BerndV

I intend to send my ECU off to Renntech. However, I am undecided regarding whether to get the intermediate or full upgrade. Premium gas here in the northwest is mostly 91 octane and I do not want any reliability or durability issues. Input from those of you with either of these upgrades would be appreciated. If you have the intermediate upgrade, did you notice a significant difference? If you have either one, are you completely satisfied with the results?

Ralcbah

With regards to your question around intermediate vs full, I can't add much value. I'm in Florida and we have 93 octane readily available, with higher available also (i went with full option). Might be worth asking Renntech the same.

I can, however, comment on my experience. I had my ECU flashed at their facility in Florida. Salesman took me on a tour, met lots of team members, etc. Cool experience...lots of amazing cars in when I went (mercedes, audi, porsche, etc). Anyways, tune has been awesome. No issues; love the power and driving experience. Car was great before the tune, as you know I'm sure. After, it's even more fun.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

johnnyblaze

If octane rating is your only concern just be sure to reiterate that you have only 91 octane around you and they should tune correctly for that.

There are plenty of youtube videos of people running with the renntech intermediate tune that shows them destroying other cars in the 1/2 mile. Also one with down pipes and filters throwing down roughly 600whp on 91.

Speedriven1

IMO, it's crazy that they'd charge more for one ECU tune over another (especially on the same model car), but if you're 100% sold on RT then get you might as well get the "full" upgrade. The car should pick up when/if you get better gas in it, and as long as they tune it accordingly you should have no issues with the 91. Paying almost $3K for a deliberately neutered tune is crazy-talk.

Definitely get some second opinions, though. Ask other guys in your area who have gotten tunes and see if the 91 has given them any issues. It's not just the octane, of course- there are detergents and additives, especially in areas that have "winter fuel" that they may have to contend with.

johnnyblaze

This +1000

dav461

What about running octane booster ? ask them if it will work, however it might end up expensive

johnnyblaze

Dont do it. Majority of octane boosters leave deposits on your plugs from the additives. The only octane booster I know of is torco that actually does something, even then, results are mixed.


Anyway, off the shelf tunes are rather conservative in timing, so I would feel pretty comfortable.

BerndV

I don't want the hassle of having to use octane boosters. Unfortunately, nobody else that lives here in NW Montana that I have met has a tune on their AMG. Frankly, there are only a few AMG's anywhere around here. I live in Orange County, CA in the winter but I am back in MT already. I'll probably spring for the intermediate tune to start and see if it satisfies me. Perhaps Renntech will upgrade to the full tune for the difference in price if I decide that I want to go that route. Maybe the Renntech guy will chime in here.

kponti

Get the full tune. The tuning levels have nothing to do with your Octane rating. A lot of Cali owners have Renntech tunes and they usually ask for octane in your state regardless of tune (I didn't get that, but then my dealer did the work).

Patric

I went with the full RT tune on 92 octane here. They tune for their 93 and performance is only slightly less on 92. Being in Montana you likely can't run a before and after dyno run for comparison but you want at least to feel the difference in seat of the pants performance.

If you also spend time in OC I would contact Weistec who is in your area and tune to the same 91 octane you have in Montana. Let us know if they ever remove the speed limits over there again. It used to be a blast.

RENNtechHQ

PM sent.

For areas where higher quality gasoline is not available, we recommend our intermediate tune. Please call for more information.

If you buy an intermediate tune and you would like to upgrade to the full tune in the future, you will only have to pay the difference in the price between intermediate and full tune.

With questions like this, feel free to contact us under 561-845-7888.
Our Service department will be happy to help you out at any time. And if the questions are really specific they'll get with our Software or Product Engineers to answer all your questions.

BerndV

I just spoke with a Renntech software tech. He informed me that one of the primary reasons for the intermediate tune is available octane rating. He recommended against the full tune for areas where 91 is the highest octane available. So it looks like I will be getting the intermediate tune. They are also going to set the default ECO mode as off. I'll be sure to post a review after I get the tune completed. Renntech also recommended BMC air filters. Any feedback from those who have tried them?

Speedriven1

BMCs are excellent.

Bushidopupil

Where did you get the BMCs and how much do they cost?

1809

Gains with intermediate tune off the Renntech website: 638 HP @ 5,550 RPM; 695 LB-FT @ 2,750-4,000 RPM. I'm assuming this is at the crank?

Speedriven1

Crank, I'm sure- but they can answer on their own. When I was there they quoted 15-20% loss.

RENNtechHQ

Correct, if not other specified the numbers are at the crank.
Also correct, we calculate with 15%-20%, depending on car, drivetrain, etc.

Patric

Keep in mind these engines are under rated from the factory. My wagon with a claimed 577HP and 590TQ was actually making 629HP and 640TQ at the crank on my baseline dyno.

I realize not everyone has easy access to a dyno or perhaps the interest but its the most effective way to determine the actual output and performance gains of an individual car with a pre and post tune dyno.

Amg63-

Delete

Modio1234

Wrong post

DirtyVegasMB

What did the OP end up doing and what were the impressions?

On Renntech website, the intermediate tune calls for 93 as well... so what is everyone doing where only 91 is available?

Also, I called Renntech and was recommended to go with a full tune because the engine will adjust by reading the knock. I don't want to have the car pull heavy timing and not get my money's worth, and I don't want an intermediate tune that nets me 30 hp for $3K that is still rated for 93.

I'm confused, is there a Renntech software option that will properly run on 91, or should we expect less than quoted results for both options due to timing pull?

Geno51

This is the exact reason I went with a custom tune from BMR My car pulls no timing at all on 91 octane and I am putting out the same numbers if not more then the Renntech tune. For your money I recommend just driving the 4 hours to phx on a Saturday and having BMR do a full custom tune to your car. That way you know it's safe and can see the power it makes

DirtyVegasMB

Was your custom tune done through your ODB2 port or did your ECU case needed physical intrusion with visible entry points (holes).

Geno51

These cars can not be tuned Via OBD2. Even Renntech must open the Ecu also but No he does not drill the case he opens it up carefully and reseals it.

ajs76

Any reason you chose Renntech over one of the other tuners? I assume a large part of it was the fact your car is a 2016 and has a lot of warranty left