall2784]

Awesome work, thanks for sharing!

[@slownrusty]

Awesome!! I've been waiting baited breath for the stnadalone update and trip to dyno. Really good gains and gotta love that torque band, nice and wide. The great news, if you ever decided to strap a turbo to the engine you have the ECU that can safely and effectively manage the fuel, air and timing.

[@safetythird4555]

Yep, a turbo is now a viable option for even more fun! Thanks for watching!

[@tiitsaul9036]

Some creative thinking going on there with the shifter. I like it. Subbed

[@safetythird4555]

Thanks. It definitely feels better now.

[@ridhadjemal80]

Saw your car made good power at trackstar nice build beautiful car

[@safetythird4555]

Thanks!

[@BlackandWhitecustoms]

After seeing thise numbers I am definately going ls motor in mine 😅

[@jaimermb]

Nice proyect!!

[@safetythird4555]

Thanks!

[@AustinSwill]

Great set of videos, will be helpful when I turbocharge mine (83 euro spec 635). I will say that the stock ECU and setup on yours was obviously malfunctioning in at least a few ways. The cold start problem you were having was either the cold start injector its self OR the coolant temp sensor. The hesitation at high RPM could have been several things, possibly even just the adjustable spring in the stock VAF sensor. Point being, the original setup on these cars is pretty good if it is all working right. That being said, having the ability to tune the car is worth the money alone.

[@safetythird4555]

Yeah, I totally agree. I had multiple issues with the stock setup. It also still had the import required piggyback O2 sensor that "tricked" the stock ECU adjusting fuel ratio and timing. With all the issues, it was easier for me to just install the programmable ECU, not to mention more fun! Good luck with your project!

[@dannydigiacomo2816]

Thanks for the videos they were very educational. I have a series 1 with an M90 motor with jetronic electronic injection. Do you think your solution will work with a series 1, 635csi. Hi from Sydney, Australia

[@safetythird4555]

It should work exactly the same. You'll need a 60-2 toothed wheel from a later engine. The M90 and M30 are very similar.

[@ApexRace]

After all would you recommend ECUMaster or woud you try another ECU? I am not sure if I would try out Speeduino

[@safetythird4555]

I would recommend ECUMaster. It met all of my needs and it is working good. For the price, it is great.

[@user-st5rl1rw2p]

Hello have you managed to make you rev counter and economy gage work, and how did you do it ? Tanks a lot for the awesome videos, I am currently doing the same at home 😄

[@safetythird4555]

Yes, the tach wire output from the ECUmaster runs the tach (I forget which wire behind the dash, I'll dig it up though and let you know). But I never got the economy gauge to work. I think the gauge itself works by resistance (?), but the extra outputs for tue ECU are voltage based. There's probably a way to build a small circuit to get it to work correctly, but I haven't done it. Let me know if you figure something out!

[@safetythird4555]

In my old notes, it looks like I used output AUX4 from the ECUmaster (I selected that as my tach signal in the program) to the black/blue wire under the dash. This wire originally received it's signal from my DME output pin 21, so I cut it and wired it to the ECUmaster. I hope this helps.

[@user-st5rl1rw2p]

Thanks a lot, you are a life saver 🙏 I will look into the economy gage and let you know if I figure it out 😁

[@warmblood58]

Amazing!! Nice looking e24! Which style rims are on your car?

[@safetythird4555]

Thanks! They are BBS RC090's.

[@deesharklife9555]

Love the car, did you custom make your cold air intake?

[@safetythird4555]

Thanks! Yes, I talk about making the cold air intake in Part 2 of the series.

[@mhtsose21]

Hello,thanks for posting this!!! You have done an amazing job there! I just need to ask you if you can share your tune as I am in the process on put this ECU on a M30B35 and I thought I can use your tune and start from there! So can you share the tune??? Thanks in advance!!!

[@safetythird4555]

Yes, I can share. Please be sure to watch the videos so you are aware of the differences between your setup and mine, so you don't hurt your engine!

[@mhtsose21]

@@safetythird4555 Hello and thanks for your response!!! I have seen all of your videos and I took them as a reference while I am at it!!! Thanks again for sharing your tune!

[@safetythird4555]

Where do you want me to send?

[@mhtsose21]

@@safetythird4555 how can I give you my email??? Its on my channel....

[@davidaghajanyan967]

Can I use the ECU Master classic on my 1984 633csi? I just rebuilt the engine I want to install ITB's so I know I will be needing a standalone and was wondering if the one you used will work. Thank you!!

[@safetythird4555]

Yeah, you should be able to use it to control the fuel and spark, just like I did in mine. But you may have to have a "balance" or equalization strategy for the ITBs because the vacuum/pressure reading will vary wildly if you just use one of the ITBs for your manifold pressure reading. Good luck!

[@ThorfinnSkullsplitter-fz7ff]

What kind of exhaust system are you using? That sounds great!

[@safetythird4555]

Thanks! I built a custom exhaust with Vibrant muffler and Vibrant ultra quiet resonator.

[@grndiesel]

Any change in MPGs after all was said and done?

[@safetythird4555]

Only slightly. I'm averaging ~1 to ~1.5 miles more per gallon. Probably more to do with the optimized tune, rather than all the changes I made.

[@patrickjenkibs2092]

Short shift kit would solve these slpo in your sifting

[@safetythird4555]

Not in this case. There was too much slop in the shifter pin from the transmission. Without fixing that, a shift kit wouldn't have helped. I also enjoyed making my own "short shifter".

[@ValidKhaled]

Great series🎉 How many miles?

[@safetythird4555]

The car has about 175k miles total. But approximately 10k since adding the standalone ECU.

[@safetythird4555]

And thanks!!

[@nataliamiliano150]

Any updates coming up soon??

[@safetythird4555]

Yes, I have a project starting soon and will be posting the videos! Thanks!

[@vjerankladic2370]

Hey man, i have same setup,would you be able to share your tune?

[@safetythird4555]

Yes, I can share it. Please verify all of your inputs and outputs!

[@vjerankladic2370]

Im trying to send you an email, but my comments are automaticly erased, whats your insta acc?

[@vjerankladic2370]

I left you a mess on web site

[@vjerankladic2370]

Ok, i've send it again

[@safetythird4555]

I sent the map file. Please let me know if you didn't receive it.

[@QuitzeMartinez]

Hey man, hit me up, we need to talk, I wanna pitch a business opportunity something to you

[@ThorfinnSkullsplitter-fz7ff]

What kind of exhaust system are you using? That sounds great!

[@safetythird4555]

I built a custom exhaust using Vibrant pieces; Ultra Quiet Resonator and Muffler.