Envy Charge Pipe Long Term Review (no dyno)

major_kusanagi · 03-09-2010, 12:13 PM

As I've noticed a lot of concerns about the Envy charge pipe, I decided to examine mine over the weekend because I was worried that the pipe may have been damaged. Besides, I've recently received numerous PMs asking for my feedback. I hope this answers some of the questions I've received. All the pics were taken this weekend. That is, they show the pipe used for approx. 5K miles.

Disclaimer: No one or no vendor asked me to do this. I am doings this purely for the members of this forum.

Concern 1: under hard acceleration, the pipe may crack because it does not have a flex section.

I inspected the pipe very carefully for any damage. My visual inspection suggests it's perfectly fine with no cracks or distorted CF weaves. I've driven my car with the pipe installed pretty hard and I assume the pipe has managed the engine's tilting under hard acceleration.

Concern 2: electric tape is inadequate to seal the intake and protect the seal from heat.

The electric tape showed no signs of burns or melts. It seems to do what it's supposed to do quite well.

Concern 3: The plaque rubs on the underside of the hood.

True. It does scratches the underside.

Solution: I partially filed the right side rivet on the plaque.

Overall, I still like the improved throttle response the charge pipe provides. Does it have a couple of design flaws? Yes. Does it compromise my car's overall performance? No. If you want a perfect aftermarket product straight out of the box, this is perhaps not for you. I am not endorsing the pipe, but just giving the forum my .02.

P.S. a couple of teaser shots of my next mod. That's some fine looking welding IMO.

xchosun1x · 03-09-2010, 12:23 PM

nice write up and review of the product after much use.

I installed mine over the weekend........slightly reluctant to due to some of the concerns on the forum.

But, I was actually quite impressed with the response and power gains (butt dyno) of this piece. I will periodically keep an eye out for any signs of wear due to engine tilt, but it seems that it will be okay.

major_kusanagi · 03-09-2010, 12:27 PM

Most likely we were fiddling with the same product over the weekend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xchosun1x

nice write up and review of the product after much use.

I installed mine over the weekend........slightly reluctant to due to some of the concerns on the forum.

But, I was actually quite impressed with the response and power gains (butt dyno) of this piece. I will periodically keep an eye out for any signs of wear due to engine tilt, but it seems that it will be okay.

ersin · 03-09-2010, 12:48 PM

Thanks. I see that you say the electrical tape is holding up well. You also say that it seems to do its job, but how do you know it is not leaking unfiltered air? Just curious.

major_kusanagi · 03-09-2010, 12:56 PM

I had the same doubt. Well, to be honest with you, I dunno. I did put a bunch of post-its around the pipe and got the engine up to 5K RPM. But it's not a controlled experiment. i.e., I dunno. However, if you actually examine the seal and groove on both ends of the pipe, it is very tight. In fact, the groove itself should seal just as tightly as the stock pipe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ersin

Thanks. I see that you say the electrical tape is holding up well. You also say that it seems to do its job, but how do you know it is not leaking unfiltered air? Just curious.

M3_LIN · 03-09-2010, 11:37 PM

Great review.

Thanks

Ed Lin

SpencerM3 · 03-10-2010, 10:28 PM

Good take.

I agree with most of what you said, I've had my charge pipe for about 1K miles, and so far so good.

major_kusanagi · 03-10-2010, 10:40 PM

I have no dyno numbers to back it up, but the improved throttle response is quite noticeable.

SpencerM3 · 03-10-2010, 11:28 PM

Just checked my hood, and it doesn't look like my plaque rubs.

novablackm3 · 03-12-2010, 12:34 AM

hmm im going to check mine tomm if it rubs then i'll just put some electrical tape on the underside

xchosun1x · 03-12-2010, 10:29 AM

for addition review...

yes, mine does SLIGHTLY rub as well. However, the sound is great. I definitely do hear much more suction and throatier tone.

It might just be in my head, but I really did feel power and throttle response gains.

My next plan is going to try out the LTBMW intake mated with this charge pipe...i hope

major_kusanagi · 03-12-2010, 10:38 AM

If you slightly file the rivets, it won't rub the underside any more.

Keep us posted how the charge pipe works with the new intake.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xchosun1x

for addition review...

yes, mine does SLIGHTLY rub as well. However, the sound is great. I definitely do hear much more suction and throatier tone.

It might just be in my head, but I really did feel power and throttle response gains.

My next plan is going to try out the LTBMW intake mated with this charge pipe...i hope

Bluesummer · 03-12-2010, 04:11 PM

now the question is, having known the issues, is technocraft ever gonna release a v2?

major_kusanagi · 03-12-2010, 06:42 PM

I hope they do although I think it's highly unlikely.

The charge pipe is still a GREAT performance mod IMO. All they they have to do is move or remove the damn plaque and add a small flex section.

Will that be a good business decision? Unlikely given the extent of concerns people have expressed so far, which will dampen demand for a V2. And it already is a niche market.

03-09-2010, 12:13 PM	#1
major_kusanagi SWARM & COIN 17 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 09 AW/FR/CF E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (3)	Envy Charge Pipe Long Term Review (no dyno) As I've noticed a lot of concerns about the Envy charge pipe, I decided to examine mine over the weekend because I was worried that the pipe may have been damaged. Besides, I've recently received numerous PMs asking for my feedback. I hope this answers some of the questions I've received. All the pics were taken this weekend. That is, they show the pipe used for approx. 5K miles. Disclaimer: No one or no vendor asked me to do this. I am doings this purely for the members of this forum. Concern 1: under hard acceleration, the pipe may crack because it does not have a flex section. I inspected the pipe very carefully for any damage. My visual inspection suggests it's perfectly fine with no cracks or distorted CF weaves. I've driven my car with the pipe installed pretty hard and I assume the pipe has managed the engine's tilting under hard acceleration. Concern 2: electric tape is inadequate to seal the intake and protect the seal from heat. The electric tape showed no signs of burns or melts. It seems to do what it's supposed to do quite well. Concern 3: The plaque rubs on the underside of the hood. True. It does scratches the underside. Solution: I partially filed the right side rivet on the plaque. Overall, I still like the improved throttle response the charge pipe provides. Does it have a couple of design flaws? Yes. Does it compromise my car's overall performance? No. If you want a perfect aftermarket product straight out of the box, this is perhaps not for you. I am not endorsing the pipe, but just giving the forum my .02. P.S. a couple of teaser shots of my next mod. That's some fine looking welding IMO. Attached Images Last edited by major_kusanagi; 03-09-2010 at 06:56 PM..
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03-09-2010, 12:23 PM	#2
xchosun1x Track Duty 266 Rep 2,467 Posts Drives: Track build 08 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (14)	nice write up and review of the product after much use. I installed mine over the weekend........slightly reluctant to due to some of the concerns on the forum. But, I was actually quite impressed with the response and power gains (butt dyno) of this piece. I will periodically keep an eye out for any signs of wear due to engine tilt, but it seems that it will be okay.
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03-09-2010, 12:48 PM	#4
ersin Brigadier General 126 Rep 4,145 Posts Drives: 17 YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	Thanks. I see that you say the electrical tape is holding up well. You also say that it seems to do its job, but how do you know it is not leaking unfiltered air? Just curious. __________________ 2017 F80 YMB.
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03-09-2010, 11:37 PM	#6
M3_LIN LM-R Whore. 125 Rep 854 Posts Drives: 2009 White M3 Sedan Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	Great review. Thanks Ed Lin __________________ 09AWE90M: Light headlight tint, Full front end clear bra wrap(Harris@InstyleGraphics), Ceramic tint(40%), Piaa GTX H3 bulb, HID 8k AE, 6k Low, INT Luxer1 lights, RD springs, LMR 20X9 +8, 20X10 +18 (Dave @ Status), Vertice CF hood Ducts(Dat @ VertexUSA), Tecnocraft FULL Envy Intake system+plenum(KEVLAR)+cabin filter covers, Meister GTC exhaust, Arkym F LIP.
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03-10-2010, 10:28 PM	#7
SpencerM3 Sauce 75 Rep 2,023 Posts Drives: 2009 SSII E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Good take. I agree with most of what you said, I've had my charge pipe for about 1K miles, and so far so good. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 \| Silverstone II \| Black Novillo \| HRE P40's \| Akrapovic Exhaust \| Eibach Pro Kit \| Jet Black Kidney Grilles \| SSII Side Reflectors \| SSII Side Gills \| LUX H8 Angel Eyes \| Macht Schnell Filter \| Tecnocraft Envy Charge Pipe "M3 drivers have no friends." - Jeremy Clarkson
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03-10-2010, 10:40 PM	#8
major_kusanagi SWARM & COIN 17 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 09 AW/FR/CF E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (3)	I have no dyno numbers to back it up, but the improved throttle response is quite noticeable.
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03-10-2010, 11:28 PM	#9
SpencerM3 Sauce 75 Rep 2,023 Posts Drives: 2009 SSII E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Just checked my hood, and it doesn't look like my plaque rubs. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 \| Silverstone II \| Black Novillo \| HRE P40's \| Akrapovic Exhaust \| Eibach Pro Kit \| Jet Black Kidney Grilles \| SSII Side Reflectors \| SSII Side Gills \| LUX H8 Angel Eyes \| Macht Schnell Filter \| Tecnocraft Envy Charge Pipe "M3 drivers have no friends." - Jeremy Clarkson
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03-12-2010, 12:34 AM	#10
novablackm3 Captain 125 Rep 813 Posts Drives: Performante, G05 M50i, RR SVR Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (3)	hmm im going to check mine tomm if it rubs then i'll just put some electrical tape on the underside __________________ Huracán Performante 18- Novitec Springs \| RR SVR 19 \| G05 X5 M50i \| E70 11 X5M retired \| Jerez Black E92 10 m3 RE SSK \| AFE Filter \| Fabspeed XFC / Xpipe \| AA ECU 1.5v \| BMW PSW \| Envy Charger \| Megan Exhaust
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03-12-2010, 10:29 AM	#11
xchosun1x Track Duty 266 Rep 2,467 Posts Drives: Track build 08 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (14)	for addition review... yes, mine does SLIGHTLY rub as well. However, the sound is great. I definitely do hear much more suction and throatier tone. It might just be in my head, but I really did feel power and throttle response gains. My next plan is going to try out the LTBMW intake mated with this charge pipe...i hope
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03-12-2010, 04:11 PM	#13
Bluesummer Lieutenant General 588 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: slower than Ayrton Senna Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (15) Garage List 2017 BMW X5M [0.00] 2015 M4 [0.00] 2011 E82 135 [0.00] 2011 M3 [0.00] 2007 335 [0.00]	now the question is, having known the issues, is technocraft ever gonna release a v2? __________________ IG:d.violet.m3
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03-12-2010, 06:42 PM	#14
major_kusanagi SWARM & COIN 17 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 09 AW/FR/CF E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (3)	I hope they do although I think it's highly unlikely. The charge pipe is still a GREAT performance mod IMO. All they they have to do is move or remove the damn plaque and add a small flex section. Will that be a good business decision? Unlikely given the extent of concerns people have expressed so far, which will dampen demand for a V2. And it already is a niche market.
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