[greentrbo95gst]

Originally Posted by Drjsuh

No lights or errors for me. I've also had mine in for about 400 miles and just changed the box to the second level setting - from e0 to d1 and still no lights or errors. The only kind of odd thing that I noticed (and it could be that I just never noticed this before I installed but I doubt it) is it does seem that sometimes the center dash onboard computer takes a little bit to boot up now. Not a big deal but has anyone else noticed this?

Most of us have the greatest results without any errors in E/2.
Remember that the first setting makes more of a drastic change than the second one. D/2 is definitely too high, but if your car likes D/1 then it's great.

[TaylorS]

Why do you say D2 is too high if you're getting good results in E2?

If I'm reading the manual correctly, E produces more effect than D.

[greentrbo95gst]

Originally Posted by TaylorS

Why do you say D2 is too high if you're getting good results in E2?

If I'm reading the manual correctly, E produces more effect than D.

Sorry, I meant to say F/2 not D/2.
E does produce more power than D. Good catch.

[TaylorS]

Ah ok thanks!

I've got mine initially installed at D1. The change is most noticeable around 1800-2500 RPM it seems like. I'll give it a few tanks and if things seem good, may try E2.

[Nick the Greek]

Maybe have a look at the UK BMW forums guys.
We call your 328d a 320d and its been imported here for many years.
Lots of tuning experience.
The two litre BMW diesel engine has been replaced.
We're just seeing the new engine here.
Not much in it power of torque wise, but much more refined.

[Malloy]

Hello all, I pick up my 328d this week so I want to have a module ready for it ;-)

https://www.racechip-usa.com/chiptun...29/328d-134kw/

Has anyone run the CR Ultimate? The differences are obv. detailed on the site but I'd like to get a first hand account if possible. If it's clearly 'smoother' I'd opt for it. It's still a great price IMO.

[SF_E60]

Originally Posted by Malloy

Hello all, I pick up my 328d this week so I want to have a module ready for it ;-)

https://www.racechip-usa.com/chiptun...29/328d-134kw/

Has anyone run the CR Ultimate? The differences are obv. detailed on the site but I'd like to get a first hand account if possible. If it's clearly 'smoother' I'd opt for it. It's still a great price IMO.

Pm'd, you.

[AdiSinghV12]

Anybody tried mating the RaceChip with MPPK ? I have a 320D with MPPK and planning to get a RaceChip Ultimate. How effective do you guys think it'd be? Also, can there be any long term harm to the engine considering the fact that my car has only 1400 kms on the ODO?

[Diesel power]

Originally Posted by f30D

right, I'm reading everyone's post and they are all off topic. they should make a car that's not going to break if you add 50 hp to it, then claim to be the ultimate machine. What the f ever happen to turning a 140hp car into a 300hp beast. I'm stuck in my lease for the next three years but once I'm done, I'm gone from this family.

For what it's worth, I did a little searching on Real OEM and found the 320/8D engine has a lot of commonality with the 325D and even higher powered models. The list that I checked is as follows:
Airbox
320/8, 325
Injectors
Us Only 28D 35D
Fuel Supply Module
All European Diesels and 328D
Fan
328D, EU 330,335D 320D PPK
Intercooler
328D 320 PPK, 325, 330
Fuel Measuring Unit
320D,325D,328D
Pistons
320D,325D,328D
Con-Rods
320D,325D,328D
Crank
320D,325D,328D
Turbo
328D Only
The general takeaway is that the US 328D would seem to be capable of at least 325D numbers if not more. The biggest question is the turbo, because I do not know why it's different between the 320D and 328D, anybody else have any ideas?

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by f30D

.... What the f ever happen to turning a 140hp car into a 300hp beast...

This has never been the case. Look at the E46 (and earlier model forums), and E9x forums regarding the N52 engine. Lots of people asking: "oh, I want more power, looking for 300 hp out of my 2.5L/3.0L normally aspirated inline 6. What combination of cold-air-induction, tune, and exhaust will give me xxx hp?"
The answer is always: "Unless you go forced induction, 10-20 hp is it." And the consequences of FI are a very un-reliable car.

Sorry, but that's the way it is. The 320i has different pistons than the 328i, and you can't get reliability from trying for a tune on the 320i to get to 328i hp/tq levels.

[stevehecht]

Originally Posted by Diesel power

For what it's worth, I did a little searching on Real OEM and found the 320/8D engine has a lot of commonality with the 325D and even higher powered models. The list that I checked is as follows:
Airbox
320/8, 325
Injectors
Us Only 28D 35D
Fuel Supply Module
All European Diesels and 328D
Fan
328D, EU 330,335D 320D PPK
Intercooler
328D 320 PPK, 325, 330
Fuel Measuring Unit
320D,325D,328D
Pistons
320D,325D,328D
Con-Rods
320D,325D,328D
Crank
320D,325D,328D
Turbo
328D Only
The general takeaway is that the US 328D would seem to be capable of at least 325D numbers if not more. The biggest question is the turbo, because I do not know why it's different between the 320D and 328D, anybody else have any ideas?

This is really excellent research, thanks much. I would definitely be concerned that the injectors and turbos are different between the 320d and 328d. I already knew about the injector difference and that's what kept me away from any piggyback that hasn't been tested by the manufacturer specifically on the 328d. I know for a fact that AC Schnitzer and Kelleners Sport have not tested their module for the 328d on a 328d, but only on the 320d (328d not available in Germany).

I just wrote to Steinbauer Performance USA (office in SC) and asked them about their testing for the 328d in NA. If they can convince me that they've done their due diligence (and even show me an independent dyno graphic--yeah, right) I might well go with them although it's about twice the price of RaceChip. Steinbauer is a very reputable German tuner with an international presence and a number of distributors in the USA, and they have a ton of experience dealing with diesel engines. And they've been around twice as long as RaceChip (15 years).

[stevehecht]

I found some interesting information on Steinbauer Performance from the website of one their Canadian distributors:

http://www.thedieselsavers.com/proof/oem-customers.php

http://www.thedieselsavers.com/benefits.php

You can't believe everything you read of course, but I doubt that they would or could make untrue statements regarding other companies or competitors without being legally challenged. The more I read about SP the more I like what I see. Here is some extensive testing information for other kinds of modules, not for passenger cars:

http://www.thedieselsavers.com/downl...st_Booklet.pdf

I'm hoping that they can provide something similar for the 328d PB when I ask for it.

[stevehecht]

A fascinating (and long, and redundant) blog debate on whether or not piggybacking or any kind of tuning is necessarily harmful to the engine. Neither side has facts. One has theory (physics of load vs. stress/wear) and the other side has empirical experience. Very interesting.

http://outbackjoe.com/macho-divertis...o-diesel-chip/

[Malloy]

How is their solution different than RaceChip, Essing or the others commonly used in Europe?

Originally Posted by stevehecht

I just wrote to Steinbauer Performance USA (office in SC) and asked them about their testing for the 328d in NA. If they can convince me that they've done their due diligence (and even show me an independent dyno graphic--yeah, right) I might well go with them although it's about twice the price of RaceChip. Steinbauer is a very reputable German tuner with an international presence and a number of distributors in the USA, and they have a ton of experience dealing with diesel engines. And they've been around twice as long as RaceChip (15 years).

[stevehecht]

Originally Posted by Malloy

How is their solution different than RaceChip, Essing or the others commonly used in Europe?

See page 4 of the instruction manual from Steinbauer: http://www.steinbauer.cc/media/kb/in..._22_220531.pdf

You can see that the wiring harness goes directly to each of the injectors and the other connection is to the exhaust gas temperature sensor (EGT) for the turbo. A typical tuning box is attached to the fuel pressure sensor of the common rail and can only adjust fuel pressure to the injectors. The Steinbauer box increases power by adjustments to mid-cycle injection duration (not timing) as do the Schnitzer, Kelleners Sport, and Hartge boxes. Sorry, I'm not familiar with Essing.

[JensM]

Originally Posted by stevehecht

A fascinating (and long, and redundant) blog debate on whether or not piggybacking or any kind of tuning is necessarily harmful to the engine. Neither side has facts. One has theory (physics of load vs. stress/wear) and the other side has empirical experience. Very interesting.

http://outbackjoe.com/macho-divertis...o-diesel-chip/

I would like to add, that here in Europe, BMW officially sell boxes for all their diesels. They are literally also 'piggy bags' as it is an box you install to the rail.

http://www.bmw.de/de/topics/service-...ryId=4309.html BMW sets also include

The kit consist of software ( box) and hardware like extra cooling and larger intercooler. The bottom line is however it is similar to a 'piggy bag'
The performance increase they list is VERY conservative.
Rumor is that it is ACS who actually make the BMW kit

On a site note, I can inform that ACS is owned by Kohl Automobile, one of the very large official BMW dealers in Germany.

JensM

[stevehecht]

Originally Posted by JensM

I would like to add, that here in Europe, BMW officially sell boxes for all their diesels. They are literally also 'piggy bags' as it is an box you install to the rail.

http://www.bmw.de/de/topics/service-...ryId=4309.html BMW sets also include

The kit consist of software ( box) and hardware like extra cooling and larger intercooler. The bottom line is however it is similar to a 'piggy bag'
The performance increase they list is VERY conservative.
Rumor is that it is ACS who actually make the BMW kit

On a site note, I can inform that ACS is owned by Kohl Automobile, one of the very large official BMW dealers in Germany.

JensM

Some of us know about the 320d PPK, I assume that's what this is--there have been threads about it and why the 328d is compatible with the upgrade because of the larger intercooler and fan that it already has. But I thought the PPK worked like a ECM flash, I didn't realize that it worked like a tuning module connected to the CR. Are you sure about that? Seems like a primitive way for BMW to improve engine performance when it could do it anyway it wanted to.

I'll find one of my previous threads where the 320d PPK is described in detail and check it out--or you could do it. Thanks!

[JensM]

Steve,

I am not a technical expert, so can not 100% judge on whether the PPK works different than the other 'piggy bags'. I have just been told by BMW Switzerland, that theirs are made by ACS.
I found attached document (from ACS) where a well known German Auto Mag have been comparing different boxes from ACS, Hargte, RaceChip and a couple of others.
It looks like both ACS and Hartge are more sophisticated as they both connect via the rail but also at the injectors (?). However it is funny to see that the Race Chip actually is the one using the lowest turbo pressure. ACS and Hartge do not jeopardize the org. BMW warranty, but this is more likely also why you pay a healthy premium plus they provide TUV certificate.
Reading the test I will also consider ACS and Hartge as 'piggy bags'.

[stevehecht]

Jens,

Did you intend to attach the article from German Auto Magazine? I think I've read that article. On the other hand if it's in German, never mind.

[JensM]

Ups
http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/fileadmin...t_englisch.pdf

Btw, 1,5 years ago I changed my X3 F25 20D (184HP/380NM) to an X5E70.
I did app 50.000 km with a Racechip box, and I had no issues at all, except for a nice power increase. App 20.000 were motorway drive through Germany with speed excess 160km/h, newer had any problems with the box. On the normally day to day drive you did not feel much to the box, but when on motorway......The take off and over taking were dramatically improved - and actually also did better mileage on the long drive. First time without the box through Germany (app 3000km 140-150 km/h) I did app 6,25 l/100km. After the box this were improved to app 5,6 l/100km and with slightly higher average speed, both calculated with km driven divided with added liter - not via the computer.
When doing service, I took the box off and BMW did newer mention anything

JensM

[stevehecht]

Thanks for the article! I find it interesting that such a big deal is made over TUV certification in the article. RaceChip was not a recommended product not because of its performance but because it lacked TUV certification. I liked the way the RaceChip module was very steady throughout the RPM band.

I'm sure your experience with RaceChip was excellent, but I'm thinking that overall they don't have the same reliability as a product like Steinbauer, which is TUV certified for most of its modules. Maybe TUV is important after all.

The question is: Is it worth paying twice the price (Steinbauer vs. RaceChip) for the unknown amount of improved reliability? It is important to note that Steinbauer warranties the powertrain for two years when its product is installed in Germany or Austria. That says a lot about the safety of the product to the engine, like Dinan, Schnitzer, and Hartge. Compared to Schnitzer, Steinbauer is a bargain! I wish Steinbauer had been included in the testing in the article.

[stevehecht]

If you look at page 16 here http://www.thedieselsavers.com/downl...rview_2013.pdf you'll see that Steinbauer provides the hardware for ACS/Schnitzer and Hartge, and they add their own programming. Who knew?