Performance Upgrades & Tuning Discuss general performance and tuning enhancements for your Mercedes-Benz.

Renntech Ecu vs. PowerChip

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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 10:05 AM
  #1  
IdriveFast's Avatar
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C32 AMG
Renntech Ecu vs. PowerChip

renntech claims their ECU tuning removes the annoying "dead spot" between 2000rpms and 3000rpms. that long lag....

you guys ever notice that when you driving hard and you slow down for a corner, but after the corner when you get on it hard again, there seems to be a delay? feels kinda sluggish? i think this has to do wit the transmission not downshifting in time...but the renntech ECU claims to solve this issue... in addition to adding hp and torque


my question is... does the powerchip/evosport ecu solve this problem as well?
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 03:57 PM
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i really want to get a chip for my mercedes. but how come no car magazines is reviewing this stuff??
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 04:12 PM
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Cuz car magazines can't afford a buncha Benzo's
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 04:32 PM
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i need some independent reviews before i throwing 1000$ on a chip..
sure, there are testimonials from chip users.. but when u selling like 100 or 200 chips, of course u get a few people that are happy with it.. and claiming it gives car more HP..
it could be 5% or maybe even 1% of the users is happy with the chip..
if these chip companys want my business. they better/should send some chips to car magazines and let them review it..
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 07:54 PM
  #5  
430's Avatar
430
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SLK32
Here is a test of the Renntech ECU & ODPS on an SLK32.

http://www.mbautowerks.com/performance/00004/00004.html

Same place same setup but on an SL55.

http://www.mbautowerks.com/performance/00010/00010.html
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Old Jun 10, 2004 | 03:29 AM
  #6  
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so does anybody know if the powerchip/evosport ecu gets rid of the deadspot between 2000rpms and 3000rpms???
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Old Jun 10, 2004 | 12:26 PM
  #7  
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By improving the throttle response (shotening delay) the lag is eliminated with the Powerchip software.

Thanks,

Ben
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 06:20 AM
  #8  
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do you know if the powerchip and the renntech chip both reduce lag by the same method? or if they both offer the same throttle response?

or does 1 ecu offer better throttle response than the other
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Old Jun 28, 2004 | 06:02 PM
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 02:40 AM
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What I have been wondering is, a chip is a chip, why does 1 for the corvette cost 300 and one for the merc c class cost a grand? If it was more reasonably priced (the hp gain ISN'T that much) then I would more than gladly get one.

In fact that goes for the rest of the MB performance upgrades too
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 10:59 AM
  #11  
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volume of sales, amortized cost of RD to more units

There are less HP MB chip buyers than many of the more common vehicles.
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Old Aug 10, 2004 | 01:11 AM
  #12  
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a Black
Customer Service

Powerchip has the best customer service I have ever seen!

The chip eliminates all the holes in my w208 and she pulls harder.

Never had the Renntech..but I am happy with PC.

But the added cost is really a function of customer service...they will tune your car to your altitude, intake, exhaust, filters etc. If you can make it to them in Santa Monica...I highly suggest it.

Travis and the boys are great!
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Old Aug 10, 2004 | 01:25 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by goldenbuddha
What I have been wondering is, a chip is a chip, why does 1 for the corvette cost 300 and one for the merc c class cost a grand? If it was more reasonably priced (the hp gain ISN'T that much) then I would more than gladly get one.

In fact that goes for the rest of the MB performance upgrades too
Buddah,

I have noticed the same thing. With my E39 M5 and S4 it appeared like everything was in excess of $1200 while upgrades for my VW's were a quarter to half of that. Heck now you can buy a VR6 turbo kit for $6,000 and push 450+ HP. While i agree some of it has to do with supply and demand, i also believe the tuners take the attitude of "well if they can afford that 50k and up car, they can afford an extra grand here and there for add-ons". Just my .02
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 09:31 PM
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not all car computers are the same.
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Old Aug 27, 2004 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by YoungCEO
Buddah,

I have noticed the same thing. With my E39 M5 and S4 it appeared like everything was in excess of $1200 while upgrades for my VW's were a quarter to half of that. Heck now you can buy a VR6 turbo kit for $6,000 and push 450+ HP. While i agree some of it has to do with supply and demand, i also believe the tuners take the attitude of "well if they can afford that 50k and up car, they can afford an extra grand here and there for add-ons". Just my .02
You've got a point. Mufflers are a classic example. For my S4, Remus, who makes the mufflers for Oettinger sells the "Plain-Jane" Remus S4 Muffler for $250-300, while the one with the Oettinger stamp on the tips sell for $750!

The muffler is identical, and the tips are different only by stamping. I say go with the Powerchip. From CLKVegas' experience, the customer service is worth it!
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Old Aug 27, 2004 | 11:49 PM
  #16  
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If you are looking for a good price on the powerchip, check out this site www.speedtuningusa.com. I just ordered a powerchip from speedtuning for my SL55. Cost $349. They will send you directions on how to remove the ECU. You mail to them, They mail back. Will post results once completed.

Also, check out the SL55/SL65 forum. A guy in AZ had a powerchip installed and stated that speedtuning was first rate!
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Old Aug 28, 2004 | 10:43 AM
  #17  
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Speedtuning USA

I agree! I had a Speedtuning USA ECU upgrade for my SL500 and I am completely satisfied! Just a tip though ... you can purchase the upgrade from Speedtuning USA on ebay for either $275 or $295!!!
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Old Aug 29, 2004 | 01:08 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by SL55-ALD
If you are looking for a good price on the powerchip, check out this site www.speedtuningusa.com. I just ordered a powerchip from speedtuning for my SL55. Cost $349. They will send you directions on how to remove the ECU. You mail to them, They mail back. Will post results once completed.

Also, check out the SL55/SL65 forum. A guy in AZ had a powerchip installed and stated that speedtuning was first rate!
Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out! You SL55 guys always know all the good things for cars!
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Old Sep 11, 2004 | 09:23 PM
  #19  
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If you are looking for throttle response, Powerchip is great! They spent a day retuning the chip to my car and it pulls much better than before. New program now for the 209 320s. I am finally happy with the performance of the 320. Not saying I couldn't use more horsepower but that annoying lag is gone now..Definitely worth the money.
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Old Sep 12, 2004 | 07:02 PM
  #20  
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2008 CL550, 2018 E400 Coupe, 2019 AMG GLE43 Coupe, 1968 C10 Restomod
question - do you need to add an exhaust or any other things to your vehicle before adding on either chip? (PC/RT)?
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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 08:01 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by legendary
question - do you need to add an exhaust or any other things to your vehicle before adding on either chip? (PC/RT)?

No you don't.
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Old Sep 15, 2004 | 11:04 PM
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thanks!
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Old Nov 4, 2004 | 05:31 PM
  #23  
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'08 E350 4Matic
Any update on this chip SD55-ALD?

Originally Posted by SL55-ALD
If you are looking for a good price on the powerchip, check out this site www.speedtuningusa.com. I just ordered a powerchip from speedtuning for my SL55. Cost $349. They will send you directions on how to remove the ECU. You mail to them, They mail back. Will post results once completed.

Also, check out the SL55/SL65 forum. A guy in AZ had a powerchip installed and stated that speedtuning was first rate!
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Old Nov 5, 2004 | 10:42 PM
  #24  
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how much each cost?
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Old Nov 7, 2004 | 12:11 AM
  #25  
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Any followups on speedtuning.com? Is it just me that finds their website confusing and having errors? Also are there any risks with installing a powerchip? Is the one speedtuning.com selling the same one as powerchipgroup.com?
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