ESS TS2 DIY complete...

[thetinpusher]

I just completed the DIY install of an ESS TS2 on my 2002 530I. Performance is phenomenal and the end result looks stock. :redspot

[FredK]

Congrats! How long did it take to bolt all the stuff on?

[thetinpusher]

I took my time and spread it over a week. I was doing other work too so it took a little longer than the straight install would. I replaced the water pump, thermostat, radiator, and installed M-Technic bumpers fore and aft.:D

[5mall5nail5]

Wow that looks really nice! 2002 530... thats crazy. They are tuning those things with TS... that's sick.

[timmytimm3]

It looks really clean! Any pics of the car with the new bumpers??

[thetinpusher]

Here you go..:D

[///M3Augy]

Wow that is sweet. Take some vids!

[thetinpusher]

Next on my to do list. I just finished the Sachs PCS clutch install and CDV delete. Now to finish off these rear tires before a refit:redspot

[5mall5nail5]

Next on my to do list. I just finished the Sachs PCS clutch install and CDV delete. Now to finish off these rear tires before a refit:redspot

are you a pilot or atc?

[thetinpusher]

My career is as an ATC, but I am a pilot as well....I guess you can tell from the moniker...huh?

[agu845]

what kind of power does it make?

Looks awesome!

[thetinpusher]

what kind of power does it make?

Looks awesome!

I havent dynoed it yet, but it is the M54 engine and is rated for 350 to the crank and 300-305 rwhp. The Sachs organic clutch really works well. The clutch has about twice the pedal pressure as stock, but engages the same, very smooth, no jerkiness or clattering. I tromped on it tonight after a normal engage in 1st, was doing about 5-10mph and lit off the tires....revs built to 7,000 before I could get into 2nd....what a blast :redspot

[///M3///M5]

what kind of power does it make?

Looks awesome!

Don't worry Art. You are the man of the TS land right now. :buttrock

May have some more company late December though. :D

[54ODell]

Very nice. Saw that kit available about a month ago. Nice to see an install. Be sure to follow-up w/ a dyno post please. Have you cross posted? The e39 guys really need to see this setup. The e39 platform is just awesome imo. Nice to see some additional significant mods coming along. My 540 just received a Snow WI kit today. It's the first step in achieving the goals that VF cannot.

[SiGmA]

That looks really nice.

[pbonsalb]

Very nice. Saw that kit available about a month ago. Nice to see an install. Be sure to follow-up w/ a dyno post please. Have you cross posted? The e39 guys really need to see this setup. The e39 platform is just awesome imo. Nice to see some additional significant mods coming along. My 540 just received a Snow WI kit today. It's the first step in achieving the goals that VF cannot.

There is a lot of opposition to supercharger kits in the E39 Forum, much by the Forum genius who likes to educate people -- The kits weigh well over 100 lbs, you must convert to a heavy duty six speed from an M5 or E46 M3, you must convert to the heavier duty differential from an M5 or E46 M3, the tuning is just a band aid that causes fuel and timing issues, it takes $20,000 worth of specialized equipment to install a kit, and the motor will go BOOM if you take the car to a track.

Read the "Supercharger reliability" thread

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=879021

or the "540i not the sport model versus 530i sport" thread

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=882529

[FredK]

Wow. $20,000, is that what the Snap-On v-belt tensiometer cost these days!? jk

[thetinpusher]

Yes, I have cross posted to the E39 main forum. Got a lot of interest there. I will break in the clutch and go have it dynoed and post the results.

[thetinpusher]

There is a lot of opposition to supercharger kits in the E39 Forum, much by the Forum genius who likes to educate people -- The kits weigh well over 100 lbs, you must convert to a heavy duty six speed from an M5 or E46 M3, you must convert to the heavier duty differential from an M5 or E46 M3, the tuning is just a band aid that causes fuel and timing issues, it takes $20,000 worth of specialized equipment to install a kit, and the motor will go BOOM if you take the car to a track.

Read the "Supercharger reliability" thread

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=879021

or the "540i not the sport model versus 530i sport" thread

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=882529

I chose the ESS TS2 because of the intense testing that they have done with this S/C and my engine. They work closely with BMW and as I understand it, you can install one of these on a new car and not void the engine warranty. I know these units are extremely reliable and the remapping they do to maximize the performance of their S/C's is very good. I did the install and when I turned the key, the car started and idled normally. How many times have you done an install on something like this and have that kind of result? It did not cost me $20,000 or anything near that and the weight gain is 85 lbs, hardly excessive. All in all, I am extremely pleased with the end result and I love the performance...:redspot

[jmc]

Don't worry Art. You are the man of the TS land right now. :buttrock

May have some more company late December though. :D


Hopefully sooner than that :alright

JMC

[justaddcoffee]

that'sa veeeryyy, veeeryyy niiiiice. it even uses the factory air box? that definitely helps with the factory look. i think if ESS did a black crinkle coat over everything, that'd be beautiful.

do you have pics from during the install? i know you said you did the work over the weekend, but how many real work hours do you think it took to do the install?

[thetinpusher]

that'sa veeeryyy, veeeryyy niiiiice. it even uses the factory air box? that definitely helps with the factory look. i think if ESS did a black crinkle coat over everything, that'd be beautiful.

do you have pics from during the install? i know you said you did the work over the weekend, but how many real work hours do you think it took to do the install?


I was doing other recommended maintenance at the same time (ie; replacing the water pump, thermostat, flush coolant, radiator, main radiator hoses, oil change) so it took me longer than just the install on the S/C. I would estimate the install at about 10 hours. ESS does have carbon fiber covers available, I may get those too.

[Jim M3]

I realize people get attached to their car but wouldn't buying an M5 be a better alternative than building up a 530i. I have seen early model M5's going in the 20's now with fairly low miles. You get a beefed up NA motor and all the suspension and other goodies that come with an M5.

I know modding can be fun but I am not sure I would go this direction over just buying an M5.

[thetinpusher]

that'sa veeeryyy, veeeryyy niiiiice. it even uses the factory air box? that definitely helps with the factory look. i think if ESS did a black crinkle coat over everything, that'd be beautiful.

do you have pics from during the install? i know you said you did the work over the weekend, but how many real work hours do you think it took to do the install?


Oh, and yes I do have pics from the install. I am doing a DIY for this unit and will post it as soon as I am allowed to.

[Dirtboy]

Nice!! Welcome to the TS club.:stickoutt

I put mine in back in March and I love it. Few teething problems, but they're worked out now.


That's not "about it". Kits blow motors often. Been there, seen that. I have raced and built supercharged cars, so I know about this tuning issue. Spark timing and A/F mixture control is so critical. The stock system is not designed to deal with positive pressure. Larger injectors generally fall outside the bandwidth of engine mgmt systems, so augmentation bandaids are needed. Stock fuel delivery systems generally do not have enough excess capacity available to support a supercharger, so they see dips in pressure at precisely the wrong times.

You only need a couple wrenches and screwdrivers to install a kit. That is surely not what I was talking about.

A bandaid kit will work OK for the average street driver who wants to goose the throttle for a few seconds once in a while. Take this same car to the track and BOOM, after a few laps. The setup is not the real deal, like an M5.

I don't think this guy knows about the ESS kits and how long it takes them to develope them. I've had my car on the Nürburgring for quite a few laps (roughly 20) since I put my TS on and my engine hasn't gone "boom" yet...