Daily Driver + Super Charger Questions

[anom3]

Heya.

So having had my rod bearings just recently done, I am now starting to think about getting myself a super charger for my E92 M3.

I was thinking about the ESS 625 kit.

I was wondering if anyone could shine some light on the following:

A) At "normal" city speeds, does the car maintain its original daily driver comfort?

B) In normal city driving, is there any huge increase in cabin noise?

C) Any overall negatives you can think of in regards to having a SC installed on the E92 M3?

I daily drive my car, and its already quite sporty for daily driving. Just right in my opinion. I dont really want to ruin the driving experience in exchange for the extra ponies.

Oh also not really daily driver related, but I have a 6MT... How does a stock clutch handle the additional horse power?

[BrewRifle]

It drives like a stock E9X M3 until you get on the gas and unleash hells fury.

No additional cabin noise other than a slight supercharger whine when you get on it.

No negatives that I can see other than downshifting more frequently to get the rush. I daily drive my car and have 0 regrets on the decision. I highly recommend the ESS VT2-625 kit. I'm in a DCT so I can't comment on the 6MT, though some of the 6MT guys running VF kits seem to not have issues.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by anom3

A) At "normal" city speeds, does the car maintain its original daily driver comfort?

B) In normal city driving, is there any huge increase in cabin noise?

C) Any overall negatives you can think of in regards to having a SC installed on the E92 M3?

a) I daily drive mine as well, absolutely yes is the answer. I take my teenage son to school everyday and he is aware of the blower. after a week or so he said there isn't anything different about it at all (i do not go past 3k in any gear with him during our school/work commute). he did comment that the exhaust note on the outside changed, but that's it.

b)mine has not changed, other than a hint of whine from the blower but the average passenger wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

c)yes, i'm bound to get a ticket, the horsepopwer is unreal. i am being stubborn and refuse to use 19in wheels, my 18 rear Ps2s (265) cannot handle the torque in 1-3rd gear. if i press the pedal to the floor anything above 3k rpms in third, the car loses traction and smokes the tires.

with traction control on it's still a beast but you can tell the power is reduced.

it's a no brainer. My ESS 625 is awesome.

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

It drives like a stock E9X M3 until you get on the gas and unleash hells fury.

Mmmmmmmmmmm....superchargers....

[anom3]

alright then.

time to start the dialog with ess.

[tom @ eas]

No overall negatives other than saving for your rear tire budget. The stock clutch is up to the task with the additional power.

[CBS]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

It drives like a stock E9X M3 until you get on the gas and unleash hells fury.

No additional cabin noise other than a slight supercharger whine when you get on it.

No negatives that I can see other than downshifting more frequently to get the rush. I daily drive my car and have 0 regrets on the decision. I highly recommend the ESS VT2-625 kit. I'm in a DCT so I can't comment on the 6MT, though some of the 6MT guys running VF kits seem to not have issues.

+1. I would say I have had the same experience other than I have a smaller ESS SC. The SC is incredibly reliable. Mine has been on the car for 3.5 years and has performed in all types of weather and 40+ track days. I have noticed one of the rubber hoses at the back of the intake manifold has turned a nice shade of white. Since my Car is being shipped to iND for a lot of winter work, they contacted ESS to acquire a complete set of replacement hoses/belt for PM work.

Good luck with your new SC. Keep us informed.

Cheers,
Chris

[Gizmo 335i]

What's the install time at a good BMW indy?

[knevel]

I've ridden in supercharged cars, they are pretty exciting while still maintaining the balance this car is known for. If I didn't track my car, I'd be buying one tomorrow.

[Alohaaaaa]

Family member has a supercharged E46. Didn't even realize it was SC until I saw under the hood.

Will be SC'ing my E92 as soon as summer rolls in.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by Gizmo 335i

What's the install time at a good BMW indy?

My estimate is six hours. If they've done one before, I would bet less. The non inter cooled would be way less.

[CBS]

Originally Posted by knevel

I've ridden in supercharged cars, they are pretty exciting while still maintaining the balance this car is known for. If I didn't track my car, I'd be buying one tomorrow.

I track my car a lot and I have enjoyed the additional power of the ESS 550 VT-1. It isn't overpowering and doesn't transform my accelerator into an on/off switch. I can easily moderate / feather the throttle.

Additionally, I have tracked in 107 degree weather without too much noticeable hp loss.

[knevel]

Originally Posted by CBS

I track my car a lot and I have enjoyed the additional power of the ESS 550 VT-1. It isn't overpowering and doesn't transform my accelerator into an on/off switch. I can easily moderate / feather the throttle.

Additionally, I have tracked in 107 degree weather without too much noticeable hp loss.

Hmm, the non-intercooled kits are the ones that suffer the most from heatsoak. You must not be driving fast enough.

Joking aside, I prefer more technical tracks, where the extra power doesn't really matter. You'll still get your doors blown off by that old timer in a 2500lb Miata.

[CBS]

^ Yes! I have a lot to learn from that Old Timer but closing in on him.

[e93-M3]

I have been SC'd for about 2 months in my e93. There is no real increase in noise, but I have a dinan exhaust so that would most likely drown out any SC whine. I actually think the car is quieter as I had a Dinan intake before and I lost the intake noise I used to hear.

As far as driveability, it is completely like stock unless you put your right foot down. I actually think it much improved the daily driveability. With the weight of the convertible, you typically would want to downshift to get up into the powerband, but now the car is more responsive without the need to downshift or stay in a higher rpm.

So far absolutely no negatives outside of the need for more rubber in the rear. You will also lose any factory warranty obviously which was the biggest hindrance I considered. The only other thing is the need to change the SC oil out every so often, but not that big of a deal.

[boinger]

Those guys that are SC'd here.

How as the reliability been? I track my car and have been considering a SC upgrade but I don't want to risk the bulletproof engine on this thing. Any thoughts?

Also what do you do about smog?

[e93-M3]

Originally Posted by boinger

Those guys that are SC'd here.

How as the reliability been? I track my car and have been considering a SC upgrade but I don't want to risk the bulletproof engine on this thing. Any thoughts?

Also what do you do about smog?

I am probably not the person to ask on reliability as I have only had my kit a few months, but have seen others with multiple track days and many miles on their SC'd cars.

As far as smog, I haven't smogged yet, but have been told that ESS has a tune that will pass smog, but you may have issues with the visual inspection.

[LarThaL]

Any issue with passing OBD based emissions testing?

[BombaE90]

Not the OP, but thanks for the input here guys. I'm dropping my car at Active to have them install a stage 2 this week. I had similar questions.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by BombaE90

Not the OP, but thanks for the input here guys. I'm dropping my car at Active to have them install a stage 2 this week. I had similar questions.

Congrats.

[Honda]

Originally Posted by CBS

+1. I would say I have had the same experience other than I have a smaller ESS SC. The SC is incredibly reliable. Mine has been on the car for 3.5 years and has performed in all types of weather and 40+ track days. I have noticed one of the rubber hoses at the back of the intake manifold has turned a nice shade of white. Since my Car is being shipped to iND for a lot of winter work, they contacted ESS to acquire a complete set of replacement hoses/belt for PM work.

Good luck with your new SC. Keep us informed.

Cheers,
Chris

You are one of the longest running SC'ed I have seen! How many miles do you have on your SC? Can you tell us more about the reliability? Gas Mileage? Have you done rod bearings swap so far?

Thanks!

[ASBSECU E93]

So - aside from the engine work, what exhaust work would need to be done with the S/C? Test pipes, etc???