Better tune - ESS or Turner Motorsports?

[mrvedit]

Yes, deleting the cats would definitely be near the top of my list as that is the most restrictive part of the intake/exhaust system. Fortunately Michigan has no emission testing.

[R_lara]

Originally Posted by L4ces

At that time I had bald tires and couldn't get a good launch from 1st so I tried 2nd gear launch and the time slip read 12.79. I was a newbie at 1/4 miles. I know tracks make a difference. It was at Portland International Raceway.

Apparently, I did very well pulling a 12.79.

That's an awesome 1/4 time for a stock M3 Congrats

[mrvedit]

Since some of you are taking your M3 to the track, you can calculate your HP from the ET and Trap Speed numbers:
http://www.wallaceracing.com/hpcalculatorquarter.php

I'm sure all of you have show higher HP from the Trap Speed than from ET because M3s are not "launch machines" with slicks, soft springs and drag shocks.
Also Trap Speed is very consistent even with bad launches. I recall when my daughter raced my Camaro, in 5 runs here ETs were 11.0-11.9 depending upon traction but here Trap Speeds were all within .25 mph. When I tune at the track (AFR, Advance, Shift points, etc) it is only to get the best Trap Speed.

[R_lara]

Originally Posted by Toxic 335

I also have a Custom tune from TTFS on my ess vt625. I only have great things to say about them.

Is this the same Frank Smith from South Florida Performance. If so he used to come to DR alot to tune Moded mustangs and Chevys. Great Guy.

[ASBSECU E93]

Customer service is one of the top criteria for where I shop, and if I'd give that company my repeat business.

As such - I'd go with BPM or Frank Smith.

[330iToy]

Originally Posted by Evolve-US

and we have a deal going on as well

Can I ask what kind of deal you have?

[mrvedit]

To update this old Nov 2016 thread, I dropped the E92 upgrade project as Michigan winter hit, and bought a C6 Corvette to convert into my main track car.
Then in spring, I bought a new 2017 F80 M3 DCT which definitely has the power I was looking for. Since then my wife made the F80 "her" car and has also taken up road course racing.
I still have the E92 (manual) and enjoy driving it as a DD and a few BMW-preferred HPDE and am back to upgrading it. Having decided not to go SC (at least for now), my shopping list for next week is:

Roque Engineering test pipes with resonators (straight test pipes seem too loud)
BPW Stage II tune
Macht Snell intake
ESS Tuning underdrive pulley

However, I am certainly open to suggestions.

I see the ESS Tuning "X-Pipe" for $1700 and their complete catless exhaust for $3500, but am not convinced they are worth the price. Seems that eliminating the front cats and a tune provide most of the improvement that is possible.
(Plus I rather spend the money on a BPM tune for the F80)

Thanks. Looking forward to your comments.

[nycplumber]

If it was my money I'd buy a used exhaust from someone on the forum and get the ess tune. They're great to deal with and have a great product as well.

[mrvedit]

From the earlier posts, BPW seemed to be the preferred tuning provider. I realize it is probably very similar to the ESS tune. Perhaps one will give me a discounted price for both an E92 and an F80 tune.
I am too impatient to wait for something "used" to show up; want to wrap this up within 2 weeks. After that further upgrading one of my other cars.

Still hoping for input on whether the ESS X-pipe system is worth the price. Going to try to disassemble the stock exhaust ASAP. If it won't come apart, I may spring for the entire ESS exhaust system which I would order without cats and with 4 resonators.

[BPMSport]

Who is BPW?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by mrvedit

Still hoping for input on whether the ESS X-pipe system is worth the price. Going to try to disassemble the stock exhaust ASAP. If it won't come apart, I may spring for the entire ESS exhaust system which I would order without cats and with 4 resonators.

The ESS Xpipe has HFC and resonators. I have it and a few others do as well. It's a nice part.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'worth the price'. Are you finding HFC xpipes for much less than 1900?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by ASBSECU E93

Customer service is one of the top criteria for where I shop, and if I'd give that company my repeat business.
.

Actually, reliability is my number one thing

You'd go to a restaurant with a C food safety index just because they serve food really quick? Good luck

[dmk08]

I've had BPM, Evolve, ESS, and Now Alex @ Alpine tune on my latest E92. If no plans to SC I would get Alex tune. Best bang for the buck and all the NA tunes perform around the same.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Actually, reliability is my number one thing

You'd go to a restaurant with a C food safety index just because they serve food really quick? Good luck

It's all good as long as you don't peak in the kitchen to see all the cockroaches running around, right? Enjoy your reheated TV dinners in 3 minutes or less, gentlemen. Ignorance is bliss.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

It's all good as long as you don't peak in the kitchen to see all the cockroaches running around, right? Enjoy your reheated TV dinners in 3 minutes or less, gentlemen. Ignorance is bliss.

Or the restaurant just uses Sous Vide and/or newer cooking styles to be more efficient while still producing amazing food.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Or the restaurant just uses Sous Vide and/or newer cooking styles to be more efficient while still producing amazing food.

Nope, you missed the analogy. Sous Vide still involves actually cooking food from raw ingredients and coming up with a novel dish.

[mrvedit]

I am now inclined toward the ESS tune, but will research the Alex tune. I considered the full ESS Exhaust system, but it currently can only be added to my "Wish List" and not to the cart; this makes me suspect it is currently out-of-stock in the US.
So now I'm looking to order tomorrow:
Roque Engineering test pipes with resonators (straight test pipes seem too loud)
ESS tune
Macht Snell intake
ESS Tuning underdrive pulley

Thanks for the feedback.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by mrvedit

I am now inclined toward the ESS tune, but will research the Alex tune. I considered the full ESS Exhaust system, but it currently can only be added to my "Wish List" and not to the cart; this makes me suspect it is currently out-of-stock in the US.
So now I'm looking to order tomorrow:
Roque Engineering test pipes with resonators (straight test pipes seem too loud)
ESS tune
Macht Snell intake
ESS Tuning underdrive pulley

Thanks for the feedback.

The resonated test pipes won't be any quieter than standard ones. Theoretically they would reduce rasp by a bit, but in reality the difference is minimal based on first person impressions.

[mrvedit]

I ordered the "Roque Engineering test pipes with resonators" and the tune from Alex.
The email I got from Alex was very personal and the (form) email I got from ESS was extremely impersonal with a subtone of "don't bother us" and didn't even answer my question of whether their exhaust systems were in stock. Hence I will even look for the underdrive pulley from someone else.

[ASBSECU E93]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Actually, reliability is my number one thing

You'd go to a restaurant with a C food safety index just because they serve food really quick? Good luck

I said 'one' of the top criteria.

Not the only criteria.

[SVH]

Originally Posted by mrvedit

I ordered the "Roque Engineering test pipes with resonators" and the tune from Alex.
The email I got from Alex was very personal and the (form) email I got from ESS was extremely impersonal with a subtone of "don't bother us" and didn't even answer my question of whether their exhaust systems were in stock. Hence I will even look for the underdrive pulley from someone else.

Sounds about right. I wouldn't get a ESS tune other than their stock SC tune w/ their SC (which is fine). But their attitude has turned for the worse over the years. Roman (sp?) was a good guy but since he left......

[mrvedit]

I received the Rogue Engineering test pipes with resonators. While a bit pricey the quality is excellent. Having a hoist, having already loosened the O2 sensors, I think I can cut off the Cats with a sawzall without dropping the entire exhaust. No bid deal if I do have to drop it.
I already ordered Alex's tune for both my E92 and F80 and have received Alex's special cable. So hopefully I can report on both cars within a few days.