The RaceChip 'How to install on the 1.4 16v HDi' is here.
What is the RaceChip and what does it do?
The racechip is used to increase fuelling to the diesel injectors and cause the engine to produce greater torque. More torque means shifting up a gear sooner is possible along with better acceleration times.
It is a an ECU box that has a connection to the ECU sensors and for the C3 HDi the sensor is the common rail pressure transducer.
On the GTS version there are 7 fine tuning steps available, the default being 5.
The car is currently set to '5' for testing.
Fitted at around 140K miles in 2021, I expect to update this topic with what will become a long term review of living with racechip in a Citroen C3.
I created the original install instructions here after finding the supplied guide lacking specific instructions. The install is flagged on the racechip website as 'Caution: difficult installation on this car.' This is an accurate warning, but don't let that put you off doing the install, just follow the guide and ask on the discussion page if you need help.
On reconnecting the battery and switching on the ignition a '5' appeared on the GTS display. A quick test drive ensured the tickover was good and the engine generated power.
The next step is to do some proper testing.
1.4 16v RaceChip tune - long term review
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The Citroen C3 Club area! (Whats great about my Citroen C3)
All forum members are encouraged to add pictures of their C3 here. Questions are not to be posted here. You may only post questions HERE
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- Posts: 2632
- Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 10:01 am
- Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
- Year: 2002 (02)
- Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Mileage: 140000
- Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
- DPF: No
- LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
- Engine name: DV4 16-valve diesel (90 PS)
- Has thanked: 153 times
- Been thanked: 90 times
-
- Posts: 2632
- Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 10:01 am
- Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
- Year: 2002 (02)
- Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Mileage: 140000
- Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
- DPF: No
- LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
- Engine name: DV4 16-valve diesel (90 PS)
- Has thanked: 153 times
- Been thanked: 90 times
Setting is set to factory supplied '5' on the GTS racechip fitted to the Citroen C3.
The display is upside down in the picture above, but luckily 5 is the same whichever way it is
This setting is adjustable with the buttons on the unit with the engine off, but ignition on. Lower numbers would indicate less aggressive tuning, particularly useful should the idle be poor, odd noises from the engine
or poor running. Not just confined to a MIL light on. Higher numbers make the performance increase more noticeable, and could be seen as more aggressive. That is the only setting the user can change. There is an app enabled version of the RaceChip GTS that enables a BT connection to a phone with adjustments on the fly, all for an additional cost that may be of interest to some.
No MIL, no strange sounds, the usual idle, all good to go.
The first proper run out on local roads with moderate inclines really showed the increase in torque available. I was able to change up sooner on inclines, even from cold, which had in the past not been too great. The factory 16v HDi with the variable vane turbo could always pull very hard, but the RaceChip makes it pull that much harder. It was an enjoyable drive.
I need to get it on a run to monitor the fuel consumption and higher speed, in-gear acceleration. Hopefully that opportunity will happen soon as I am looking forward to driving the improved HDi.
The display is upside down in the picture above, but luckily 5 is the same whichever way it is

This setting is adjustable with the buttons on the unit with the engine off, but ignition on. Lower numbers would indicate less aggressive tuning, particularly useful should the idle be poor, odd noises from the engine

No MIL, no strange sounds, the usual idle, all good to go.
The first proper run out on local roads with moderate inclines really showed the increase in torque available. I was able to change up sooner on inclines, even from cold, which had in the past not been too great. The factory 16v HDi with the variable vane turbo could always pull very hard, but the RaceChip makes it pull that much harder. It was an enjoyable drive.
I need to get it on a run to monitor the fuel consumption and higher speed, in-gear acceleration. Hopefully that opportunity will happen soon as I am looking forward to driving the improved HDi.