Ess Vt2-500 Review

[z3speed4me]

very nice!!!

one of these coupes will be my next purchase I believe.

[krnnerdboy]

I can't believe I missed this review!!

awesome...now give me some vbox numbers

[Beedub]

heres my vt1 at my local sprint track.... be sure to go 480p and full screen!!!

[krnnerdboy]

so have you raced anybody yet? I'm really waiting for the vbox results

120+ trap would mean all the staright line of the z06 w/ BMW ammenities and characteristics. That would be amazing.

[mikem]

I think a Vt1 would trap 112-114ish tops (based on my stock car`s 108).

[fr8tdog]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

so have you raced anybody yet? I'm really waiting for the vbox results

120+ trap would mean all the staright line of the z06 w/ BMW ammenities and characteristics. That would be amazing.

Hey Krnnerboy,

I went on vacation with my family and haven't got the VBOX yet. I will definitely get one soon and post some numbers. The last dyno I did with the new pulley provided by ESS was 440whp and 306 tq with an early pull out at around 7800rpm. The dyno operator said he saw my boost gauge approach 10 psi and didn't like it. The gauge is obviously off a bit I will get a new dyno done with a dyno boost included soon. I suspect it is around 8 or 9 psi. This was done in 93f temps. I have to say the car is a real hammer and with the 60f temps we've had, the car is well over 440whp I seriously don't think 120 trap is a problem based on feel. The car is very, very fast! I have drag radials.... and they really help with the get up and go feel. I will be installing Euro spec headers soon and should get about 460whp in these cool temps. I don't get many race propositions where I live, but I did smoke a rice rocket at the light the other day It was ctually very funny to see his reaction

[krnnerdboy]

Originally Posted by mikem

I think a Vt1 would trap 112-114ish tops (based on my stock car`s 108).

but my 75 shot traps 115 in the mid 12s....


we shall wait for the results

[fr8tdog]

And remember, the AA E46 M3 kit with 420whp advertises 119 trap. The E46is 200lbs heavier than the Z4M. A Z4M with 450-460 whp and drag radials should blow the 120 trap away Of course talk is talk until you walk the walk

[krnnerdboy]

I'm patiently waiting.........

no pressure but your vbox figures are going to determine my purchase or not

what else was needed for vt2? just pulley and intercooler right?

do we need to start a donation for the vbox? put out your paypal address

[Beedub]

the vt2 is pulley, cooler, oil cooler. should be a reasonable price once youve got all the main components.

[krnnerdboy]

Originally Posted by Beedub

the vt2 is pulley, cooler, oil cooler. should be a reasonable price once youve got all the main components.

thanks,
I guess that is what causes the 3k premium, which is still cheap for an extra 50-100 hp

[krnnerdboy]

this thirst for Hp seems unquenchable at the moment, I'm even considering selling and getting an HPF m3.

[ZStig]

and selling the blue z4m to me? =)

[krnnerdboy]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

and selling the blue z4m to me? =)

LOL I thought I was a hoarder! 2 z4m roadsters??!!

[krnnerdboy]

don't forget about us....


no pressure, but I'm seriously waiting for the performance stats before I purchase.

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

LOL I thought I was a hoarder! 2 z4m roadsters??!!

nah, sell the "weak one", and upgrade =)

[Beedub]

fr8tdog, any updated review on this now you have some miles on the car??
reliability?
oil/coolant temps?
transmission issues?
im really hoping ESS get their finger out and do VT-2 upgrade but im starting to think it may never happen.

[Addeg]

I just bought the VT1-445 kit and to honest, im not that impressed at all, pretty much the opposite, not worth the money. Im now looking to purchase the VT2-500 upgrade but it is pretty hard to find any real feedback from customers on it. fr8tdog, is it possible for you to post your youtube video again so i maybe can make up my mind about this kit?

Best regards

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by Addeg

I just bought the VT1-445 kit and to honest, im not that impressed at all, pretty much the opposite, not worth the money. Im now looking to purchase the VT2-500 upgrade but it is pretty hard to find any real feedback from customers on it. fr8tdog, is it possible for you to post your youtube video again so i maybe can make up my mind about this kit?

Best regards

what don't you like about the kit? not enough of a power difference?

[Addeg]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

what don't you like about the kit? not enough of a power difference?

Exactly! There sure is a difference from stock, but not as much as I imagined after all the good reviews the kit were recieving on forums and so on.

You people who have upgraded from the VT1 to VT2, could you please share your thoughts? Was the upgrade worth the money?

[ZStig]

Thats what I was afraid of, I'll probably start with stage 2, and avoid the extra install costs that come with the in-evitable upgrade. I think the car needs a bit over 400rwhp

[Z4MHawk]

I would like to see both sets of dyno results with the same octane and ambient temperature conditions on one side of the argument and then the feel/acceleration on the other, to have a good comparison between the VT-1 AND vt-2.

How many VT-2 kits are on the road out there compared to VT-1?

And, I agree if you have the additional money and are near a ESS certified shop to do the VT-2 version, it makes more since to proceed dirrectly to go...but is the additional expense under the same circumstances that much different? I mean, isn't the only modification of the VT-2 is removing the front end and installing the cooler and duct work? I was surpised that the power gain off the dyno from the VT-1 add was less than I had expected, so if the VT-2 was available I would have added it.

I have the VT-1 and think the difference between and OEM set up and VT-1 is worth the money. The pull in 1st and 2nd is incredible. It will load up in low speed turns on track day because of the power curve...but I can control that by keeping my rpm's up and getting a smoother shifter or shift point. I can now maintain speed with a Z06's on the straightaways where as before I could not. I have had an issue with some boost leakage which has hampered preformance...and I am still trouble shooting this point.

JMO