ESS VT1-535 owner feedback sought

bubu · 05-28-2011, 01:12 PM

I had my ESS VT1-535 kit installed yesterday...today was the first time I could take the car out (drove home in heavy traffic yesterday). The car does not feel 450 to the wheels fast. It feels slightly faster than stock but that's subjective too. Can't even chirp the tires in 2nd gear (265's on the rear). I've been keeping it under 5500rpm as asked for the break in period...but the car should still be making full boost by 5500. The car drives fine...engine feels fine...just don't see the power I was expecting. I can hear the SC...but not really, I was expecting it to be louder as well.

How does/did your car feel with the VT1 kit...are you getting traction control kicking in on any gears when accelerating? I'm thinking maybe I have a boost leak, or belt slippage on the SC. I'm going to hook up a boost gauge later today...any other suggestions other than to dyno the car (which I'm going to do)?

Mr.MichaelM3 · 05-28-2011, 01:37 PM

Really?...........

Give me that VT1 kit!

erm324 · 05-28-2011, 01:49 PM

^Thats actually the realistic impression I've heard from a couple other owners.

The car is going to feel the same at at <5kRPM due to the centrifugal blower.....up top >5kRPM is where there should be a difference.....but yeah, its not the fastest of kits.....its non-intercooled, I don't think anything crazy should be expected at that boost level either.....but there should be a difference over stock.....

are you DCT or 6MT...

I highly recommend getting dynoed to see if your power level coincides with what is advertised for the kit..

arter · 05-28-2011, 02:25 PM

You are not going to get much benefit with the supercharger until you get the rpm up above 6000 rpm.

Here is an estimated crank hp plot going through the gear and final ratios of a DCT with the stock motor and the 535 while accelerating.

As you can see, the difference comes into play as the rpm's increase.
Right after shifting into 2 gear ( 45 mph and ~ 5000 rpm) there is little different again until the rpm's increase further...

sl0westz · 05-28-2011, 02:30 PM

I pmed you

SIIK2NR · 05-28-2011, 02:44 PM

Linear power..... your gonna need to stay high in the RPM range to get peak HP. Until then you are only getting incrimental increase.

pbonsalb · 05-28-2011, 03:08 PM

No, a centrifugal pullied for max boost of 4 psi at 8400 rpm will not make full boost at 5500 rpm. It will make full boost only at 8400 rpm.

At 4200 rpm, it will make about 2 psi. This is the nature of the centrifugal supercharger. There is nothing you can do about it. The boost curve rises faster and faster as you approach redline.

lux · 05-28-2011, 03:10 PM

Subscribed. Was thinking about this kit as well.

808E90 · 05-28-2011, 03:24 PM

Just wait to you break it in ... M Mode with DSC off, I can spin my 295 PS2 easy in 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Jaypod · 05-28-2011, 03:38 PM

You probably need to put on some miles to let the ECU adapt. When I got my S/C (not ESS though) I could feel an increase, but noticed a difference after I had put about 200 miles on.

sales@ESSTuning · 05-28-2011, 04:38 PM

Full boost is always made near 8K. at 3-5k RPM you are actually boosting very little. As you can see in the comparison dyno below the majority of power made over stock is above 5k RPM. Put some more miles on it and let it rip to redline a few times

bubu · 05-28-2011, 05:16 PM

Roman @ ESS & everyone else, thank you for your feedback. It certainly clarified my expectations...since I never drove another VT1-535 car I did not know what to expect. Now I gotta burn through 1200 miles asap

On a side note, how often does the SC oil have to be changed...or is it just a one time @ 1200 miles deal?

tha_good_life · 05-28-2011, 05:23 PM

All these post are killing me!!! I can't wait to do this mod!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubu

Roman @ ESS & everyone else, thank you for your feedback. It certainly clarified my expectations...since I never drove another VT1-535 car I did not know what to expect. Now I gotta burn through 1200 miles asap

On a side note, how often does the SC oil have to be changed...or is it just a one time @ 1200 miles deal?

AJ@ESS · 05-28-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubu

Roman @ ESS & everyone else, thank you for your feedback. It certainly clarified my expectations...since I never drove another VT1-535 car I did not know what to expect. Now I gotta burn through 1200 miles asap

On a side note, how often does the SC oil have to be changed...or is it just a one time @ 1200 miles deal?

300-500 miles is enough break-in on the kit, and as long as your car is at over 1200 miles then you are ready to go WOT to redline. The ECU will need a few WOT passes to redline to fully adapt and power will increase as soon as adaptation is in.

The first oil change for the SC unit is recommended at 2500 miles. Following the first break in service, 7500 mile intervals is recommended. Oil change is very easy and takes less than 5min, there are 3 oil changes included with the kit.

Ferre86 · 05-28-2011, 05:39 PM

lol in 5.5k rpm i dont think you even boosting anything , just go full WOT in 3rd gear and see the diffrience .. for me 4th and 5th is the best gears for my car so far ,

bubu · 05-28-2011, 05:42 PM

AJ@ESS, to clarify on your post...

I should change the SC oil @ 300 to 500 miles, then again @ 2500 miles, then every 7500 miles?

AJ@ESS · 05-28-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubu

AJ@ESS, to clarify on your post...

I should change the SC oil @ 300 to 500 miles, then again @ 2500 miles, then every 7500 miles?

No, the system is broken in after 300-500 miles and you can go WOT to redline. The first oil should be changed at 2500miles. After that every 7500 miles.

bubu · 05-28-2011, 06:10 PM

...perfect! Time to take a road trip & run up 400 miles asap

lux · 05-28-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubu

...perfect! Time to take a road trip & run up 400 miles asap

Please update this post when you get past the break in period. Curious readers want to know.

sard · 05-28-2011, 08:55 PM

If you cant even chirp 2nd, I don't think the S/C kit is the problem. A stock M3 will chirp 2nd.

m3ftmfw · 05-30-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sard

If you cant even chirp 2nd, I don't think the S/C kit is the problem. A stock M3 will chirp 2nd.

agreed

AJ@ESS · 05-30-2011, 04:49 PM

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.

05-28-2011, 01:12 PM	#1
bubu Bunny Slayer 83 Rep 501 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT (2013) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orange County - Southern California iTrader: (0)	ESS VT1-535 owner feedback sought I had my ESS VT1-535 kit installed yesterday...today was the first time I could take the car out (drove home in heavy traffic yesterday). The car does not feel 450 to the wheels fast. It feels slightly faster than stock but that's subjective too. Can't even chirp the tires in 2nd gear (265's on the rear). I've been keeping it under 5500rpm as asked for the break in period...but the car should still be making full boost by 5500. The car drives fine...engine feels fine...just don't see the power I was expecting. I can hear the SC...but not really, I was expecting it to be louder as well. How does/did your car feel with the VT1 kit...are you getting traction control kicking in on any gears when accelerating? I'm thinking maybe I have a boost leak, or belt slippage on the SC. I'm going to hook up a boost gauge later today...any other suggestions other than to dyno the car (which I'm going to do)?
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05-28-2011, 01:37 PM	#2
Mr.MichaelM3 First Lieutenant 67 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2022 M3XC Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0)	Really?........... Give me that VT1 kit!
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05-28-2011, 01:49 PM	#3
erm324 Major 122 Rep 1,202 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	^Thats actually the realistic impression I've heard from a couple other owners. The car is going to feel the same at at <5kRPM due to the centrifugal blower.....up top >5kRPM is where there should be a difference.....but yeah, its not the fastest of kits.....its non-intercooled, I don't think anything crazy should be expected at that boost level either.....but there should be a difference over stock..... are you DCT or 6MT... I highly recommend getting dynoed to see if your power level coincides with what is advertised for the kit..
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05-28-2011, 02:25 PM	#4
arter collecting toys 41 Rep 810 Posts Drives: M3 MCB Join Date: May 2008 Location: rochester, ny iTrader: (1)	You are not going to get much benefit with the supercharger until you get the rpm up above 6000 rpm. Here is an estimated crank hp plot going through the gear and final ratios of a DCT with the stock motor and the 535 while accelerating. As you can see, the difference comes into play as the rpm's increase. Right after shifting into 2 gear ( 45 mph and ~ 5000 rpm) there is little different again until the rpm's increase further... __________________ 2011 e92 M3 Monte Carlo Blue ESS 535 - gone but not forgotten 2015 cayman GTS - new toy 2006 SLK 55 AMG sold
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05-28-2011, 02:30 PM	#5
sl0westz Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 202 Posts Drives: AW e92 m3 ess vt1. AW F10 m5 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (6)	I pmed you __________________ AW ess vt1535/ gintani axle back SOLD AW f10 m5 /akra full exhaust SOLD SG e92 m3/ AA SC Current
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05-28-2011, 02:44 PM	#6
SIIK2NR Lieutenant 51 Rep 598 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Dog iTrader: (0)	Linear power..... your gonna need to stay high in the RPM range to get peak HP. Until then you are only getting incrimental increase. __________________ Current: 2006 Lotus Elise SC Previous: 2008 AW E92 M3 6MT - Sold 2004 AP2 S2000 - Sold
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05-28-2011, 03:08 PM	#7
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5231 Rep 10,614 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	No, a centrifugal pullied for max boost of 4 psi at 8400 rpm will not make full boost at 5500 rpm. It will make full boost only at 8400 rpm. At 4200 rpm, it will make about 2 psi. This is the nature of the centrifugal supercharger. There is nothing you can do about it. The boost curve rises faster and faster as you approach redline.
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05-28-2011, 03:10 PM	#8
lux First Lieutenant 66 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 2023 G87 M2, 2011 E90 M3 Comp Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Subscribed. Was thinking about this kit as well.
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05-28-2011, 03:24 PM	#9
808E90 808E90 233 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: E90 ///M Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aloha State iTrader: (21)	Just wait to you break it in ... M Mode with DSC off, I can spin my 295 PS2 easy in 1st, 2nd and 3rd __________________ LTMW FTL . Karbonwerks LCI Trunk . Vorsteiner Poly Front Lip . NA Motorsports LUX H8 . RECARO Pole Position Seats . BMW Performance Pedals . BMW Performance Performance Grills . BMW Painted Fender Grills . BBS 19x9.5 19x11 LMs . Michelin PS2 265/295 . H&R Sport Springs . Wheel Mate 45/55MM Stud Kit . BBS Red Lug Nuts . ESS VT1 Supercharger . Akrapovic GT4 Exhaust
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05-28-2011, 03:38 PM	#10
Jaypod Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,971 Posts Drives: Frozen M3, AM V8V, 991 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	You probably need to put on some miles to let the ECU adapt. When I got my S/C (not ESS though) I could feel an increase, but noticed a difference after I had put about 200 miles on.
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05-28-2011, 04:38 PM	#11
sales@ESSTuning 391 Rep 3,149 Posts Drives: ESS M3 / M4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: AZ iTrader: (6)	Full boost is always made near 8K. at 3-5k RPM you are actually boosting very little. As you can see in the comparison dyno below the majority of power made over stock is above 5k RPM. Put some more miles on it and let it rip to redline a few times Last edited by sales@ESSTuning; 05-28-2011 at 06:47 PM..
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05-28-2011, 05:16 PM	#12
bubu Bunny Slayer 83 Rep 501 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT (2013) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orange County - Southern California iTrader: (0)	Roman @ ESS & everyone else, thank you for your feedback. It certainly clarified my expectations...since I never drove another VT1-535 car I did not know what to expect. Now I gotta burn through 1200 miles asap On a side note, how often does the SC oil have to be changed...or is it just a one time @ 1200 miles deal?
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05-28-2011, 05:39 PM	#15
Ferre86 Captain 38 Rep 944 Posts Drives: E93 M3/H2/SL350/Panamera 4/ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Turkey iTrader: (0)	lol in 5.5k rpm i dont think you even boosting anything , just go full WOT in 3rd gear and see the diffrience .. for me 4th and 5th is the best gears for my car so far , __________________ http://www.youtube.com/user/Ferre86 \| e93 M-DCT ESS VT2-625 \| Akra Slip-on \| Challenge Race Catless x-pipe \| Challenge front lip \| Challenge Diffuser \| Carbon front grilles \| defi gauges control unit \| Macht Schnell gauge panel \| E93 M3 trunk Spoiler \| IND Carbon Fiber Side Markers \|
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05-28-2011, 05:42 PM	#16
bubu Bunny Slayer 83 Rep 501 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT (2013) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orange County - Southern California iTrader: (0)	AJ@ESS, to clarify on your post... I should change the SC oil @ 300 to 500 miles, then again @ 2500 miles, then every 7500 miles?
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05-28-2011, 06:10 PM	#18
bubu Bunny Slayer 83 Rep 501 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT (2013) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orange County - Southern California iTrader: (0)	thank you ...perfect! Time to take a road trip & run up 400 miles asap
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05-28-2011, 08:55 PM	#20
sard Major 235 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern California iTrader: (1)	If you cant even chirp 2nd, I don't think the S/C kit is the problem. A stock M3 will chirp 2nd. __________________ E92 M3 - DCT - 20" BBS LM-R - KW Clubsport - Akrapovic Exhaust - Powerchip Tune - Arkym Aero Kit - HID Halo
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05-30-2011, 04:49 PM	#22
AJ@ESS Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 230 Posts Drives: E60 M5 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	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.
	Appreciate 0 Quote