[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

<E36> M3 Dinan Chip Sizzling Sounds



Dear Digesters,

Anybody else experience the following symptoms with a Dinan chip in an E36 M3:

About 10 times now, during heavy load (e.g., going up a hill, hot weather) at 
average RPMs (3000-3500), I floor the throttle and for an split second I've 
heard something like a "sizzle" come from the engine.  At this point, I ease up 
on the throttle and everything sounds "normal" again.  

I called Dinan Eng. about this maybe six weeks ago and got plenty of attention 
from the folks there, they were honestly concerned and wanted to answer my 
questions which was encouraging.  What they told me is that this sound is 
normal and that Steve Dinan and the actual chip programmer (who each drive E36 
M3s) also experience the same thing.  The reasoning is that since the chip is 
walking such a fine line with the advanced ignition and fuel delivery settings 
that from time to time, it'll venture into this "sizzle zone".   Ok, so if I'm 
not alone then great - and granted it's an infrequent problem which only 
appears for a fraction of a second.  However, in my opinion, a sound that I can 
only best describe as a "sizzle" can not be good news for my engine and scares 
me a lot.

1.  I'd like to hear from anybody else who is hearing the same things.
2.  I'd be interested in opinions about the problem itself.
3.  Do drivers of E36 M3s with other performance chips (Jim C., Autothority, 
et. al.) in them get these sounds?

I think if I stop mashing the throttle, I'll stop getting the sizzle - but hey, 
isn't that what driving the M3 is all about?!!!  Maybe put the OEM chip back in 
and keep the Dinan chip for the track? but I love the extra performance on tap 
when driving around the Bay area. :(

TIA,

Rick BMWCCA, GGC
'95 M3 Post-It Note Yellow