Turbo, superchared, NA....???

[costa316]

Ok, I will be up front and say I know jack shit about how and what mods to do to bring our z4m to a new level. I come from a Mini JCW were all it took to gain 50whp was pulley, cams, headers, exhaust,custom dyno tune, and that cost roughly about 2k. I have read all the threads regarding ess superchargers,z4-villasomething going ape shit on NA, to the newest 5k turbocharger. I have already done rpi exhaust, rpi scoop, in which in my opinion has not done jack shit to improve power. What is the next step? And by step I mean RELIABLE step. I dont have time to keep going back to the shop after an install and say "well I have a CEL, or my car is slower than before, or this does not work etc. Money is not the issue for me. Reliability is. I'd rather spend some cash up front knowing my car is faster, reliable, and won't have to take it back to the shop every month. Basically what I want is, Purchase, install, and ready to rock with no headaches. Does anything like that exist for the z4m?? Honest opinions only please gents!
Thanks
Costa

[tikamak]

ESS VT-2 500. ask beedub. he can write pages about this kit and its reliability.

[Finnegan]

^This, only the install needs to be done by ESS themselves or a very experienced shop. The install for the Z4M is tricky, requires a lot of experience and some fabrication skills. It's not a paint-by-numbers exercise. Iphoneengineer discovered this the hard way, and I believe ESS has reeled in the number of shops that are authorized for install. Either way, be aware of this.

It's a great kit--if installed correctly, and tikamak is correct, Beedub and Roffle Waffle love their set-ups.

[ZStig]

I've had ZERO issues with my VT2-500 install, after fixing the initial install quirks (not the kit's fault)

I've had it for about 8k miles now, if not more. Oil temps are actually always below stock because of the bigger oil cooler

[FerRrari]

If you want reliability, keep your car stock and invest in driver's education. The Z4 M is way faster than the JCW as is.

[costa316]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

^This, only the install needs to be done by ESS themselves or a very experienced shop. The install for the Z4M is tricky, requires a lot of experience and some fabrication skills. It's not a paint-by-numbers exercise. Iphoneengineer discovered this the hard way, and I believe ESS has reeled in the number of shops that are authorized for install. Either way, be aware of this.

It's a great kit--if installed correctly, and tikamak is correct, Beedub and Roffle Waffle love their set-ups.

My problem is I'm located in Toronto, so good luck finding an ess approved shop. Roffle, what were your initial quirks?

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by costa316

My problem is I'm located in Toronto, so good luck finding an ess approved shop. Roffle, what were your initial quirks?

A shop that did my headers reversed my o2 sensors, so it took me a while to figure it out. Then I ordered an aftermarket boost piping connector, because the supplied one was a bit short. Later found out that the ESS pipe would have worked if we angled the intake manifold more down. Also my throttle position sensor went bad, but I don't think it was supercharger related.

The install itself is fairly complex.

Anyway, I love the kit. I've had a supercharged 318ti and it was always leaking coolant somewhere or overheating. This kit has been dead reliable, and I don't baby this car. I hit 6psi every day, and its my 16k mile a year daily driver

I see you Toronto/Ontario peeps in florida all the time. Thats a longer drive than some ESS approved shops =)
The install takes about 3-4 days because you're waiting for your computer to ship to and from ESS in Arizona. Honestly, I'd suggest driving down there yourself and having THEM do the install. Or ship the car there. Either way....this kit is worth the money if you plan to keep the car for a while

As you've read, NA builds are very expensive and don't achieve the same broad powerband, and Turbo kits are a LOOOOT more money

[22022]

I installed the ESS supper charger ( VT1-445) my self Last winter It took me 4 or 5 days in my spare time,I put 8000 km around 5000 miles on it in the spring and summer.
Drove the car on the track ,autocross and down to Seattle with no problem's.this winter I'm going to install the intercooler and euro header.I am not a Mechanic,I think if you have some good mechanical skills you can do the install NP.

[beta]

The simplest most reliable power mods that will give you more power are 3.91 (or 4.11) gears and non-catted headers + tune.

Superchargers are more complex. fr8dog, beedub, roffle and a few others on here have had kits with very few issues after installation. iPhoneEngineer had a hard time and I'm not sure he got everything sorted out.

Turbos are the most complex. Besides one-off builds, there aren't any kits on the market yet (several in progress as you saw). So there's no reliability numbers for them. Once finished they should be as reliable as those they have for the e46.

[dubsesd]

there is a ess installer in alberta if you are interested in an install in the country. my friend had his car shipped there and back and the install was kinda hacked to be honest. they had the car for over a month as well. what makes you want the extra power? do you track the car?

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

^This, only the install needs to be done by ESS themselves or a very experienced shop. The install for the Z4M is tricky, requires a lot of experience and some fabrication skills. It's not a paint-by-numbers exercise. Iphoneengineer discovered this the hard way, and I believe ESS has reeled in the number of shops that are authorized for install. Either way, be aware of this.

It's a great kit--if installed correctly, and tikamak is correct, Beedub and Roffle Waffle love their set-ups.

pretty much nailed it..... the install on vt2 is not easy by any stretch of the imagination.... lots to cram into the engine bay, lots to get perfectly aligned.... if the install is slightly off, your kit will never be right.... ess them-selves deliberatly dont list vt2 for the z4m as they want to select WHO will install it for them.... and their isnt many.

get it right however and you'll have a machine that makes you smile just idling away on your driveway!!

[ZStig]

+ it sounds like a jet when you drive by =))))))

[Beedub]

^^^^^^^

it does, lol!! it sounds sick a low speed and idle.... a proper whoooooooosssssssshhhhhhhh