ESS VT1 535 Owners: Input please

[dhoggm3]

I'm seriously considering this mod. It's a 'vert, so I don't (can't) track it. It's just a kick butt fun weekender. I don't plan to do coilovers/fatter tires, etc. because it carries the family around and the beach condo has a steep, uneven entrance ramp. Does the VT1 sound like the right boost level for me or will I immediately start smacking myself and wanting more? (as opposed to smacking myself and wanting more a year from now...)

[Bob86GN]

Coming from a VT-2 600HP owner who has yet to drive his car, get the VT-2, minimal difference in cost and you get the intercooler. My car is my DD unless the weather is bad and had the same decision to make. I felt like I would always be wondering "what if I got more power?" You will probably only do it once...

[808E90]

VT535 ...

I've had it on my car for a few months now and here is my honest advise. Like you I can't track my car due to the fact that we don't have one in Hawaii My car is my DD and also my weekend machine. I too had the same question but came to realize that I didn't need a ton of power but just wanted a little more. I went with the VT535 and I'm really happy. It gets me to where I need to be with no problems even without the cooler. It's enough power to keep me happy on the weekends.

Sure at times I think about going VT575 or VT600 but I hit earth again and realize that I can't and won't use the power. Plus I'm a family man and I can't be spending all my free cash on my car ... I want my son to go to private school

But ... If you got the money, no family, and a few cars around your area that are willing to do runs with then go for it!!

[klammer]

Like the instructor said at PCD... MORE POWER!!!!

[dhoggm3]

Thanks for the input. I almost pulled the trigger but I'm stayin NA. The car is just so immediate on the throttle and it sounds perfect, I'd hate to sacrifice character for another 100 hp. I love what the pulley, Powerchip, MS filter, and AA exhaust have done to it. I'll deal with being passed by a Z06.

[SlamMan]

There shouldn't be any sacrifice in driveability...



Just a lot of money.

[dhoggm3]

Gotta admit, the $10K+ was part of the equation too.

I've had three FI cars - 2 Cooper S and one 335i - and they've all had throttle lag, including the SC Cooper S. I don't want that in my M3.

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by dhoggm3

Gotta admit, the $10K+ was part of the equation too.

I've had three FI cars - 2 Cooper S and one 335i - and they've all had throttle lag, including the SC Cooper S. I don't want that in my M3.

There is 0 lag in our kits. Throttle response is very sharp.

[808E90]

Originally Posted by dhoggm3

Thanks for the input. I almost pulled the trigger but I'm stayin NA. The car is just so immediate on the throttle and it sounds perfect, I'd hate to sacrifice character for another 100 hp. I love what the pulley, Powerchip, MS filter, and AA exhaust have done to it. I'll deal with being passed by a Z06.

If there is someone around your area that is SCd ... Try to get a drive in.

Originally Posted by dhoggm3

Gotta admit, the $10K+ was part of the equation too.

I've had three FI cars - 2 Cooper S and one 335i - and they've all had throttle lag, including the SC Cooper S. I don't want that in my M3.

I have no lag ...

Originally Posted by Rom3n

There is 0 lag in our kits. Throttle response is very sharp.

You mean ... Sharper!!

[m33]

throttle response is greatly improved ... IMO

[TheKosherStogie]

Originally Posted by dhoggm3

Thanks for the input. I almost pulled the trigger but I'm stayin NA. The car is just so immediate on the throttle and it sounds perfect, I'd hate to sacrifice character for another 100 hp. I love what the pulley, Powerchip, MS filter, and AA exhaust have done to it. I'll deal with being passed by a Z06.

i felt the same way, before I got my gintani sc i was very worried there would be a lag. But let me tell you there is not, and im sure its exactly the same with the ess vt1

[dhoggm3]

Oh, GREAT! You guys are no help at all with my cash preservation program. I'll try to get a drive in an ESS car.

[UNNATRAL]

Originally Posted by dhoggm3

I'm seriously considering this mod. It's a 'vert, so I don't (can't) track it. It's just a kick butt fun weekender. I don't plan to do coilovers/fatter tires, etc. because it carries the family around and the beach condo has a steep, uneven entrance ramp. Does the VT1 sound like the right boost level for me or will I immediately start smacking myself and wanting more? (as opposed to smacking myself and wanting more a year from now...)

Dont even get the 600, get the 625. It runs 7.5 psi rather than 6.5 and you gain at least 50hp more with the 625 over the 600. If your going boost, dont half ass it. I was thinking the same thing, but not because I cant track it, but because i wanted to save money. but then i realized that its worthless to get just a little boost. I bought the full 625 kit and itll be installed in a month. I know ill be happy with my choice and i think u will be too.

[Eurotrash8]

Originally Posted by UNNATRAL

Dont even get the 600, get the 625. It runs 7.5 psi rather than 6.5 and you gain at least 50hp more with the 625 over the 600. If your going boost, dont half ass it. I was thinking the same thing, but not because I cant track it, but because i wanted to save money. but then i realized that its worthless to get just a little boost. I bought the full 625 kit and itll be installed in a month. I know ill be happy with my choice and i think u will be too.

I agree from a logical performance standpoint but from a financial perspective 535 - 625 is just shy of DOUBLE the price which fwiw adds an intercooler, diff pulley and diff mapping from a hardware cost.

Even from the 535 - 575 the price diff is $4300 and that gives you an intercooler???

I'm a fan of ESS and if I were to go FI they would be my number 1 choice but their price structure is odd.

[m33]

Originally Posted by UNNATRAL

Dont even get the 600, get the 625. It runs 7.5 psi rather than 6.5 and you gain at least 50hp more with the 625 over the 600. If your going boost, dont half ass it. I was thinking the same thing, but not because I cant track it, but because i wanted to save money. but then i realized that its worthless to get just a little boost. I bought the full 625 kit and itll be installed in a month. I know ill be happy with my choice and i think u will be too.

I'm sorry but I had to laugh when you quoted a 50hp gain from 600 to 625 when it = 25hp difference*.
Just to clarify the additional 25 hp comes from a good aftermarket exhaust , add a catless midsection then you'll gain more or less an additional 15 to 20 whp ...
Good luck on your choice !

[Bosna]

Supercharger kits shouldn't introduce any lag whatsoever.

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by Eurotrash8

I agree from a logical performance standpoint but from a financial perspective 535 - 625 is just shy of DOUBLE the price which fwiw adds an intercooler, diff pulley and diff mapping from a hardware cost.

Even from the 535 - 575 the price diff is $4300 and that gives you an intercooler???

I'm a fan of ESS and if I were to go FI they would be my number 1 choice but their price structure is odd.

There are many differences between the VT1-535 and VT2-575. These changes include the manifold, injectors, air/water cooling system and software. Its not as simple as just installing an intercooler on a VT1-535.

[chris s]

will a 535 kit suffer a great deal in the warm temps? I would assume so.. Roman...can you PM me prices for 535 and 575 kits?

thanks

[Kartelli]

Originally Posted by Eurotrash8

I agree from a logical performance standpoint but from a financial perspective 535 - 625 is just shy of DOUBLE the price which fwiw adds an intercooler, diff pulley and diff mapping from a hardware cost.

Even from the 535 - 575 the price diff is $4300 and that gives you an intercooler???

I'm a fan of ESS and if I were to go FI they would be my number 1 choice but their price structure is odd.

I'm hoping after a few more years in production, refining methods, and high volume of sales they are able to pass the savings back to the consumers.

8k for the supercharger package (535 setup)
5k for exhaust (akrapovic, etc).
1k for misc performance parts (intake, pulleys, etc).

We talking some serious coin to max out the M3 potential. Its almost worth considering upgrading the platform for the prices out there.

I'd love to see a cost breakdown provided so the consumer can understand where the pricing is coming from.

[UNNATRAL]

Originally Posted by m33

I'm sorry but I had to laugh when you quoted a 50hp gain from 600 to 625 when it = 25hp difference*.
Just to clarify the additional 25 hp comes from a good aftermarket exhaust , add a catless midsection then you'll gain more or less an additional 15 to 20 whp ...
Good luck on your choice !

thats what I thought too, But it doesnt mean 625 at the crank or 600 at the crank. I spoke to Ilia @ IND and he said that the extra pound of boost gives u anywhere from 40-50hp increase. Believe me, I thought that too about the nomenclature of the kits but I was wrong.

[AJ@ESS]

Originally Posted by UNNATRAL

thats what I thought too, But it doesnt mean 625 at the crank or 600 at the crank. I spoke to Ilia @ IND and he said that the extra pound of boost gives u anywhere from 40-50hp increase. Believe me, I thought that too about the nomenclature of the kits but I was wrong.

The difference is aprox 25chp if measured on the same car/same conditions.

[UNNATRAL]

Originally Posted by AJ@ESS

The difference is aprox 25chp if measured on the same car/same conditions.

HMM....someone is feeding me wrong info