BillyTheDude

Hi, I just ordered a Racechip GTS for my 2019 C43 AMG from their company website and it is now on the way. And I've heard some pros and cons regarding using the Racechip. What I've learned so far is the chip just makes your engine more powerful but does not enhance other major parts of your vehicle. I've seen some comments like the chip makes your transmission strained, no smooth shift, engine issue, and etc. So I'm afraid that the chip would damage my car at some point. Does anyone know the real quality of the Racechip? With a long-term reliability POV, is racechip still a good choice?

Spaggettio

I ran a racechip for about 6 months. Yes puts strain on transmission sometimes clunky. It will give you a good performance increase but not something I would use if you are going to be driving the car really hard for long period of time.

RichardCranium3

Search is your friend. There are many threads about the merits of RaceChip, and other options like the JB4. If you want set it and forget it, RaceChip is acceptable. If you demand more, JB4.

MB-350

RaceChip launched a completely new product a year ago and improved the hardware and software again last month. They are really ahead of the market now. Many reviews ("clunky") refer to older products, so I recommend to test it yourself. Please don't forget to let us know your review. It's supposed to be much smoother now.

MB-350

btw I just saw them posting a new install video yesterday:

TOOGECKO

I have had on my GLC43 for about a year now. Don’t use it full time but it has been pretty solid. On my car except for dealer visits.

BillyTheDude

Did you get any issue regarding transmission? Like you can feel the strain of it.

TOOGECKO

Definitely I’m Sport+ bit it is a bit jerky
bone stock. Rarely drive in a sport+ and use the Racechip Via Bluetooth when ever I am trying to boost
moleage I’m comfort or am facing aggressive traffic on the freeway

Jujigatame

What benefits do you feel you get from the racechip in comfort mode?

I have been running in Individual mode (Sport mode engine, eco climate, comfort everything else), and it seems great.

I thought that the Racechip (or tuning in general) really only really helps you in Sport+... Am I wrong?

I definitely don't know much about tuning.

user33

See https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...ml#post7309364

TOOGECKO

When driving normally, it does increase mileage a couple of mpg’s. Acceleration is quicker as well in all three modes, aggressiveness of course does not increase the economy ; ). I have an SUV now, not a 540 HP Audi S5 coupe so my driving is a lot more conservative now. I do feel my car is a bit quicker and acceleration is noticeable with the Racechip engaged.

BillyTheDude

Does anyone experience difficulty when pulling out those sensors? I’ve tried really hard but still can’t disconnect them.

user33

Yes! Once you've pulled back the white tab, you need to slightly lift the edge of the connetor on the same side as the tab as you pull the connector apart. Once you have one apart, you can see how they work and it all makes more sense.

I use a small/thin flat-blade screwdriver to insert under the edge -- i.e., with the white tab you pulled back positioned on the top and to the left, you insert the screwdriver blade under the female/top connector's outside edge where the blade will be inserted from the right side and moved towards the left/tab between the underlying male connector and the edge of the female connector (wish I had a picture). Once the screwdriver (or a small pick, if you have one) is inserted a small amount, the connector will pull apart smoothly, with little force. You'll see there's a small square hole in the top/female part with a slight raised barb on the male part. By inserting the screwdriver, you allow the edge to clear the raised barb.

For your first connector unclipping, pick the one that's the easiest to see/access.

BillyTheDude

Hey I tried and pulled back the locking tap but all these sensors are like superglued. I’ve tried with full strength but just can’t pull them out

user33

The locking tabs should slide back relatively easily and emit a little "click" when they do. If they don't, try first pushing the connector together and see whether that helps release the tab. I've never experienced it, but apparently they can get stuck. Personally, I wouldn't apply too much force. If things aren't working, then there's some other issue and you don't want to break a connector or sensor.

Sometimes the tabs slide back so easily that you may not notice they've done so. To check, push them back in and see whether they move (the movement is fairly small, maybe 1/8-3/16"). After that, from my experience, you'll still need to do the "insert something to get over the barb" trick as they seem to be double-secured. The first time I did it, that completely threw me.

TOOGECKO

I had one of the sensors that wouldn’t come loose. I used my heat gun to “warm” the sensor which helped to soften the plastic slightly and it came loose. A hairdryer would probably also do the trick

BillyTheDude

All the white locking taps are successfully pulled out. But those plugs won’t come off no matter how much force I apply. I’ve done every pre-installation steps like putting the key out of signal range. And I’ve tried the way you guys have talked about. It’s just stuck on it. Feeling bad

BillyTheDude

Plug like this. They won’t come off even the locking tap has been pulled back.

user33

Wow, maybe try wiggling the connector side-to-side while heating with warm air (hair dryer or heat gun held back a ways). You could also try some solvent, but the only thing I'd consider somewhat safe is rubbing alcohol (and do this while the electrics are quiesced). Never heard of one being that stuck, before. Bummer. The only good news I can think of is that, when you finally do get the RaceChip installed, you're going to really like it.

BillyTheDude

Thanks dude I’ll just try. If I fail again I’ll just go to auto shop to get some help. I hope Mercedes didn’t seal these sensors for 2019 model because I barely see someone with 2019 c43 has installed Racechip or other piggyback these days. Most of threads are talking about prefacelift models. This is just a conspiracy theory that just pops out of my mind.

user33

... or someone pranked your vehicle and applied some glue <nasty!>.

BillyTheDude

Hey guys, now I've successfully installed the Racechip and my car is incredibly fast. From original 4.5s to 4.0s (sometimes 3.9s with a good launch) when doing 0-100. Just amazing!

TOOGECKO

Congratulations, glad to see you were able to get this installed! That is quick- Are those 0-60 times or 0-100?!

BillyTheDude

0-100

user33

So what was the issue with the connector(s) and what did you do that finally enabled them to be pulled apart?