Stock Charge Pipe vs Envy Charge Pipe

[mixja]

This thread outlines the results of testing performed comparing the stock OEM charge pipe with the Tecnocraft Envy Charge Pipe.

Base Configuration of the Car

• M3 DCT Sedan
• Powerchip ECU Tune
• BMC Air Filter
• AA Crank Pulley
• AFE Air Scoops

Measurement Tools

• Bavarian Technic Diagnostic Scan Tool
• iPhone 3GS Dynolicious Log Box. Accelerometer was calibrated at commencement of testing and sample rate set to 100Hz (100 samples per second)

Testing Methodology

• Envy Charge Pipe configuration was tested first. Stock Charge Pipe was then installed and tested.
• Three runs were performed with each configuration.
• The best run from each configuration was used as the input data for the results presented.
• Environmental factors were measured using Bavarian Tech tool.
• Relative Humidity was measured using a separate measurement tool.
• All runs performed in third gear on straight, level road.

Results

Stock vs Envy Power and Torque
The results below are based upon ECU "Actual Torque" Actual Value. Note that SAE J1349 correction was applied to the results.


Stock vs Envy ECU Acceleration
The results below are based upon the ECU "Vehicle acceleration - sensor" Actual Value. Note that I am unsure of the scaling of the raw value, hence I have just presented the raw values obtained from the scan tool.


Stock vs Envy Accelerometer Data
The results below are based upon the acceleration data captured from iPhone 3GS Dynolicious LogBox tool.


Stock vs Envy Air Fuel Ratio (Bank 1 and Bank 2)
The results below are based upon the ECU "Lambda pre-catalytic converter" Actual Values.

Bank 1


Bank 2



Stock vs Envy Intake Air Temperature
The results below are based upon the ECU "Intake Air Temperature" Actual Value. To avoid heat soak skewing the results, all runs were performed immediately after a free run of a couple of minutes.



Stock vs Envy Mass Air Flow
The results below are based upon the ECU "Air mass flow rate bank 1 and bank 2" Actual Value.


Conclusions

• Based upon both the ECU and Accelerometer acceleration data, the stock charge pipe provided better acceleration at high RPMs. This has also been felt in the butt dyno. Some of the other data would suggest otherwise and that both charge pipes are identical in performance, however I would give most weight to the acceleration data as each set of results were derived from sensor-based values (rather than calculated values)
  
• Another important point related to the accelerometer data is that between t=1s and t=9s, average acceleration for Envy charge pipe was 0.342g and for Stock charge pipe was 0.359g. Peak acceleration for Envy was 0.3924g and peak for Stock was 0.4236g.
  
• Intake air temperatures were lower at higher RPMs with the stock charge pipe. It should be noted that the trends seen in the graph were the same across all three runs on each charge pipe (i.e. stock charge pipe always had lower IATs).
  
• Accorcing to ECU data, there was no major difference in power output between the charge pipes. The Envy charge pipe recorded slightly better torque between 3500-5000 RPM. Note that the "actual torque" data has been proven to be "calculated" by the ECU, rather than based upon an actual sensor output directly measuring torque.
  
• Air Fuel Ratios were consistent across both charge pipes
  
• Mass Air Flow as recorded by the ECU was essentially the same for both charge pipes. Given this engine uses speed/density, the mass air flow is most likely a calculated value rather than an actual value captured from a MAF sensor. The similar results are somewhat surprising give the clear variation in intake air temperatures between the two charge pipes.
  
• Another physical observation - holding the Envy charge pipe you could see small pinholes of light coming through the carbon fiber. Although the charge pipe seemed to be watertight, I would be concerned over time of the durability of the charge pipe.

OVERALL A WIN TO THE STOCK CHARGE PIPE.

The car does feel a bit stronger up top at the moment with the stock charge pipe and I won't be going back to the Envy Charge Pipe. One thing that is clearly apparent is that intake air temps with the stock charge pipe are better - cooler IATs = more torque and less likelihood of knock.

I may consider the Dinan charge pipe at some stage but I think the BMW intake system as is, is pretty near perfect (except for the filter).

[MrHarris]

Earthquake just woke me up. And wow interesting results.

[Bob MG]

Well how about that.. Nice report.
I sold mine to get something more substantial (FI) It was too close to call for the butt dyno

[Kyoshi71]

GREAT INFO. I've been saying that for a long time. ENVY = WASTE OF $$$

[MMMorish]

So basically everyone who's bought this pipe has spent $650+ for an engine cosmetic mod? Doesn't that suck!

[Bob MG]

Originally Posted by MMMorish

So basically everyone who's bought this pipe has spent $650+ for an engine cosmetic mod? Doesn't that suck!

This my fellow forum member, Nursultan Tuleiakbay. He is pain in my assholes. I get a window from a glass, he must get a window from a glass. I get a step, he must get a step. I get a Envy Charge Pipe with no HP gain, he cannot afford. Great success!

[major_kusanagi]

Very useful info. Well, I guess I won't have to worry about the plaque anymore.

Just have a neutral/methodological question for everyone. How accurate are the measurement tools OP used as opposed to actual dyno numbers?

[MMMorish]

Originally Posted by Bob MG

This my fellow forum member, Nursultan Tuleiakbay. He is pain in my assholes. I get a window from a glass, he must get a window from a glass. I get a step, he must get a step. I get a Envy Charge Pipe with no HP gain, he cannot afford. Great success!

[xxe92xx]

tecnocraft

[xchosun1x]

interesting results...

it might just be in my head..but I really felt power gain and especially response from my charge pipe...

wonder what the deal is...

i also have a hi flow drop in and scoops.

[riyatch]

glad i didn't buy this. surprised soooo many people feel for this crap after a few people swore by them.

thanks OP for the useful info

[xxe92xx]

Originally Posted by riyatch

glad i didn't buy this. surprised soooo many people feel for this crap after a few people swore by them.

thanks OP for the useful info

yeah i knew it was bullshit from the first thread about it....the stock system can not be beat!

[xchosun1x]

Originally Posted by riyatch

glad i didn't buy this. surprised soooo many people feel for this crap after a few people swore by them.

thanks OP for the useful info

i see ur point...but i got mine at a super duper bargain...so I dont feel too bad about myself haha

[endofanera7]

Robert??

[endofanera7]

Originally Posted by Bob MG

This my fellow forum member, Nursultan Tuleiakbay. He is pain in my assholes. I get a window from a glass, he must get a window from a glass. I get a step, he must get a step. I get a Envy Charge Pipe with no HP gain, he cannot afford. Great success!

Borat FTW!

[smmmurf]

Haha, this is what I have been saying all along. Fitment issues, no power gain. At least VTEC stickers don't the rub the paint off under the hood or cause potential intake leaks.

According to that IAT chart, the "Charge Pipe" takes in hotter air than the stock pipe (most likely due to its thinner CF construction and proximity to the hot engine).

[MMMorish]

Originally Posted by riyatch

glad i didn't buy this. surprised soooo many people feel for this crap after a few people swore by them.

thanks OP for the useful info

Most stuff sold on this site is like that...crap! I mean, $650+ and not a single member ever asked for a dyno sheet!!?? That kills me.

[mixja]

Originally Posted by xchosun1x

interesting results...

it might just be in my head..but I really felt power gain and especially response from my charge pipe...

wonder what the deal is...

i also have a hi flow drop in and scoops.

Just realised I forgot to list I also had AFE air scoops in for all tests...

A key point for me is the intake air temps - suggests the Envy charge pipe is more prone to heat soak or has lesser insulatory properties than the factory charge pipe.

[smmmurf]

If I bought anything like this, I would be on the phone with Technocraft right now for a refund for false advertising and fitment issues (leaks, rubbing). The dyno video has never been replicated by any independent test. There was even one where Ed Lin lost power with the full system.

[xxe92xx]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

If I bought anything like this, I would be on the phone with Technocraft right now for a refund for false advertising and fitment issues (leaks, rubbing). The dyno video has never been replicated by any independent test. There was even one where Ed Lin lost power with the full system.

what independent dyno(s)

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by xxe92xx

what independent dyno(s)

Umm, any of them. This one and the one Ed Lin did are good examples.

[xxe92xx]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

Umm, any of them. This one and the one Ed Lin did are good examples.

my point was people who bought this pipe assumed it was giving them better air flow and power....there arent many dynos and the people who have dynoed have all found negative effects...