HP RaceCalibration Kit to standard ecu

[VanDahl]

Was wonderin around ETK and read some parts additional information..
If I understand this correct you can put the calibration kit to a standard ecu.
No need fof pcv and you can access the ignition timing. Only downside to this is that you'll lose your warranty if you have one.

Copy paste:
• Retrofit of the HP*RaceCalibration*Kit possible as follows:
• ECE vehicles without power reduction (type code 0507 without option OE 0703): Retrofit possible with series status or in combination with HP*RacePower*Kit or in combination with HP titanium exhaust system (in preparation).
• US vehicles (type code 0517) and vehicles with option code 0178 "Control unit Asia“: Retrofit possible only in combination with HP*RacePower*Kit.

[viperclaw]

Pretty sure that you have to buy more than just the Calibration Kit to get it to work. There is a software package and also I believe you do have to replace the ECU (not 100% sure on that). But total cost is like $2K. And that's before the cost of the full Akra exhaust they want you to put on it.

[VanDahl]

As I understand the kit includes the tool (the wire) and the activation code.
When buying separately the code is the thing that costs more.

[poiteau]

There is 2 steps :
1) HP race ECU = ECU hardware + dedicated unlock code
2) HP Claibration kit software + dedicated unlock code

You can use step 1 as a stuff on its own. The coded engine map improves a little bit the torque, and so the power, at midrange, the top power is quite the OEM one. The ABS and DTC are based on the IDM (German SBK championship) development, in a few words, the ABS and DTC are more racing oriented.

You need the step 1 to use the step 2 which allows to customize many things within the engine maps, the ABS and DTC. If you want to get benefit of this step 2 you need to make a lot of tests on dyno and track and a data system is very helpful. Remark : if you use race fuel, this step 2 is almost mandatory to adjust the required ingnition timing.

You can visit the Alpha Racing website to get more infos and pricing (in euros but the US pricing is more or less the same one, after USD/euro conversion done).

[VanDahl]

Retrofit possible with series status or in combination with HP*RacePower*Kit

Plus HP Race ECU and the standard ECU have the same part nr. (13 61 8 523 966). Seems like the difference is in the software and the sticker on the unit . And if you can use the calibration kit with standard ECU why change it?

[d40]

Originally Posted by VanDahl

Plus HP Race ECU and the standard ECU have the same part nr. (13 61 8 523 966). Seems like the difference is in the software and the sticker on the unit . And if you can use the calibration kit with standard ECU why change it?

The part numbers are as follows:
01 13 61 8 521 664 CONTROL UNIT - BMS-KP 1.26 1 $1,021.17

01 13 61 8 523 966 CONTROL UNIT - BMS-KP 1.26 1 $982.
02 13 61 8 522 450 ENABLE CODE FOR HP RACE POWER KIT - 960.6

01 77 53 8 522 208 SET: HP RACE CALIBRATION KIT 1.66 1 $156.95
02 13 61 8 522 449 ENABLE CODE HP RACE CALIBRATION KIT - $1940.07

The hardware may be physically the same, b̶u̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶n̶u̶m̶b̶e̶r̶s̶ ̶a̶r̶e̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶. The main difference is in the programming activated by the enabling code SPECIFIC to the Race ECU. There is a ton of info about this on the forum already...the short answer is yes, the calibration kit and its associated enable code will work on the standard ECU, BUT it will have limited functionality.

So "why change it?" you ask, because you will only be able to affect fuel and timing with the calibration kit on the stock ECU. You wont be able to adjust DTC settings without paying for the privilege. In reality, BMW sells the race ECU (13 61 8 523 966) and the associated enabling code separately for a couple of reasons, one is regulatory and the other is likely profit.

So, if you want an "OEM flash" buy the Race ECU kit, if you want to build your own with no control of the DTC, then buy the calibration software kit. If you want to screw with everything then buy both. You're wasting your time trying to outsmart them...

[VanDahl]

664 is old part number and is not available any more. The part number are the same.

[d40]

The fiche I linked was for 2010/11 machines, and if that's the case it confirms my suspicion that selling a separate ECU is partly profit motivated, and by having the same stock number they're caught red handed but if the numbers changed the stock ECU functionality hasn't changed and that's the point. You need an enable code on an ECU branded as HP and that's the way they come from BMW...Try to order the enable code by itself from somewhere, maybe online and see if your dealer will install it on your stock ECU since the numbers match and let us know how it works out. We all may could save some money and beat BMW at it's own game

[San Jose BMW]

I'll save you the trouble: we have tried every way to get around it. You must buy a new ECU for everthing to work, and from memory the total is around $4000.

Chris