OBDII tuning options? I have no clue wtf I'm looking at.

[BLINGMW]

So I have this '97 318ti. I don't know what my options are when it comes to OBDII tuning. I see lots of neat software packages with cables that let you interface with the OBDII port from:

AutoEnginuity
Scantool
Autosoft
Innovate makes some things too

But each of them offer all kinds of options, and I have no clue which way I should go. Any recommendations?

As I understand it, none of those let me change anything though, right? I'm also interested in replacing the front O2 sensor with Innovate's LC-1 and sensor, and emulating the narrowband input for the ECU, but again, I still can't change fuel, timing, or AFR. So is there some way to mess with that stuff without spending a whole lot, or do you still have to pay for specific ECU reflashes?

I guess the ECU should automatically adjust for exhaust, intake changes, so maybe I should just assume it's doing its job and not bother?

[D_Eclipse9916]

Dont bother, maybe if you were trying to do cams. I personally havent seen anything worth anything for BMW tuning. It does make me kind of upset that ill be eventually getting a 2 or 300 flash but have no idea what the flash is doing. For 2 hundred more I had almost a full standalone for my dsm.

[BLINGMW]

yeah I'm considering a $250 ECU reflash, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something much more flexible. I hate to spend that much on software that I have no control over, can't move to another car easily, and can't remove if needed. I am considering a rebuild head with cams maybe a year from now.

Well just from a diagnosis standpoint, seems like since both the Element and 318 are OBDII, I should have a scan tool, and some of these "tuning" tools aren't much more $ and allow me to gather a lot more info. I assume it looks like this :dunno:

[D_Eclipse9916]

^^^ Those scan tools might let you look at injector duty cycles, dead time, timing advance etc etc, but on a mostly stock car....what is the point?

However if your just looking at wanting to see something so you can read codes. advance auto lets you use their scan tools free.....so no point in wasting money.

The shark injector also lets you uninstall its tune, but yes it can only be used on one vehicle.