[cham]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

30-40 hp gain on a modern twin turbo V8 from just a software upgrade is pretty marginal. Yes, back in the old days, 30-40 hp might have meant more, especially if the engine was naturally aspirated.

A Racechip costs about the same as a JB4 piggyback, but is much less capable and cannot datalog, control methanol, or be customized much. It is for the person who is happy with modest gains and wants an easy to install device.

I almost went the JB4 route, until I saw a few shaky torque curves. So it was go big or go home, and I decided to go with BM3. At the end, there’s nothing like adjusting the raw ECU configs and maps and bypassing piggybacks if your willing to go all the way. Its not for everyone, if you want to take the RED pill you’re going to wonderland and down the rabbit hole you go. Otherwise, you take the BLUE pill and call it a day. And I took the RED pill 🤣🤣🤣

[pbonsalb]

I started with a JB4 and had no issues. I think it is great and had one on an 08 E61 535xi for years also without issue. It is quite capable for a piggyback, is well supported and can datalog. On my M5, I still use mine to control methanol, though I now use BM3 for the tune. A tune is definitely a step up from a piggyback.

[MSchfiftyFive]

On every non-M platform that needed it (nearly every Audi I ever owned) I always quickly went from JB4 first (because I could reuse across a handful of engine families) to full ECU & TCU combo, nothing beats a true ECU (and well matched by the same vendor TCU) tune. I've had no desire to bench unlock the DME's on any of my F9x cars as aside from needing to ship them out, it's not yet matured to the point of other platforms where it's easily "fully" reversible to flash back to stock via a phone or laptop app in a way that preserves the stock flash counter and hashes so that the automatic check that happens when you plug in to the OBDII sensor for a scheduled maintenance service doesn't flag the car. On the S63 specifically I just don't need any more power than this. If you're ready for more power and either already out of, or OK with warranty evaporating then true flash tunes all day long.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by MaxVO2

***Very fair statement. Thank you for clarifying. I am very new to BMW but have some experience with dyno work, tuning, add on power adders, and drag racing/performance on other platforms as well as eating my weight in Sushi on occasion.

The video you presented indeed shows significantly more gains than the reality. People often buy into hype but rarely do any real testing on their own to verify gains on something like a dyno, the track, etc..

Wow this is just your lunch?
I eat this plate for all day including breakdast, lunch and dinner all together and still cant finish it LOL.
JK… enjoy your food

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by M6-Coupe

Thanks for sharing the results.
So basically with racechip close to 650 whp can be achieved.
Impressive.

On a modified car running race gas that quite possibly started out stock with around 600 rwhp. Not so impressive.

[Dr Thrillride]

Originally Posted by cham

Yep, the Racechip hardly makes a difference. Just a very small marginal gain. You get what you pay for.

One needs to manage expectations with these mods regardless. No-one really believes the manufacturers claim anyways.

Yes, a modest gain to many, although if you’re picking up a RC for $400-500 US used, and you want to fiddle with an easy, no BS mod, I’d say it’s worth the money. Carbahn is less cost effective without purchasing their ‘warranty’. With the RC gains, pretty doubtful you’re going to break anything unless you just run it into the ground. That’s well established with the F90 crowd.

I believe most that turn the RC on and off and do some butt dyno or draggy runs can feel the difference it makes. $/HP is low compared to a FEMTO unlock and custom tune.

I’ve done them all - Carbahn, Racechip, FEMTO/custom tune and very happy with the final version.

[Kponti]

I gained 3-4mph in the quarter mile with the Racechip on map 7, 93 octane. I ran a best of 10.3@133mph on Draggy with Racechip, Dinan inlet, and secondary cat delete as my only mods

[A_]

My best 1/4 after corrected was 10.55s@128 mph without LC.
Last year I tried couple drag races 1/4 from dig on public road and trapping speed was 126-129 mph without LC. I wonder what the trapping speed will be when using LC? 3-4 mph of more?
Vehicle is full stock, fuel 98 RON

[NavyBlue]

Sorry, Noob here.
In reference to: "unlock the ECU, and run Bootmode3?"
What does it do?
What performance increases expected?
How do you do it?
Thanks,