ESS VT1-535 owner feedback sought

[akh23456]

Originally Posted by AJ@ESS

The ESS VT1-535 is rated at 450whp. It is rated very conservative like all ESS S65 kits to avoid customers not reaching advertised numbers in less than optimal conditions. In reality most VT1-535's make 460-475whp, and if paired with a catless exhaust and a .5PSI pulley upgrade they can easily be in the 490-500whp range.

thank you for the info aj...at least i get some info finally.

[AJ@ESS]

Originally Posted by akh23456

Lol your a funny guy. I just asked a question and your but hurt over me asking about a vt-1 kit.

i just asked why 6mt and dct don't trap the same even thought the 6mt have way more Hp. Another question and you got all worked up and make excuses.

How do you explain a tuned m3 keeping up with a 535 kit? oh wait its DCT from a roll.

Bring out the 535 kit or your ESS vt-650 or 750 what ever you have with your flash loader and what ever amount of pulleys swaps.

A NA tuned DCT M3 will not keep up with a VT1-535 even if it is manual, except for perhaps a small speed window where the DCT has the shift speed/ratio advantage and the VT1 car struggles for traction. If you do a 60-130 pull there will be buslengths between them if the manual driver knows how to drive. DCT vs DCT is a complete destruction. The VT1-535 is very quick for what it is, and I know since I did a lot of the R&D of that kit.

[akh23456]

Originally Posted by AJ@ESS

A NA tuned DCT M3 will not keep up with a VT1-535 even if it is manual, except for perhaps a small speed window where the DCT has the shift speed/ratio advantage and the VT1 car struggles for traction. If you do a 60-130 pull there will be buslengths between them if the manual driver knows how to drive. DCT vs DCT is a complete destruction. The VT1-535 is very quick for what it is, and I know since I did a lot of the R&D of that kit.

M3 not tuned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=rJXyeORKFfs

[DLSJ5]

AK, in MOST cases the DCT will easily out perform a 6MT when they go head to head or you compare them at the same track event. You simply need more power in the 6MT to compete, especially before 120. I've seen plenty of Vbox runs to confirm this as well as side by side comparo's. YES a 4-6MPH trap difference is not hyperbole. As spu4ea pointed out the only place where a 6MT has a chance is in the 115 range, up top, below that it's just not a contest, only 1 6MT I ran was close and that was at higher speeds, he had more power, less weight, etc.

Here is a few vids that show the gap -

6MT vs DCT, similar mods, not even close

Here's one that is a tad closer, but the 6MT, made more power than the DCT-

If you want to be even more accurate it's better to compare times from the SAME DAY. Famoso track rental, here's a 6MT Gintani Supercharged M3 in the far lane, and a very quick 6MT in the near lane, this is the same 6MT that ran close to me way up top on the way to Famoso and even started to slightly pull, but before 120 it's all DCT even with more weight (DR's, tools and jack in the trunk) and less power, displacement.

In the Vid below, both these 6MT's are on street tires, hence the bad launch and lackluster ET's, and I'm sure you could add a few MPH with better traction. At this same event, same day, I hit a 115.3MPH, at full weight and 115.5 with the rear seats out, only around 3MPH less than then the 6MT SC'd M3 and approx. 6MPH more than the N/A Modded 6MT, that had no rear seats and more power, my N/A DCT M3 was rated at only 377whp on a DJ.

[IMG]

Originally Posted by akh23456

M3 not tuned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=rJXyeORKFfs

Hey Akash, you are right about Erms car but it still got every single bolt on under the sun !!!
No doubt its impressive run but as AJ mentioned,on a longer run the 535 will win.

[m33]

That's exactly my point , I don't have special tunes I simply test new files as AJ likes to perfect his tunes .
And to say I have a dyno queen file is simply stupid ....

[gixxer_kidd]

let's get back on topic fellas...OP, like others have mentioned. The beast unleashes as you hit 5k rpms. Once it gets to 7k it's like v-tec kicks in and you'll get pushed into your seat. ;-)

[bubu]

...I knew the car felt weak, just look @ the dyno from earlier today

All kidding aside...I'm floored @ the peak wheel hp produced on 91 octane. With the SC broken in the car feels scary fast past 6500rpm (during break-in I did not exceed 5K).

The boost gauge used was giving off #'s all over the place...leading me to believe the max boost readings are not accurate for the pulls shown. Either way, I can't be more pleased with the results which have exceeded even my most optimistic expectations.

as a reference, the car is running Remus Sport mufflers...not even a full exhaust.

[Wes Howell]

A few thoughts from a fellow owner. I went with the 575 kit. However - IMO, the 535 kit with a slightly smaller pulley would have probably produced very similar results with a simpler installation.

I could see how driving it around while breaking it in might not exceed expectations.....but you just have to understand the character of the car and the kit...and therein lies the beauty of a centrifugal charger on the S65.

Unless you've driven one, maybe it's all about 1/4 mile times, youtube videos and speculation (that's what I did before I got mine) But after you drive it for a bit and play with the whole RPM range, the most amazing thing is that your M3 simply feels like a stock M3 with MORE power. It's perfectly civil for daily driving (better gas mileage than My M5 WITH the SC kit)

Another minor point - Around 4k RPM's you start to notice a slight power increase - at least in the lower gears. We did a freeway pull starting at 4k and it didn't Kill the stock M3.... but it definitely pulled on it as it was making more power.

At 5k+ - the car is just amazing. SC is quiet too. I bet I could take out 95% of people and they wouldn't even know it was SC'd - at least with the windows up that is. Incredible quiet - OEM like feel - Very linear power. Just a damn amazing kit.

I love the fact that it's simple, well designed and just flat out badass when you wanna get nasty. You still have the broad range of the N/A motor.... It's a beautiful thing. Every day, another one of my buddies is blown away after driving it.

I can't recommend ESS (and Roman) any higher. E92 with an ESS kit and a few other goodies is crazy machine. Props to ESS for an amazng kit.

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by bubu

...I knew the car felt weak, just look @ the dyno from earlier today

All kidding aside...I'm floored @ the peak wheel hp produced on 91 octane. With the SC broken in the car feels scary fast past 6500rpm (during break-in I did not exceed 5K).

The boost gauge used was giving off #'s all over the place...leading me to believe the max boost readings are not accurate for the pulls shown. Either way, I can't be more pleased with the results which have exceeded even my most optimistic expectations.

as a reference, the car is running Remus Sport mufflers...not even a full exhaust.

I told you all you needed to do was run it up the RPM range a bit

Originally Posted by e60cs5

A few thoughts from a fellow owner. I went with the 575 kit. However - IMO, the 535 kit with a slightly smaller pulley would have probably produced very similar results with a simpler installation.

I could see how driving it around while breaking it in might not exceed expectations.....but you just have to understand the character of the car and the kit...and therein lies the beauty of a centrifugal charger on the S65.

Unless you've driven one, maybe it's all about 1/4 mile times, youtube videos and speculation (that's what I did before I got mine) But after you drive it for a bit and play with the whole RPM range, the most amazing thing is that your M3 simply feels like a stock M3 with MORE power. It's perfectly civil for daily driving (better gas mileage than My M5 WITH the SC kit)

Another minor point - Around 4k RPM's you start to notice a slight power increase - at least in the lower gears. We did a freeway pull starting at 4k and it didn't Kill the stock M3.... but it definitely pulled on it as it was making more power.

At 5k+ - the car is just amazing. SC is quiet too. I bet I could take out 95% of people and they wouldn't even know it was SC'd - at least with the windows up that is. Incredible quiet - OEM like feel - Very linear power. Just a damn amazing kit.

I love the fact that it's simple, well designed and just flat out badass when you wanna get nasty. You still have the broad range of the N/A motor.... It's a beautiful thing. Every day, another one of my buddies is blown away after driving it.

I can't recommend ESS (and Roman) any higher. E92 with an ESS kit and a few other goodies is crazy machine. Props to ESS for an amazng kit.

Glad you like it

[Alekshop]

Great number Raphael ! But the most important thing is that you can feel the power

Here are some pictures of your car while we were working on it



Before:



During:



After:

[Mason3]

Hmmm...an ESS kit made great power (as advertised) on a dyno owned by EAS who sells VF superchargers. Imagine that! Wonder how 'some' people will try to spin that. I'm sure they'll check in soon and try!

To OP, congrats on great numbers, enjoy it! To EAS, thanks for doing an independent test and allowing OP to post! I think i speak for everyone when i say your unbiased help is appreciated! To ESS, great kit!!

[Wes Howell]

Aleks,

Did you change the position of the radiator hose? I don't see it resting against the SC bracket?

[WERKE]

Originally Posted by e60cs5

A few thoughts from a fellow owner. I went with the 575 kit. However - IMO, the 535 kit with a slightly smaller pulley would have probably produced very similar results with a simpler installation.

I could see how driving it around while breaking it in might not exceed expectations.....but you just have to understand the character of the car and the kit...and therein lies the beauty of a centrifugal charger on the S65.

Unless you've driven one, maybe it's all about 1/4 mile times, youtube videos and speculation (that's what I did before I got mine) But after you drive it for a bit and play with the whole RPM range, the most amazing thing is that your M3 simply feels like a stock M3 with MORE power. It's perfectly civil for daily driving (better gas mileage than My M5 WITH the SC kit)

Another minor point - Around 4k RPM's you start to notice a slight power increase - at least in the lower gears. We did a freeway pull starting at 4k and it didn't Kill the stock M3.... but it definitely pulled on it as it was making more power.

At 5k+ - the car is just amazing. SC is quiet too. I bet I could take out 95% of people and they wouldn't even know it was SC'd - at least with the windows up that is. Incredible quiet - OEM like feel - Very linear power. Just a damn amazing kit.

I love the fact that it's simple, well designed and just flat out badass when you wanna get nasty. You still have the broad range of the N/A motor.... It's a beautiful thing. Every day, another one of my buddies is blown away after driving it.

I can't recommend ESS (and Roman) any higher. E92 with an ESS kit and a few other goodies is crazy machine. Props to ESS for an amazng kit.

Excellent write-up : a vT-1 M3 stay an M3 with just some nuclear reserve past 4-5k RPM's...

[m33]

great write up and congrats on the solid numbers !!!!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Mason3

Hmmm...an ESS kit made great power (as advertised) on a dyno owned by EAS who sells VF superchargers. Imagine that! Wonder how 'some' people will try to spin that. I'm sure they'll check in soon and try!

To OP, congrats on great numbers, enjoy it! To EAS, thanks for doing an independent test and allowing OP to post! I think i speak for everyone when i say your unbiased help is appreciated! To ESS, great kit!!

Raphael rode in our e92 VF620 Supercharged M3 and was immediately hooked on the additional power at tap. The VFE kit simply has not been released yet and the power bug was itching to get out. We both had a long talk about future mods for his M3, he'll be returning soon for some more items soon. In the meantime, congrats on the new S/C system, you have a very nice M3 for years to come.

I would like to feel that our dynojet is non-prejudiced, any and all BMWs are invited for measuring - no matter what S/C kit is installed. Raphael is a long time customer of ours and is welcome back anytime.

[flipm3]

That is a lot of power! I love how smooth the powerband and torque curves are!

So from my understanding, you are just running different mufflers?

Any plans on a different XPipe to delete any of the cats?

[Alekshop]

Originally Posted by e60cs5

Aleks,

Did you change the position of the radiator hose? I don't see it resting against the SC bracket?

No it's still there where it suppose to be. You just can't probably see it on that picture.

[bubu]

flipm3,

to answer your question...yes, just Remus Sport mufflers on the car. No other HP gaining mods (unless you consider lighter wheels a significant factor...I personally don't). I don't think the Remus mufflers really add any hp, maybe 5...and that's being optimistic). I have no plans to do a cat-delete. I like being able to use my bluetooth integration

...on a different note, I took the car out and really pushed on it last night for the first time over an extended period (vs just doing a handful of WOT runs in a straight line to let the ECU adjust). I'm ecstatic @ the performance and thankful that TC clearly saved my bacon coming out of a couple of corners I was very familiar with but underestimated the new power band on. Its going to be interesting relearning where the limits are and I really need to put beefier tires on (still on 245/265 PS2s)

To anyone considering SC'n their car, the ESS VT1 kit is by far the best bang for the buck out there and the car is absolutely civil & daily driver capable until you hammer it past 5500rpm (at which point you thank yourself for leaving traction control on). This is the cheapest REAL proven wheel hp you'll ever get. I was waiting patiently to see the VF kit in action but outside of Tom @ EAS' test car its been "vaporware" for a while now.

...only remaining mods are to replace the chrome kidney grill & side flares and install front PDC...and maybe retrofit an 09+ i-drive.

[Alekshop]

Originally Posted by bubu

flipm3,

to answer your question...yes, just Remus Sport mufflers on the car. No other HP gaining mods (unless you consider lighter wheels a significant factor...I personally don't). I don't think the Remus mufflers really add any hp, maybe 5...and that's being optimistic). I have no plans to do a cat-delete. I like being able to use my bluetooth integration

...on a different note, I took the car out and really pushed on it last night for the first time over an extended period (vs just doing a handful of WOT runs in a straight line to let the ECU adjust). I'm ecstatic @ the performance and thankful that TC clearly saved my bacon coming out of a couple of corners I was very familiar with but underestimated the new power band on. Its going to be interesting relearning where the limits are and I really need to put beefier tires on (still on 245/265 PS2s)

To anyone considering SC'n their car, the ESS VT1 kit is by far the best bang for the buck out there and the car is absolutely civil & daily driver capable until you hammer it past 5500rpm (at which point you thank yourself for leaving traction control on). This is the cheapest REAL proven wheel hp you'll ever get. I was waiting patiently to see the VF kit in action but outside of Tom @ ESS' test car its been "vaporware" for a while now.

...only remaining mods are to replace the chrome kidney grill & side flares and install front PDC...and maybe retrofit an 09+ i-drive.

grilles were shipped out

[duk]

threads like this make me wish i was rich

[jeff@autocouture]

good to see you like it now 0 enjoy it