Racechips GTS Install with pictures

[The_Jimmer]

Attached are pictures of my Racechips GTS plug-and-play chip install. Overall impressions 1) Adder Power: Significantly felt change in acceleration, particularly in Race mode. I had zero torque steer stock and now if I full throttle I feel the steering really attempting to get away from me. 2) Drivability: Completely different in throttle response. Prior to the chip, there was always a "zingy" feeling with the throttle as it decided at low speeds what I was doing. Now there is a firm feeling of consistent power all the way through the throttle as if the turbo lag is almost eliminated. Nice and strong all the way through. I haven't done much off-roading yet but can see how a more consistent throttle will help with low-speed manipulation of obstacles. 3) Fuel Economy: Day three and the chip maker states it will take a week or so for it to "learn" your vehicle and driving styles, but I'm recording through the info system a little over 3 mpg better already. I've used nothing but 87 octane all this time and am very impressed with this system. I purchased the Bluetooth option extra and it's really nice to be able to flip settings on the fly from the seat.

Overall: Highly recommended.

 

[Dude]

Was the installation just a few minutes as the website states? Did you run into any snags during your installation using their documentation?

great write up BTW!!

 

[The_Jimmer]

Was the installation just a few minutes as the website states? Did you run into any snags during your installation using their documentation?

great write up BTW!!

It could be less than 15 minutes except for...the T.M.A.P. location. It takes a really skinny arm to reach down there and unclip the connection where it is. Luckily I have a guy with a shop here and they have an employee with just such an arm. Otherwise, it was literally plug-and-play. Just follow the instructions to "kill" the electronics before you start...unplug the stock connector, plug theirs in, zip-tie the wires away from direct heat or moving objects, and drive away. I think my line routing was the most logical, you can see where they run from the CPU across the top of the engine and then down the front. That hole next to the fluid reservoir was a perfect spot for the CPU to mount. I think all in all we had a total of 30 minutes of actual work. The rest was mainly confirming the instructions and where to run lines.

 

[Dude]

Now I need to find a really skinny arm friend!

 

[The_Jimmer]

Just wanted to add due to some concerns I read in another thread. This chip is completely plug-and-play. There is NO overwriting of the vehicle's code. The Racechip onboard computer makes all the calculations, which were developed through a thorough system of dyno runs and on-road testing to ensure safety and viability for the platform involved. Look at their videos and reviews on their website. Very professional company with complete transparency on their product.

 

[Dude]

Just wanted to add due to some concerns I read in another thread. This chip is completely plug-and-play. There is NO overwriting of the vehicle's code. The Racechip onboard computer makes all the calculations, which were developed through a thorough system of dyno runs and on-road testing to ensure safety and viability for the platform involved. Look at their videos and reviews on their website. Very professional company with complete transparency on their product.

I have not tried to find articles on how it works but how does the chip take over the onboard ECU to be able to perform the control calculations?

 

[Mark S.]

The Racechip onboard computer makes all the calculations, which were developed through a thorough system of dyno runs and on-road testing to ensure safety and viability for the platform involved.

How many different vehicles, and how much data? My guess is nowhere near the amount of data collected by the engineers who set the OEM safety limits.

There is safe, then there is safe. Is it safe to attenuate OEM safety limits? I guess it depends on the opinion of the person doing the attenuating. I prefer to keep my warranty intact; I paid a lot of money for it.

 

[V8 Yankee]

Nice, keep the thread updated. Im really interested in your long term mpg. Three miles extra adds up quick but i understand with more power there is fun time also where mpg isnt a concern. My BS is basically a commuter so squeezing that extra 1, 2 or 3 extra miles out of a gallon of gas is my main concern.

 

[Slingy]

Thanks for sharing this. It would be great if you could include updates at milage intervals.

 

[The_Jimmer]

I have not tried to find articles on how it works but how does the chip take over the onboard ECU to be able to perform the control calculations?

watch this...

 

[The_Jimmer]

How many different vehicles, and how much data? My guess is nowhere near the amount of data collected by the engineers who set the OEM safety limits.

There is safe, then there is safe. Is it safe to attenuate OEM safety limits? I guess it depends on the opinion of the person doing the attenuating. I prefer to keep my warranty intact; I paid a lot of money for it.

 

[Dude]

watch this...

Thanks for posting the video. Provided what I needed.

 

[Mark S.]

The video doesn't answer the question about much data they collect and from how many different cars. Data from one car doesn't necessarily apply to another. Yes, you can set conservative parameters to account for production differences, but that's what Ford's engineers have already done, and it's data is based on literally MILLIONS of hours of testing on hundreds of different engines operating in different terrain/climate conditions with varying levels of care maintenance-wise.

I understand perfectly how these boxes work: They intercept and manipulate sensor signals the PCM uses to set operating parameters. By changing the sensor signals you can control how the PCM controls the engine. For example, if the PCM reduces power output based on input from, say, a temperature sensor, you can intercept that signal and trick the PCM into thinking the temperature is lower than actual. In that way, the PCM will not reduce power output. This is obviously simplified, but this is, in essence, how these systems work.

The problem with this scheme is Ford's engineers set power output limits based on that temp reading for a reason. By ignoring a limit you operate your engine that much closer to (and possibly beyond) a limit that when exceeded may result in catastrophic failure.

If you blow up your engine and Ford denies warranty coverage, will these guys pay for a new engine?

 

[The_Jimmer]

The video doesn't answer the question about much data they collect and from how many different cars. Data from one car doesn't necessarily apply to another. Yes, you can set conservative parameters to account for production differences, but that's what Ford's engineers have already done, and it's data is based on literally MILLIONS of hours of testing on hundreds of different engines operating in different terrain/climate conditions with varying levels of care maintenance-wise.

I understand perfectly how these boxes work: They intercept and manipulate sensor signals the PCM uses to set operating parameters. By changing the sensor signals you can control how the PCM controls the engine. For example, if the PCM reduces power output based on input from, say, a temperature sensor, you can intercept that signal and trick the PCM into thinking the temperature is lower than actual. In that way, the PCM will not reduce power output. This is obviously simplified, but this is, in essence, how these systems work.

The problem with this scheme is Ford's engineers set power output limits based on that temp reading for a reason. By ignoring a limit you operate your engine that much closer to (and possibly beyond) a limit that when exceeded may result in catastrophic failure.

If you blow up your engine and Ford denies warranty coverage, will these guys pay for a new engine?

Not sure what you're expecting guy. Do your own research. You don't want one don't buy one. I posted this to help anyone out there thinking of going this route and that is obviously their own decision. These guys pretty plainly explained what and how they do what they do. Each individual vehicle gets multiple dyno runs and the parameters are adjusted and cross-checked for safety and viability until they get something that works. They don't use some generic program farmed out to the masses. You either glossed over that and just want to rain play devil's advocate or something. So...show me something that validates your point of view like some historic record of this company's chips making cars explode or disintegrate. All you've done is say "Ford engineers this or that". Prove your point with some data and metrics or kindly move on.

 

[Blue oval fan]

I rather just go with a full custom tune. Proper fuel and timing tables. This device just tricks the ECU. I guess the logic is you won't void your warranty? Sure you don't overwrite the base map but I'm willing to bet Ford can still see the parameters are out of spec and will still void your warranty. Or see the mess of wires and flag your car there next time it's in for service.

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