[chador]

Hello all,

First off, I have never, ever modded anything on any car, ever. With my current M8 GC Competition, I am tempted to try out the RaceChip GTS given how easy they claim it is to install, and its plug-and-play nature.

Given my car is a lease, and I don't want to cause trouble or get flagged, is this product something I can feel safe trying out? I will likely never push the limits, but I thought it would be fun for some performance boost. I would of course un-install the device prior to taking the car in for any service or otherwise.

I just worry since my have friends who are constantly coding and chipping their BMWs and they have "bricked" their cars several times requiring towing, and re-flashing etc. I don't want to go down that road.

[bloozemanAZ]

Check out this thread on the install which makes it indeed look like a relatively easy install (and removal prior to a service call). Granted the OP had a mechanic friend do the work but it was 15 minutes or less. Depending on your confidence you could likely do it slowly but surely to the same result. The OP also just posted a thread on a recent run to compare before and after results.

https://f92.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1781184

[nynd]

Sounds like we should organize a group buy of 10 to 15 if enough interested.

[jm600rr]

Its very easy to install. I had it on my X5M and never had any issues with the car or with service visits. On the X5M I unplugged the module and put the bypass plug and hid it under the air box but on this car I will be uninstalling it for service visits. On the M8 its very easy to visually spot with no real way of hiding it.

[r33_RGSport]

@Vic55 should be able to share his thoughts on this matter.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

@Vic55 should be able to share his thoughts on this matter.

As I had described in the other thread: RC is the plug and play-walk away mod that gets you some great gains for the dollars spent. Obviously its not going to be customizable like JB4 or an ECU tune but its perfect for the owner who wants just a bit more from the 0-60 and 60-130 times (most tangible in driving for me).

You can definitely tell the difference as Ive used the bypass plug a few times and done runs on the same road with it off and on. I dont have any empiricals as the slopes are not valid for Draggy but others have shared their gains (circa .3 ticks in the quarter or so and maybe .2 in the zero to 60).

I love that it can be installed in less than 10 minutes with no wire adjustments and reversed just as fast when one needs service.

[xmanpro]

Can't wait to get this on my M8!

[Resjudicata]

Originally Posted by chador

Hello all,

First off, I have never, ever modded anything on any car, ever. With my current M8 GC Competition, I am tempted to try out the RaceChip GTS given how easy they claim it is to install, and its plug-and-play nature.

Given my car is a lease, and I don't want to cause trouble or get flagged, is this product something I can feel safe trying out? I will likely never push the limits, but I thought it would be fun for some performance boost. I would of course un-install the device prior to taking the car in for any service or otherwise.

I just worry since my have friends who are constantly coding and chipping their BMWs and they have "bricked" their cars several times requiring towing, and re-flashing etc. I don't want to go down that road.

It's very easy to install and remove. It's not really worth it in my opinion, but lots of folks swear by it.

It basically tricks your car into thinking it needs more turbo boost. Kinda like an antilag device.
If you've ever launched your m8 vs full throttle without launch mode; you're immediately see the difference. The extra air in the turbos spooling at full power adds an extra "kick" that gives you a little bit of more horsepower without the turbo lag.

For those of us in urban parts of northern Virginia, most of us drive around under 100 mph; which means we use more torque. Start and stop; stop and go; traffic and red lights; means Torque is far more important than top end horsepower.
Thus, an extra +50 hp isn't worth nearly as much +25 torque to me.

But if you live in the flat middle part of the country, an extra HP boost will help the highway speeds.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Resjudicata

It's very easy to install and remove. It's not really worth it in my opinion, but lots of folks swear by it.

It basically tricks your car into thinking it needs more turbo boost. Kinda like an antilag device.
If you've ever launched your m8 vs full throttle without launch mode; you're immediately see the difference. The extra air in the turbos spooling at full power adds an extra "kick" that gives you a little bit of more horsepower without the turbo lag.

For those of us in urban parts of northern Virginia, most of us drive around under 100 mph; which means we use more torque. Start and stop; stop and go; traffic and red lights; means Torque is far more important than top end horsepower.
Thus, an extra +50 hp isn't worth nearly as much +25 torque to me.

But if you live in the flat middle part of the country, an extra HP boost will help the highway speeds.

I would disagree in your theory about where the gains are... the unit creates both hp and tq. Its clear in

limeypride

posts that not only does he gain trap speed (hp) but also dropped his zero to 60 by three tenths. Off the line and short bursts from 30-100 (where you said you benefit) are a definite plus which is from the tq gains. His data is empirical so swearing by it is backed up. There is no way only hp provides such gains. As you very well know, hp is a derivative of tq- the RC bumps tq as well in a very decent amount for the monies.

His gains are beneficial in all environments and so are mine. The JB4 is an even more advanced tool for those who want to engage in advanced hardware mods and fuel upgrades. Those are low 10 second cars.

And while RaceChip's site is definitely a crank gain listing, it shows 119 hp and 120 tq on the black. I would guess its much less at the wheels but I weigh gains based on the dollars spent (749 retail) and its definitely favorable in that regard.

[chador]

Thanks all! I'm gonna pull the trigger and get it!

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by chador

Thanks all! I'm gonna pull the trigger and get it!

Let me know if you need forum hookup.

[drklion]

Originally Posted by chador

Hello all,

First off, I have never, ever modded anything on any car, ever. With my current M8 GC Competition, I am tempted to try out the RaceChip GTS given how easy they claim it is to install, and its plug-and-play nature.

Given my car is a lease, and I don't want to cause trouble or get flagged, is this product something I can feel safe trying out? I will likely never push the limits, but I thought it would be fun for some performance boost. I would of course un-install the device prior to taking the car in for any service or otherwise.

I just worry since my have friends who are constantly coding and chipping their BMWs and they have "bricked" their cars several times requiring towing, and re-flashing etc. I don't want to go down that road.

Please note if you just bought the M8 and have not reached your 1200 mile brake in period do not install the RaceChip. This is from experience. I spoke with Race chip and they suggest at least 700 mile brake in period before installing. I had to return mine because I am not even close to 700 let alone 1200 miles. With that said I still will purchase it when I am done with the brake in period.