Better tune - ESS or Turner Motorsports?

[mrvedit]

I'm looking to get a tune for my E92 M3 to support removing the cats and installing the Macht Snell intake system.

Reading about the EAS project in superstreetonline.com, they added 50rwhp and 23 ft-lbs with a combination of an underdrive pulley, Macht Snell intake, cat-delete, fancy exhaust and an ESS tune.

In contrast, Turner Motorsports "E9X M3 Turner Test Pipes And Software Bundle"
claims 48HP and 32 ft-lbs with just the cat-delete pipes and their tune.

So, is the Turner tune that much better or is it only their advertising claims that are better?

[pbonsalb]

Just their advertising. Are their results using the same kind of dyno? Same correction?

[SYT_Shadow]

Well lets see, ESS has thousands of supercharged BMWs running around on stock ECUs, the record for a NA S65 build...

[mrvedit]

Thanks.

Granted the EAS project was measuring wheel power and not flywheel power, but in a manual trans car, that is typically only a 10% difference.

And Tuner says "Max HP gain = 48HP". I suspect that requires increasing the max RPM to 8600, but considering the rod bolt concerns, I don't want to increase the redline.
I'm more interested in torque increases and the max torque is below redline even on this engine.

So, are you saying the ESS is the better tuning company? Since that is their specialty, it wouldn't surprise me.
From what I understand, the ESS supplied software also allows some diagnosis and scanning while the Turner supplied software is more basic.

[opihi5]

They all add the same software...so same hp.

The real question should be evolve or gintani.

[Evolve Automotive]

Originally Posted by opihi5

They all add the same software...so same hp.

The real question should be evolve or gintani.

and we have a deal going on as well

[oolas3]

Have you looked into a BPM tune?

[opihi5]

Originally Posted by Evolve-US

and we have a deal going on as well

How does your guys burble tune compare to gintanis in terms of adjustability, I know theirs is absolutely insane.

When I get my cat less x pipe I'm definitely going to ask for a file u guys haha.

[Evolve Automotive]

Originally Posted by opihi5

How does your guys burble tune compare to gintanis in terms of adjustability, I know theirs is absolutely insane.

When I get my cat less x pipe I'm definitely going to ask for a file u guys haha.

we can do whatever you need

[BrewRifle]

Give BPM a look as well if you haven't. They are regarded as one of the best if not THE best.

[opihi5]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

Give BPM a look as well if you haven't. They are regarded as one of the best if not THE best.

Bpm has great customer service...but I only rep for evolve because my customer service was great. They are all really the same just price and customer service.

[squartus]

Custom tune from say TTFS is where you will gain the most as its specific to your car/engine, is more of a hassle though.

[Bucki14]

Pick who your favorite is, the results will be somewhat similar from a hp gain. There really isn't much left on the table from a na build 400whp max with the avg. in the 380-390.

[mrvedit]

Thank you everyone; I reviewed the BPM site and it also looks good. It is $100 more than ESS though. I noticed that ESS does not mention the "Launch control" for manual transmission which might be fun a few times.

My next step will be to find out how much each company charges for a "retune" as I might want to start with just the Macht Snell intake and later add their cat-less X pipe. Certainly don't want to pay full price for each re-tune. Don't want to spend too much this year as the M3 will soon go into semi-storage to keep it out of snow. And my C6 will need another $10K in upgrades for the track.

Keep the conversation going as I learn more with each post.

[Tellmee]

I got ESS tune and its nice. But I envy the gintani's pop once in a while.

[loveskiing]

Another vote for ESS tune...and don't forget to consider their X-pipe w/HFC

[R_lara]

Go With BPM, better service my car ran 12.6@112 with just Tune and ACM Down Test pipes.

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by R_lara

Go With BPM, better service my car ran 12.6@112 with just Tune and ACM Down Test pipes.

My car ran a 12.79 stock at PIR starting in second gear.

[Toxic 335]

Originally Posted by squartus

Custom tune from say TTFS is where you will gain the most as its specific to your car/engine, is more of a hassle though.

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

[R_lara]

Originally Posted by L4ces

My car ran a 12.79 stock at PIR starting in second gear.

Wow, that's fast for a stock M3 and a 2nd gear launch hmm. Do feel u get a better 60ft with 2nd gear?

[JsL]

Originally Posted by mrvedit

Thank you everyone; I reviewed the BPM site and it also looks good. It is $100 more than ESS though. I noticed that ESS does not mention the "Launch control" for manual transmission which might be fun a few times.

My next step will be to find out how much each company charges for a "retune" as I might want to start with just the Macht Snell intake and later add their cat-less X pipe. Certainly don't want to pay full price for each re-tune. Don't want to spend too much this year as the M3 will soon go into semi-storage to keep it out of snow. And my C6 will need another $10K in upgrades for the track.

Keep the conversation going as I learn more with each post.

No point getting a tune if you are going to keep the primary cats. I suggest test pipes and a tune. Deleting the primary cats is where the power is. A tune will smooth it out and supress the CEL.

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by R_lara

Wow, that's fast for a stock M3 and a 2nd gear launch hmm. Do feel u get a better 60ft with 2nd gear?

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.