Originally Posted by kponti

Melted pistons can happen with tuning the ecu directly as well, don't be fooled. In fact most piggybacks tend to send the car into limp mode well before you go out of hand with changing parameters.
I have tuned several types of piggbacks and standalones in my time, its more about the tuner than the device used especially when you are NOT changing any factory hardware (downpipes, intakes do not count, they barely do anything the stock ecu cannot handle on its own)

Originally Posted by chiromikey

I'd question that being a ram air effect, especially since you didn't change anything directly relating to funneling and compressing air in front of the turbo. I'm not saying either one of us is right or wrong but I'd postulate there's more aerodynamics involved in your changes than ram air.

Btw, love your car! I had two gen 2 Camaros myself.

Originally Posted by Amg63-

they didn't say that an ECU tune cannot cause that to happen, just that it's much less likely to happen with ECU tune vs piggyback.

Originally Posted by Astolfo

thanks man, it is pretty clear you have an open mind and probably nothing to sell or owe "a good review"

Originally Posted by Amg63-

they didn't say that an ECU tune cannot cause that to happen, just that it's much less likely to happen with ECU tune vs piggyback.

Originally Posted by chiromikey

I'd question that being a ram air effect, especially since you didn't change anything directly relating to funneling and compressing air in front of the turbo. I'm not saying either one of us is right or wrong but I'd postulate there's more aerodynamics involved in your changes than ram air.

Btw, love your car! I had two gen 2 Camaros myself.

Originally Posted by TTMerc

I did change the force of the air thats taken into the airbox which goes to the tubes leading to the turbo inlet. It was said that under load the airboxes could be seen sucking in. If air was entering at 100+mph I assure you it would make this issue a bit better. Its a very common mod in all other platforms but with Mercedes, why would AMS/Weistech/Renntech sell a $60 ram air intake of some sort that had proven gains at the track. When they could sell an entire carbon fiber intake system for $$$$$ and make a ton more. I experimented with a couple different style intake setups and this has been the best and the track time proves it. I plan to get a bunch more runs in using the ramair and not using so we can tell what difference is made.

Originally Posted by TTMerc

Exactly. It cant hurt and cost about $7 lol


And BTW I have no relation to Racechip just giving my review as I know a lot of people would like to know real world results. I'm sure ECU tune will net better gains so excited to see the car run 130+mph and consistent 10 second passes. I'll be happy.... For a little while lol

Originally Posted by PeterUbers

It's status 8 either way

op -- awesome results

Originally Posted by Amg63-

Are you planning to get an ECU tune done later on?

I wish an ECU tune was good for 130mph but it doesnt seem like they do that anymore. The only one that did was that old renntech file but they stopped making it. It was probably too aggressive as you were saying earlier about some ECU tunes.

Originally Posted by 10speed

It's a piggy back module how can it be a status 8 if you remove it before going to the dealer , its untraceable?

Originally Posted by kponti

The only residue a piggyback can show is scratch marks on the ECU plugs and some codes showing parameters out of whack (similar to the parameters that show after a sensor goes bad)

Piggybacks simply modify the signals coming in and out, it is the stock ECU that changes the signals that results in increased boost, fuel and spark

Originally Posted by PeterUbers

in a big claim I would put my money on the dealer checking into ecu data logs and sending that data to benz/amg that shows the turbos producing more than stock boost or whatever the hell they log.

But hey the op tuned his car cuz he can afford to buy a new engine if his current dies while tracking it. Gotta pay to play, right?

Originally Posted by kponti

The only residue a piggyback can show is scratch marks on the ECU plugs and some codes showing parameters out of whack (similar to the parameters that show after a sensor goes bad)

Piggybacks simply modify the signals coming in and out, it is the stock ECU that changes the signals that results in increased boost, fuel and spark

Originally Posted by Mike450

That's what the Audi guys said a few years back until the dealership starting showing them logs of parameters stored outside the ecu, like max boost, timing, and revs, that were not within normal/unaltered ecu operation.

When the log shows you were pulling 19 psi of boost at 7k rpm's in 3rd gear and the oem programing say's 16psi at 6700rpm's is the max, you're gonna have an issue.

Chances are, if Audi does it, so can MB. You should have zero expectation of flying under the dealer's warranty nose because you are running a piggyback tune.

.

Originally Posted by Mike450

That's what the Audi guys said a few years back until the dealership starting showing them logs of parameters stored outside the ecu, like max boost, timing, and revs, that were not within normal/unaltered ecu operation.

When the log shows you were pulling 19 psi of boost at 7k rpm's in 3rd gear and the oem programing say's 16psi at 6700rpm's is the max, you're gonna have an issue.

Chances are, if Audi does it, so can MB. You should have zero expectation of flying under the dealer's warranty nose because you are running a piggyback tune.

That said, great results OP. Very interesting.

Originally Posted by PeterUbers

in a big claim I would put my money on the dealer checking into ecu data logs and sending that data to benz/amg that shows the turbos producing more than stock boost or whatever the hell they log.

But hey the op tuned his car cuz he can afford to buy a new engine if his current dies while tracking it. Gotta pay to play, right?

Originally Posted by TTMerc

The reason for buying the RaceChip unit was in no way trying to avoid Voiding my warranty. The second day I had the car the Cats came off. I have a 3rd party warranty for the other parts not effected Window motors, Ac and all that other stuff. My driver side motor mount is out and needs to be replaced but I'll most likly do it myself. The purchase of the RaceChip was to just see if it worked for $500 and if so how it compares to a full ecu tune. I plan to head to the track on Friday. It will only be 1/8 mile but should get a couple runs in with the higher setting and maybe some race gas mixed. If it runs 6.99@100mph or better that should be good for a 10 second pass. A lot of people get wrapped up in Warranty issues. If you want to go "fast" you cant worry about voiding the warranty. Its difficult to have both IMO

Originally Posted by kponti

Ahh gotcha! been out of the game a bit.
So what that means is ECU tunes and Piggbacks all leave enough digital traces for MB to detect. You do not want to pay for it, do not mod period

Originally Posted by Astolfo

Hi Peter, as an FYI the "logs" do get send to MB. MB is the only one with the encryption keys to be able to decrypt and has the symbols to decode the logs. Unless this has changed in the last 3 weeks and MB has dropped the concerns about their intellectual property, the deale would not be able to tell if lightbulb is burnt and replace it under warranty without MB decoding the different logs.

Each time a dealer plugs the car into the diagnostic tool all the logs get uploaded to MB. Do not confuse this with the fault codes the obdii reader can get. obdii is a standard car manufactures need to adhere to comply with consumer protection and trade acts.



each time they mention "customer states/claims, concerned, etc. etc." in your repair option all the code gets uploaded. yes there are a few exceptions like please change my old tire or wiper blade but it involves anything electronic up the files go....

obdii ~= windows logs
"Logs" ~= kernel and driver debugging for which you need OEM symbols, which are guarded as what they are, the most fundamental piece of intellectual property a software company can have.


Kind of like the soup **** in Seinfeld, No logs, no love.

Originally Posted by TTMerc

Wanted to wait a little bit to get some seat time with the RaceChip Ultimate Installed. Installation was very simple. Connections were very nice as well. I really enjoy the adjust ability that the racechip has. There are 2 switches S2 on the left S1 on the right. I've been told the S1 knob must stay on "1" the S2 knob/switch can be adjusted. It was Shipped to me on stock setting of 2. The max being 7. From the first drive the car felt like it was tuned. Great response from the pedal and felt a bit quicker. Raced a couple cars from both a stop and from a roll and worked great. the Max I got the switch to was about 5. It was the first day the track was open so I figured I could get a coupe runs in to see the results of both the RaceChip unit and the RamAir setup. Ive had the RamAir setup on for a little bit and know its helping a ton from a roll just wanted to see how much. I only got one run in because lanes were ridiculously packed. I posted results in Dragtimes and I believe it set a "record" for Quickest/fastest STOCK ECU. I am very happy with the results. The RaceChip box was set on its factory setting for this run. I know the car would have made a 10 sec pass on 5. It also seemed to launch a ton easier so thinking the 60' could be improved as well.

Mods are
K&N filters with baffles cut out of stock boxes
Exhaust shop cut off cats and resonator stock piping and mufflers
Racechip Ultimate on stock setting.
Custom Ramair
93 Octane Shell gas

Here is time slip and video

https://youtu.be/OJNqAEsnXPU