Kei2thehwy

I'm in Cali, stuck with 91 octane fuel and no downpipes. Has anyone tried the "Race Chip" from Germany? Their most popular model claims +85 hp and more torque. I was talking with them and I guess they decided I was a flake because I had to buy a new wheel instead of the chip tuner. I asked them if the chip added the hp even though we already know the actual hp is somewhere between 634-672 according to several dyno tests on the 2014 E63S 4matic. No response. Please share your experience with this brand of plug-in tuning module. Thanks!

BlownV8

No way I would go the cheapest route with a car that is so expensive. There are plenty of legitimate tuners in the US who will back up their product.

PeterUbers

PeterUbers

Lumi

Now that tunes have all become OBD flash at home type for us, i think this is a better way to go then most of the piggybacks.

The only piggyback i would accept is if they made a JB4 for the M157, with failsafes, datalogging and other features, its a worthwhile upgrade.

I still urge anyone who is getting a tune to also get a HP TUNERS datalogging kit for 300$.. Nice to double check your boost, timing, fuel, etc. Esp when turning things up.

brfatal

I didn't even know people still fell for these scams.

Kei2thehwy

Renntech says I can only get 35 more horsepower out of their plug-in unit in California, I would need 93 octane fuel to use the one that produces 668 horsepower. So it seems like a lot of money for just 35 more horses, nearly $3,000, but probably much safer than the race chip. On the other hand, YouTube Dyno testing of my 2014 e63s estimates that I'm actually making 634 horsepower already, perhaps as much as 674. It's the video where they compare the E63 s with a 2014 M5 BMW with the horsepower upgrade. Thank you for your opinions, folks.
https://youtu.be/rY5oSik1eHs

amgboy916

just curious why are you so bent on having a piggyback tune?

is it for warranty purposes? i hate to burst your bubble but mercedes can still tell if they feel like digging.

I was in your boat when I first got my car, was thinking a piggyback would get around warranty. many people informed me that not only is this not true, its the least ideal for the safety of your car not to mention the power gains are almost nothing compared to an actual ecu tune. A legit tune is not much more expensive and will give you way more bang for your buck not to mention reliability.

Kei2thehwy

It's just easier, that's all. I can change out air filters myself, although I'm not sold on that either.

PeterUbers

Kei2thehwy

Where did u buy another one? How expensive?
I think Weistec looks pretty good for a 91 octane California tune.

PeterUbers

MB-350

RaceChip is local in the US since last summer and they are by far the best piggyback Mercedes tuner. They even have CARB certificates for some Mercedes models.
Here is a video from their development in Germany. As Mercedes-Benz, their HQ is also in Stuttgart. They know their stuff.

MB-350

I would not expect +85 hp in your case. I think the total power RaceChip states with their tune will also be your total horsepower. There might be some torque limitations of the drivetrain or the ecu will just not allow more. At least in the video of the newer E63 I shared above they are saying that they don't want to go beyond what they did.
Maybe I am wrong. Dyno it and let us know!
91 octane will also make a difference compared to 93.

jvakos

i had a RC on my 15 e63 and while never dyno'd my guess was it added 40-50HP (based on my 0-60 dropping to 3.4 sec) which was decent since it was only 600 bucks. they can be tricky to install/remove - i ended up getting rid of it after the dealer yelled at me for having it installed when i went in for a flat tire fix and they decided to check under the hood which i didnt expect them to do for a flat tire.

the better route for power that most members seem to like is the dual ecu route (#1 stock ECU and easily swap the #2 tuned ECU)....probably safer and more reliable assuming you go with EC, AMS, Renntech reputable tuners

loungn14

A good amount of people now are indeed going the multiple ECU route. It is the easiest way of swapping and making sure no traces are left.

With that being said as indicated we do have the ability now to tune the cars via OBD. The handheld stores both the stock file as well as the tuned files to apply whenever you like. We tune all of the maps (not just full throttle) and you will feel quite the difference in the car.

If anyone has any questions just bounce me a message. We have some pretty stout sales right now on the package.

PeterUbers

Rebellion stories:

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...back-tune.html

V-AMG

Still have to extract data from the factory ECU, right? By physically crackin’ it open?

If one was to have a friendly local dealer, could they theoretically sell you a new ECU, already programmed for the car?

loungn14

no need to crack the ecu at all. The handheld will read and write

Ya that works too

PeterUbers

I don't think any Benz dealer will support selling you a new second ecu programmed for your car and let you keep the original ecu

V-AMG

Once you extract data via OBD2, is there any way at all for the dealer to find anything in the factory ECU, regardless of how deep they dig?

I ask because I just went through a whole mess with a Range Rover and the dealer voided the complete drivetrain warranty... definitely dont want to go through something like this again.

loungn14

In severe cases they could send the ecu to Germany and find traces. One option you could opt for would be a second ecu.

Tune one and leave one stock for dealer visits. We can clone your existing ecu and then tune one. We would need both Ecus in house to do so

V-AMG

I’m certainly thinking two ECU’s. What I was asking was, to clone the 2nd one, does that leave any trace at all on the factory unit? Does the factory unit need to be opened to extract data to clone the 2nd ECU?

Vrodman

You need a microscope to find the traces of it being opened. I don't know of a single person on this site that has been "caught" with a tampered ECU, including myself. And there are a number of us that have gone the 2 ECU route. I was one of the early ones to do it and I have had no issues when taking the car in with its original ECU for any warranty work.

loungn14

no traces and you will be fine we do it all the time and actually have one spare ecu here ready for the next customer

right on the money