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      05-14-2020, 05:23 AM   #1
bvrider1
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Drives: e90 m3 + f80 zcp
Join Date: May 2016
Location: 3rdCoast

iTrader: (4)

ESS 625 low boost - findings

I was fighting a low boost issue for weeks and wanted to share what I did and how I fixed it.

Lets start with what changed.

I had a white top injector ESS Kit. I went to a smaller 94mm pulley on a blue top injector. I swapped these out and that is when my problem started.

I have a P3 gauge tapped inline and I was only able to get 2.5 - 5.0 for boost readings. About 20% of the time I would see boost at 7psi or better.

Purchased a boost leak tester:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Purchased a smoke tester:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Smoke test yielded no leaks. Don't expect to see anything unless you have a good size leak.

Boost leak tester installed on the plenum and a bottle of soapy water was up next.

I ran the psi up to 10psi and made sure all 8 intake boots were sprayed. Saw a couple clamps that could be tightened up some more. Intake boots were replaced a couple of years ago by me so I did not expect these to be bad.

Searching old posts on here, it seems like a T to the boost gauge worked well for others but I wanted to rule that out.

I installed a velocity stack Awron type from iTsEpic. Awron does not show these in stock anymore so for you supercharger guys might not be a bad idea to pick one up before the used market is depleted.

On doing so, I noticed that the T under the plenum was kinked more than I would like. I broke the plastic T fitting and went with a new brass one. Replaced the hard brittle vac line that leads to the bypass valve.

Root:
The kinked vac line under the plenum had a leak that was in the inside of the bend.

Boost levels are higher and well above 7psi where they should be now. I did lose my vac readings since I using the velocity stack to read boost.

I had a file revision performed by BPM to address the injectors and pulley change.

The car runs great now. That's all.
Appreciate 0