I took the car in to get it smogged ('95 540iA) and it did not pass.
After removing the chip it passed with flying colors.
Soooo, if you live in California (VERY tough smog laws) I would suggest you remove the EAT chip for the smog test and put it back when your done.

Obviously what failed was the emissins test, here's the differences for those that are interested:

This is with the chip @ 15 MPH:

HC (PPM)--- Max - needs to be no higher than 81, mine measured @ 149. :eek:

NO (PPM)---MAX - needs to be no higher than 685, mine was @ 1818 :eek:

This is with the chip @ 25 MPH:

HC (PPM)--- Max - needs to be no higher than 47, mine was right @ 47

NO (PPM)--- Max - needs to no higher than 696, mine was @ 365.

Ok, now with the OEM chip:

OEM Chip @ 15 MPH:

HC (PPM)---Max - 81, this time @ 51. :alright

NO (PPM)---Max - 685, this time @ 516. :alright

OEM Chip @ 25MPH:

HC (PPM)--- Max - 47, this time @ 27. :alright

NO (PPM)---Max - 696, this time @ 245. :alright

So as you can tell by these #'s, California state smog laws doesn't like Mark's chip, but I do and it's back in there and the cars running like a bat out of hell once again.

I hope this helps you guys,

Keith :cool

thanks for the info keith.

a couple questions though...

1) for bmw's, it's recommended that you drive the car hard on the freeway for at least 20 min to heat up the cats. was this done?

2) also, it's recommended that you do not turn off the car when you get to smog facility, and try to have the car tested asap. was this done?

just for future reference for others, that's what should be done. also, try to find a smog place that will do a pretest to make sure your car passes.

i don't have the eat chip, but i do have the conforti chip, and my car passed cali smog-II by following these recommendations.

Keith, keep in mind that if you failed an actual test (not a pre-test) you probably will have a "gross polluter" tag on your cars history. Meaning when the time comes to sell you will have to explain why there's a gross polluter tag on the carfax. I would keep all documentation just for that purpose.

-Leo

yea, i failed smog-I two years ago. drove the car hard for a bit, and had it retested, and it passed. but because of this, i think that's one of the reasons why i was sent to smog-II this year.

and it's funny that you mention carfax. when i did a check on my car, it listed me as failing smog. so i contacted them about this, and had to fax over info that showed i passed. they changed the record after that.

That's cool that that can be done. I remember my 95 325is failed because of a crappy o2 sensor that was throwing a CEL. Anyhoo, had to take it to a smog-II station, no big deal, it passed, but i never got rid of the gross polluter thing.

Anyhoo, my 325is also had a J.C. chip and passed just fine.. after the o2 sensor replacement anyway...

I have a S&K chip and passed Cali smog with flying colors. :)

I have a S&K chip and passed Cali smog with flying colors. :)

do you want a cookie :stickoutt ?

:laugh

I have a S&K chip and passed Cali smog with flying colors. :)

Yes Jimmy, you have a Sacramento CALIFORNIA chip, mines from Canada.

Oh and Rob,

The first time:

#1) YES

#2) sort of, it was turned off while I filled put the paperwork

2nd time:

Yes & Yes AFTER we did a pre-test. :D

with the talk of chips i thought i could jump in here and put forward my request.
as an australian member, our chip's are limited to a powerchip and they have come back with many a mixed result as far as power increases etc go. the EAT chips and the jim c's chips ive been told are the best value for money, but i was told that they were un-available for the 540?!

i'm definatly interested in a chip for my 1995 540iLE (M540), so could someone point me in the right direction....please

Yes Jimmy, you have a Sacramento CALIFORNIA chip, mines from Canada.

Oh and Rob,

The first time:

#1) YES

#2) sort of, it was turned off while I filled put the paperwork

2nd time:

Yes & Yes AFTER we did a pre-test. :D

Keith,

Glad to hear that you finally passed.

I have actually been thinking about trying a different chip.

Not sure if I want to go JC, S&K or Dinan.

S&K is less than 5 miles from me, but getting the owners time to do a chip is not easy anymore. They book weeks out now.

I know that E34nication has a JC chip and he seems to like it.

Dinan and S&K would be CA chips, but I do not know anyone with a E34 540 running a Dinan chip, just all the E39 Boys with their OBDII Dinan stuff.

Anyone have any insight?

Not to mention I have been trying to get info on my chip from Mark D'Sylva for almost 5 months, and he just won't reply, except on the boards to say he will write, and that he has been busy.....

with the talk of chips i thought i could jump in here and put forward my request.
as an australian member, our chip's are limited to a powerchip and they have come back with many a mixed result as far as power increases etc go. the EAT chips and the jim c's chips ive been told are the best value for money, but i was told that they were un-available for the 540?!

i'm definatly interested in a chip for my 1995 540iLE (M540), so could someone point me in the right direction....please


I like my Conforti Chip... car pulls pretty strong throughout the rev-range... problem with the '95 540's is that after a specific build date the chip has to be re-flashed to work with the EWS II system. This re-flash requires you sending your chip into the person burning you a new chip which, with you in australia, could present a problem. Check your build-date then do a little research. I am sure there is some option out there for you.

Actually, I have been thinking about going with Dinan for one main reason.

They have the tranny chip.

http://dinancars.com/Series.asp?Series=15&Chassis=14&Model=62

Since doing the 3.64 diff(which is a performance upgrade by Dinan for Auto's), I have searched all over this wonderful country of ours for something to upgrade my tranny, like a stall convertor, or shift kit. No one will touch the BMW tranny. I would like a bit more kick when it shifts to control the power band better.

Dinan is the only one that makes software directly for the tranny, of course you have to have their engine chip too though..

600 bucks for both....uughhhh

Actually, I have been thinking about going with Dinan for one main reason.

They have the tranny chip.

http://dinancars.com/Series.asp?Series=15&Chassis=14&Model=62

Since doing the 3.64 diff(which is a performance upgrade by Dinan for Auto's), I have searched all over this wonderful country of ours for something to upgrade my tranny, like a stall convertor, or shift kit. No one will touch the BMW tranny. I would like a bit more kick when it shifts to control the power band better.

Dinan is the only one that makes software directly for the tranny, of course you have to have their engine chip too though..

600 bucks for both....uughhhh

Ask for the BFC 10% discount. :devillook :D

Let me tell you about Ohio Smog Testing:

I am doing it myself as responsible, environmentally conscious citizen, and because state does not require one. I turn on my 1982 Jaguar XJS with all 4 catalytic converters removed, heat it up and than check the smell. If birds do not drop as they fly above my yard, than car is running nice and lean, so no further testing is needed :alright

Actually, I have been thinking about going with Dinan for one main reason.

They have the tranny chip.

http://dinancars.com/Series.asp?Series=15&Chassis=14&Model=62

Since doing the 3.64 diff(which is a performance upgrade by Dinan for Auto's), I have searched all over this wonderful country of ours for something to upgrade my tranny, like a stall convertor, or shift kit. No one will touch the BMW tranny. I would like a bit more kick when it shifts to control the power band better.

Dinan is the only one that makes software directly for the tranny, of course you have to have their engine chip too though..

600 bucks for both....uughhhh
actually, you don't need to run the dinan engine chip with the dinan tranny chip. there's some people running the conforti engine chip with the dinan tranny chip, and they run fine.

i'm gonna get a dinan tranny chip too (been saying this forever).

actually, you don't need to run the dinan engine chip with the dinan tranny chip. there's some people running the conforti engine chip with the dinan tranny chip, and they run fine.

i'm gonna get a dinan tranny chip too (been saying this forever).

Interesting you say that!

I called them 2 months ago after I did my diff swap, and they told me I had to have their engine chip.

I also called again this morning to get a little more data on their chip, and they said the same thing.

What engine chip do you have?

Interesting you say that!

I called them 2 months ago after I did my diff swap, and they told me I had to have their engine chip.

I also called again this morning to get a little more data on their chip, and they said the same thing.

What engine chip do you have?


of course they'll say that... they don't want you to buy a chip other than dinan. You can also only run the tranny chip. Guy I know has it in his '94 540i.

yep, exactly... more money for dinan.

i'm running a conforti chip.

i passed smog on the 535 with the dsylva EAT chip; have yet to chip the 540 though.

Wow, I guess trusting the makers/vendors is a like trusting Michael Jackson with my kids at Neverland huh?

Thanks guys!

Dinan and S&K would be CA chips, but I do not know anyone with a E34 540 running a Dinan chip, just all the E39 Boys with their OBDII Dinan stuff.

Anyone have any insight?

I have a Dinan chip in my 540i6. I live in Oregon and don't have any smog tests, but performance wise, I really like it. I haven't tried any other chips, but I have no complaints about this one.

I have a Dinan chip in my 540i6. I live in Oregon and don't have any smog tests, but performance wise, I really like it. I haven't tried any other chips, but I have no complaints about this one.

Well, see that is the thing. You have a Dinan, and you like it, but you have nothing to compare it too, because it is all you ever had in that car....

That is my dilemna....

In my endless pursuit to achieve my addiction to HP, I only have used the E.A.T., and the only one nearby that has a similar car as me in an Auto, has the same chip...

So, that is why I am thinking about trying a different chip.

Either way, I will get the Tranny Chip from Dinan soon.

I guess I will have to put in my stock chip or get a new performance chip before I smog next year anyway....

Geeze california ruins all the fun stuff....emissions, products containing lead, etc. :stickoutt

Its great - here in PA they LOOK to see if everything is there (pre obd2), and they test the gas CAP itself (not the tank or anything) to see if it holds pressure. That's it! :)

in cali, for smog-II, your car is on the roller, they check under the hood, and test the gas cap too. but that is all, no inspection of lights or any crap like that. but cali's smog tests are no joke.

ok, so all this talk of chips and who's running what and why. where do i go to have a look at whats on offer. whats the dinan site, the JC site etc.

ok, so all this talk of chips and who's running what and why. where do i go to have a look at whats on offer. whats the dinan site, the JC site etc.

I would go more custom and get a Unichip(Dastek).It is alittle more $$ but you put your car on a dyno and dial in all the parameters right there on a laptop.The company hdqters is in South Africa.

well yes sth africa is only a short drive away to do a dyno!