DIY: RaceChip Ultimate for F85/F86 X5M/X6M Installation Instruction

[r33_RGSport]

Guys,

As promised and great thanks to onfireX5 for the pictures and testings, here I present to you, the installation instruction for the RaceChip Ultimate.
Feel free to ask me for any question.

I attached the PDF file since it is easier or you can always find it on my website in the RaceChip Ultimate for F85/F86 X5M/X6M description.

RGSport-F85_F86_RaceChip_Ultimate.pdf

[onfireX5]

Great job ! This will make the installation easy for the X5M, X6M folks.

[ItaliaM3]

Do you offer intallation at your shop in So Cal?

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by ItaliaM3

Do you offer intallation at your shop in So Cal?

Yea, I do it.
Not any mechanic.

[ItaliaM3]

Great, I'll be by when my car arrives.

Should the RC be installed after break-in or does it matter?

[jcfay]

thanks. one thing I didn't see here that onfireX5 referred to was the ability to quickly revert back to stock. I've been in the airbox so far but not underneath, and the install instructions look easy. Is the reversion to stock simply swapping out the connectors again so that the RC is bypassed? With it installed as shown, zip ties etc., does one simply pull the airbox and then the connectors are reachable to swap?

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by ItaliaM3

Great, I'll be by when my car arrives.

Should the RC be installed after break-in or does it matter?

It doesn't matter. You can keep doing the break-in with the RC installed.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by jcfay

thanks. one thing I didn't see here that onfireX5 referred to was the ability to quickly revert back to stock. I've been in the airbox so far but not underneath, and the install instructions look easy. Is the reversion to stock simply swapping out the connectors again so that the RC is bypassed? With it installed as shown, zip ties etc., does one simply pull the airbox and then the connectors are reachable to swap?

Yes, the dummy plug will put the connection back into thr oem loop.

The sensors are visible once you remove the airbox, but you still need to reach in inside the engine bay to get into the sensor.

[onfireX5]

The bypass plug was a big selling point for me. The RC module is digital and should live as long as any other electrical component on the M. However, it's nice to know if I'm 1000 miles from home I can bypass it and revert back to pure stock in 60 seconds. Just slide the purple locking tab and install the bypass. Gtg.

[DallasCajun]

So I have a quick question about the install that might be so obvious that it is also a stupid question: how do you disconnect the battery?

Under the hood there is simply a positive terminal to connect to, but not manufactured to actually disconnect. I think the battery is located in the rear, so do I access it there and pull the positive terminal on that end?

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by DallasCajun

So I have a quick question about the install that might be so obvious that it is also a stupid question: how do you disconnect the battery?

Under the hood there is simply a positive terminal to connect to, but not manufactured to actually disconnect. I think the battery is located in the rear, so do I access it there and pull the positive terminal on that end?

Yes, it is in the trunk.
I usually disconnect the negative.
If you have 2 batteries, undo both of them.

[DallasCajun]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Yes, it is in the trunk.
I usually disconnect the negative.
If you have 2 batteries, undo both of them.

Thanks Ben. I have a little 'project' that I'm getting set to complete tomorrow evening.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by DallasCajun

Thanks Ben. I have a little 'project' that I'm getting set to complete tomorrow evening.

Wish you luck.

[Kzang]

I've never disconnected the battery on mine and I've changed installed and uninstalled a few times.

[DallasCajun]

Thanks...probably don't need to disconnect, but also REALLY don't need to short anything out. Actually more concerned about getting the engine bay to cool down enough to not get 3rd deg burns...it was still pretty damn hot 3-4 hours after getting back from a 30 min drive down the highway with the family yesterday (so wasn't pushing it at all).

[Kzang]

I can understand the concerns.. but again I've done it several times disconnecting the tune for car oil change services and MPPK tune installs at my local dealer. None of my other buddies that also have the RCU disconnect the battery as well. I guess it doesn't hurt to be extra careful, but just saying it isn't necessary.

[onfireX5]

Alternative I use (dis batt is best), is turn engine off, unlock hood and raise, lock all doors, place fob 50ft from car, wait 10 minutes. Computer goes to sleep. Good to go.

[jcfay]

Originally Posted by DallasCajun

Thanks...probably don't need to disconnect, but also REALLY don't need to short anything out. Actually more concerned about getting the engine bay to cool down enough to not get 3rd deg burns...it was still pretty damn hot 3-4 hours after getting back from a 30 min drive down the highway with the family yesterday (so wasn't pushing it at all).

I bet you won't work on a hot car again, eh? I learned this lesson not that long ago and now I always do any engine work pre-drive, if at all possible. I've gotten scorched enough already

[DallasCajun]

Originally Posted by jcfay

I bet you won't work on a hot car again, eh? I learned this lesson not that long ago and now I always do any engine work pre-drive, if at all possible. I've gotten scorched enough already

Yep, just touched the engine and airbox cover yesterday afternoon and decided I was going to have to do this another time. Thinking I'll leave the office early and finish the day from home, just so I can do this around 6P or so.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

Alternative I use (dis batt is best), is turn engine off, unlock hood and raise, lock all doors, place fob 50ft from car, wait 10 minutes. Computer goes to sleep. Good to go.

Right, I failed to comment that I do let my X5 go to sleep before disconnecting and reinstalling.

[Ehloo]

I did not disconnect my battery but followed the included instructions in detail. Was concerned about the battery as I read other piggy instructions and they all stress disconnecting.

The overall install is pretty simple but accessing the sensors is a pain. Disconnecting the sensors was hard but reconnecting the RC was really challenging. So fully removing before next service will be hard

[onfireX5]

I am just going to remove the module, pop in the bypass plug and tuck the harness out of sight.