vt2-500, finally a proper review.........

[iPhoneEngineer]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

soooooooooo glad I'm going straight to #2.

Me too...I'm having no doubts it will be worth all the AAPL I sold to cover it

Unfortunately, there have been nothing but delays from ESS and I've had a hard time getting responses to my emails. Couldn't even get a tracking number for the main package (which I had sent directly to the shop), which arrived today (original estimate from ESS was Friday, later revised to Monday).

Just this evening I found out that at least one part was missing from the box and a new shipment will have to be sent from Norway. Some part was on back-order (as was one that delayed the original shipment), so hopefully it is in by now and the shipment is rushed. I need to take the car to SoCal in a couple weeks, and definitely want to demo it to friends and family!

Finally, even though I have the Direct Flash unit, I'm hearing I may need to ship the ECU (hopefully just to Arizona) for the initial upload of the S/C tune...anyone have experience with the DF unit and the VT kit software?

[ZStig]

I'm having trouble getting tracking numbers on my kit also, even though it was marked shipped last week. I was also told that even if you have the portable flash unit, you still need to ship in the ECU to arizona for the initial tune. Kind of a bummer

[iPhoneEngineer]

Aha, a bummer indeed . Hopefully they can at least update the tune via the DF... So much for being truly bolt-on; certainly wouldn't be able to revert to stock and then reinstall, technically.

ESS "corrected" my understanding of where I should be getting information about the order. Despite dropping $10k for the kit, apparently we're not paying for customer service or order status information from ESS directly, and they expect us to get that information from the ESS Dealer doing the installation. At least Alekshop has been much more responsive than ESS, but information is necessarily delayed compared to what would be possible if ESS hired another part-time person to keep customers informed.

Rant aside, ESS clearly has some of the highest quality aftermarket parts available for the Z4M in any category, so

[ZStig]

hrrrmpffff

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by iPhoneEngineer

Me too...I'm having no doubts it will be worth all the AAPL I sold to cover it

Unfortunately, there have been nothing but delays from ESS and I've had a hard time getting responses to my emails. Couldn't even get a tracking number for the main package (which I had sent directly to the shop), which arrived today (original estimate from ESS was Friday, later revised to Monday).

Just this evening I found out that at least one part was missing from the box and a new shipment will have to be sent from Norway. Some part was on back-order (as was one that delayed the original shipment), so hopefully it is in by now and the shipment is rushed. I need to take the car to SoCal in a couple weeks, and definitely want to demo it to friends and family!

Finally, even though I have the Direct Flash unit, I'm hearing I may need to ship the ECU (hopefully just to Arizona) for the initial upload of the S/C tune...anyone have experience with the DF unit and the VT kit software?

well after ordering 2 seperate kits DIRECT from ess, not through my dealer, i can honestly say i VERY rarely experience Customer service problems, they usually get back to me within one day, i got my trackig numbers within a day of my kits being sent out, but then again i literally harressed them, imo if im spending that much noney i want to know exactly where my kit is....

i did however get delays with parts not being iin but with the z4 kits being one of the least sold s/c its they dont stock all the parts...... it is however worth the wait, all in all ive waited months and months and now its all together and i couldnt be happier.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

I'm having trouble getting tracking numbers on my kit also, even though it was marked shipped last week. I was also told that even if you have the portable flash unit, you still need to ship in the ECU to arizona for the initial tune. Kind of a bummer

the intial flash has to be done by ESS, after that you can use your flash tuner to swap maps ;-) my tuner in the UK did my initial s/C flash :-)
Be sure to ask for the most aggressive Vanos timing settings ;-)

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by iPhoneEngineer

Aha, a bummer indeed . Hopefully they can at least update the tune via the DF... So much for being truly bolt-on; certainly wouldn't be able to revert to stock and then reinstall, technically.

ESS "corrected" my understanding of where I should be getting information about the order. Despite dropping $10k for the kit, apparently we're not paying for customer service or order status information from ESS directly, and they expect us to get that information from the ESS Dealer doing the installation. At least Alekshop has been much more responsive than ESS, but information is necessarily delayed compared to what would be possible if ESS hired another part-time person to keep customers informed.

Rant aside, ESS clearly has some of the highest quality aftermarket parts available for the Z4M in any category, so

that would kinda cheese me off, i can say this is Not reflective of my experience, once you get your kit and drive your car you WILL have to iron out some issues, ess will be their for you no doubt.....

i usually email Hans who is very good @ getting back to me quickly.

byron

[iPhoneEngineer]

Originally Posted by Beedub

Be sure to ask for the most aggressive Vanos timing settings ;-)

Hmm...are you sure this is a good idea and won't increase the likelihood of detonation? If it didn't carry significant risk to the motor, wouldn't they always use an "aggressive" tune? Or does such a tune make the car feel somewhat less smooth/street-friendly in order to gain the best raw performance?

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by iPhoneEngineer

Hmm...are you sure this is a good idea and won't increase the likelihood of detonation? If it didn't carry significant risk to the motor, wouldn't they always use an "aggressive" tune? Or does such a tune make the car feel somewhat less smooth/street-friendly in order to gain the best raw performance?

no different to Daily driveability its simply a change to the point where the vanos activates, for example the vanos is set to come in well before the boost starts to create a nice even flow of power, it feels great and comes with no risk for your motor ;-)EDIT; i believe the vt2 comes with the aggressive vanos timings..... i think the vt1 doesnt... vanos timing will not increase detonation risk afaik.

iphone, i literally cant wait for you to get this kit and show me your videos on the dyno ect ect... youll be very pleased

you need to sort your wideband so you can keep an eye on things, your like me....... paranoid!! lol. my trio of gauges keeps me alot happier.

[Addeg]

Beedub, as you mentioned that VT1 and VT2 boosts differently on the same RPM levels, could you please present some boost pressures throughout the RPM range for each kit?

Would be awesome!

[ZStig]

the majority of my kit arrives tomorrow, the rest is coming from norway and is a question mark. *sigh

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by Addeg

Beedub, as you mentioned that VT1 and VT2 boosts differently on the same RPM levels, could you please present some boost pressures throughout the RPM range for each kit?

Would be awesome!

hi Addeg, leave this one with me, ill see if i can work a chart for RPMs/vs boost... the vt2 makes boost ALOT lower than the vt2, a good chunk of the rev band is "in boost"

[MIKe86]

Beedub, have any graphs? Sorry if you've already posted it in another thread, I just don't remember seeing it. Very curious!

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by MIKe86

Beedub, have any graphs? Sorry if you've already posted it in another thread, I just don't remember seeing it. Very curious!

I will get my tuner to email me them asap n post em up :-)

[Bigmac834]

Very Jealous

[ZStig]

The kit came in, minus a bunch of parts still on backorder from norway. Pleasantly surprised at the "Ess tuning" badge that came with it, the presentation of the documents in the folder + install PDF on a flash card. You're right Byron, the blower itself is HUGE, its like the size of my head hahhaha. The intercooler isn't as intimidating in size, but its pretty thick

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

The kit came in, minus a bunch of parts still on backorder from norway. Pleasantly surprised at the "Ess tuning" badge that came with it, the presentation of the documents in the folder + install PDF on a flash card. You're right Byron, the blower itself is HUGE, its like the size of my head hahhaha. The intercooler isn't as intimidating in size, but its pretty thick

the cooler looks awesome on the car peeking behind that bumper :-)

and the vortech Si trim is freakin HUGEEEEEE!!!!

what pieces were missing???
wait till you hear that blower chuntering away, dont be alarmed if it "rattles on idle slightly" they can make a bearingy type noise on low idle that can be alittle alarming but its fine it will be nice and quiet until you command performance from it then dartttthhh vadddaaarrrr!!!!!!

keep an eye out for leaks under the charger, also i check the supercharger oil every 2 weeks but it never drops, also dont forget to order the s/c oil from Ess, maybe they can send it for free for the hasslte youve had?? this will give you the next 40ks worth of miles in oil changes..... the first oil needs to be drained @ 2500, its a run in oil, after that its every 7.5k...... i shall do my every 2 years inline with the cars service..

i cant wait to see what you get boost wise??? have you at
least got a boost gauge to run outside the car so you can hook it up to test boost?? i did it this way for a while, whilst saving for my gauge pod setup :-)

[ZStig]

I don't know what pieces are missing, but its about 4 or 5 according to my shop. I'm probably in the same situation as Iphone Engineer, or heck, maybe we're fucking up each others orders by ordering at the same time. hahaha

I saw your videos, so I know the chattering at idle which you're talking about. I bet if you add a light weight flywheel, you'll have a whole conversation under your hood.

No boost gauge yet, I'll have it checked at the dyno

[iPhoneEngineer]

Yeah, I have no idea what parts are missing because I chose to ship my kit directly to the shop. I wasn't sure at first if all the parts would easily fit in the rear hatch, though in hindsight I'm sure even the intercooler would. My main kit was delivered on Tuesday and I don't have an update as to the follow-up shipment yet.

Beedub: you're speaking in terms of miles, not km, with those maint. intervals correct? Does the S/C come with the replacement oil to be used after the break-in period? Are there any special procedures to follow during the break-in period of the S/C?

[Beedub]

iphone:

the s/c is pre OVER filled with this super smelly breakin traction oil, it needs to be replaced @ 2500 miles, after that its every 7500 miles....... the s/c oil is NOT included, i ordered a set from ess which comes in a set of 3 oil changes so the next 3 changes basically.....

no special breakin requirements, just drive sensibly in the first 200 miles with a few gently flashes to the redline, not many just a couple so the fueling adjusts to high rev work also.........

Roffle my s/c now after the beating sounds really loud on idle, lol, so you guys dont be alarmed when you run this thing and get home and think holy shit my new charger is going to blow...... lol

[Beedub]

Edit: dont forget the s/c has its own dipstick :-) so oil checks are easy, the drain plug is about as easy as possible to, im guessing complete oil changes will take no longer than 30 mins.....

[ZStig]

should be an entertaining daily driver. hahaha