VT2-500 install/build/impressions thread

[ZStig]

So while my car was apart, I cleaned my air filter and noticed that a plastic piece of the coolant expansion tank (I think), was cutting into it. I used silicone to repair the air filter, was no point in buying a new one, and used a metal file to remove the sharp plastic piece that was cutting into it. I recommend all supercharged guys do this

[ZStig]

Also, I was going to reinforce my new oil filter housing, until my suspicions were confirmed that the 2006 year oil filter housing only has half the support of the new one released by BMW. I feel like I'm the first person who discovered it. The old one allowed vibrations to shake and weaken the area where the longest bolt is screwed in.

The new ones' bolt holes are actually CONNECTED to the rest of the housing, thereby transferring most of the load and vibration. Its like this on all 3 of the holes. Look closely. Blew my mind

[tikamak]

AJ is working on a new intake system for us Z4M ESS supercharged guys. ETA is 2-3- weeks.

This intake design is utterly shit, and he will improve it to be more reliable and get more power.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by tikamak

AJ is working on a new intake system for us Z4M ESS supercharged guys. ETA is 2-3- weeks.

This intake design is utterly shit, and he will improve it to be more reliable and get more power.

interesting???? wonder how many thousands it will cost us for the upgrade

Tom nice piece of info their, i made an alloy bracket that i can use a specific large zip tie around the filter to hold it up and keep it away from that piece you high lighted and also support the filter which is basically loose in their, i agree with jad here, terrible design and completely not thought out at all. When i see the new AA rotrex kits, the upcoming Evolve kit, i think ess need to release to some updates, the kits solid, it just needs work in certain areas.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by ZStig

Also, I was going to reinforce my new oil filter housing, until my suspicions were confirmed that the 2006 year oil filter housing only has half the support of the new one released by BMW. I feel like I'm the first person who discovered it. The old one allowed vibrations to shake and weaken the area where the longest bolt is screwed in.

The new ones' bolt holes are actually CONNECTED to the rest of the housing, thereby transferring most of the load and vibration. Its like this on all 3 of the holes. Look closely. Blew my mind

really interesting info.... if my 2006 car suffers the same fate ill upgrade to this piece!!

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by tikamak

AJ is working on a new intake system for us Z4M ESS supercharged guys. ETA is 2-3- weeks.

This intake design is utterly shit, and he will improve it to be more reliable and get more power.

cool!

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by Beedub

really interesting info.... if my 2006 car suffers the same fate ill upgrade to this piece!!

The problem is when it goes it goes. $80 hydraulic tensioner, can easily crash into $40 water pump pulley, $35 belt, $360 new oil filter housing.

You may not run into this issue since you don't drive your car every day like me, but keep an eye on the torque of the top bolt on the hydraulic tensioner. It will start to loosen up, causing the pulley to sit at an angle, then it will crack off and destroy everything in its path

[Tiago]

Originally Posted by ZStig

2.87"

A new thread would be easier to follow. An old thread with 30k views is also tempting to build further. Maybe just a thread title change

Here's my chart. I don't think my RMS numbers are right

I thought that ESS VT2-500 kit had 5.31" crank and 3.27" sc...

I don't sure about crank pulley but i measured the sc pulley when did the 500->550 upgrade and went from 83mm to 80mm (3.27" to 3.15").

With 5.31" and 3.15", i see 10psi close to redline (8250rpm).

2.87" seems pretty small and i fear that can cause some belt slippage unless you upgrade to 8rib pulleys system like Evolve is doing.

I'm curious to see your results...

[ZStig]

my 2.87" is coated for non-slip (check out the pictures), but can't confirm how well that works until I have the fuel system to support redline. I'm getting a pretty steady 5psi at 5000rpm, hope it builds to over 8psi at 8000rpm!

Don't know about your crank sizes, but beedub and I have 500 kit, 5.11 crank. Ess providing 5.31 crank for 550 kits.

My calculations are at 8000rpm redline, not 8250, which is why you're seeing 10. You should be seeing 9-9.5 at 8000 like my chart. High flow exhaust decreases boost pressure readings

I'm very anxious to get my fuel and tuning done. The car feels so much more alive, and the boost so much more noticeable (almost turbo like) even with partial throttle runs to 6000rpm

[Tiago]

For the 550 upgrade, iirc only changed sc pulley, belt, intercooler, injectors, fpr and sw. It kept the 500 crank pulley. Maybe Z4M have different crank-sc combo for the same boost due to space issues.

I think you are seeing the same boost as mine around 1000rpm earlier. And you notice more the boost due to sooner torque.

Can you say how much boost would a 5.31 and 2.87 make at 8000rpm?

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by Tiago

For the 550 upgrade, iirc only changed sc pulley, belt, intercooler, injectors, fpr and sw. It kept the 500 crank pulley. Maybe Z4M have different crank-sc combo for the same boost due to space issues.

I think you are seeing the same boost as mine around 1000rpm earlier. And you notice more the boost due to sooner torque.

Can you say how much boost would a 5.31 and 2.87 make at 8000rpm?

5.31 with 2.87 might make the supercharger spin above its max limit, I'd have to calculate...

I'd love to know what PSI you're seeing at 5000rpm

[ZStig]

Strange. Got a Check Engine Light today, these are the codes:

P1644 - "Traction control delivered torque output circuit"
P1633 - "ignition supplement power circuit low voltage"

checked my fuses, no power going to fuse #32 that is referencing the engine in my reference. Is anyone else not getting power to fuse 32?

[nekky]

Originally Posted by ZStig

Strange. Got a Check Engine Light today, these are the codes:

P1644 - "Traction control delivered torque output circuit"
P1633 - "ignition supplement power circuit low voltage"

checked my fuses, no power going to fuse #32 that is referencing the engine in my reference. Is anyone else not getting power to fuse 32?

How would I check? I can look tonight I think.

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by nekky

How would I check? I can look tonight I think.

I used an electrical tester, the fuse box is behind the glove box. The glove box drops down when you press on the 2 tabs inside it near the top

[Beedub]

What's the tq spec for the tensioner bolts??? Are they easily accessible ? Will have a go at these over the coming weeks.

[Jumbosock]

Wow that is one DIRTY air cleaner. How long has it been since you last cleaned it?

[drbvac]

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[seank]

Originally Posted by Jumbosock

Wow that is one DIRTY air cleaner. How long has it been since you last cleaned it?

They don't get cleaned often when you have to pull the bumper to clean it.

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by Beedub

What's the tq spec for the tensioner bolts??? Are they easily accessible ? Will have a go at these over the coming weeks.

don't have the specs, I just hand tighten them. I've taken my front end apart fairly often so I'd say they're easily accessible. Removing the fan give you more room. You can access the top one without removing the pulley on it. I posted instructions in the DIY subforum

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by Jumbosock

Wow that is one DIRTY air cleaner. How long has it been since you last cleaned it?

first time cleaned since installed the supercharger. Kinda ashamed of that, didn't realize it was so dirty. More power now probably..

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by seank

They don't get cleaned often when you have to pull the bumper to clean it.

and then they're a bitch to remove and put back on too. No excuse though, I've had my bumper off a dozen times. I think I'll start cleaning my filter at least once a year

[Tiago]

Originally Posted by ZStig

5.31 with 2.87 might make the supercharger spin above its max limit, I'd have to calculate...

I'd love to know what PSI you're seeing at 5000rpm

At 6th and dead 5000rpm is when appears steady 3psi on digital AEM boost gauge. At 6000rpm is bouncing between 4 and 5 psi. So my thoughts was correct, you are seeing the same boost 1000rpm earlier than my car. Get ready so see +11psi at 8000rpm...

Can you explain how a free exhaust system will give different boost readings? IMHO, our boost signal is from vaccum that is related with intake system.

I'm thinking to buy radium fuel pump kit for my M3. The option that seems more close to oem is the walbro 255lph, same pump that HPF used in their kits. But some complain that it is a bit louder than stock. Radium said that the walbro 400 Gas is a lot quieter, better built, powerfull enough to feed +1000hp and still cheaper than oem. My question is, will a higher flow pump need a sw retune or will the FPR set to the same fuel flow than stock pump provide to the engine.