After the Powerchip GB in the DC area

[DoNDoN]

First off let me tell you what mods I have. I am running the Fabspeed HFC and X pipe, Eisenmann Race exhaust, MS Filter, an AA pulley and AA software. I was very skeptical about doing the Powerchip since having the AA software did nothing for me. After reading many reviews I decided to take the plunge and do software tuning one more time. I am glad I did.

For all of those people who think the M3 lacks in low end torque you need to look at getting this tune with the Fabspeed things. The car is a lot more smoother and a lot more powerful. The low end is definitely better and the mid to high rpms go by so fast its like a totally different car. Those who know me have known I have been complaining about changing my car since I have been bored with it. After driving it today I think I have changed my mind.

One of my friends did a baseline dyno on Friday and he is getting a dyno done Monday so I will update you guys on the numbers.

I would like to thank Ben335 for being a wonderful host. I would also like to thank Mike at Powerchip for being easy to deal with and very open to any questions any of us had.

If you're on the fence about doing this I hope I have helped you make your decision a little easier. I am glad I did it and would not hesitate to do it again.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by DoNDoN

First off let me tell you what mods I have. I am running the Fabspeed HFC and X pipe, Eisenmann Race exhaust, MS Filter, an AA pulley and AA software. I was very skeptical about doing the Powerchip since having the AA software did nothing for me. After reading many reviews I decided to take the plunge and do software tuning one more time. I am glad I did.

For all of those people who think the M3 lacks in low end torque you need to look at getting this tune with the Fabspeed things. The car is a lot more smoother and a lot more powerful. The low end is definitely better and the mid to high rpms go by so fast its like a totally different car. Those who know me have known I have been complaining about changing my car since I have been bored with it. After driving it today I think I have changed my mind.

One of my friends did a baseline dyno on Friday and he is getting a dyno done Monday so I will update you guys on the numbers.

I would like to thank Ben335 for being a wonderful host. I would also like to thank Mike at Powerchip for being easy to deal with and very open to any questions any of us had.

If you're on the fence about doing this I hope I have helped you make your decision a little easier. I am glad I did it and would not hesitate to do it again.

[DoNDoN]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Why the sad face? Please tell me if I made a wrong choice. I am always open to opinions or comments. You can PM me if you like.

[srobmw]

Good choice on the Powerchip and I couldn't agree more. How do you like the Eisenmann race exhaust? I'm starting to get the itch.

[dhoggm3]

Another GB customer checks in:

The host: Ben shoeed great hospitality and opened his great Alexandria home to all of us. More importantly, he labored the day before to get a pot of chili going for us. This stuff is killer good! I was a judge for the annual chili cookoff in Evansville, IN when I lived there, and I can tell you Ben's chili has the flavor. Unexpected pleasure. Thank you, Ben!

The process: there was a logjam at Powerchip that meant I was at Ben's for more than 4 hours. Waiting for Powerchip. We figured since they're California types they were out surfing or doing illegal substances or something. Ben managed to read all of our ECU's (7 yesterday) and I was the first one finished.

My mods: AA pulley and AA exhaust, plus Sunoco 93 (sorry, Calif). MS filter on the way but not here yet. Powerchip gives you the option of raising the rev limit and top speed - or not. I elected not to do that because I want my beautiful V8 to go for a long time, and I don't track the car. Nobody will let me...

The result: Before I pulled out of Ben's garage I noticed a smoothness in the motor I'd never felt/heard before. Some on the board have noted this with the AA tune as well. I liked the harsher firing sequencing of the stock tune, but I like this more. On the way home (2 hour drive) the BD noticed substantially more torque throughout the range. No CEL's whatsoever. What drove this home was that I had the iphone sitting on the passenger seat, cruising along at 75, and I punched it in 6th to pass. The phone immediately slid to the back of the seat and smacked up against the seatback. This had never happened before. DonDon's dyno run will tell more scientifically, but for now I'm totally satisfied.

The sound: We should probably start a new thread on the exhaust comparo we did with 7 gearhead M3's there - you could imagine the mix. For me, I had gone for the most Ferrari-like sound I could find, and got the AA. It is indeed the one that sounds the closest to the prancing horse. Now, with the tune, it sounds almost dead-on. Sick.

Summary: From the results the Powerchip boys were probably not smoking dope out there. Just a little snafu. I highly recommend this mod so far. When you compare it to the price of lots of other silly things we buy for our cars, it's a bargain.

[Martin_D]

Interested as well with the sad face?

[bren335i]

unnecessary drama to me.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Why are you unhappy that he is thrilled with his Powerchip performance upgrade? What do you have against us?

It's clearly the best tune on the market at this point in time. Your comment on this thread is unwarranted and unnecessary. We've tuned well over 100 M3's with great success.

I would really like to know what your qualm is with us so it may be resolved.

dhoggm3: Sorry for the delay while you were there. We had an issue with our flash tool and resolved it as fast as we could. I think it was worth it in the end

I'm glad you guys are enjoying the tune and it was very nice working with everyone over the weekend to make it happen. Those of you interested in gaining more information about the tune please contact me directly at mbenvo@powerchipgroup.com or at the number listed in my signature.

Thank you,

Mike Benvo

[tinpot]

DoNDoN – thanks for the write-up and congrats on the tune! I have similar aftermarket parts to you and after the Powerchip tune my experience in drive quality was similar: smoother shifting, more power, and an increase in low end torque. Traction is now a problem for me so I’m looking forward to getting new wheels to help in this department.

Originally Posted by DoNDoN

First off let me tell you what mods I have. I am running the Fabspeed HFC and X pipe, Eisenmann Race exhaust, MS Filter, an AA pulley and AA software. I was very skeptical about doing the Powerchip since having the AA software did nothing for me. After reading many reviews I decided to take the plunge and do software tuning one more time. I am glad I did.

For all of those people who think the M3 lacks in low end torque you need to look at getting this tune with the Fabspeed things. The car is a lot more smoother and a lot more powerful. The low end is definitely better and the mid to high rpms go by so fast its like a totally different car. Those who know me have known I have been complaining about changing my car since I have been bored with it. After driving it today I think I have changed my mind.

One of my friends did a baseline dyno on Friday and he is getting a dyno done Monday so I will update you guys on the numbers.

I would like to thank Ben335 for being a wonderful host. I would also like to thank Mike at Powerchip for being easy to deal with and very open to any questions any of us had.

If you're on the fence about doing this I hope I have helped you make your decision a little easier. I am glad I did it and would not hesitate to do it again.

[Alpine335TT]

Nice Don! I've been hearing a lot about this power chip. Looking forward to seeing you on the road

[MShao825]

Originally Posted by Alpine335TT

Nice Don! I've been hearing a lot about this power chip. Looking forward to seeing you on the road

Don and I may finally be able to hang with you now Phil

[bren335i]

paging Lemans Blue M

[Alpine335TT]

Originally Posted by mshao825

Don and I may finally be able to hang with you now Phil

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by bren335i

paging Lemans Blue M

The sad face is because you guys aren't presenting any numbers. You are basing your opinion solely on a seat of the pants feeling. This is no different then the guys who say the car is a whole nother animal with Sport mode turned on when all it does is remap the throttle position.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by King Tut

The sad face is because you guys aren't presenting any numbers. You are basing your opinion solely on a seat of the pants feeling. This is no different then the guys who say the car is a whole nother animal with Sport mode turned on when all it does is remap the throttle position.

+1

I can understand not dynoing certain mods, like an aftermarket air filter or axle-back exhaust, because the effects will be so minimal, but I don't understand why you wouldn't want to dyno something as major as a software tune to have a better idea of its effect on your car, regardless of who's doing it. When I got my PC tune (which I'm very, very happy with), I wanted to know exactly where my gains were (and how much) and to be sure that everything checked out, at least in terms of a/f ratios. In fact, once I posted up a dyno, some members were able to point out a potential issue, which turned out to be nothing.

[xxe92xx]

Originally Posted by King Tut

The sad face is because you guys aren't presenting any numbers. You are basing your opinion solely on a seat of the pants feeling. This is no different then the guys who say the car is a whole nother animal with Sport mode turned on when all it does is remap the throttle position.

Originally Posted by TLud

+1

I can understand not dynoing certain mods, like an aftermarket air filter or axle-back exhaust, because the effects will be so minimal, but I don't understand why you wouldn't want to dyno something as major as a software tune to have a better idea of its effect on your car, regardless of who's doing it. When I got my PC tune (which I'm very, very happy with), I wanted to know exactly where my gains were (and how much) and to be sure that everything checked out, at least in terms of a/f ratios. In fact, once I posted up a dyno, some members were able to point out a potential issue, which turned out to be nothing.

The OP stated:

Originally Posted by DoNDoN

One of my friends did a baseline dyno on Friday and he is getting a dyno done Monday so I will update you guys on the numbers.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by King Tut

The sad face is because you guys aren't presenting any numbers. You are basing your opinion solely on a seat of the pants feeling. This is no different then the guys who say the car is a whole nother animal with Sport mode turned on when all it does is remap the throttle position.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

They posted their initial impressions, and then clearly said that a before and after would be posted once the latter dyno is sampled.

Until then, here's a couple past dynos (one showing the tune w/ the fabspeed setup, and the second one without), plus a smiley face to negate your sad face:

[bigpuna]

Make sure to post up your AFR's.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Originally Posted by bigpuna

Make sure to post up your AFR's.

[ThorPR]

Dyno's are so unpredictable. There are so many variables that determine the amount of HP and TQ you will see. Temperature, elevation, and humidity will play a role. The one thing I agree on is that you have to be able to see the AFR associated with those numbers. This is crucial in order to protect your engine.

I used to run a very aggressive tune for my GT500. The tune would give me the highest numbers but would require me to run 100 octane. It was imperative to know the AFR. When you are running at the limit you only need one bad batch of gas and your engine is gone.

[dhoggm3]

OK, DonDon, how'd the dyno run go? These dudes think we're makin' it up...