RaceChip Review #4

[ihatecats78]

So I received my RaceChip yesterday afternoon and managed to install it this morning..

First, the good: Anybody saying that they didn’t feel a dramatic difference must have made a mistake during installation. I have the app version and I was running it on race mode in sport today after spending some time in efficiency and sport. I should mention that I have 93 octane available in my area and that is what I had in the car during testing.

Performance: On a completely dry road, my rear tires broke loose for a second when I hit the gas at 55mph on the on ramp. It was coldish (39 degrees F), so traction might not have been optimal, but to say that this thing has significantly more power is an understatement. I own a 2017 Camaro SS, and I’m almost certain that the Stinger is faster now. This is definitely not the placebo effect.

Operation seems smooth. I feel a difference even when accelerating with moderate levels of throttle input. If I’m babying it, it’s hard to tell much difference, but then it’s hard to tell a difference between two cars with a 200 hp difference if one babies both of them.

I actually enjoy comfort mode now. It seems that with the chip, this mode is what it should have been from the factory.

The box that the tuner came in was nice, well packaged. All of the parts were included as well as instructions.

Now the negative:

My gas mileage sucks now. Not because the chip isn’t capable of improving mileage, but because I can’t keep my right foot under control with this chip. Maybe tomorrow...

The instructions that came with the module were the generic ones. I ordered this hardware after it was already being put out that there were issues with the instructions. I don’t see how a company with such an outstanding product and excellent customer support could continue to do a boneheaded thing like send out the wrong instructions. I knew about the issue so I used the instructions posted on this forum and installation wasn’t a problem. Things would have been a lot trickier if I wasn’t a member of this forum.

Lastly, while install was pretty straight forward, I couldn’t figure out how to secure the GTS module. It looks like in the instructions that it’s supposed to sit on top of the fuse box, but there is nowhere to attach it using the zip ties provided in the box. I used two sided tape as a temporary solution until I can figure something else out.

That’s it for the negative stuff (knock on wood).

Overall, I’m extremely satisfied so far and I feel like this was a good purchase.

 

[iclicku]

Just to confirm, did you re-gap your stock plugs or happen to replace them with aftermarket plugs before installing your chip?

 

[Rango]

Thanks for the review. I just recieved my GTS black with app yesterday and plan on installing in the next few days. When attaching the module to the fuse box, I am going to try some Command picture hanging strips. They grip much better than velcro.

 

[Duce_13]

View attachment 5948

View attachment 5949 View attachment 5950

So I received my RaceChip yesterday afternoon and managed to install it this morning..

First, the good: Anybody saying that they didn’t feel a dramatic difference must have made a mistake during installation. I have the app version and I was running it on race mode in sport today after spending some time in efficiency and sport. I should mention that I have 93 octane available in my area and that is what I had in the car during testing.

Performance: On a completely dry road, my rear tires broke loose for a second when I hit the gas at 55mph on the on ramp. It was coldish (39 degrees F), so traction might not have been optimal, but to say that this thing has significantly more power is an understatement. I own a 2017 Camaro SS, and I’m almost certain that the Stinger is faster now. This is definitely not the placebo effect.

Operation seems smooth. I feel a difference even when accelerating with moderate levels of throttle input. If I’m babying it, it’s hard to tell much difference, but then it’s hard to tell a difference between two cars with a 200 hp difference if one babies both of them.

I actually enjoy comfort mode now. It seems that with the chip, this mode is what it should have been from the factory.

The box that the tuner came in was nice, well packaged. All of the parts were included as well as instructions.

Now the negative:

My gas mileage sucks now. Not because the chip isn’t capable of improving mileage, but because I can’t keep my right foot under control with this chip. Maybe tomorrow...

The instructions that came with the module were the generic ones. I ordered this hardware after it was already being put out that there were issues with the instructions. I don’t see how a company with such an outstanding product and excellent customer support could continue to do a boneheaded thing like send out the wrong instructions. I knew about the issue so I used the instructions posted on this forum and installation wasn’t a problem. Things would have been a lot trickier if I wasn’t a member of this forum.

Lastly, while install was pretty straight forward, I couldn’t figure out how to secure the GTS module. It looks like in the instructions that it’s supposed to sit on top of the fuse box, but there is nowhere to attach it using the zip ties provided in the box. I used two sided tape as a temporary solution until I can figure something else out.

That’s it for the negative stuff (knock on wood).

Overall, I’m extremely satisfied so far and I feel like this was a good purchase.

I secured mine with picture hanging strips from 3M to the electrical box, it has held up very well after three weeks in the engine bay.

 

[ihatecats78]

Just to confirm, did you re-gap your stock plugs or happen to replace them with aftermarket plugs before installing your chip?

I did not re-gap my plugs.. according to RaceChip, I don’t have to.

The reason why I didn’t is because of the summit racing video posted somewhere that reducing the gap can result in some fuel not being burned - which ultimately decreases power and efficiency. The way I see it, I would rather keep the plugs to OEM spec unless I need to.

That said, yesterday was a cool day.. good conditions for an engine to run. If I start having issues, I will definitely re-gap plugs as it seems to be the fix for misfires etc.

 

[ihatecats78]

Thanks for the review. I just recieved my GTS black with app yesterday and plan on installing in the next few days. When attaching the module to the fuse box, I am going to try some Command picture hanging strips. They grip much better than velcro.

That’s a really good idea.. think I’m going to try that out.

 

[Diggerdale]

View attachment 5948

View attachment 5949 View attachment 5950

So I received my RaceChip yesterday afternoon and managed to install it this morning..

First, the good: Anybody saying that they didn’t feel a dramatic difference must have made a mistake during installation. I have the app version and I was running it on race mode in sport today after spending some time in efficiency and sport. I should mention that I have 93 octane available in my area and that is what I had in the car during testing.

Performance: On a completely dry road, my rear tires broke loose for a second when I hit the gas at 55mph on the on ramp. It was coldish (39 degrees F), so traction might not have been optimal, but to say that this thing has significantly more power is an understatement. I own a 2017 Camaro SS, and I’m almost certain that the Stinger is faster now. This is definitely not the placebo effect.

Operation seems smooth. I feel a difference even when accelerating with moderate levels of throttle input. If I’m babying it, it’s hard to tell much difference, but then it’s hard to tell a difference between two cars with a 200 hp difference if one babies both of them.

I actually enjoy comfort mode now. It seems that with the chip, this mode is what it should have been from the factory.

The box that the tuner came in was nice, well packaged. All of the parts were included as well as instructions.

Now the negative:

My gas mileage sucks now. Not because the chip isn’t capable of improving mileage, but because I can’t keep my right foot under control with this chip. Maybe tomorrow...

The instructions that came with the module were the generic ones. I ordered this hardware after it was already being put out that there were issues with the instructions. I don’t see how a company with such an outstanding product and excellent customer support could continue to do a boneheaded thing like send out the wrong instructions. I knew about the issue so I used the instructions posted on this forum and installation wasn’t a problem. Things would have been a lot trickier if I wasn’t a member of this forum.

Lastly, while install was pretty straight forward, I couldn’t figure out how to secure the GTS module. It looks like in the instructions that it’s supposed to sit on top of the fuse box, but there is nowhere to attach it using the zip ties provided in the box. I used two sided tape as a temporary solution until I can figure something else out.

That’s it for the negative stuff (knock on wood).

Overall, I’m extremely satisfied so far and I feel like this was a good purchase.

When you say you now enjoy comfort mode more, are you keeping your chip in race mode or moving it a notch back to sport?

 

[ihatecats78]

When you say you now enjoy comfort mode more, are you keeping your chip in race mode or moving it a notch back to sport?

I typically run around in with the tuner in sport mode. I have no reason to believe that race mode is causing damage, but I still feel like I’m being unnecessarily hard on the engine and lean towards conservative if I’m just going from point A to point B.

I actually had to make a 180 mile round trip today and can say that I am seeing a couple MPG difference.. On a mix of country roads and freeways, I saw 28.5 mpg.. which is about 2mpg better than I typically get on the same trip.

 

[Kamauxx]

I did not re-gap my plugs.. according to RaceChip, I don’t have to.

The reason why I didn’t is because of the summit racing video posted somewhere that reducing the gap can result in some fuel not being burned - which ultimately decreases power and efficiency. The way I see it, I would rather keep the plugs to OEM spec unless I need to.

That said, yesterday was a cool day.. good conditions for an engine to run. If I start having issues, I will definitely re-gap plugs as it seems to be the fix for misfires etc.

You might want to re-gap them before the misfires come. Some people experienced minimal misfires, took their respective tune off, and still had enough damage to take their car out of commission for weeks.

I know you don't want to bother with it if it isn't needed but when the issues come it may be too late.

 

[KLR STINGER]

I did not re-gap my plugs.. according to RaceChip, I don’t have to.

The reason why I didn’t is because of the summit racing video posted somewhere that reducing the gap can result in some fuel not being burned - which ultimately decreases power and efficiency. The way I see it, I would rather keep the plugs to OEM spec unless I need to.

That said, yesterday was a cool day.. good conditions for an engine to run. If I start having issues, I will definitely re-gap plugs as it seems to be the fix for misfires etc.

Tightening the gap does not lead to unburnt fuel. It at most has a minimal effect on delayed flame kernel propagation. In effect a slight reduction of timing akin to reduced dwell times. DI motors have been designed with extremely efficient swirl for the charge mixture leading to complete very complete combustion. I will say this till I am blue in the face. Factory gap as found by members in the +.035 range is incompatible with tuning. You will 100% experience spark blowout sooner than later depending on how efficient your coils are, and how much gap has eroded. If you want to increase boost, you need to gap down plugs. Its not a case of if, but when.

 

[ihatecats78]

You might want to re-gap them before the misfires come. Some people experienced minimal misfires, took their respective tune off, and still had enough damage to take their car out of commission for weeks.

I know you don't want to bother with it if it isn't needed but when the issues come it may be too late.

I have only heard of one person having a misfire with the RaceChip.. and in his case, it caused no damage. Because of that, combined with the fact that I rarely use the most aggressive map, I'm thinking that I'm safe. I appreciate the input though. If I hear of more issues popping up with this tuner, I will strongly consider changing my opinion.

 

[ihatecats78]

Tightening the gap does not lead to unburnt fuel. It at most has a minimal effect on delayed flame kernel propagation. In effect a slight reduction of timing akin to reduced dwell times. DI motors have been designed with extremely efficient swirl for the charge mixture leading to complete very complete combustion. I will say this till I am blue in the face. Factory gap as found by members in the +.035 range is incompatible with tuning. You will 100% experience spark blowout sooner than later depending on how efficient your coils are, and how much gap has eroded. If you want to increase boost, you need to gap down plugs. Its not a case of if, but when.

I'm not arguing with you, because I don't have the technical background to back it up.. That said, if there is a negligible side effect to a smaller gap and a huge downside with the risks of blowout, why does Kia install them that way in the first place?

 

[iclicku]

I'm not arguing with you, because I don't have the technical background to back it up.. That said, if there is a negligible side effect to a smaller gap and a huge downside with the risks of blowout, why does Kia install them that way in the first place?

Possibly because they built this car without tuning community in mind?

We've been told by media and KIA themselves that this platform has great potential. However a "chain is only as strong as its weakest link." The tuning community is finding this out.

 

[ihatecats78]

Possibly because they built this car without tuning community in mind?

We've been told by media and KIA themselves that this platform has great potential. However a "chain is only as strong as its weakest link." The tuning community is finding this out.

Right, but this is still a boosted car. I don't understand why they would risk blowout with the stock boost pressure (I've heard of this happening to some) if there is basically no downside to having a tighter gap.

 

[iclicku]

Right, but this is still a boosted car. I don't understand why they would risk blowout with the stock boost pressure (I've heard of this happening to some) if there is basically no downside to having a tighter gap.

I have no idea either. I'd chalk it up to new car, new platform gremlins.

Also the bean counters may have said that these plugs were the right place to cut cost...

Just throwing out some ideas.

 

[Erock1800]

Where did you purchase the Racechip?

 

[ihatecats78]

Where did you purchase the Racechip?

Directly from the RaceChip website.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Where did you purchase the Racechip?

Buy it from me today and I'll have it out to you - TONIGHT - shipped from Florida - not Germany: RaceChip Tune - The Stinger Store

 

[KLR STINGER]

I'm not arguing with you, because I don't have the technical background to back it up.. That said, if there is a negligible side effect to a smaller gap and a huge downside with the risks of blowout, why does Kia install them that way in the first place?

With a new generation car there are lots of reasons for this. Engineering team could have run them closer while production line didn't get the memo. Production line might be using out of box, instead of setting to spec. There is no way the engineering and test team was beating on these things with oob plugs at .036 gap without running into misfire.

 

[Diggerdale]

Tightening the gap does not lead to unburnt fuel. It at most has a minimal effect on delayed flame kernel propagation. In effect a slight reduction of timing akin to reduced dwell times. DI motors have been designed with extremely efficient swirl for the charge mixture leading to complete very complete combustion. I will say this till I am blue in the face. Factory gap as found by members in the +.035 range is incompatible with tuning. You will 100% experience spark blowout sooner than later depending on how efficient your coils are, and how much gap has eroded. If you want to increase boost, you need to gap down plugs. Its not a case of if, but when.

Would you recommend gapping down to .030?