ESS & VF Superchargers

[///S55]

Hey guys, new to the S54 engine, I've heard and read that these engines respond very well to supercharging because of the cast iron block capable of handling more power.

However, in real world situations how reliable are these kits, any feedback from current supercharged owners would be greatly appreciated.

I am looking to do something probably in a year or so after I get bored of the stock power.

[Beedub]

you gotta do a search buddy this subject has been talked about so much you will find EVERYthing you need....

[tikamak]

Originally Posted by ///S54

Hey guys, new to the S54 engine, I've heard and read that these engines respond very well to supercharging because of the cast iron block capable of handling more power.

However, in real world situations how reliable are these kits, any feedback from current supercharged owners would be greatly appreciated.

I am looking to do something probably in a year or so after I get bored of the stock power.

I have an ESS kit and it's very reliable, almost as reliable as stock.

[seank]

Originally Posted by tikamak

I have an ESS kit and it's very reliable, almost as reliable as stock.

As reliable as stock for daily driving. Needs a little more if you are tracking regularly, although George pretty much has the additional parts list for flogging.

[nesrevival]

I'm selling my ess VT2-525 kit, let me know if you need it

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by seank

As reliable as stock for daily driving. Needs a little more if you are tracking regularly, although George pretty much has the additional parts list for flogging.

yeah I've had to do quite a bit to make it sustained track friendly but its VERY relaible... All these kits will need additional work to make them totally track viable. Imo ESS is the best all round kit by a decent margin. Although id like to go for the g-power to Few people have it and have actually driven it HARD on track to see how it holds up.

[///S55]

Originally Posted by tikamak

I have an ESS kit and it's very reliable, almost as reliable as stock.

I am just looking for something that I can daily drive with more power.
I don't track my cars, is there a difference between ESS or VF kits?

[///S55]

Originally Posted by nesrevival

I'm selling my ess VT2-525 kit, let me know if you need it

I saw your for sale ad, is it just the stock kit or you have other ad ons?

[tikamak]

Originally Posted by ///S54

I am just looking for something that I can daily drive with more power.
I don't track my cars, is there a difference between ESS or VF kits?

ESS kits have much much better support and a dramatically bigger customer base than VF

VF kits are having tuning issues with VF-engineering and most of them go for other tuners.

ESS kits are almost 100% bolt-on and go.

[///S55]

Originally Posted by tikamak

ESS kits have much much better support and a dramatically bigger customer base than VF

VF kits are having tuning issues with VF-engineering and most of them go for other tuners.

ESS kits are almost 100% bolt-on and go.

Hmm, thanks for the input. Used kits are going around $5-6,000 as opposed to almost 9-10,000. Are used kits a good buy? Or would you recommend getting a new one.

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by ///S54

Hmm, thanks for the input. Used kits are going around $5-6,000 as opposed to almost 9-10,000. Are used kits a good buy? Or would you recommend getting a new one.

I believe a blower rebuild will run 1500-2000
More often than not you will need to buy odd parts that the seller did not include with the kit......so IMO a used kit although attractively priced is not always the most economical

[nesrevival]

Originally Posted by ///S54

I saw your for sale ad, is it just the stock kit or you have other ad ons?

It's stock kit. I didn't add anything on it

[GomboRombo]

Originally Posted by tikamak

ESS kits are almost 100% bolt-on and go.

So what had to be done that is not bolt on and go? Did you install the kit yourself? Did it come with good documentation for the install?
I would appreciate any opinions anyone has on the installation. I have installed turbo kits on other vehicles before and the only scary part I ever had to do was drill and tap the oil pan for the oil return.

[pokeybritches]

It's usually small bits of hardware. I made a few trips for hoses that weren't cut the right length on my VF kit. Other times your old OEM pieces won't survive being taken apart and put back together.

[GomboRombo]

So ESS and VF Veterans, how many miles have you put on your S54 with the supercharger in operation?

[tikamak]

Originally Posted by GomboRombo

So what had to be done that is not bolt on and go? Did you install the kit yourself? Did it come with good documentation for the install?
I would appreciate any opinions anyone has on the installation. I have installed turbo kits on other vehicles before and the only scary part I ever had to do was drill and tap the oil pan for the oil return.

Sometimes they send wrong parts and you find out the wrong way in mid installation, sometimes you need to drill out some areas in your engine bay for a better fit.

Fairly easy things and the installation is not very hard, a little hard when doing the intercooler pipes on the ESS kit because of the crammed up space.

[seank]

Originally Posted by GomboRombo

So ESS and VF Veterans, how many miles have you put on your S54 with the supercharger in operation?

15k so far for me. Some have over 60k. If you search other forums with the e46, some have over 100k.

[JFB06M]

5K on my V2-500 kit which was somewhat of a beta kit between the 425 and the 525 kits.
No issues.
Getting new intake from ESS installed this week.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by tikamak

Sometimes they send wrong parts and you find out the wrong way in mid installation, sometimes you need to drill out some areas in your engine bay for a better fit.

Fairly easy things and the installation is not very hard, a little hard when doing the intercooler pipes on the ESS kit because of the crammed up space.

maybe on LDH drive cars?? my car didn't have any mods to the car / engine bay what so ever, its all bolted to existing holes or locations, the only thing i can think the needs modding was the MAF conversion to IAT sensor.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by JFB06M

5K on my V2-500 kit which was somewhat of a beta kit between the 425 and the 525 kits.
No issues.
Getting new intake from ESS installed this week.

i think we have the old style Large manifold too which holds more volume and looks nicer imo, it can be bit tricky to fit with a strut brace however..

i see ESS are now supplying them with the new style VT BPV/BOVs too although mine has been reliable as has the hole kit really...

i see their is a company now offering billet wheels for the V3 and all sorts of mods for them to gain tiny additional performance.