Akra EVO + ESS Tune Review

DLSJ5 · 03-03-2012, 04:13 PM

Good stuff, have some fun with this for awhile, and then take the next step.

jpan08 · 03-03-2012, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singletrack

Awesome! Totally agree on the Akra quality...I didn't know if I should install it under my car or hang it on my wall behind glass.

I know what you mean about the cold start! I use to have a fairly loud exhaust on my STi when I lived in a condo. It shook the whole building in the morning - not cool.

Now I live 5 mins "in the sticks" so I'm good to go ; )

Enjoy it!

lucky! And thank you

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpan08

Awesome post. I've been looking around for something like this. I'm already looking into mods and I don't even have my car yet

Buying mods before your car comes is the best way to make the time go by faster

works like a charm every time.

Haha. Too bad I have no funds for a while

GOLFFRR · 03-03-2012, 04:41 PM

you never know Drew you never know

GOLFFRR · 03-03-2012, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpan08

Haha. Too bad I have no funds for a while

i totally know how that goes mods are not cheap!

SchnellM3 · 03-03-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

Thanks buddy, you def should consider it, you will def enjoy the results

now I need to get the IND boot n brake stitched items like you have

I keep going back and forth between which one to get. I've been leaning toward ESS though

You'll love the boots, have to get the new competition brake handle to go with it as well

tha_good_life · 03-03-2012, 08:59 PM

Thanks for this write up. I just recently hoped on the Akra Evo exhaust from an Eisenmann Sport with a Fabspeed xpipe. I have to say, hands down the best exhaust out there. Great bassy sound and awesome performance. I have been debating on getting the ESS tune and I have made my mind.

GOLFFRR · 03-03-2012, 09:01 PM

Yea the akra is awesome

Def need to get the tune if you have the akra makes a huge diff. Roman makes the tune specially for the akra system.

Elementary · 03-03-2012, 09:02 PM

Great review! Akra + ESS = flawless.

jpan08 · 03-03-2012, 09:15 PM

maybe I missed it, but which ESS kit did you install yourself and was it fairly straight forward? I want to install myself as well

GOLFFRR · 03-03-2012, 09:17 PM

It was the ess Akra Evo flash Tune.

very very easy to do. You will have no issues DIY

K B Vettin · 03-03-2012, 09:41 PM

all you need to make the exhaust note of the Akra sound better is the ESS VT2-600 Supercharger. i know it got rid of the weird crackly noise around 4000 RPM for me.

MatthewDavid · 03-04-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

It was the ess Akra Evo flash Tune.

very very easy to do. You will have no issues DIY

Sorry, I still don't understand if eliminating the cold start is safe for the engine longer-term. Does it really have any impact on the motor as long as you're not aggressive from start-up? I guess I don't fully get what cold start is doing other than maybe circulating the oil faster (maybe that's important enough?).

sales@ESSTuning · 03-04-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewDavid

Sorry, I still don't understand if eliminating the cold start is safe for the engine longer-term. Does it really have any impact on the motor as long as you're not aggressive from start-up? I guess I don't fully get what cold start is doing other than maybe circulating the oil faster (maybe that's important enough?).

Cold start on the factory software is designed to get the stock cats up to operating temps quickly. You should always properly warm up the vehicle before you drive it hard.

jpan08 · 03-04-2012, 02:03 PM

oh my bad. I understand what you did now. I thought you put in a ESS SC kit. THAT's what I want to DIY

GOLFFRR · 03-04-2012, 02:06 PM

I wish it was a sc kit

MatthewDavid · 03-04-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

Cold start on the factory software is designed to get the stock cats up to operating temps quickly. You should always properly warm up the vehicle before you drive it hard.

That's really interesting. I wouldn't have thought the purpose is primarily for the cats. Am I correct to assume that warming the cats gets them to the most optimal temperature for reducing emissions, and as such, you shouldn't care unless you're on your way to hug a tree and recycle your organic juice bottle? Thanks, Roman!

Bubbles · 03-05-2012, 05:58 AM

Good review, thanks for sharing.

Keik E92 M3 · 03-05-2012, 11:14 AM

Enjoys

GOLFFRR · 03-05-2012, 11:29 AM

^^Thanks guys, the car just feels a lot more alive. Wish I would have done this on my past 3 e92M's

tha_good_life · 03-05-2012, 01:23 PM

I'm assuming you didn't get any before and after dyno? Did you do anything else besides the Akra Evo? i.e. filter, pulley, or any other engine mods?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

^^Thanks guys, the car just feels a lot more alive. Wish I would have done this on my past 3 e92M's

GOLFFRR · 03-05-2012, 01:26 PM

^I wish I would have done a before and after Dyno but I didn't

As far as perf mods go all I have is EVO + ESS Tune for now. I may more later down the line but the car is plenty fast enough for me now.

tha_good_life · 03-05-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

^I wish I would have done a before and after Dyno but I didn't

As far as perf mods go all I have is EVO + ESS Tune for now. I may more later down the line but the car is plenty fast enough for me now.

Cool! I'm gonna give it a try!

The new power the Akra made me SUPER

I can't wait to see what the tune will do!

03-03-2012, 04:13 PM	#23
DLSJ5 Brigadier General 501 Rep 4,033 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 M4 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	Good stuff, have some fun with this for awhile, and then take the next step. __________________ 16 F82 M4 DCT - ZCP - JB4 - 556WHP / 570WTQ 08 E92 M3 DCT - Bolt Ons - 60-130MPH 10.71s - 11.88 @ 118MPH - 377WHP ESS VT2-625 SC 60-130MPH 6.80s - 11.30 @ 129.3 MPH 586WHP / 379WTQ ESS VT3-750 - 60-130MPH 6.14s - 10.81 @ 135.13 MPH 690WHP/463WTQ Shift-S3ctor E92 M3 - 1/2 Mile Trap Speed WR - 174.13 MPH
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03-03-2012, 04:41 PM	#25
GOLFFRR 10769 Rep 27,579 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	you never know Drew you never know __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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03-03-2012, 08:59 PM	#28
tha_good_life Brigadier General 376 Rep 4,089 Posts Drives: 21 X6MC Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (22) Garage List 2021 BMW X6MC [10.00] 2010 BMW M3 [8.68]	Thanks for this write up. I just recently hoped on the Akra Evo exhaust from an Eisenmann Sport with a Fabspeed xpipe. I have to say, hands down the best exhaust out there. Great bassy sound and awesome performance. I have been debating on getting the ESS tune and I have made my mind.
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03-03-2012, 09:01 PM	#29
GOLFFRR 10769 Rep 27,579 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	Yea the akra is awesome Def need to get the tune if you have the akra makes a huge diff. Roman makes the tune specially for the akra system. __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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03-03-2012, 09:02 PM	#30
Elementary If you ain't first, you're last! 9 Rep 149 Posts Drives: M Drei Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Great review! Akra + ESS = flawless.
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03-03-2012, 09:15 PM	#31
jpan08 Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 245 Posts Drives: e36 M3, e92 M3, Triumph 675 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	maybe I missed it, but which ESS kit did you install yourself and was it fairly straight forward? I want to install myself as well
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03-03-2012, 09:17 PM	#32
GOLFFRR 10769 Rep 27,579 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	It was the ess Akra Evo flash Tune. very very easy to do. You will have no issues DIY __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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03-03-2012, 09:41 PM	#33
K B Vettin Private 11 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Convertable Manual Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 M3 E93 [0.00]	all you need to make the exhaust note of the Akra sound better is the ESS VT2-600 Supercharger. i know it got rid of the weird crackly noise around 4000 RPM for me. __________________
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03-04-2012, 02:03 PM	#36
jpan08 Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 245 Posts Drives: e36 M3, e92 M3, Triumph 675 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	oh my bad. I understand what you did now. I thought you put in a ESS SC kit. THAT's what I want to DIY
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03-04-2012, 02:06 PM	#37
GOLFFRR 10769 Rep 27,579 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	I wish it was a sc kit __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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03-05-2012, 05:58 AM	#39
Bubbles Brigadier General 2753 Rep 4,445 Posts Drives: Green Bastard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend iTrader: (3)	Good review, thanks for sharing. __________________
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03-05-2012, 11:14 AM	#40
Keik E92 M3 Banned 173 Rep 1,343 Posts Drives: BMW M3 DCT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 BMW [9.00] 2011 BMW 335i [6.80]	Enjoys
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03-05-2012, 11:29 AM	#41
GOLFFRR 10769 Rep 27,579 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	^^Thanks guys, the car just feels a lot more alive. Wish I would have done this on my past 3 e92M's __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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03-05-2012, 01:26 PM	#43
GOLFFRR 10769 Rep 27,579 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	^I wish I would have done a before and after Dyno but I didn't As far as perf mods go all I have is EVO + ESS Tune for now. I may more later down the line but the car is plenty fast enough for me now. __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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