ESS supercharger air intake location - problems?

[CamasM3e93]

I just picked up a new-to-me 2011 e90 M3 with the VT-1 ESS 550 supercharger already installed. The car has been owned and driven in the dry desert Southwest and I've relocated it to the Pacific Northwest where it does not rain a lot but it does rain frequently.

The air intake and filter body for this kit - and I imagine all ESS kits - is located in the driver side air-duct on the bottom outer edge of the front bumper with the filter exposed to open air (as opposed to being in the air box or engine compartment).

Has anyone in rainy climates had issue with this while driving in the rain? My primary concern is rain splashing onto the filter and getting sucked into the motor.

Cheers -

[SAMM3Y]

Mine has a hydro shield on it. I haven't noticed any adverse effects on our low boost application systems

[astris]

I'm in Seattle with an ESS G1 kit. Not my dd, but it's been in the occasional rain. No issues (other than traction).

[m3boost]

The air travels very far, you would need to submerge in a flood.

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by m3boost

The air travels very far, you would need to submerge in a flood.

Indeed, that's what the support guy said at ESS, suggesting that if my feet are wet I should turn the engine off.

He pointed out that some supercharger setups utilize water injection for cooling so any trace moisture pulled through the funnel should be without issue. Makes sense to me, don't know unless you ask.

[e92livin]

This design has been an issue with ESS for the longest while, surprised they have not relocated the filter location. I would just get a shield like others have to be on the safe side.

[e90335e36m3]

You'll be fine. I had an E36 with an AA S/C and turbo and the filter was not only lower than where ESS's filter sits in terms of absolute height, but my filter was exposed in the brake duct. Car drove through torrential rain storms for years without issue.

The bigger problem is the fact that the S/C is an ESS and not a Harrop, I think you already know that. I had a ESS-VT625 kit on my M3 after a Harrop and it was a snoozefest.

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by e90335e36m3

The bigger problem is the fact that the S/C is an ESS and not a Harrop, I think you already know that. I had a ESS-VT625 kit on my M3 after a Harrop and it was a snoozefest.

Yeah, no kidding. i have the Harrop on my convertible and it gives it brutal acceleration but I'm not fond of the whine with the top down. Current plan is to remove the ESS from the e90 - sell it - and move the Harrop from the e93 to the e90. I already have 295s on the e90 so I should be good with tire width/traction. I'm going to leave the e93 natural aspiration and either keep it and enjoy it or sell it.

[e90335e36m3]

Originally Posted by CamasM3e93

Yeah, no kidding. i have the Harrop on my convertible and it gives it brutal acceleration but I'm not fond of the whine with the top down. Current plan is to remove the ESS from the e90 - sell it - and move the Harrop from the e93 to the e90. I already have 295s on the e90 so I should be good with tire width/traction. I'm going to leave the e93 natural aspiration and either keep it and enjoy it or sell it.

Oh man I'm not sure what I miss more the torque or the whine. Best combination ever, M V8 and Eaton whine.

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by e90335e36m3

Oh man I'm not sure what I miss more the torque or the whine. Best combination ever, M V8 and Eaton whine.

I get that. I suspect it's a little sharper in the e93 with the top down than having it in an e90 or e92. At freeway speeds and WOT with the top down, the howling whine actually hurts my ears. It's not so bad top up. I do miss the faster throttle response when the engine isn't pushing against the roots blower - and that induction growl - but the acceleration improvements outweigh those concerns. I think all my parts are on their way so I should be on my way to this vision in 1-2 weeks.