HELP ESS 535 vt1 Will i be satisfied?

[Team Plutonium]

Originally Posted by Brosef

I think the 535 is plenty. unless you have significant rubber in the back (i.e. 295+), you'll never be able to put that kind of power to the pavement in the lower gears. I have the 575 kit, and I can only get it to hook up in 2nd gear if the tires and pavement are both warm (I have 295 PS2s). I have never been able to hold 1st gear in any conditions. the place where the 575 kit and up make a difference is at higher speeds (i.e. 60mph and up). the problem, however, is that you can't do those kind of speeds legally in the U.S. unless you're on a track.

having said all that, I couldn't be happier with the 575 kit; it's a beast. I don't think you could go wrong either way.

Totally agree! And even on the track - more power (I'm about to find out myself) will be probably somewhat problematic as well.

[dhahlen]

When I had the ESS Stage 1 on my e46 m3, it was a night and day difference. It made the car feel like what it should have been out of the box. While the power wasn't monstrous (360 ish whp), it was a blast to drive. For track applications it allowed me to keep up with the gutted and extremely weight reduced e46 m3's while keeping the car stock inside.

It will be a nice upgrade, you just have to tell yourself it's enough for whatever goal you have in mind.

Coming from a 911tt x50 back to an m3 (e92 in this case), I enjoy the drive of the m3 more. 6850 rev limit in the 996tt drove me nuts, but the turbos picked up so damn quick. It was so civilized I got bored. The m3, IMHO is better looking and much more practical. I'll be going the ESS route soon, likely the 535 as anything intercooled in Arizona summers heat soaks like a mofo.

If you're after straight line pulls, lots more power, go big or go home. If you want a nice boost over stock and want some road race / de track time, go 535.

[CSanto]

I want to revive this thread as I'm contemplating the purchase of the VT1-535 kit. I'm held up by the additional 3,000 of the VT2-575. I only see myself having this car another 2-2.5 years. I also want to do a few other upgrades and that 3,000 will pay for those.

So I think I could get all my mods 535 kit/KW SO kit/X-pipe/LCI tails for about the same price as just the VT2 575.

I'm in the same boat, I just dont want to be disappointed in the 535 lvl kit.

[Team Plutonium]

Originally Posted by HREM3

I want to revive this thread as I'm contemplating the purchase of the VT1-535 kit. I'm held up by the additional 3,000 of the VT2-575. I only see myself having this car another 2-2.5 years. I also want to do a few other upgrades and that 3,000 will pay for those.

So I think I could get all my mods 535 kit/KW SO kit/X-pipe/LCI tails for about the same price as just the VT2 575.

I'm in the same boat, I just dont want to be disappointed in the 535 lvl kit.

Just sent you a PM.... the 535 kit is the best bang for your buck!

[Bob MG]

You know my feelings on this...

My GT2 just dynoed 600whp and 818 wheel torque Nm (604 ftlbs)

So basically my VT2 625 feels like I'm reversing LOL

[ssabripo]

I'm really REALLY wanting to get the VT-535 kit, but I'm just really worried about the impact of this Florida heat/humidity year round on it, specially on the track!

I know for DD, I probably will be ok, and even for the occassional spirited driving on 90-100+ F heat, but on a nice track day here, where road temps exceed 110f easily, I'm not sure if my car will handle the 535 kit (no intercooler, etc).

And thus I sit on the sideline...I can't afford the VT-6XX kits.

[fxrdoc]

I am interested in this kit as well. My dilemma is that my other car is a head/cam Z06 making 560 rwhp. I love my M3 and would love it even more with a SC, but i fear it will never really feel fast no matter what i do.

[Roman@ESS]

My personal car runs a VT1-535 here in AZ where our temps are usually 100+. I daily and track the car here without issue and the car runs like a champ. Many of our customers also track the VT1-525. Like all systems heat will play a factor in power output intercooled or not and hot humid weather will reduce power in all cars.

If you find you need more power later down the road you can always upgrade

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by Bob MG

You know my feelings on this...

My GT2 just dynoed 600whp and 818 wheel torque Nm (604 ftlbs)

So basically my VT2 625 feels like I'm reversing LOL

Originally Posted by fxrdoc

I am interested in this kit as well. My dilemma is that my other car is a head/cam Z06 making 560 rwhp. I love my M3 and would love it even more with a SC, but i fear it will never really feel fast no matter what i do.

An M3 will never be a GT2 or a Cammed Z06.

I'm in no way looking to make it that either.

[Team Plutonium]

Originally Posted by Bob MG

You know my feelings on this...

My GT2 just dynoed 600whp and 818 wheel torque Nm (604 ftlbs)

So basically my VT2 625 feels like I'm reversing LOL

Stop that.

[m33]

I would get the 575 kit if I were you and since you already have catless exhaust system that will bump you up to 600hp good power and intercooled ! Then when you do upgrade all your upgrading is tunes,pulley& injectors

[DLSJ5]

Originally Posted by Bob MG

You know my feelings on this...

My GT2 just dynoed 600whp and 818 wheel torque Nm (604 ftlbs)

So basically my VT2 625 feels like I'm reversing LOL

Is this with upgraded Turbo's, what type of dyno?

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

My personal car runs a VT1-535 here in AZ where our temps are usually 100+. I daily and track the car here without issue and the car runs like a champ. Many of our customers also track the VT1-525. Like all systems heat will play a factor in power output intercooled or not and hot humid weather will reduce power in all cars.

If you find you need more power later down the road you can always upgrade

my worry is not the "more power later" dilemma, but rather not throwing CELs and other error codes in normal driving in the middle of July when I'm taking the family to Orlando from Miami.

I'm obviously not as experienced in this arena as some of you, but surely adding some forced induction (no matter how small the pressure is) into this engine without any additional cooling will have some negative effects eventually...... no?

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

Currently at the shop we have a VT1-535 DCT, VT2-600 6MT and soon a VT2-650 DCT. Come for some rides, I'm sure you'll be able to choose what's right for you

[Roman@ESS]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

my worry is not the "more power later" dilemma, but rather not throwing CELs and other error codes in normal driving in the middle of July when I'm taking the family to Orlando from Miami.

I'm obviously not as experienced in this arena as some of you, but surely adding some forced induction (no matter how small the pressure is) into this engine without any additional cooling will have some negative effects eventually...... no?

Never had an issue with our VT1-535 kit and we have sold close to 100 of them worldwide.

[1SICKM]

Loved my 535 kit but I wanted more so went with 625

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

Never had an issue with our VT1-535 kit and we have sold close to 100 of them worldwide.

that's great to hear!

maybe I'll give you a call and we can talk more in person.

[WERKE]

Go with 535, you don't regret it! I coul'd imagine my M3 without this kit; when i will remove the SC, i will sell the car. The E9X M3 is an amazing car, but with the ESS kit, it's a complete animal.

[GOLFFRR]

ESS FTW will def be glad you did it. I grin every time I get in the car

[Bob MG]

Originally Posted by DLSJ5

Is this with upgraded Turbo's, what type of dyno?

Hi Drew, yes that's with the EVT 775 upgrade installed with the bigger turbos.

Was a Dastek dyno uncorrected

I'm at 5500 ft altitude

For comparison, my previous and another VT2 600 made:
470 whp and 430 Nm torque (317 ftlbs) so you have an idea of how this dyno under reads.

I will take my VT2 625 and do a run for comparison this week.

I was using 95 RON pump gas with a tin of NF ULTRA octane booster. I'm not sure if the octane moves up as much as claimed so best way will be to get some 109 RON sunoco and run again but we cant get stock at the moment

another EVT 775 in Dubai made 656 whp/583 torque

[Bob MG]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

Stop that.

I'm not joking either look at this



I love this kind of thread! I absolutely love my VT2 625

In my previous M I started with a 575 as i was DCT and you couldn't go more without the DCT software.

I begged and pleaded and upgraded to 600 which was fantastic.


You can never have enough power, I'm sure the first time you experience the 535 kit its awesome but if you happen to drive in a 600 or more, you gonna want that trust me. Its all about what you are prepared to spend, there should be no other consideration in helping to make up your mind.

I have zero worries about reliability as I'm sold on ESS 100 times over!

I would at least go an inter-cooled kit like 575 to start as its easier and quicker to upgrade from there

[erm324]

^like BobMG said....You wont be satisfied with the 535 kit - I say at the least start with the 575 (so you already have the intercooler and vt2 manifold) and if you want to upgrade its an easy swap of pulleys injectors and tune.

Also, alot of the time people think that the higher power blower kits will sacrifice the driveabilityof the car. The car drives exactly the same (literally) and you cant hear the blower from inside the car - its only after 4500 where hell breaks loose. Also, you dont need to use the boost all the time, I drive under 5k about 90% of the time and sometimes forget the blower is there until I step on it.