RaceChip Ultimate for an X5 xDrive50i?

[AZTWW]

I just did the RC utimate on my 14 50i, which I picked up used for $400 off eBay.

I came from a FBO 335i with MHD so I know the tuning world pretty well and the gains to be expected.

Installing the RC was easy. At first it didn't do much to impress me but as you will find with all those older posts, it needs to adapt. I started at C and tried D and E. Got stuttering and the onset of misfires on the higher settings, which may be because my plugs are old at 30000. I know tuned engines like fresh plugs. I dialed it back to B after a dealer service last week and have left it there.

After adapting the increase is fairly noticable. You won't be breaking traction in 3rd but it feels strong for an SUV of this size. Like the others said, it will increase boost around 2-4ish psi. I validated this using my BT done and Torque Pro app, which on stock measured 15.8psi but hits 19 with the racechip in. Each psi increase is around 20rwhp so that would make some sense with the other guys dyno results.

So 450rwhp converted back to the engine at a 15% theoretical drive train loss is would be around 530hp. I'd say that feels about right based on my observations. I would suspect with some better gas (91 crap in Zona) and fresher plugs I could go to E and maybe be a little more HP. I might consider tune route down the road since the N63tu jb4 project has been put on hold for the x5 50i. For now it is fun.

[Maverik259]

Just bought one today lol. Dangint

[crackerjack15]

For the original poster... I don't have one on my 50i, because I feel like it is plenty fast, but I've thought about it. I did have the rc ultimate on my 35i and I will say it made it much faster!! I raced a lot of sports cars and surprised the crap out of them. It would pull to 140mph quickly. Just remember this is a simple, overpriced imho, fancy box that modifies the signal to the computer about manifold pressure. It's not going to change your average gas mileage. If your not in the throttle, then your not making boost, so mpg doesn't change. If you compared mpg at WOT over a few miles, then obviously your going to get less mpg because the car has to add fuel to go with the extra air to keep air fuel ratio safe. Gotta remember also that this is not the ideal way to add power. The fuel tables and everything in the stock programming are expecting a certain boost and then have to "trim" over time to adapt to the unexpected extra air. It works though and if you keep the settings, ie. increase in boost not too much outside the stock perimeters the computer will adapt and adjust fuel.

[kimsta]

Was the RaceChip Ultimate replaced by the RaceChip GTS? They also have RS and GTS Black. See https://www.racechip.us/shop/bmw/x5-...-480lb-ft.html

If this is correct, does anyone have experience with the newer versions?

Thanks in advance.

BTW--I read up on some of the previous threads on the RaceChips and it seems like some folks were having success while others weren't. Anyone have any idea why this is the case? It is possible that the technical updates from the 2014 model to 2015 model could have caused inconsistent results?

[Maverik259]

Yes. It's a new name. Some new functions too. Not sure about some working and some not. Never heard that. All I know is mine works like a champ. Dread the day next month I have to uninstall it to take in for final service on my free service Contract.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by kimsta

Was the RaceChip Ultimate replaced by the RaceChip GTS? They also have RS and GTS Black. See https://www.racechip.us/shop/bmw/x5-...-480lb-ft.html

If this is correct, does anyone have experience with the newer versions?

Thanks in advance.

BTW--I read up on some of the previous threads on the RaceChips and it seems like some folks were having success while others weren't. Anyone have any idea why this is the case? It is possible that the technical updates from the 2014 model to 2015 model could have caused inconsistent results?

RaceChip Ultimate is replaced by RaceChip GTS and GTS Black.
Both version have options of with App capability or without App capability.
While GTS Black have more aggressive power gain.

I am still in the talk with RaceChip Germany regarding them.
I believe no one in the US have experience with the GTS or GTS Black version yet.

[AZTWW]

With the F-Series ECU crack, you may now be better off going to a tune rather than piggy. For a few hundred more than the cost of a new RC, you can get a proven tune that puts you another 25 or so whp over the piggy. You don't have take your ECUs out and bench flash anymore.

This is why I sold mine when I did before the market is flooded with tuning options which renders piggy worthless IMO. You can just flash back to stock before dealer visits.

[kimsta]

Thanks for all the helpful info.

Would I need to bring it in to a shop for a tune? If so, any good tuning shops in Northern VA?

Thanks.

[kimsta]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Yes. It's a new name. Some new functions too. Not sure about some working and some not. Never heard that. All I know is mine works like a champ. Dread the day next month I have to uninstall it to take in for final service on my free service Contract.

The thread that dicusses inconsistent performance can be accessed at http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1006057&page=8&highlight=Racechip

[AZTWW]

Originally Posted by kimsta

Thanks for all the helpful info.

Would I need to bring it in to a shop for a tune? If so, any good tuning shops in Northern VA?

Thanks.

No, the new tunes are completely handhelds and can be done in your garage.

[kimsta]

Any idea where I can purchase a handheld tuning device?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by kimsta

Any idea where I can purchase a handheld tuning device?

They just started to come out, not every tuner still has them for our 50i, but google OBD tune for n63tu - many already have them
I'm in the process of finding Stage 2 tune via OBD

[AZTWW]

Originally Posted by kimsta

Any idea where I can purchase a handheld tuning device?

Check offerings from Bimmer Performance Center, Mission Performance, Gintani, etc. There is a multitude of known tuners that are just coming out with their flashing tools for the n63tu.

[kimsta]

Awesome. Thanks for the info.

Would be great if any members can share their experience with the OBD tunes.

[AZTWW]

Originally Posted by kimsta

Awesome. Thanks for the info.

Would be great if any members can share their experience with the OBD tunes.

DusH would be able to expand a bit better. He has the BPC Stage 1 tune on his 50i and loves it. It is every bit as fast as a stock X5M. He has a review somewhere on the forum if you do a search but he may chime in.

I hope to get a tune sometime in the next couple of months.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by AZTWW

DusH would be able to expand a bit better. He has the BPC Stage 1 tune on his 50i and loves it. It is every bit as fast as a stock X5M. He has a review somewhere on the forum if you do a search but he may chime in.

I hope to get a tune sometime in the next couple of months.

Yes, so in short summary X5M has 122hp (give or take) more than x5 50i. Stage 1 tune flash gains around 100-120hp (depending on tune and fuel 91 or 93) that puts you nicely at same performance level as X5M, BUT keep in mind your brakes are not as good and suspension is softer on 50i - so it will be a rocket, but caution is advised - it's not going to handle as good as x5M

What I'm looking at right now is Stage 2 - that will put 20-30whp more to Stage 1 - which is substantial - that's around 0.3-0.4 sec off from 1/4 mile and is noticeable

Stage 2 requires Downpipes, BUT my logic is that with muffler delete we have less restriction now and with x5M intake (14% more air filter surface intake) that we can get for $100 - we can pretty much try Stage 2 (for those who are brave enough lol). At least I'm going to try it. My logic is that max boost only happens at WOT and it's up to us to control when we do it - used cautiously - Stage 2 may be applied over stock downpipes - best part of which is NO SMELL and easy emission test check - win-win

The only thing is I want to do Stage 2 over OBD port now, so I'm waiting for BPC to release that option. Last I've read a week ago - they did first Stage 2 for n63tu and Bob said it's fantastic!

The only thing to keep in mind is that NO TUNE obd or not will 100% guarantee that dealer won't find out and deny warranty (if such need arises). I'm pretty sure in n63tu quality, but not every person is willing to risk $30k for engine if something happens. Statistics is on our side that n63tu been solid so far (only 3-4 cases in total recorded on forum - which is a drop in the bucket)

[onfireX5]

A 50i with a flash tune has gone 12.2 at 115mph in the 1/4 mile at a drag strip ?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

A 50i with a flash tune has gone 12.2 at 115mph in the 1/4 mile at a drag strip ?

I'm going to order Dragy soon to measure 0-60, 1/4, 0-100 and so on: https://www.amazon.com/dragy-10Hz-Ba.../dp/B077KKPMTB

I will post my findings, but 115mph seems about right - that's what I'm getting roughly using apps - which are not accurate, thus I'm ordering Dragy

I believe there's a good chance of getting 11.9 with Stage 2 and some other mods

[onfireX5]

Originally Posted by DuSh

I'm going to order Dragy soon to measure 0-60, 1/4, 0-100 and so on: https://www.amazon.com/dragy-10Hz-Ba.../dp/B077KKPMTB

I will post my findings, but 115mph seems about right - that's what I'm getting roughly using apps - which are not accurate, thus I'm ordering Dragy

I believe there's a good chance of getting 11.9 with Stage 2 and some other mods

Very cool. Good luck !

[AZTWW]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Yes, so in short summary X5M has 122hp (give or take) more than x5 50i. Stage 1 tune flash gains around 100-120hp (depending on tune and fuel 91 or 93) that puts you nicely at same performance level as X5M, BUT keep in mind your brakes are not as good and suspension is softer on 50i - so it will be a rocket, but caution is advised - it's not going to handle as good as x5M

What I'm looking at right now is Stage 2 - that will put 20-30whp more to Stage 1 - which is substantial - that's around 0.3-0.4 sec off from 1/4 mile and is noticeable

Stage 2 requires Downpipes, BUT my logic is that with muffler delete we have less restriction now and with x5M intake (14% more air filter surface intake) that we can get for $100 - we can pretty much try Stage 2 (for those who are brave enough lol). At least I'm going to try it. My logic is that max boost only happens at WOT and it's up to us to control when we do it - used cautiously - Stage 2 may be applied over stock downpipes - best part of which is NO SMELL and easy emission test check - win-win

The only thing is I want to do Stage 2 over OBD port now, so I'm waiting for BPC to release that option. Last I've read a week ago - they did first Stage 2 for n63tu and Bob said it's fantastic!

The only thing to keep in mind is that NO TUNE obd or not will 100% guarantee that dealer won't find out and deny warranty (if such need arises). I'm pretty sure in n63tu quality, but not every person is willing to risk $30k for engine if something happens. Statistics is on our side that n63tu been solid so far (only 3-4 cases in total recorded on forum - which is a drop in the bucket)

I also believe the stage 2 is doable without Downpipes which I will not do this time. Take a look at what BMS did with their beta JB4 earlier last year. They hit 511whp on a 550i using e30. They did not have downpipes. They then followed it up by adding 3.5 bar tmap sensors and were able to achieve 600whp. They were working on a prototype intake as well. One of their guys chimed in And said it was just e30, jb4, boost controller, and n20 tmaps.

They mentioned at the time it still had a lot left in it but was able to achieve 200whp over stock. To me it sounds like you can go over 500whp in stage 2 on pump and probably 540whp with e30 fairly easily.

[kimsta]

Awesome. Please keep us posted AZTWW and DuSh.

[redline9001]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

I would not leave any piggyback tune (except Dinan) on the car for service while under warranty. These piggyback tuners modify the signals to the engine and cause engine to produce more turbo boost and thus more power. If anything were to happen to your engine during the warranty period, the dealer would immediately blame the piggyback and deny the warranty, leaving you with the bill. Leaving it on the vehicle for service is not worth the risk, in my opinion.

Dinan is ok to leave on because it is a dealer approved product that comes with it's own warranty. The downside is that it costs considerably more and, according to their website, there is not a version available for the newer N63TU motors with an electronic wastegate.

Dinan is NOT dealer or BMW approved... bmw will void you warranty with any aftermarket tune including Dinan.

My dealer was Dinan dealer and BMW told them to drop Dinan or lose the dealership... guess what they did...

It always amazes me how many poeple openly talk about fraud on these car forums.