ESS vs. RPi

[gorg-0-mish]

Hey guys I'm kinda stuck in a dilemma of either getting the full ESS exhaust system ($3695) with an ECU tune ($995) or a full RPi GTC exhaust system ($2950) with a BPMsport tune ($1000).

Both exhaust systems seem pretty similar with no drone and a very decent sound and both tunes seem very similar as well. The price of the ESS is a bit steeper than the RPi so I'm expecting a bit more from it. And both tunes are around the 1k mark so they should be fairly identical.

I'm not an expert on this stuff so I'm gonna need you guys to help me decide which way to go. Oh and if there are any other suggestions of different exhaust systems and tunes please share them. Thanks a bunch. )

[BPMSport]

Price is not the best comparison metric for software.

I have the full Akra + BPM Tune.

There are people running the BPM software with both the ESS exhaust and the RPI system.

[Someone?]

Originally Posted by gorg-0-mish

Hey guys I'm kinda stuck in a dilemma of either getting the full ESS exhaust system ($3695) with an ECU tune ($995) or a full RPi GTC exhaust system ($2950) with a BPMsport tune ($1000).

Both exhaust systems seem pretty similar with no drone and a very decent sound and both tunes seem very similar as well. The price of the ESS is a bit steeper than the RPi so I'm expecting a bit more from it. And both tunes are around the 1k mark so they should be fairly identical.

I'm not an expert on this stuff so I'm gonna need you guys to help me decide which way to go. Oh and if there are any other suggestions of different exhaust systems and tunes please share them. Thanks a bunch. )

The RPi System is a Cat Less so its going to be A Lot louder then the ESS, The extra $700 for the ESS gets you a Cated and resonated System.

I see nothing on the RPi site about even est. HP gains, so who knows what kinda power it adds for all that noise.
Personally i would go with the ESS and BPM tune.

[gorg-0-mish]

On this site: https://www.sonicms.net/index.php?ro...product_id=706
it says the full system produces 28whp and 35 ft/lbs of torque. Seems a bit too good to be true...

[gorg-0-mish]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Price is not the best comparison metric for software.

I have the full Akra + BPM Tune.

There are people running the BPM software with both the ESS exhaust and the RPI system.

+1 Very true Mike

[JTO24]

ESS + BPM for me... Really hard to beat Mike's customer service; I've seen a lot of glowing reviews about his work, and now I can appreciate why

[Someone?]

Originally Posted by gorg-0-mish

On this site: https://www.sonicms.net/index.php?ro...product_id=706
it says the full system produces 28whp and 35 ft/lbs of torque. Seems a bit too good to be true...

Them are some pretty Big claims, seems to me if RPi exhaust made that kinda^ power with No drone at that price with a Lifetime Warranty everyone would have one?

Does anyone have a Dyno sheet with this RPi System? anyone have one period?

[gorg-0-mish]

Vybz has the GTC. And also why prefer the ESS to the GTC? Is it for the quality? Sound? Gains? Thnx
Oh and here's a review of the GTC:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...0#post12364910

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Running ESS Full exhaust with BPM Stage II Tune. Go with the ESS exhaust. It's not as loud as the other systems, but it packs a punch.

[kerkiraios00]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Price is not the best comparison metric for software.

I have the full Akra + BPM Tune.

There are people running the BPM software with both the ESS exhaust and the RPI system.

Mike I wanna hear your car man? Any vidz online?

[tom @ eas]

Why not the ESS Exhaust and ESS EFlash for the ultimate combo?

[Someone?]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Why not the ESS Exhaust and ESS EFlash for the ultimate combo?

Probably manly cause ESS haven't done a Dyno run show'n what kinda numbers the exhaust makes with a there flash after months of askn.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by ibmike

Probably manly cause ESS haven't done a Dyno run show'n what kinda numbers the exhaust makes with a there flash after months of askn.

Send one here, we'll dyno it.

Plenty of ESS Flash dynos posted, even check the dyno database.

[s65e90]

its' not news that a full RPI exhaust makes good power; look it up OP..

IMO RPI sounds awesome

[5soko]

RPI makes great quality stuff! And they know there stuff when it comes to exhaust setups and what works for power. In the M5 world, there exhaust has made the most real world and dyno proven power. They don't play games with there dynos, what they claim is what you will get. 28whp gain from ess's claim is just ridiculous!

[Longwong]

ESS doesn't claim 28. They claim 10-15 on their site from the exhaust. And 10-15 for software so I think 20-30 for the combination is spot on with any other catless/HFC xpipe and software.

[sales@ESSTuning]

These are two very different systems. Our system was really designed as an alternative to a system like the RPI not to compete with it. If you want super loud buy the RPI exhaust you will most likley be very happy. If you want a more refined tone with less volume and no drone our exhaust would be a better fit IMO. If you want a slighlty more agressive tone than our HFC system we do offer a catless system

The best combination is to run our NA tune with our exhaust system. We made a few minor changes to our NA tune to maximize power output when combined with our exhaust during development.

[gorg-0-mish]

At first I was looking at the RPi GTM because if its ridiculous sound, but after some research I found out that almost every owner of the GMT couldn't handle the drone and noise for everyday driving. The GTC is an alternative for the GMT being about 30% quieter. I'm looking for a full system that will prove to make gains and to have a symphony of balanced exhaust noise when driving. If the stock OEM exhaust on the M3 wasn't so shitty in the first place I wouldn't have to spend 3k+ on an exhaust system. The ESS looks great as well offering what I'm looking for, but for 700$ more than the GTC. ESS and RPi are both great companies that produce quality exhaust systems, however choosing between them is still a pain in the ass.

[geneatals]

have you heard either in person? hearing/sound is very subjective....so like any other ehaust thread...I'll be the guy to say/suggest hearing the exhaust in person for yourself...

luckily you are in so cal, so finding either system shouldn't be too difficult...

RPI's office is located in LA, why not stop by the shop and ask regarding dyno numbers and method of measuring as well...if you are going to do your due diligence and research..then do just that.....

there are a few ess vendors out here in so cal...eas being one of them...perhaps they can help you find a full ess system to hear/listen to...

both shops have their own dyno's..so performing a pre and post dyno would also be a good idea..

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

The ESS full exhaust grumbles. It's not loud by any means.

[joe@trinityautosport]

OP I have the RPi GTC and it's not loud inside the cabin, but loud outside. You can come down and listen to it

[happos2]

Originally Posted by geneatals

have you heard either in person? hearing/sound is very subjective....so like any other ehaust thread...I'll be the guy to say/suggest hearing the exhaust in person for yourself...

luckily you are in so cal, so finding either system shouldn't be too difficult...

RPI's office is located in LA, why not stop by the shop and ask regarding dyno numbers and method of measuring as well...if you are going to do your due diligence and research..then do just that.....

there are a few ess vendors out here in so cal...eas being one of them...perhaps they can help you find a full ess system to hear/listen to...

both shops have their own dyno's..so performing a pre and post dyno would also be a good idea..

Post of the thread! Listen to them in person.