How to Wake Up Your 5-Series With a Turner/Conforti Performance Chip
Bosch’s Motronic fuel injection system was among the first computer-controlled fuel injection systems to manage both ignition and fuel. Having owned several cars so equipped, I appreciate the system’s simplicity, reliability, and ease of troubleshooting. It’s sophisticated enough to allow your car to run well in nearly all conditions, while remaining simple enough to keep weekend mechanics like myself from becoming intimidated by its scope. However, performance enthusiast Jim Conforti has explored the limits of this system with his Turner/Conforti Performance Chip, which brings performance closer to the razor’s edge without causing engine damage.
By eliminating the compromises for mass production and warranty protection — lowering the rev limit for overzealous, lead-footed drivers, or running safer, richer fuel maps for cheapskates who occasionally use lower-octane fuel — he was able to unlock the car’s full potential. Wanting to improve the performance of my 1994 BMW 530i, I decided to order one of these chips myself.
Installation is considerably more involved than today’s plug-and-play handheld tuners, but it’s still a relatively simple, straightforward process. First the Motronic DME is removed and disassembled to gain access to the circuit boards. Then, a small chip is removed and replaced with the Turner chip. Finally the unit is reassembled and reinstalled into the car.
Thankfully, Turner Motorsport includes detailed installation instructions with each chip. An average hobbyist should be able to tackle this project in an hour or less.
What struck me immediately was the vastly improved throttle response. I had never noticed how much lag there was in the system before. My car finally felt like a thoroughbred sport sedan (or wagon, in my case). The response, in my opinion, is tuned perfectly. It’s not a touchy, hair-trigger setup, but the car feels ready for action at all times.
While there is a definite increase in power (Turner Motorsport claims gains of 23 horsepower and 23 lb-ft of torque), the improved throttle response is by far my favorite improvement. While waiting at a stoplight for my next chance to exercise this newfound power, I noticed something entirely unexpected: a smoother idle.
BMW’s M60 V8 has a somewhat loopy idle that’s surprising and even a bit disappointing to a BMW fan accustomed to the smooth operation of their legendary inline sixes. I’m happy to report that the Turner Motorsport chip smoothed the idle considerably, making it on par with BMW’s newer, more refined V8s.
What was most shocking, though, was the difference in fuel economy. Previously, I had done my best to hypermile the car, delivering a respectable 19.6 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving. After installing my chip and spending an entire weekend exercising my BMW’s new capabilities, I was shocked to see the car deliver close to 21 mpg. I’m interested to see how that number improves as I begin to drive more conservatively again.
All in all, the Turner/Conforti Performance Chip is a great all-around investment if you take care of your car and use your superpowers responsibly. There really is something for everybody to love, and my only advice before you take the plunge for any performance chip is to browse online communities and read reviews of the various chips to make sure you get the results you desire.
While those $25 eBay chips may seem attractive and promise bigger power gains, having the peace of mind knowing you have a safe, refined tune with fringe benefits like improved response and fuel economy is well worth the extra cash.
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