So sounds like this might be a place to clear up some myths and FUDs i'm hearing about ESS, so here it goes...

I need to order a supercharger unit by latest, this coming Monday, just my situation i'm at right now.

So here's where i stand, my options, and they are it (unfortunately for 2003 E39 530i automatic),

a) ESS 7 psi TX-1, Vortech or ASA supercharger unit, direct programming kit and performance automatic transmission software upgrade (very much like what Dinan offers). Looks like ESS doesn't have intercooler option for my car, so this kit would be it.

b) VF Engineering's 6 psi stage 1, uses Vortech and GIAC software. Their stage 2 (brings up to 8 to 9 psi) is air-to-water integrated chargecooler manifold and at the moment claims ~30 to 40 HP gain at the wheel and ~25% toque gain (also at the wheel).

2 very good companies. And i would be happy with any one of this kit's performance gain, although i do like ESS's claimed gain little better. But after VF comes out with their stage 2 then well, they may have upper hand.

Except i'm hearing pretty "consistent" complaints/FUDs from shops and individuals that have had ESS supercharger kit installed. And they are,

a) Illustrated installation instruction is terrible for average, non-mechnical person. Maybe this is better now with lots of pictures and illustrations. And this my33i.com's DIY does help too. Reason i'm getting really worried about poor instruction is that i'm trying to really do this myself to save some $$$. If not a shop called RevTech that does purely Honda cars. But ESS (like VF) being a "bolt-on" ready-to-run kit, i would think that any performance mod shop can do this installation. So having a really good instruction would be a bonus.

b) Although ESS claims they tune their software with stock setup, most people end up going back and forth several times with ESS at Norway (i think with Hans is the person that do all the software tunning???) to get the tunning done right and looks like eventually ESS gets it right. Most cases people dyno and realize after ESS install their car is running TOO rich (whatever that means). Even the local performance shop had this exact experience when they installed ESS several months ago, just going back and forth several times to get the tunning right. So i'm thinking maybe ESS software just isn't a plug-n-play with stock setup and that couple iteration is just the norm and i just need to accept it. I don't know what to say about this, i.e. whether i will also run into this problem. But i'm thinking with local US office and if i were to purchase the direct programming kit, maybe i can lessen the pain and grief of not having to go back and forth with sending the ECU unit to Norway for reprogramming.

c) ESS service and support was horrible. Maybe that will change with opening of office in USA.

Anyone can help to clear up above points? I personally like to go with ESS but then again, above points are just eery experiences and really TOO consistent with folks that have done work on ESS kit... sigh...

You could also say things about VF that are,

a) VF doesn't have track record with BMW, and tunning BMW. But sounds like GIAC has great track record with tunning BMW's. Or something like that.

b) VF's stage 2 sounds dangerous and actually loose than gain. I don't know what to say here.

Then comes not ESS specific, but ASA versus Vortech. Just another head spinner... What comes down to this battle is following points,

a) Vortech is US based so support will be better, eg. if need to be rebuilt.
b) ASA is quieter (supposedly), but i understand that all supercharger unit will start out loud for first 1000 miles or so.
c) ASA is technically a better unit, with cluth and better torque response at the low RPM, and ASA is more $$$.
d) Vortech appears to have real issue with blower running at IDLE and if driving in metropolitan cities with traffic issues, then stop and go driving with blower always running can be real hard on the engine with heat related issues.

So sounds like what i need is a kit with ASA supercharger unit with GIAC software... sigh...

So much choices... so little time...

Thanks much!

I'm biased towards ESS...mainly because I've hung around Todd (my330i.com) & his 330i enough to have me convinced about ESS.

ESS just setup a shop in San Diego (a few friend's of mine are visiting them this weekend)....however I'm not sure if they brought their huge & expensive software tuning machine from Norway. But yeah, their technical support should be better, because before you'd have to call them up in Norway & also take into account the time-difference.

As for ESS's power claims...when Todd went to dyno his 330i, the #'s were spot on & AFR's were right at 12.6 (at most +/- 0.2) for the entire rpm band. To me, the AFR being that consistant and so close to the max AFR wanted for a 9psi setup was more impressive than the dyno hp/tq #'s

anyways, that's my biased opinion :)

It's the ESS software and tunning that i'm MOST concerned with. Sound like it takes few iteration of tuning by ESS, thus not quite drop-in-n-go tunning for stock setup (not everything in my car is stock, i just installed Supersprint cat-back exhaust system), whereas i hear that GIAC is pretty much plug-n-play. I wonder if this is the case with ESS tuning because GIAC is more conservative in their tuning versus ESS's. And also ESS is 7 psi and VF is 6 psi. Make that makes difference.

You might want to call AA on Monday and ask them about the install they did for us on an X5 and what their experience was. They install a lot of superchargers and I think they could give you some insight.

It's the ESS software and tunning that i'm MOST concerned with. Sound like it takes few iteration of tuning by ESS, thus not quite drop-in-n-go tunning for stock setup (not everything in my car is stock, i just installed Supersprint cat-back exhaust system), whereas i hear that GIAC is pretty much plug-n-play. I wonder if this is the case with ESS tuning because GIAC is more conservative in their tuning versus ESS's. And also ESS is 7 psi and VF is 6 psi. Make that makes difference.

One thing to remember is that the Ess power claims are based on Euro tuning for which they use 98 octane as standard. I dont think either VF or ESS have hardware comparisons other than the VF stuff looks real good with their molded plastic ducting and CNC brakcets compared to the ESS- CNC plate bracket and steel tubes. But the key diff. is the software. GIAC tunes all VFs software here in southern california. I dont think one can get better assurance than that.

I have their 95 M3 kit and am very happy with the results. Granted I had them fit it, and they seem to be mega busy, when I went to collect my car there were 3 other E36 M3s all being installed as well as an M5 and 2 E46 M3s. They seem to be very low profile and modest, which pretty interesting.

I also saw a Porsche 997 S completed (450whp on 6psi). I chose VF for my 95, despite their minimal BMW track record, because of all the articles I have read on their 996 supercharger kits, I have a friend who has one and it's sweet. I think the Porsche aftermarket is far more unforgiving and so for a company to exist in such a market, their product must work. I know a ton of people have their 996 kit based on threads on 6speedonline.

some some more perspective for you. I dealt with them directly which was the quickest way to get answers - I am very impatient.

I need to order a supercharger unit by latest, this coming Monday, just my situation i'm at right now.



Not for nothing, but that's a rather silly thing to say...nobody "needs" a supercharger.
Be that as it may, I like the ASA based on the marketing materials and also the few people that have them and speak highly of them. However, I would have great concern ordering from a company 5000 miles away in another country, vs an established company in the US. Having them open a CA location makes a difference, imo.

One thing to remember is that the Ess power claims are based on Euro tuning for which they use 98 octane as standard.


What? It's 98 RON over there, which is equal to 92 or 93 octane.

I dont think so. We have almost 100octane at many stations.

VF ...


This may not apply to the ESS kit for your model, however, FWIW: I have the VF S/C (stage 1) in my E38. The shop that installed my kit stated that they had installed 3 ESS kits and would not install their kit for anyone ever again. The reason they gave is that the ESS software does not work with the US BMW models and as soon as you start the car after installing the kit, the check engine comes on and nothing they did would clear it, and that it just didn't run correctly. The shop will, other than my kit, only installs the Dinan kits.

As you said, the VF software is from GIAC (they used to write Dinan's software) and works without any problems. The kit works well and the car runs great. So far they have been very responsive to any questions over the phone or via email.

Just my 2 cents...

I dont think so. We have almost 100octane at many stations.

that could be true but i am almost positive that the 98 octane over there is equivalent to our 93 octane.

that could be true but i am almost positive that the 98 octane over there is equivalent to our 93 octane.

no, its equivalent to US 95. which does is not available at pumps. yes they also have 100 octane at most euro pumps. i spent many years in mainland europe.

no, its equivalent to US 95. which does is not available at pumps. yes they also have 100 octane at most euro pumps. i spent many years in mainland europe.


No its equivalent to 93 - 94 octane....

http://www.btinternet.com/~madmole/Reference/RONMONPON.html

Just FYI:

ESS tunes everything to 96 Euro now to keep in line with our 91 octane gas here. They also advertise US spec emissions power numbers only. The power they show is the power they make here. The euro cars get a little more than advertised now, bonus for them.

I have never ever had a check engine light, even back with my first Vortech 330i. It did throw a CEL once, but that was because the new owner didn't think vacuum lines needed to be connected after he put the aftercooler on... duh. Install error, not ESS's fault...

Some people actually get out and open their hood and check their engine to see if it is there when the check engine light turns on!

ICS is an ESS Dealer and George and I have been working with Todd and AJ closely on a huge e39 540 project that is a combo of ESS and ICS together. Anyway, yes they are getting their US based address stuff together and we look to do some great things with them. Note, we are over 435 whp on headers and stock exhaust on a ESS based kit.

Brian