Drivetrain malfuction with RaceChip

[Bodie217]

Just installed the RaceChip GTS Black on my 2016 X5 50i. Note that I'm in Denver (mile above sea level).

Set on Map 5, every time I floor the car past 6k rpm, I get the "Drivetrain Malfunction" error. The car is is still drive-able but power is reduced a ton. A quick engine off/on restart makes the error go away.

The car did not get this error prior to installing the RaceChip.

I will try the RaceChip on Level 4 and see if the problem persists. I am wondering if the error code is tripped by an overboost. I have seen others with this issue on a stock tune, and that is usually an injector or coil failure.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[Kzang]

The previous Racechip had levels in letters. I'm not sure what the default setting is for the GTS model, but is map 5 the starting default level? If not, I would start at Default and let the engine slowly adjust to the tune ( one tank full of gas ) and move up on the map one level at a time.

[Bodie217]

Originally Posted by Kzang

The previous Racechip had levels in letters. I'm not sure what the default setting is for the GTS model, but is map 5 the starting default level? If not, I would start at Default and let the engine slowly adjust to the tune ( one tank full of gas ) and move up on the map one level at a time.

Yes, map 5 is the default (1-7 available).

[DuSh]

I'm not trying to be offensive, just my opinion and you are of course free to do what you want, but it's a good idea to have any device for checking codes even if you are not venturing into piggybacks/flash tunes. With pigybacks and/or any tune - I think its a must have IMHO. Carly or Bimmercode to quickly check what code exactly is thrown on your dash. I understand it's a $100 more and everyone is trying to save nowadays, but it will prove useful quickly imho (as that infamous drive-train malfunction error could be lots of things)

P.S. not to scare you or anything, but n63tu has a very weak piston design imho and with piggybacks you really need to watch it closely - tricking DME to overboost - is asking for troubles and in worst case scenario bend rods and broken pistons (and then you'll be unpleasantly surprised how much a crated n63tu costs). I'm not saying don't use piggybacks, I'm just saying don't over-push it and if you'll feel any bad signs like pinging or tagging - dial it back

Here's a broken piston from n63tu after owner pushed it too hard

[r33_RGSport]

Bodie217 , Which sensors are you connecting the harness to? Post some images so I can help you better.
Also, as Kzang said, get the engine and RaceChip to adapt too.
It maybe where you are also causing the Malfunction.

[perry8912]

Can someone advise me a piggy that is safe and ez install for Newbies?

Btw, for N63tu engine

[sbinshihon]

Originally Posted by perry8912

Can someone advise me a piggy that is safe and ez install for Newbies?

Btw, for N63tu engine

I would just get Jb4 Stage One and call it a day.

[pits200]

Originally Posted by DuSh

I'm not trying to be offensive, just my opinion and you are of course free to do what you want, but it's a good idea to have any device for checking codes even if you are not venturing into piggybacks/flash tunes. With pigybacks and/or any tune - I think its a must have IMHO. Carly or Bimmercode to quickly check what code exactly is thrown on your dash. I understand it's a $100 more and everyone is trying to save nowadays, but it will prove useful quickly imho (as that infamous drive-train malfunction error could be lots of things)

P.S. not to scare you or anything, but n63tu has a very weak piston design imho and with piggybacks you really need to watch it closely - tricking DME to overboost - is asking for troubles and in worst case scenario bend rods and broken pistons (and then you'll be unpleasantly surprised how much a crated n63tu costs). I'm not saying don't use piggybacks, I'm just saying don't over-push it and if you'll feel any bad signs like pinging or tagging - dial it back

Here's a broken piston from n63tu after owner pushed it too hard

I can't see the piston design being flawed. I'm too lazy to compare but the n54 is an open deck with cast pistons and rods and there have been plenty of people pushing almost triple the stock horsepower on a stock engine.

A piggy is safe if you just want 50 to 75 more horsepower which should be cake for this engine. Maybe not on the x5 but do you know how big of power plenty of 550 owners are pushing with the n63tu, it's a good amount.

Just saying, don't take one example of a busted piston and take that as a true sample size. You don't know if the person was using bad fuel or some other reason to cause piston failure.

[pits200]

Op, once upping boost, things that didn't show before come to the forefront. If you're on stock plugs and 5hey have more than 25k, that is maintenance item one.

Two, if you have everything hooked up right, the problem is probably a misfire. See if it's the same cylinder that it always happens with. If it's not the plugs, possibly a coil.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by pits200

I can't see the piston design being flawed. I'm too lazy to compare but the n54 is an open deck with cast pistons and rods and there have been plenty of people pushing almost triple the stock horsepower on a stock engine.

A piggy is safe if you just want 50 to 75 more horsepower which should be cake for this engine. Maybe not on the x5 but do you know how big of power plenty of 550 owners are pushing with the n63tu, it's a good amount.

Just saying, don't take one example of a busted piston and take that as a true sample size. You don't know if the person was using bad fuel or some other reason to cause piston failure.

That's reassuring to hear. I suspect it was a bad fuel case probably. The only reason why I mentioned bad design is compared to s63tu (if you compare them side by side) you can see how much more robust s63tu pistons are - longer and thicker sideskirt (and probably forged too). Maybe I worded it badly, I meant it's not as robust as some other BMW pistons. n54 is probably an exception, amount of power people get from it is mind blowing. But I agree with you +75hp is absolutely fine (but the thing is that black racechip on extreme setting can be pushing more than that, I'm not sure - I'm just speculating). I've read that Terry got up to 600+whp or something around that with 3.5bar sensor and some other things, but he used E30/E50 fuel if I'm not mistaken

[pits200]

Originally Posted by DuSh

That's reassuring to hear. I suspect it was a bad fuel case probably. The only reason why I mentioned bad design is compared to s63tu (if you compare them side by side) you can see how much more robust s63tu pistons are - longer and thicker sideskirt (and probably forged too). Maybe I worded it badly, I meant it's not as robust as some other BMW pistons. n54 is probably an exception, amount of power people get from it is mind blowing. But I agree with you +75hp is absolutely fine (but the thing is that black racechip on extreme setting can be pushing more than that, I'm not sure - I'm just speculating). I've read that Terry got up to 600+whp or something around that with 3.5bar sensor and some other things, but he used E30/E50 fuel if I'm not mistaken

Typical piston failure on boosted BMWs recently have been from bad fuel, meth hydrolock,pushing IA too high(melted pistons), and very high boost. Worst thing you can do with these high torque cars outside the obvious is to try flooring it with in a high gear with very low load. It's horribly harsh on all internal components.

As for the racechip, there is no way that they are adding more than a few lbs of boost. It would be extremely irresponsible for them to say you can put the gts on a stock car on 93 with no accompanying mods and everything run fine. I'm obviously just speculating but as many platforms as the racechip goes across, they don't want to be known for blowing motors for pushing things too much.

[r33_RGSport]

Anyway.... what happened to the OP? He got problem and we all here to help, but he hasn't responded.

[pits200]

Also, doesn't Denver pretty much only have 91 octane?

[DuSh]

Did today for fun, it's not scientific by any means https://streamable.com/dd8q2

[CT335xi]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Did today for fun, it's not scientific by any means https://streamable.com/dd8q2

Very Impressive!! Car looks like it’s running super strong , and this is on 91 pump?? I’m curious what this would run in a 1/4 mile , your #’s although not totally accurate but probably damn close are quicker then a x5m , I mean 11.99 to 120, doesn’t a stock x5m run like 12.1-12.2 @ 115 mph? Regardless you car is fast for sure, can’t wait to get a tune on mine! OP sorry for going off topic.

[perry8912]

Originally Posted by CT335xi

Very Impressive!! Car looks like it’s running super strong , and this is on 91 pump?? I’m curious what this would run in a 1/4 mile , your #’s although not totally accurate but probably damn close are quicker then a x5m , I mean 11.99 to 120, doesn’t a stock x5m run like 12.1-12.2 @ 115 mph? Regardless you car is fast for sure, can’t wait to get a tune on mine! OP sorry for going off topic.

His car is definitely run faster than x5M. The M run 0-100mph with about 9.3 sec...

[CT335xi]

Originally Posted by perry8912

His car is definitely run faster than x5M. The M run 0-100mph with about 9.3 sec...

He has to find a stock f85 x5m and line up and have a run would love to see the outcome.

[menelaos]

Folks, not an expert by any means, but I think manufacturers do dyno tests and list speed test milestones based on that, as opposed to actual street test that DuSh did?
Not saying results wouldn't be different but driver pushing motor to limits may not be comparable to dyno tests on the rack.
I understand DuSh does have a flash tune, which is very close to M stock, at least on paper.

[pits200]

If someone only has access to 91, they should be very wary of any tune. Unless you plan to run a little e85 to help, you are being really aggressive with crap 91 gas. If you're not logging, I can guarantee there are timing drops all through the pull. Wait till the heat of summer, then the risk jumps even more.

[DuSh]

OP please update us on your issue!


P.S. I don't want to go off-topic, apologize for that. I'll just quickly write here and will try to refrain from other posts in this thread.
So I got hold of 93 octane for $5.50 per gallon lol (did it just for the test - one time thing, as I'm not going to buy it constantly for that crazy price). On 91 - I can feel car is a lot weaker.
IMHO and this is just my opinion - car is faster than X5M from the start (due to bigger torque - checked by dynamic dyno), but X5M still has upper hand on higher revs - and hp is what matters eventually, so 1/4 mile could be very close to X5M time and I'm happy with that. Flash allowed my 50i to somewhat match stock X5M dynamics. Tuned X5M will still walk me.

Also, I did weight reduction and that helps too (back seats and passenger seat removal, muffler delete (that gave a good exhaust sound too) and swapped stock heavy RF tires to non RF DWS06). In reality I don't think any other person is crazy enough to do this to a nice car, a family hauler like x5. I just did it to push the limits, but I'll be going back soon, as I've reached my limits - I can only do so much, I can install Downpipes and flash Stage 2 - but car will smell and have issues with emissions - so I'm not going to do it as this is my daily car. This is where I stop.

Theoretically Stage 2 and Downpipes will add 30-40whp more and car may be looking at about 11.5 sec 1/4 mile - I think that's as fast as any 50i can go in the world, unless you start installing forged pistons and bigger turbos or maybe some backend flash with e30/e50 fuel and 3.5bar sensor like Terry is experimenting. I'm certainly not going to do it - I have no knowledge, no patience for that and no money lol. I'm just a regular guy with a flash and a bit of weight reduction testing 50i dynamics. It's already stupid fast for a family SAV, but I think I'll focus next on putting it back and maintenance and maybe exterior/comfort options etc. Sorry for the long post.

[CT335xi]

Originally Posted by pits200

If someone only has access to 91, they should be very wary of any tune. Unless you plan to run a little e85 to help, you are being really aggressive with crap 91 gas. If you're not logging, I can guarantee there are timing drops all through the pull. Wait till the heat of summer, then the risk jumps even more.

Yeah that’s why they call 91 craptane , man I’m glad on the east coast we have access to 93 , but wish here in Ct had access to e85.

[pits200]

Originally Posted by CT335xi

Yeah that’s why they call 91 craptane , man I’m glad on the east coast we have access to 93 , but wish here in Ct had access to e85.

Ya. E85 is such a big advantage on DI especially in the summer. We have 93 and e85 here in Pittsburgh and on my old n54, I ran full e85 which is about e70, required secondary pi fueling but the car loved it.