Try out the new beta site for M3Post. You can read more about what's happening here
BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU Software Modifications
 
European Auto Source (EAS)
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools
      07-12-2015, 04:17 PM   #1
kerkiraios00
Major
kerkiraios00's Avatar
No_Country
276
Rep
1,402
Posts

Drives: '18 F80 MW M3
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Queens, New York

iTrader: (0)

Thinking About Going Sc Ess Or Harrop?

Like the title states I'm looking to go sc but not 100% sure yet lol if I go sced what's the best route? ESS 625 or the HARROP kit? I feel like the ess is a better kit reliable and you get more power out of it but I like the HARROP also bc you get to hear it more? Now if I'm wrong correct me please.. Anyone in the area queens, ny I'd love to check out your kit and maybe go for ride.. Now, is it worth it going sc? I wanna go faster so if I don't do a sc kit I'll def prob sell it and get the F10 m5.. So I have a few debates is it worth it going sc or just wait maybe a year and get the f10 m5? Just not sure what 600hp feels like lol I know the f10 m5 is a diff animal it's also a lot bigger so not sure if I'd like it better.. Jut some insight from anyone that's been in my position or in it already thanks again
__________________
2018 F80 M3 ZCP Mineral White- Extended Shakir Orange - Full Suntek Ultra Wrapped - ///M Performance Spoiler - RKP Front Lip - RKP Side Skirts - Vorsteiner GTS Diffuser -AA Mid-Pipe-///M performance HAS kit - HRE P101


11 E90 M3 JEREZ BLK METALLIC ZCP SOLD
Appreciate 0
      07-12-2015, 06:48 PM   #2
C|3R1C
So Kewl Guy
C|3R1C's Avatar
56
Rep
619
Posts

Drives: 2010 E93 M3 DCT
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (3)

I actually have the harrop kit on my car and its putting down 500-503 rwhp / 370 rwtq. If you look through the harrop thread you will find the comparing graphs for the power bands. I've driven my car for about 2k miles with the kit and I love it. Consequently if you look my car is up for sale for numerous personal reasons whether I keep the car and go over 100k miles, transfer my mods to another lower mileage M3 or a new car all together (thinking about S6), but honestly Im strongly leaning to a lower mileage M3 and more mods planned for that car (i love this car way to much ) but I do not what that to detract from the awesomeness of the harrop kit.

I love the low end torque of the kit and it really pulls above the 4k line. It turns our cars into a real beast. Mikes test drive really sold me to it so i got it and posted a review of it myself.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1113984
__________________
2010 E93 M3 / MS Catless X-Pipe / AA Catback / Vorsteiner Vented Hood and Bootlid E93 Trunk / ADV1 7.1 Wheels GB / LS3 LED Lights / Harrop Supercharger
Appreciate 2
      07-12-2015, 07:30 PM   #3
Dave07997S
Major General
Dave07997S's Avatar
2342
Rep
5,139
Posts

Drives: 2024 BMW M2 Toronto Red 6MT
Join Date: May 2009
Location: El Segundo, CA

iTrader: (1)

I want to know why you think the ESS kit is more reliable than the Harrop. The Harrop uses the same kind of blower that OEM cars use with Eaton style blowers. I have to say if it was my money I'm going with the Harrop.

Dave
__________________
2024 BMW M2 Toronto Red 6MT
(Sold) 2020 Ford Mustang GT 6MT PP1 444rwhp
2013 M3 Coupe-MR/BLK ZCP, 2011 M3 Coupe-MR/Blk
2007 Porsche 997C2S Speed Yellow/Blk sport seats
2004 BMW M3 Imola/Blk, 2001 BMW M3
Appreciate 2
      07-12-2015, 07:47 PM   #4
Dave07997S
Major General
Dave07997S's Avatar
2342
Rep
5,139
Posts

Drives: 2024 BMW M2 Toronto Red 6MT
Join Date: May 2009
Location: El Segundo, CA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by C|3R1C View Post
I actually have the harrop kit on my car and its putting down 500-503 rwhp / 370 rwtq. If you look through the harrop thread you will find the comparing graphs for the power bands. I've driven my car for about 2k miles with the kit and I love it. Consequently if you look my car is up for sale for numerous personal reasons whether I keep the car and go over 100k miles, transfer my mods to another lower mileage M3 or a new car all together (thinking about S6), but honestly Im strongly leaning to a lower mileage M3 and more mods planned for that car (i love this car way to much ) but I do not what that to detract from the awesomeness of the harrop kit.

I love the low end torque of the kit and it really pulls above the 4k line. It turns our cars into a real beast. Mikes test drive really sold me to it so i got it and posted a review of it myself.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1113984

I wanted to ask you what are you going to do when it comes time to smog the car?

Dave
__________________
2024 BMW M2 Toronto Red 6MT
(Sold) 2020 Ford Mustang GT 6MT PP1 444rwhp
2013 M3 Coupe-MR/BLK ZCP, 2011 M3 Coupe-MR/Blk
2007 Porsche 997C2S Speed Yellow/Blk sport seats
2004 BMW M3 Imola/Blk, 2001 BMW M3
Appreciate 0
      07-12-2015, 08:14 PM   #5
kerkiraios00
Major
kerkiraios00's Avatar
No_Country
276
Rep
1,402
Posts

Drives: '18 F80 MW M3
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Queens, New York

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by C|3R1C View Post
I actually have the harrop kit on my car and its putting down 500-503 rwhp / 370 rwtq. If you look through the harrop thread you will find the comparing graphs for the power bands. I've driven my car for about 2k miles with the kit and I love it. Consequently if you look my car is up for sale for numerous personal reasons whether I keep the car and go over 100k miles, transfer my mods to another lower mileage M3 or a new car all together (thinking about S6), but honestly Im strongly leaning to a lower mileage M3 and more mods planned for that car (i love this car way to much ) but I do not what that to detract from the awesomeness of the harrop kit.

I love the low end torque of the kit and it really pulls above the 4k line. It turns our cars into a real beast. Mikes test drive really sold me to it so i got it and posted a review of it myself.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1113984
Thanks for your input.. I love my e90 overall so I'm just looking for a lil more power and I think an sc kit is the answer.. Wish you were closer would love to see it.. Gl with your decision hope you get another m3 lol
__________________
2018 F80 M3 ZCP Mineral White- Extended Shakir Orange - Full Suntek Ultra Wrapped - ///M Performance Spoiler - RKP Front Lip - RKP Side Skirts - Vorsteiner GTS Diffuser -AA Mid-Pipe-///M performance HAS kit - HRE P101


11 E90 M3 JEREZ BLK METALLIC ZCP SOLD
Appreciate 0
      07-12-2015, 08:16 PM   #6
kerkiraios00
Major
kerkiraios00's Avatar
No_Country
276
Rep
1,402
Posts

Drives: '18 F80 MW M3
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Queens, New York

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave07997S View Post
I want to know why you think the ESS kit is more reliable than the Harrop. The Harrop uses the same kind of blower that OEM cars use with Eaton style blowers. I have to say if it was my money I'm going with the Harrop.

Dave
Like i said in my previous post "correct me if I'm wrong" I just started looking into sc kits and I see more positive reviews for the ess but then again the HARROP hasn't been around that long.. Are you going sc'ed?
__________________
2018 F80 M3 ZCP Mineral White- Extended Shakir Orange - Full Suntek Ultra Wrapped - ///M Performance Spoiler - RKP Front Lip - RKP Side Skirts - Vorsteiner GTS Diffuser -AA Mid-Pipe-///M performance HAS kit - HRE P101


11 E90 M3 JEREZ BLK METALLIC ZCP SOLD
Appreciate 0
      07-12-2015, 08:29 PM   #7
C|3R1C
So Kewl Guy
C|3R1C's Avatar
56
Rep
619
Posts

Drives: 2010 E93 M3 DCT
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kerkiraios00 View Post
Thanks for your input.. I love my e90 overall so I'm just looking for a lil more power and I think an sc kit is the answer.. Wish you were closer would love to see it.. Gl with your decision hope you get another m3 lol
Me too lol. The next couple weeks will determine what I do.
__________________
2010 E93 M3 / MS Catless X-Pipe / AA Catback / Vorsteiner Vented Hood and Bootlid E93 Trunk / ADV1 7.1 Wheels GB / LS3 LED Lights / Harrop Supercharger
Appreciate 0
      07-12-2015, 08:31 PM   #8
C|3R1C
So Kewl Guy
C|3R1C's Avatar
56
Rep
619
Posts

Drives: 2010 E93 M3 DCT
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave07997S View Post
I wanted to ask you what are you going to do when it comes time to smog the car?

Dave
One of the many options the forum has provided. I still have the stock cats too.
__________________
2010 E93 M3 / MS Catless X-Pipe / AA Catback / Vorsteiner Vented Hood and Bootlid E93 Trunk / ADV1 7.1 Wheels GB / LS3 LED Lights / Harrop Supercharger
Appreciate 0
      07-12-2015, 09:55 PM   #9
Honda
Lieutenant Colonel
Honda's Avatar
447
Rep
1,706
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: US

iTrader: (25)

I say sell the car and get a car with power you want. Putting stress on the engine that's not OEM is not worth IMO. Most of the folks I've seen running SC, sell the kit thousands after installing it..
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 06:45 AM   #10
pbonsalb
Lieutenant General
7679
Rep
13,759
Posts

Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: New England

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave07997S View Post
I want to know why you think the ESS kit is more reliable than the Harrop. The Harrop uses the same kind of blower that OEM cars use with Eaton style blowers. I have to say if it was my money I'm going with the Harrop.

Dave
Most of the problems with aftermarket supercharger or turbo kits is not the failure of the supercharger or turbo, but with tuning and hardware and installation and engine problems. The ESS kit has been out much longer and has a well proven track record over time. The Harrop kit does not.

ESS also gives more horsepower per dollar. You can buy an ESS 650 for less than the basic low boost Harrop kit. The Harrop has the advantage in low end torque, though.

If you want to totally change the character of the S65, however, maybe you should just buy a car with low end torque to begin with. A twin turbo BMW or Audi or Mercedes, for example -- factory V8s designed for forced induction that can safely make more power than the Harrop or ESS kits. If you buy new or CPO, you'll even get a warranty. No rod bearing issues, either.

One other thing to consider. A used M3 worth $40,000 with a $10,000 supercharger kit plus $2,000 installation is worth $46,000.
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 08:09 AM   #11
Beedub
Major General
United Kingdom
455
Rep
5,333
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

harrop all day long imo.
__________________
Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build.
Multi award winning Detailing | Wrap | PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 10:18 AM   #12
BobS
Colonel
BobS's Avatar
101
Rep
2,002
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Southern NJ

iTrader: (0)

Go with a kit that has local support and good local support. Trust me.

What shop in the North East / NY area knows the Harrop? Who is authorized to install it, has the software, and can trouble shoot if you have a issue? I know there are plenty of shops very familiar with the ESS kit. As already mentioned, you will be able to buy a 625-650 kit for less than the base harrop that has less power. Ess has the ability to set readiness and pass emissions, does harrop? If yes, has anyone actually passed with it? As the M3 ages, your going to have to pass state inspection.

You need to ask all these questions when you add 200HP to your stock m3. Ess is easily upgraded, it has a good name so resale wouldn't be hard if you part out down the road and its reliable. I'm extremely pleased with my ESS kit, good luck with your decision.
__________________

ESS 650 ACM-R Upgrades
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 12:00 PM   #13
Ezio
Brigadier General
Ezio's Avatar
802
Rep
4,224
Posts

Drives: 2026 M4
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: MI

iTrader: (0)

I would go with ess because its been out longer, and you get more power.

the ESS is what is called a procharger and it makes more turbo type noise. the harrop is a roots style supercharger. So it makes that wine sound found in cars like the GT500 or hellcat. as far as sound goes.
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 02:56 PM   #14
ilikebmxbikes
Banned
1544
Rep
4,743
Posts

Drives: S65 1M Clone & E92 M3 4.6L
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (42)

Garage List
I would go with the harrop. I'm highly leaning toward getting one.
Appreciate 1
      07-13-2015, 04:05 PM   #15
whats77inaname
Banned
United_States
902
Rep
3,384
Posts

Drives: when at all possible
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Tx

iTrader: (25)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BobS View Post
Go with a kit that has local support and good local support. Trust me.

What shop in the North East / NY area knows the Harrop? Who is authorized to install it, has the software, and can trouble shoot if you have a issue? I know there are plenty of shops very familiar with the ESS kit. As already mentioned, you will be able to buy a 625-650 kit for less than the base harrop that has less power. Ess has the ability to set readiness and pass emissions, does harrop? If yes, has anyone actually passed with it? As the M3 ages, your going to have to pass state inspection.

You need to ask all these questions when you add 200HP to your stock m3. Ess is easily upgraded, it has a good name so resale wouldn't be hard if you part out down the road and its reliable. I'm extremely pleased with my ESS kit, good luck with your decision.
Is that why you moved over from Evolve to ESS?

Last edited by whats77inaname; 07-13-2015 at 04:11 PM..
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 04:09 PM   #16
Shredicus
Major
Shredicus's Avatar
543
Rep
1,122
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Spokane, WA

iTrader: (12)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezio View Post
I would go with ess because its been out longer, and you get more power.

the ESS is what is called a procharger and it makes more turbo type noise. the harrop is a roots style supercharger. So it makes that wine sound found in cars like the GT500 or hellcat. as far as sound goes.
ESS uses a centrifugal style compressor(a vortech unit as well, not procharger) and the harrop is an Eaton tvs like the ctsv/z06 uses
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 04:20 PM   #17
BPMSport
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
BPMSport's Avatar
3592
Rep
7,300
Posts


Drives: 2x Harrop E90 M3, E92 M3, E39
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2000 BMW M5  [0.00]
1990 BMW 735i Turbo  [0.00]
2008 BMW M3  [7.50]
2015 BMW M3  [0.00]
2015 BMW M5  [0.00]
I've driven all flavors of Supercharged M3's and greatly prefer the Harrop for a number of reasons.

The Harrop kit has the highest quality fit and finish. It's the best looking kit without a doubt, and most people think it's an OEM product. This is what you should expect from a company that supplies products to Ford and Lotus for OE fitment on supercharged applications.

It's the only kit which uses the factory airbox, which I think is a great plus. It's the only kit which has such profound low end torque delivery, which makes it a fantastic daily driver. You are pushed back in your seat without having to rev the motor all the way up to redline.

The supercharger oil only needs to be changed every 100K miles, and is already self contained and filled, so it's also very low maintenance.

The installation of this kit is also the easiest, requiring no modifications to the front clip to fit the heat exchanger. The sound of the kit is incredible. I think it's the best answer for forced induction on this platform given these reasons.

The kit has also been extensively tested on the track in very hot temperatures, and has performed flawlessly.

OP: It's too bad you aren't local, as after one test drive, the kit pretty much sells itself. If you ever make your way out here, let me know. I also think you have the BPM Tuning cable, which we can use to load the supercharger software.
Appreciate 2
      07-13-2015, 06:00 PM   #18
sales@ESSTuning
sales@ESSTuning's Avatar
455
Rep
3,149
Posts

Drives: ESS M3 / M4
Join Date: May 2007
Location: AZ

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BobS View Post
Go with a kit that has local support and good local support. Trust me.

What shop in the North East / NY area knows the Harrop? Who is authorized to install it, has the software, and can trouble shoot if you have a issue? I know there are plenty of shops very familiar with the ESS kit. As already mentioned, you will be able to buy a 625-650 kit for less than the base harrop that has less power. Ess has the ability to set readiness and pass emissions, does harrop? If yes, has anyone actually passed with it? As the M3 ages, your going to have to pass state inspection.

You need to ask all these questions when you add 200HP to your stock m3. Ess is easily upgraded, it has a good name so resale wouldn't be hard if you part out down the road and its reliable. I'm extremely pleased with my ESS kit, good luck with your decision.
Im glad you are enjoying your kit. I think people often overlook the value of good support and a reliable proven product. We do have several quality dealers that sell and support our kits and we have a facility in Europe and we have a facility here in Arizona to support our customers.

From a performance standpoint the S65 being a high compression high rev motor is a perfect match for our centrifugal blower design, it allows you to extract max power out of this platform. There is a reason our customers own all of the current E9X M3 performance records. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=630463
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 07:02 PM   #19
tom @ eas
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
tom @ eas's Avatar
United_States
9911
Rep
19,839
Posts


Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Anaheim, CA

iTrader: (19)

Garage List
2018 BMW i3s  [5.00]
2010 BMW M3  [6.50]
2015 BMW M4  [6.20]
Support is important both before and after your purchase. The majority of supercharged M3s out there are equipped with ESS, it's well documented on this forum and others.

Here's a thread that lists the top Supercharged 60-130 times:

E9X Supercharged M3's
5.95 - VT3M33 / E92 M3 DCT / ESS VT4 800 - Built Motor / 97 octane / 3 shifts
6.14 - DLSJ5 / E92 M3 DCT / ESS VT750 SC - Built Motor / 100 Octane / 3 shifts
6.16 - Madsex343 /E92 M3 DCT / ESS VT600 / 94 octane / 3 shifts
6.23 - Mikewads / E92 M3 DCT / ESS VT600 SC, 100shot Nitrous 3rd on/93oct/3 shifts

6.36 - Gpower / E92 M3 6-MT / Gpower SKIII SC - Built Motor / 1 shift
6.46 - M&M / E92 M3 DCT / ESS VT625 / Raised Rev Limiter / 94 Octane/ WM / 3 shifts
6.56 - Tom@EAS / E92 M3 DCT / VF620 SC / 91/100 mix / 2 shifts
6.57 - Evolve - Lost Marine / DCT E92 M3 / Evolve E625 SC / 93 Octane/Catless / 3 Shifts
6.75 - IMG / E90 M3 6-MT / ESS VT725 SC- Built Motor / 93 octane / 1 shift
6.78 - Mikewads / E92 M3 DCT / ESS VT600 SC / 93 octane / 3 shifts
6.80 - DLSJ5 / E92 M3 DCT / ESS VT625 SC / 95 octane / WM / 3 shifts

6.96 - Tightie / E92 M3 6-MT / Gintani Stage 3 SC - Built Motor / 91 octane / WM / 2 shifts
6.98 - M33 / E92 M3 DCT/ ESS VT650 SC / 93 octane/ WM / 3 shifts
7.06 - DLSJ5 / E92 M3 DCT / Gintani Stage 2 SC / 91 octane / WM / 3 shifts
7.52 - IMG / E90 M3 6-MT / ESS VT625 SC / 93 octane / 2 shifts
7.58 - Pencilgeek / E92 M3 6-MT / R46 Stroker ESS VT600 SC / 3.15 gears / 100 octane / 1 shift
8.31 - biglare / E90 M3 DCT / ESS VT575 SC / 3.62 Gears / 91 Octane / 2 shifts
8.95 - sammyrusso / E92 M3 DCT / Gintani Stage 1 SC / 91 Octane / 3 shifts
9.00 - EugeneTawain / E92 M3 6-MT / Gpower SKII SC / 91 Octane / 2shifts


M3POST's official 60-130 and 1/4 mile thread
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=630463

Hope this helps!
__________________
Tom G. | european auto source (eas)
email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22

GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM

Last edited by tom @ eas; 07-13-2015 at 07:09 PM..
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 09:24 PM   #20
FogCityM3
Colonel
FogCityM3's Avatar
519
Rep
2,395
Posts

Drives: M3 (E90) & Porsche GT3 RS
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

One thing that I've been contemplating in addressing one of the "weaknesses" of the S65 on the track is that to keep up with the mid and rear engined cars, it could use more torque coming out of corners, particularly some 3rd gear corners where downshifting into 2nd is impractical but the engine could use a little more "oomph". Strokers and a shorter geared diff are two options but can perhaps see where a Harrop-type design might present some advantages. The combination of a front-engine rear-drive setup to "dive bomb" in the corners while having more torque coming out (provided you have right grip) and similar predictable feel on the top end would probably be unbeatable.
Appreciate 1
      07-13-2015, 09:47 PM   #21
steven_s
First Lieutenant
53
Rep
358
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (3)

Any news regarding stage 2/3? Would love to see what that brings to the table.

Also whats with everyone running ~8psi. I figured with higher compression there'd be more in the 10-12psi range?
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2015, 10:09 PM   #22
Limey
EXC MIII
Limey's Avatar
United_States
114
Rep
625
Posts

Drives: on the wrong side
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: 949

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Both are great kits and there's a ton of great advice in this thread, but you really need to drive them both to be sure. If you can't, the ESS is arguably the best bet in terms of value. However I was on the fence for about 18mths after driving the ESS 625 kit because I felt underwhelmed by the lack of performance under 6000 rpm given I mostly daily drive. So your driving style is a big deciding factor.

I got a deal on my Harrop kit and don't think I would have forked out full price without driving and appreciating it first. If I'd driven them both first I prob would have the Harrop. That was before ESS slashed their prices tho.

The Harrop was a pleasant surprise for me. It's funny fast and way more lively down low than the ESS and the sound as the blower winds up is so addictive. But some don't like it at low speeds. Another big deciding factor.

Also, while you pay a premium, the build/engineering quality and sublime OEM appearance is worth a grand or 2 IMO if you appreciate that stuff. It's definitely the sexiest kit.

I should drive the 625 ESS again for a true comparison. Pretty certain I wouldn't change my mind but who knows...get the ESS or a different car.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:55 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST