Used ESS Supercharger

[gwatson]

Hi guys,

I have the opertunity of purchasing a used ESS TX2 kit. It's done 10000 miles and comes complete to run at 8psi... intercooler, injectors etc etc. It's actually from an ESS delaers car, so he'll be fitting it and having my ECU sent to Norway be re-programed.

The reason I am thinking of the TX2 over the new Twin Screw are:

1- Cost (almost half the price as a used buy)
2- Tried and tested
3- Less torque lower down to less strain on the drivechain
4- Better fuel consumption when cruising

I've done a fair bit of research so I mostly know what to expect, but if anyone has any general comments I would welcome them.

I do however have a few specifics mind you.

1- How noisy is the SC? Do you hear a "turbo whistle" or is it louder
2- Anyone have the ESS exhaust backbox? How does it sound?
3- When I come to sell is possible to put evrything back as it was?
4- I am worried that with the TX2 I won't notice the torque lower down, but it will fell more like a turbo to drive with all the power top end.
5- Anyone got a TX2 power and torque graph.

Thanks in advance.

Graeme

[faded67]

Hi guys,

I have the opertunity of purchasing a used ESS TX2 kit. It's done 10000 miles and comes complete to run at 8psi... intercooler, injectors etc etc. It's actually from an ESS delaers car, so he'll be fitting it and having my ECU sent to Norway be re-programed.

The reason I am thinking of the TX2 over the new Twin Screw are:

1- Cost (almost half the price as a used buy)
2- Tried and tested
3- Less torque lower down to less strain on the drivechain
4- Better fuel consumption when cruising

I've done a fair bit of research so I mostly know what to expect, but if anyone has any general comments I would welcome them.

I do however have a few specifics mind you.

1- How noisy is the SC? Do you hear a "turbo whistle" or is it louder
2- Anyone have the ESS exhaust backbox? How does it sound?
3- When I come to sell is possible to put evrything back as it was?
4- I am worried that with the TX2 I won't notice the torque lower down, but it will fell more like a turbo to drive with all the power top end.
5- Anyone got a TX2 power and torque graph.

Thanks in advance.

Graeme

Graeme,

I have the TX2 at 8psi and there really is not a "Lag" down low. The RPMs go up pretty quickly and you will feel the difference pretty fast. My TX2 has gotton a little louder with age (8000 miles). Its a good sound (the spooling type). Its quite audible from the outside of the car. It also has the "Pshhhh" sound with the BPV, although not as sharp as with a BOV. I guess it depends on what you like. The kit has really transformed my car.

No dyno on torque. Check the ESS site. Should be pretty linear.


Good Luck.

Rocky

[Mizar]

Hi guys,

I have the opertunity of purchasing a used ESS TX2 kit. It's done 10000 miles and comes complete to run at 8psi... intercooler, injectors etc etc. It's actually from an ESS delaers car, so he'll be fitting it and having my ECU sent to Norway be re-programed.

The reason I am thinking of the TX2 over the new Twin Screw are:

1- Cost (almost half the price as a used buy)
2- Tried and tested
3- Less torque lower down to less strain on the drivechain
4- Better fuel consumption when cruising

I've done a fair bit of research so I mostly know what to expect, but if anyone has any general comments I would welcome them.

I do however have a few specifics mind you.

1- How noisy is the SC? Do you hear a "turbo whistle" or is it louder
2- Anyone have the ESS exhaust backbox? How does it sound?
3- When I come to sell is possible to put evrything back as it was?
4- I am worried that with the TX2 I won't notice the torque lower down, but it will fell more like a turbo to drive with all the power top end.
5- Anyone got a TX2 power and torque graph.

Thanks in advance.

Graeme

1- Not noisy at all. If you want to impress people with a roaring car, this kit is not for you. You can hear the spooling whistle, but it is not as loud as with stock turbos that I have driven (mostly turbo diesels in Europe). With the windows up, you have to listen very carefully to hear it. With the windows down or as a bystander it is clearly noticeable, especially if you drive around in the city and go through the transition a lot at about 1400 rpm where the SC clutch engages and disengages. I was actually very impressed with how much the car still feels like the BMW I was used to: very cultivated, smooth and quiet. But then, I don't want my car to sound or look powerful (it's a wagon...), but I want it to BE powerful, which is now really is.

2- I don't

3- Yes, if you keep all the parts. ESS said they would reprogram the ECU for free, but the dealers could also reprogram back (don't think any dealer would do it for free, though). However, you will cut and trim to shape quite some pieces like the brake ducts, the large plastic shield below the kidneys, sensor wires, the port for the relocated air temperature sensor, splash shield under engine bay,... All no big deal, and I think the car will function normally with those "modified" parts. But the installation will leave footprints behind, unless you replace all those parts (in which case they will look brand new, which will catch an experienced inspector's eye). Bottom line: not a problem/issue for me. Definitely the best of the more powerful kits in this respect, since you don't drill the oil pan and can do it all DIY. Those two points tipped the balance for me to the TX-2.

4- You are right: before the SC clutch engages, you have zero torque gain. But you will definitely feel something at 2000 rpm, nodd aprovingly at 3000 to 4000 rpm, and have a big grin on your face at 5000 rpm.... Here's where I think the SC is inferior in daily driving experience to a larger, not charged engine: When I am driving around in the city and traffic slows me down to, say, 1500 to 2000 rpm in 2nd gear and I try to accelerate from there: initially that feels like I don't even have an SC... You feel the urge to shift down to 1st, which is kind of odd... I have actually found myself disengaging the clutch in such a situation to rev the engine and go from there. But that puts wear on the clutch. Bottom line: not a problem really, just a subtlety. You still get the power much quicker than with a turbo.

5- Yes, I have the DynoJet data files, before and after installation. You can download the software from the DynoJet web site. PM me, if you want the files. Then you can plot and display and compare any way you want...

[gwatson]

Thanks guys, that's great.

I should of said it's for a Z4, so perhaps with the roof down I'll hear the SC, but like you I don't want a loud car (just sold my Milltek exhaust system as I was too loud)

Two further questions...

"It also has the "Pshhhh" sound with the BPV, although not as sharp as with a BOV"

What does BPV and BOV stand for?

What are the replacement intervals for all the belts. Should I ask for new ones, or is 10k miles nothing to worry about?

Graeme

[K-DOG]

BPV = Bypass Valve
BOV = Blow-off Valve

[gwatson]

Thanks for letting me know, makes more sense now :)

Anyone know about the belts then?

G

[jj330]

What are the replacement intervals for all the belts. Should I ask for new ones, or is 10k miles nothing to worry about?

Graeme
I wouldn't worry at 10k miles. ESS puts their kits through a 50k mile test, so the belts should be fine until then at least. Since you're getting it from an ESS dealer just ask him. The ESS warranty is 2yrs/unlimited miles and should cover all ESS parts (if i'm not wrong). I'm actually getting the same kit installed on my 330ci at the moment, should be nearing the ends of the installation too. I'll ask about the belts too for ya, just to make sure. :thumbsup:

[gwatson]

Thanks jj330,

I'll have the remainder of the warranty which will be around 14 months. Please let me know how you get on when you get the car back, initial thoughts etc etc.... I am 80% decided to go for it, always good to get as many opinions as possible mind you.

Graeme

[MachRc]

If you can get a really that good price you should definately go for it. It'll really make your zed 4 one of a kind.


My initial experience with the tx-2 is...... its totally rock dude...chiiiaa

I wouldn't worry about the blower or the belts. They'll be fine.

The only thing I would worry is that because its so so awesome your gonna have to buy all your friends lunch:)

-jason

[gwatson]

Thanks for the comments Jason, but you're not helping my bank balance :)