[Z4C_luvver]

Hi all,

After searching and searching and searching for information about installing a Racechip Ultimate in to a RHD 420i , I pretty much gave up. Really not much out there.

So anyway, I bought an RCU last week and will install it this week. I hope to put some pictures of my install up on the forum to help anyone else that may be interested in the future. In the meantime, RC themselves provided 4 pictures to help me on my way. Stay tuned for more.

[FSociety]

Check my old thread http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1069857

I even drove it for a few months on different settings, tested its stock setting against N55 stock and higher settings where I was able to match the 0-60 run.

Dyno threads (the racechip takes some miles to fully adapt the new setting) so the numbers are less than it would actually produce. If you or anyone consider to do a Dyno.. Run the racechip for at least 500-600 miles, increase after 50-100 miles. First dyno run do it with RC on, then start decreasing settings, and then do a baseline run as your last.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1111063

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1111060

[Z4C_luvver]

I received the instructions from racechip, and I found them lacking. Whilst the cables are clearly colour coded, there is no mention of what colour should go where. So I made this. More to come.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by 4er_luvver

I received the instructions from racechip, and I found them lacking. Whilst the cables are clearly colour coded, there is no mention of what colour should go where. So I made this. More to come.

Excellent! This should be a sticky!

[Z4C_luvver]

Ok, so I installed the module on Saturday. As usual, I made it a bigger job than it needed to be, but hey, that's me. My 'engine' mate suggested I disconnect the power so that the ECU can reset and effectively learn again in conjunction with the module. In his eyes, this was a better approach. Not necessary, but better.

So I made a few slides to show my installation. I hope it helps someone else out there.

[Z4C_luvver]

And now some thoughts on the unit itself.

Actually, going by what others have said on the forum, (esp. ROBNYC, thanx) initially, I'm not expecting much. I believe and understand the system will need some time to learn, and that seems to be the case. My powertrain development mate confirmed this as well.

As mentioned earlier, I disconnected the power for the duration of the install (about an hour) and allowed the ECU to reset. Since then, after re-connection, the car had some immediate improvements in power and especially delivery, and day by day I can feel it getting better. It almost feels like a diesel now, being able to pull from a much lower rev point. There's a sense of willingness that it didn't seem to have before. I've done 5 runs of approx 14 miles each, so it'll be some time apparently until I experience the full gains. But, it does feel better!

I'll update as the miles climb.

[K320]

Stock settings are ok. If you have access to 93oct you can setup the unit in E and later F. If you put a downpipe your car will pull harder.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by 4er_luvver

And now some thoughts on the unit itself.

Actually, going by what others have said on the forum, (esp. ROBNYC, thanx) initially, I'm not expecting much. I believe and understand the system will need some time to learn, and that seems to be the case. My powertrain development mate confirmed this as well.

As mentioned earlier, I disconnected the power for the duration of the install (about an hour) and allowed the ECU to reset. Since then, after re-connection, the car had some immediate improvements in power and especially delivery, and day by day I can feel it getting better. It almost feels like a diesel now, being able to pull from a much lower rev point. There's a sense of willingness that it didn't seem to have before. I've done 5 runs of approx 14 miles each, so it'll be some time apparently until I experience the full gains. But, it does feel better!

I'll update as the miles climb.

Yes indeed! It keeps getting better and this Piggyback is smooth as butter, you would not know is there until you stomp a stock car and then a RC equipped car. Also at stock setting the RC is always beating in the 1/4 mile a Dinan Stage1 car & BMS Stage1. (I've done both)

Originally Posted by K320

Stock settings are ok. If you have access to 93oct you can setup the unit in E and later F. If you put a downpipe your car will pull harder.

Agreed, stock is fine for most but if the driver already has down pipe it will soon want more so def 93+ is recommended for F+ settings.
I flashed my car back to stock because I wanted to trouble shoot a start-up issue I was having & take it to dealer for service. Realized its not related to the flash, so before I flash back again I'm going to drive w/ RC for a week and test the 1/4 mile now with Downpipes & also see how it matches against my friends DP + ECU Flash car.

[Z4C_luvver]

Yeah, let us know how it goes Rob!

[Marries]

Hi thanx for your thread, here is my experience

I have also added the RCU, I have been running it for about 9000km.

Initially I installed it at basically brand new (1300km) at setting D.

I was advised to run it for a while and did so.
I was maybe a bit eager and had adjusted it to E after about 500km but found some issues, the car stalled a couple of times at robots and also gave my wife drivetrain error once.

I adjusted it down and all was well.

After taking it in for some small stuff at the dealer i thought its out, might as well give it a go, I moved it back to E,at 8500km, wow, what a car it feels great now, very responsive as mentioned (feels more like a diesel, which I had before his one and I missed the torque)
My fuel cons is also very good, i used to get about 650km out of a tank looks like im getting about 750 now.

Thinking of installing a pedal box next, anyone else out there, who has adjusted it to F without further mods?

[Z4C_luvver]

Great to read, Thanks for the info. It makes me think of all the people who were too impatient or unaware about leaving it in and letting it develop and learn. They missed out!

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by 4er_luvver

Great to read, Thanks for the info. It makes me think of all the people who were too impatient or unaware about leaving it in and letting it develop and learn. They missed out!

+1 yes , I just plugged RCU back on my car and its only on D and wow!
Maybe cuz I have S55 plugs (colder) but this car feels so good, going to see what my times will be at the drag strip. Will increase to E/F this week (to hit the drag strip end of week).

Originally Posted by Marries

Hi thanx for your thread, here is my experience

I have also added the RCU, I have been running it for about 9000km.

Initially I installed it at basically brand new (1300km) at setting D.

I was advised to run it for a while and did so.
I was maybe a bit eager and had adjusted it to E after about 500km but found some issues, the car stalled a couple of times at robots and also gave my wife drivetrain error once.

I adjusted it down and all was well.

After taking it in for some small stuff at the dealer i thought its out, might as well give it a go, I moved it back to E,at 8500km, wow, what a car it feels great now, very responsive as mentioned (feels more like a diesel, which I had before his one and I missed the torque)
My fuel cons is also very good, i used to get about 650km out of a tank looks like im getting about 750 now.

Thinking of installing a pedal box next, anyone else out there, who has adjusted it to F without further mods?

Don't waste your time on pedal box, RCU is all you need. If you want more add a downpipe (like I did) you'll have more sound which makes your driving more enjoyable.
What octane are you running?
Are you measuring how much boost as well in your current setting?
I don't have 320 but 28i.
You can prob do F and try it out, if anything weird revert back.

[K320]

If you have android phone the recommendation is to install torque pro app and obdlink bluetooth. That will let you collect info about temp, hp, torque, cfm, etc. Very handy to test different gas with same setup. An example: 91oct vs 93oct on same settings can have different results between 280 lbs/tq and 310 lbs/tq.

[Z4C_luvver]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

+1 yes , I just plugged RCU back on my car and its only on D and wow!
Maybe cuz I have S55 plugs (colder) but this car feels so good, going to see what my times will be at the drag strip. Will increase to E/F this week (to hit the drag strip end of week).


Don't waste your time on pedal box, RCU is all you need. If you want more add a downpipe (like I did) you'll have more sound which makes your driving more enjoyable.
What octane are you running?
Are you measuring how much boost as well in your current setting?
I don't have 320 but 28i.
You can prob do F and try it out, if anything weird revert back.

Any news Rob?

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by 4er_luvver

Any news Rob?

What would you like to know?

[Z4C_luvver]

You were going to hit the drag strip. How did it (the RCU) feel?

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by 4er_luvver

You were going to hit the drag strip. How did it (the RCU) feel?

I did on D and F settings, should had attempted a higher setting but was too busy testing different modes.
I will update later tonight with each mode, times, trap speed, and 60' ft.
Nevertheless it was great and I learned a even better way for the drag I managed +2mph.

[Z4C_luvver]

Cool, thanks for the reply.