Macan Tuning - Piggyback Performance & Dyno Numbers

The Porsche Macan S, GTS, Turbo, and 2.0T have a lot of potential to unlock by simply adding a tune. This is a 3 part episode where we break down different options for Macan owners. Please utilize the linked product pages for details, pictures and videos of the various options. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. 

Testing

We chose to test two popular piggyback options on the 2017 Porsche Macan S. The Macan S features a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 that puts out 340HP stock. The responsive V6 welcomes more boost in the mid and upper rev range making the Macan S feel complete with the Porsche spirit. 

Installation

Both the Race Chip and Rennchip are very straight forward installs. Anyone can do this in under 5 minutes. The Race Chip requires plugging into the MAP sensor and Boost sensor. The Rennchip also requires those two sensors with the addition of the Camshaft sensor and access to the power source. 

Performance Numbers

We recorded 2 different speed ranges of acceleration. These were recorded with 2 adults in the vehicle and a full tank of gas. We decided to do a 20-60mph pull and 30-70mph pull to control for any launch or traction differences. 

Dyno Session

We took our Macan S to a friends dyno. They run a Dyno Dynamics Dyno and we believe there was an issue with the speed calibration as the numbers were quite low. This could be how the Macan delivers a RWD bias split of power and their dyno is a non-connected AWD dyno. We had a tight window of time so went forward without troubleshooting or adding correction. Dynos do vary, these numbers are uncorrected so please pay attention to two key things here:

• Gains should be looked at on a percentage basis to control for the dyno reading
• Dyno pulls are done in 4th gear starting around 2K rpms with a full throttle input, this is good for showing the power delivery but in street conditions, probably not how anyone would drive. The lower RPMs may show how the initial response is if you held a higher gear but more times than not, you will be living in the mid-range and higher RPMs at wide open throttle. 

The stock pull on the dyno yielded 200.2 whp from the 2017 Porsche Macan S running 93 octane fuel. Again, we identified some inconsistency with factory numbers, but more importantly, look at the percentage difference on the stock run versus tuned run.

We first ran the Race Chip on the 7 setting. The dyno showed a significant decrease in power down low versus stock. We believe there is some boost regulation happening where the factory ECU isn't happy but during street driving could not replicate the feeling. The Race Chip put down a max 221.7 whp and 210 ft/lb of torque. This represents a 10.7% increase in horsepower which would equate to about 36 more HP over stock or a Macan S with 376 HP. 

Next up we did a pull with the Rennchip on setting 6. We also tried setting 7 but it yielded almost identical numbers which means that the box likely is maxed out. Again, we saw a loss of power down low but not as exaggerated as the Race Chip. The torque did shoot up sooner and it added more power up top. The Rennchip put down 229.0 whp and 240.4 lb/ft of torque. This represents a 14.4% increase over stock or an addition of 49 HP, meaning a 389 HP Macan S. The Rennchip exceeded the racechip by a calculated 13 HP at the crank and a calculated 48 ft lbs of torque. 

Power Numbers based on Dyno Results

These numbers are generally in line with the manufacturer claims and it's safe to assume they are about right. Now results may vary but the bottom line is both units added power and made the vehicle accelerate faster. There were no issues with the factory ECU rejecting the tunes. We did 2-3 dyno pulls of each calibration and the results were practically identical which means the tunes are consistent and there was no error with the dyno or traction. We believe there might be some restriction of boost in the lower RPMs as the piggyback units are commanding more causing a slight power loss. We were limited on time so these results were all we could get. The important thing is the difference in power, particularly up top. 

Power Numbers based on Dyno Results (calculated for flywheel HP)

Driving Impressions

Both tunes felt responsive and did not mimic the dyno loss of power down low, this might be due to partial load versus the wide open throttle on the dyno. Again, a dyno pull is not indicative or real world driving. Both tunes felt smooth with the Rennchip feeling stronger and with more of a torque delivery that thrusted the vehicle forward with greater significance. The feeling was a hard pull to redline. As the performance numbers show, the Macan S with both tunes shows solid improvement in acceleration.

Conclusion

Piggybacks offer a great bang for the buck and with the Macan are an easy install. Flash tuning will yield a better result but for the price differential between the Rennchip and Cobb AP, the Rennchip remains a very viable option. In the words of the dyno operator, "Well for almost half the price, the Rennchip seems well worth it." We chose the Rennchip as the overall winner for the piggyback options and Cobb's Accessport for flash tuning. The Cobb will delivery similar power (+42HP) but with better low-end torque and a more optimized calibration. If you want to save some money and are just looking for more power on tap, both piggybacks do a great job. The Rennchip knocked an almost full second off the 30-70mph pull which is very solid for the price.