Feasibility of coding different engine/transmission (VO?)

meltbox · 10-20-2018, 04:16 PM

Is it feasible to code say a N55 to a N20 car or vice versa. Going one step farther would is be possible to make the car expect a B series ecu? I know that the modules may not be happy but is it possible to at least force that in the VO or is my whole concept flawed?

From an academic standpoint I am wondering what is the chance a seamless engine swap could be accomplished.

Bonus: Not on topic here but does anyone know if B series and N series mounting points are the same for engines?

meltbox · 10-21-2018, 09:46 PM

So I did some more digging and I think the answer to swapping a N20 to a N55 is it is possible and all you have to change is your cars "type code" or "typeschlussel" as well as add the ecu in and delete the old one?

I guess the bigger question is can we upgrade to the new ECUs used to run the B58 and B48? It seems like the cars were still similar enough that it should all work together but I'm unsure. Anyone who might have the knowledge for these difficult questions?

atzebmw · 10-22-2018, 03:27 AM

Why do you think that you can make a N55 to an N20 by coding?
This is a completely different engine with other components.
And also you can not just install the ecus of the B58 or B48. That does not work.

Abzynthe · 10-22-2018, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atzebmw

Why do you think that you can make a N55 to an N20 by coding?
This is a completely different engine with other components.
And also you can not just install the ecus of the B58 or B48. That does not work.

I think he would actually be changing the engine aswell, not just try and code a 35i in a 20i or something lol

meltbox · 10-22-2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

I think he would actually be changing the engine aswell, not just try and code a 35i in a 20i or something lol

Correct. The question is more of can an ecu be changed without upsetting the rest of the computers in the car and so that if you were to connect with ISTA it didn't get unhappy.

EDIT: Actually I guess most important is can it be done without the car throwing a CEL

meltbox · 10-30-2018, 07:31 PM

Bump. I did some more research. This is very hard to do it seems. You can swap a N55 ecu into a N20 though. There are two problems though, the VIN and the ISN.

Does anyone know if a car will start if the DME has the incorrect VIN but correct ISN? Both can be changed but changing the ISN in the CAS appears much easier than changing the VIN and ISN in the DME.

EDIT: The only clean way you can currently swap a B58 in and have it work (maybe) is if BMW sells you a virgin B58 ecu with your vin in it matched to your CAS.... which they won't (or so I would think).... So I think you cannot do it unless you manage to swap in a matching CAS/DME from a a B58 car which I think in newer cars means the FEM since it contains the CAS now in some (all?) models. Hard to keep this all straight. Basically if you recoded the rest of your car to the donor vin you would probably be fine then?

10-20-2018, 04:16 PM	#1
meltbox Private First Class 43 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 2014 328xi GT (F34/N20) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Feasibility of coding different engine/transmission (VO?) Is it feasible to code say a N55 to a N20 car or vice versa. Going one step farther would is be possible to make the car expect a B series ecu? I know that the modules may not be happy but is it possible to at least force that in the VO or is my whole concept flawed? From an academic standpoint I am wondering what is the chance a seamless engine swap could be accomplished. Bonus: Not on topic here but does anyone know if B series and N series mounting points are the same for engines?
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10-21-2018, 09:46 PM	#2
meltbox Private First Class 43 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 2014 328xi GT (F34/N20) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	So I did some more digging and I think the answer to swapping a N20 to a N55 is it is possible and all you have to change is your cars "type code" or "typeschlussel" as well as add the ecu in and delete the old one? I guess the bigger question is can we upgrade to the new ECUs used to run the B58 and B48? It seems like the cars were still similar enough that it should all work together but I'm unsure. Anyone who might have the knowledge for these difficult questions?
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10-22-2018, 03:27 AM	#3
atzebmw Colonel 588 Rep 2,302 Posts Drives: Tesla Model 3 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Why do you think that you can make a N55 to an N20 by coding? This is a completely different engine with other components. And also you can not just install the ecus of the B58 or B48. That does not work.
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10-30-2018, 07:31 PM	#6
meltbox Private First Class 43 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 2014 328xi GT (F34/N20) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Bump. I did some more research. This is very hard to do it seems. You can swap a N55 ecu into a N20 though. There are two problems though, the VIN and the ISN. Does anyone know if a car will start if the DME has the incorrect VIN but correct ISN? Both can be changed but changing the ISN in the CAS appears much easier than changing the VIN and ISN in the DME. EDIT: The only clean way you can currently swap a B58 in and have it work (maybe) is if BMW sells you a virgin B58 ecu with your vin in it matched to your CAS.... which they won't (or so I would think).... So I think you cannot do it unless you manage to swap in a matching CAS/DME from a a B58 car which I think in newer cars means the FEM since it contains the CAS now in some (all?) models. Hard to keep this all straight. Basically if you recoded the rest of your car to the donor vin you would probably be fine then?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

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