Race Chip initial review

[Ehloo]

Pull the trigger on the race chip from RG sport. Service was great.

The instruction from RG spot on. Expect some busted knuckles and cut fingers. The access to the TMAP is very tight and I spent the most time trying to reconnect the RC sensors. Total instal took around 2 hours. I'm not a mechanic but somewhat handy

So first driving impression is I can barely feel a difference. About 40 miles since install and sure the ECU is adapting. Kept all the RC factory settings. I feel slight increase in power and guess feeling an extra 50 HP in a 600 HP car would be minimal.

Going to see after the next couple of days and what the fully adapted ECU feels like. For the price I believe it's worth it. Probably same results compared to DInan with a quarter of the price

No issues so far. Circle back after some driving time

[r33_RGSport]

Thanks for the purchase Ehloo , it will grow on you, trust me.

[onfireX5]

The smooth integration of the RaceChip is a good thing. The power is there but it ramps up like the factory boost. Depending on your elevation and available fuel octane you can turn it up a click or two. Would be nice to know your final logged boost at "B" before you do that. Stock my M was peaking at 16.7psi and dropping to 14.8 at the shifts. On "D" it peaks at 20psi and drops to 16.6 at the shifts. That is a very nice power gain. Dropped my 0-100mph from 9.40 seconds stock to 8.6 seconds....but it is factory smooth so you don't really feel a "wham" boost spike.

[elisiX]

Sounds like the proof is in the numbers rather than seat of the pants dyno.

I think that's a good think that it feels so integrated and smooth.

My only experience with tuning is APR on a number of VAG cars.

APR also tends to feel well integrated but I could always tell from the butt dyno.

[Ehloo]

Some more miles on the car today and starting to feel the difference. You statement about factory boost seems right on as it feels just like stock but some more power.

Have not messed with any settings yet nor do I have any tools to measure boost some probably going to leave as is for awhile till I get bored.

I came from a w212 e63 with full remap and non-factory boost is kind of what I was used too so feeling this seems weird. Not our throw you back in your seat boost but smooth.

I am more tracking possible issues more than anything else. Had a lot of problems with my various tune on the AMG and somewhat scared of where and when to step on it.

What are you using to measure trap speeds and boost

Originally Posted by onfireX5

The smooth integration of the RaceChip is a good thing. The power is there but it ramps up like the factory boost. Depending on your elevation and available fuel octane you can turn it up a click or two. Would be nice to know your final logged boost at "B" before you do that. Stock my M was peaking at 16.7psi and dropping to 14.8 at the shifts. On "D" it peaks at 20psi and drops to 16.6 at the shifts. That is a very nice power gain. Dropped my 0-100mph from 9.40 seconds stock to 8.6 seconds....but it is factory smooth so you don't really feel a "wham" boost spike.

[Ehloo]

So moving the second setting dial from B to anything higher increases boost? What about the other setting dial. Did you change that?

Feel like I want to go to C first before moving up. I live in sunny dry California so don't know how that will affect my settings

Originally Posted by onfireX5

The smooth integration of the RaceChip is a good thing. The power is there but it ramps up like the factory boost. Depending on your elevation and available fuel octane you can turn it up a click or two. Would be nice to know your final logged boost at "B" before you do that. Stock my M was peaking at 16.7psi and dropping to 14.8 at the shifts. On "D" it peaks at 20psi and drops to 16.6 at the shifts. That is a very nice power gain. Dropped my 0-100mph from 9.40 seconds stock to 8.6 seconds....but it is factory smooth so you don't really feel a "wham" boost spike.

[onfireX5]

GoPoint and DashCommand for logging data. Sad thing is you are limited to two parameters at a time (ex: rpm and boost) or you really limit resolution.

Vbox for all performance tests.

[onfireX5]

The other dial always stays on 1 unless you have a diesel. Boost is the only parameter changed.

[FSociety]

Keep in mind, 91 octane is very limited to any tune like these.
You might only be able to increase 1-3 notches at most.. Folks with 93 or better octane will be able to turn the dial for more boost.

[elisiX]

I didn't realize that is what you guys ran in the US.

While we have a few different options, 98ron (premium) is what is typically used in Euro cars.

I believe 95ron is fine but 98 advised for maximum performance.

[Alextacy]

Originally Posted by elisiX

I didn't realize that is what you guys ran in the US.

While we have a few different options, 98ron (premium) is what is typically used in Euro cars.

I believe 95ron is fine but 98 advised for maximum performance.

Be careful when your comparing American fuels to Australia, as our fuel here is quite shit in comparison. You cant just go off our ron rating, as our premium is about the equivilant of US 91.

[Kzang]

In my experience with the 35i the default setting at B was barely noticeable.. Bumping it up to C is when I noticed a difference. And yes, the cars engine needs to adapt to the new boost for 50+ miles before you start the feel the power. Recommend to use a full tank of gas on one setting before going up.

[Ehloo]

About 200 miles since install and I could not wait and changed the boost setting to C. What a big difference between factory B and C. I am know a believer. Power delivery is factory smooth but just much more of it. Car is comfort is much more powerful and noticeable. Weird that sport and sport plus is harder to tell the additional power.

For the cost this a no brainier. Very happy with the results and will be messing with setting D with next tank.
Cross my fingers but no issues right now. Exactly what I wanted, more power and no issues

[onfireX5]

Welcome to the Power Club.

[jcfay]

I may have missed it, but does anyone have dyno results before/after racechip? Knowing how reliable butt dynos can be, just curious. It'd be great to see some numbers. Thanks

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by jcfay

I may have missed it, but does anyone have dyno results before/after racechip? Knowing how reliable butt dynos can be, just curious. It'd be great to see some numbers. Thanks

It is coming, one member promised me a dyno and more to unbiased review.

[onfireX5]

Originally Posted by jcfay

I may have missed it, but does anyone have dyno results before/after racechip? Knowing how reliable butt dynos can be, just curious. It'd be great to see some numbers. Thanks

Totally agree that butt dyno's can be pure placebo effect.

Dyno is much better but can vary depending on the dyno, operator, conditions, fan strength, protocols, etc.

I really like the satellite measurements from Vbox. Now you really know very accurate acceleration measurements and can do it back to back in the same air. Dragstrip runs on the same day with optical measurements are great also.

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1237831

[jcfay]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

Totally agree that butt dyno's can be pure placebo effect.

Dyno is much better but can vary depending on the dyno, operator, conditions, fan strength, protocols, etc.

I really like the satellite measurements from Vbox. Now you really know very accurate acceleration measurements and can do it back to back in the same air. Dragstrip runs on the same day with optical measurements are great also.

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1237831

I forgot about that, thanks for the repost. Sounds like you're confident the Vbox #s are very accurate too? Is it accurate to 1/10th sec? In which case, I'd agree and say your earlier post provides really strong support for RC, right? Thanks again

[onfireX5]

Originally Posted by jcfay

I forgot about that, thanks for the repost. Sounds like you're confident the Vbox #s are very accurate too? Is it accurate to 1/10th sec? In which case, I'd agree and say your earlier post provides really strong support for RC, right? Thanks again

Very confident in Vbox. I have used it at the dragstrip also.

Easily 0.10 accurate. Very repeatable on back to back runs.

The phone apps are not nearly as accurate (used them before vbox) because they are accelerometer based and the angle of the phone or movement of the phone can alter results. They are somewhat ok for before and after tests if you keep the phone clamped, but the actual data can be off.

[Crazy_HP4]

Hi. I have a 2015 x6m. I installed the racechip with stock settings. What is the best dial setting I can put it on to get more aggressive than stock setting while not going ok crazy. I live in Toronto and pump 91 octane gass from shell.

[onfireX5]

I would stop at C on 91

[Crazy_HP4]

S1 on C what about S2?

Originally Posted by onfireX5

I would stop at C on 91