[joe_planet]

Has anyone actually tried the race chip from here https://www.racechip-usa.com/products/racechip/ ? Its adjustable like the JBD but seems to actually use the correct mating connectors and is cheaper.

[Puerto Rican 335d]

not bad alternative joe

https://www.racechip-usa.com/chiptun...S-Spec)-198kw/


BTW read their LEGAL NOTE

[335dFan]

This looks almost too good to be true. Even though I am pondering getting rid of my 335d at the end of the 4 years/50k miles, this is a tempting "upgrade" from the JBD even if only for a short 20 months / 10k miles, whichever comes sooner. The most expensive chip of course.

[diaz92376]

Seems like it will produce good numbers. Its about the same ball park as the jbd might even be better if it never throws limp mode.

[joe_planet]

From what ive read limp mode is possible since it has adjustability just like jbd. The upside is its 60 bucks cheaper and uses proper connectors instead of the jbd half assed one

[Hoooper]

For a box, it either throws codes when maxed out and not driven right, or it doesn't go as high power as others. They are such simple designs that's really all there is to it.

I am not seeing pics of the connectors, got a link? All I am seeing is a page with three options of module, which doesn't make sense if its adjustable

[joe_planet]

There are youtube videos. Ill post a link later

[joe_planet]

RaceChip-Chiptuning-BMW X5: Chiptuning installati…:

[Puerto Rican 335d]

Damn Joe that looks better than the JB install. If not what I hv I would be inclined for this, looks great

[Mark M]

Scratching my head here.....you're saying you agree with the notion of strapping an electronic device that controls your fuel rail pressure to a hot coolant hose and right above the hot power steering reservoir 'looks great'? I'd never endorse that type of install.

[Hoooper]

connectors look identical to the connectors on my JBD, not sure what the difference is there? Most importantly though im still not seeing the adjustability.

Edit: Ok I found it, it looks like its adjustable by connecting to your laptop or something and then reprogramming the chip, then connecting back to car. Im definitely not getting why there are three different levels though? Based on their videos, the higher priced ones still just plug into the rail pressure sensor. That leads me to believe that the bottom level unit is not adjustable to as high of levels as the higher priced units. Someone who cares more than me want to find an answer?

[Puerto Rican 335d]

I believe the JB is somewhat similar install Mark but looks promising. Id stay w a bench flash anytime.

[joe_planet]

Its not quite that guys, you do NOT need a laptop. The PCB is removable from its casing and has 2 potentiometers that can be adjusted with a flat head screwdriver.

Also you can see in the video above that both connectors are proper mates for the connectors in the car and click when installed. Only one of the jbd connectors clicks in, the other one is a loose connection and an improper mate.

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by joe_planet

Its not quite that guys, you do NOT need a laptop. The PCB is removable from its casing and has 2 potentiometers that can be adjusted with a flat head screwdriver.

That doesnt explain the three levels though. Why two potentiometers for adjustment? Maybe you can set it to have no affect below a certain RPM?

Originally Posted by joe_planet

Also you can see in the video above that both connectors are proper mates for the connectors in the car and click when installed. Only one of the jbd connectors clicks in, the other one is a loose connection and an improper mate.

My JBD connectors have been on for over a year and they dont seem to have loosened or anything. I doubt a *click* is the difference between proper and improper. Has anyone had issues with their connectors not fitting or falling off I mean, the thing seems legit, and at $80 less a good deal. The only thing that would turn me off if I was in the market is the three levels of module that seemingly all modify the same circuit, so what is the difference?

[joe_planet]

These are questions for the company. Im going to give it a shot. Dont like jbd. If water gets in there it will cause corrosion.

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by Hoooper

The only thing that would turn me off if I was in the market is the three levels of module that seemingly all modify the same circuit, so what is the difference?

From the company web page, each of the three levels of plugins have a different processor. The cheapest 8 MHz, middle 24 MHz, and the high end 48 MHz. The first two are 8 bit, the high end 32 bit. Tuning operations per second: middle is twice as many as the low end, high end is twice as many per second as the middle. So the potential of the boxes are clearly different. How they use that potential is the next question. I plan to ask them a few questions. Similar to Burger, but not exactly the same, they ship each module "with the best possible setting for your vehicle type".

[finnbmw]

Originally Posted by joe_planet

Has anyone actually tried the race chip from here https://www.racechip-usa.com/products/racechip/ ? Its adjustable like the JBD but seems to actually use the correct mating connectors and is cheaper.

Joe, check these threads if you haven't already from the F15 forum. I haven't heard anybody doing it on an E70 yet.

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...light=racechip

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ghlight=tuning

Let us know how it goes if you buy one

[WreckerX5d]

I assume the power ratings they post are at the crank. That's if 267*1.27=339.

For something too similar to the JBD, I'd stick with the JBD. I've had mine for 2 years, running across the coolant line and stuff, and with those 'connections', without issue.

According to another member on a shunned forum (German boost), you can only trick the fuel rail sensor so far. 4.5v I believe is what he said was max.

[335dFan]

I wrote to the USA site, and received the following response. Kinda sounded a bit like a sales response rather than technical. Some of the answers don't make sense. Some sound like they didn't understand my question. Their response in bold. Perhaps you fellows might have asked different questions or in a different way.
------------------------------------------------
As a current BMS JBD user, I am intrigued by your Race Chips. I notice that the processor and processing speed of the three different modules (RaceChip, RaceChip Pro2, and RaceChip CR Ultimate) are different. I also have read the text where it says each module is shipped “with the best possible setting for your vehicle type.” I briefly looked at the tuning method, showing two potentiometers.
>> This is based on average engine tolerance. There are engines here and there that may need fine tuning down or up to hit the sweat spot of the engine. In general the factory setting is the recommended one, however.


As you describe them as being tunable, what is the range plus and minus that the consumer can modify the tune level.
>> There are 89 settings which call different software maps. As the torque curve also changes this cannot be answered in absolute numbers. Normally we would be able to adjust within a range of plus minus 6%.


Is there some overlap with the different modules? In other words, is the lowest setting of the CR Ultimate higher or lower than the highest setting of the Pro2?
>> The Ultimate reads the software differently and the torque map applies somewhat different. The Ultimate and Pro2 next to each other on vehicles will feel a bit different

How do the two potentiometers relate to one another?
>> One controls power, the other one controls torque

Are there situations, such as insufficient warm up, where the devices would cause the BMW DDE to throw a code?
>> A bad fuel batch could throw a light which would be reset by use of the dummy plug

What are some examples of the codes one would experience?
>> We don't require a code reader

As shipped, what is the typical power increase percentage of one module over the one below it?
>> Goal is within 3% of the website values

I have read your table showing the percentage differences between the modules regarding maximum power available. From the table, and from my understanding of how the modules can be customized, it seems that the customer could tune the middle module to increase the power available above that of the CR Ultimate as shipped. True?
>> No, the Pro2 cannot exceed the Ultimate. The specs inside are different.



The Ultimate offers the following advantages over the Pro2 module:

- latest ARM Cortex III processor
- quicker map processing
- better throttle response
- max. power output
- "watchdog" protection system (monitors the working processes of the chip, detects possible malfunctions and removes them)
- USB port for software updates

[joe_planet]

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like a bunch of canned responses thats why some dont make any sense.. they have a 14 day return policy which i might or might not take advantage of. I get my car back from dealer next week so if all goes well testing shall commence next weekend. Ill call them tomorrow and talk to someone about the differences between the 3 boxes

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by Wrecker335d

According to another member on a shunned forum (German boost), you can only trick the fuel rail sensor so far. 4.5v I believe is what he said was max.

Yeah that is what I was trying to get at earlier, apparently not clearly enough. We know that the JBD is able to max out the plausibility of the sensor based on limp mode codes. If this thing is adjustable and plays on the same sensor which is what it shows, the three different levels are nonsense. If the bottom level allows you to max it out then that's a great deal, but if you have to buy the $6xx version then that's a crappy deal and a shady company as well.

[Works]

Had the Pro2 in my 330d N57. I had to disconnect it when I went to get my yearly government mandated inspection and noticed that the car was just so better and smoother to drive without it that I decided to not plug it back in and instead booked a time to get my DDE software updated instead.

If anyone needs a 330d N57 compatible Racechip Pro2 in their car, let me know (preferably in EU) and we can work a price out.