Supercharger: ESS v.s. A.A. v.s. ASA. and Q's

Hi there,

Since our 325i Touring is coming soon I'm looking at installing a SC after the delivery (or, may be a year after the delivery just to see if the engine has any DOD problem). Has anyone here have experience with supercharger kits from ESS, ASA (SK I & SK II) and ActiveAutowerke for 325i? I have gone to my330i.com and the websites of these tuners to get more info. but I still have some questions:

a. The ESS kit seems to be relatively easy to install, but how about the kits from AA and ASA? Do I still need to send the ECU to AA for upgrade, similar to ESS? Or, do I just have to upgrade the program via the OBC II port? How about ASA? It seems to be that there is no need to upgrade any existing software in the ECU but the info. on renn-sport.net does not contains any details (may be I gone to the wrong link? Anyone?)

b. Also, the EES one seems to be a plug and play kit and the mod. is fully reversible. How about the AA and ASA? Do I need to cut out something during the installation? Do I need to upgrade the fuel injectors myself for the ASA one?

c. I have also noticed that the kits from AA and ASA include a front mount intercooler and it seems to me that it will put less stress to the block by cooling down the charged air a little, making it a little more efficient along the way. Does it actually help? I have heard about a rumor that says ESS area also looking at an intercooler option for their kits, but I haven't found any info. on their site. Any idea if that is true or not?

d. Can the stock 5spd manual on the 325iT handles the extra torque and power after the mod? How about the crank? I have done searches on the web but I haven't found any definite answer yet. Anyone has the answer to this?

e. All the super charger kits offer more or less the same performances. Does it matter which one I get? Does anyone has any long term reliability problem with any of the kits?

f. Is there any detail info. about the ASA SKII kit? There are not many details about them on renn-sport.com.

g. Alternatively I can just do a CAI with a ECU software upgrade and live with it. How effective is this mod. in terms of torquey and power gain?

Thanks!

(Before telling me to just get a 330i just remember that BMW of Canada/US do not import the 330iT to here )

I'm in the same boat only I have a 325 xi. as I see it the ess does need the ecu sent over seas, there is also some question as to weather they make the power gains that are claimed. I do not know anything about the aa system, as for thr asa it seems to be the hot number of the moment. it does not need ecu upgrade instead you add a fuel pressure regulator, and the asa also contains an intercooler however I dont think the kit is made for the home mod market, this is a question I am still unclear on. Hope you get the info you need .

a. The ESS kit seems to be relatively easy to install, but how about the kits from AA and ASA? Do I still need to send the ECU to AA for upgrade, similar to ESS? Or, do I just have to upgrade the program via the OBC II port? How about ASA? It seems to be that there is no need to upgrade any existing software in the ECU but the info. on renn-sport.net does not contains any details (may be I gone to the wrong link? Anyone?)
with the ASA blower, software is NOT needed

b. Also, the EES one seems to be a plug and play kit and the mod. is fully reversible. How about the AA and ASA? Do I need to cut out something during the installation? Do I need to upgrade the fuel injectors myself for the ASA one?
ESS is not plug and play, you need to ship your ECU to another country FAR FAR away..expect your car to be out of service for a few days, the ASA kit is plug and play

c. I have also noticed that the kits from AA and ASA include a front mount intercooler and it seems to me that it will put less stress to the block by cooling down the charged air a little, making it a little more efficient along the way. Does it actually help?

Yes, an intercooler definately helps..a lot of people are actually looking for a FMIC for their ESS kit

d. Can the stock 5spd manual on the 325iT handles the extra torque and power after the mod? How about the crank? I have done searches on the web but I haven't found any definite answer yet. Anyone has the answer to this?

yes, 5spd transmission can handle the power without any problems

e. All the super charger kits offer more or less the same performances. Does it matter which one I get? Does anyone has any long term reliability problem with any of the kits?

ASA makes the most power out of all of them
f. Is there any detail info. about the ASA SKII kit? There are not many details about them on renn-sport.com.
perhaps you should check www.renn-sport.net

g. Alternatively I can just do a CAI with a ECU software upgrade and live with it. How effective is this mod. in terms of torquey and power gain?

effective in a way, but wont do as much as a force induction kit

hey xs3s did you install your own kit. which version do you have sk1 or sk2, how long did it take, how much experience is needed.

Originally posted by Big bob
hey xs3s did you install your own kit. which version do you have sk1 or sk2, how long did it take, how much experience is needed.

nope, the tech at RENNsport installed my kit

i have the SKI..

i believe it took him about 2 days while working on other things

ok sorry if this seems rude but what did the install run you ( you know just in case I get started and realise I can't do it) also do you know the difference between the sk1 and sk2 the renn-sport web site only lists the price difference. thank you

Originally posted by Big bob
ok sorry if this seems rude but what did the install run you ( you know just in case I get started and realise I can't do it) also do you know the difference between the sk1 and sk2 the renn-sport web site only lists the price difference. thank you

the main difference between the SKI and the SKII is the blower and boost level..

quote from samir "Install can be a little complicated for someone who hasn't installed a supercharger or turbo kit before. Routing the vacuum lines can be tricky for a first time installer. But we can provide tech support over the phone and pictures to help with the install. "

install time if i remember correctly is around 12~15 hours...rates at the shops vary

thank you you have been quite helpfull.

Originally posted by Big bob
thank you you have been quite helpfull.

glad i could help

Hi "xS3x",

Thanks for your info. May I know how long (miles or kms) do you have the SK I installed? In your opinion what is the pros and cons of the ASA kit(s)?

Also, I noticed that you have a 330. As far as I understand the 325 has a different crankshaft and is not as strong as the one on the 330s. Have you heard from others (i.e. 325 owners) that they have problem with the SK II (or even the SK I) kit?

Thanks!

Originally posted by QuadESL63
Hi "xS3x",

Thanks for your info. May I know how long (miles or kms) do you have the SK I installed? In your opinion what is the pros and cons of the ASA kit(s)?

Also, I noticed that you have a 330. As far as I understand the 325 has a different crankshaft and is not as strong as the one on the 330s. Have you heard from others (i.e. 325 owners) that they have problem with the SK II (or even the SK I) kit?

Thanks!

i believe the Mr. paddle shift vincent himself has an ASA SKI kit installed on his 325 steptronic..hes loving it also

no problems whatsoever, vincent even tested out at the track

I've been looking at renn-sport.net forever, and I can't find the ASA blower for a 323i. Does anyone know where it's at?

I hear the ECU doesn't have to be shipped off, so I'm very interested. How much is this?

Thanks,

Frank

Originally posted by frank999_999
I've been looking at renn-sport.net forever, and I can't find the ASA blower for a 323i. Does anyone know where it's at?

I hear the ECU doesn't have to be shipped off, so I'm very interested. How much is this?

Thanks,

Frank

its right under engine-ASA..
323 E46/M52TU 1999-00 SK I $5,995.00 took me bout 1 minute to find it:tongue:

no ECU tuning is required..so your car will be ready to run as soon as you've completed the install

email sam@renn-sport.net and tell him jesse referred you

Thanks! I'm there right now, but I still don't see ASA blower??

What is it titled as? Supercharger?

Sorry.

Frank

Oh, wait! I see it. lol. Is it Komressor Kits??

Frank

Originally posted by frank999_999
Oh, wait! I see it. lol. Is it Komressor Kits??

Frank

yes it is

Why is it that Renn sports doesn't have any description of the kit SKI or SKII on the site....maybe I just can't find the right page but I would like to see more info from them. Like everything that is in the kit and what is different btw the two kits.

I tend to judge a company by there website these days.

There is one more choice you've left out, worthy of consideration.
It's the Rotrex SC that is carried by Eurobahn, which we will most likely be retailing for you guys here on E46fanatics.

Prices aren't set, but 50 state legality is what's on the immediate horizon.

Originally posted by clarkrw3
Why is it that Renn sports doesn't have any description of the kit SKI or SKII on the site....maybe I just can't find the right page but I would like to see more info from them. Like everything that is in the kit and what is different btw the two kits.

I tend to judge a company by there website these days.

its because mostly everything is explained in details and they have a pretty cool fourm over there at renn-sport

so far from wat u guys are saying is that ASA or AA is the way to go. and ASA gets more power.....that's good,
but wat's included in the ASA kit...the web site has no info on them.....and where is ASA located(i mean renn-sport)??
AA has a great reputation, and their web site has all the info needed.

wat r the power differences???
and wat type of blower is the ASA???is it a kompressor?like MB's?