ESS TS1 - first impressions

I got my car back from my mechanic today who installed the Stage 1 TS kit on my 325. It's not really broken in yet so I will probably go for longer drive tomorrow.
So here are first impressions:

The good:
- the kit looks so stealth (black paint version)
- most of the pieces of the kit are incredibly well engineered
- it's very quiet
- it pulls really strong from 4K

The bad:
- there is no custom intake tube for the 325 - just adapter rings
- I expected more power in low and mid range (I'll get some diagnostic software and gauges to make sure I don't have a boost leak)

Overall I'm really happy, the car is pretty fast. I'll post update when I break in the SC and really get on it.

Cant wait to see posting after break in. Looking into getting TS2 soon. I want to get your feedback first hand.

Congrats

Originally Posted by lab rat

- there is no custom intake tube for the 325 - just adapter rings

Not exactly sure I understand this statement or why you feel it to be a negative.

Heh, sorry about my english, I didn't speak it for a month while I was in Europe
The tube is for 330 (bigger TB) and ESS provides adapter rings to make the diameter smaller. This is surprisingly low tech compared to the rest of the kit and could lead to air leaks. I think it would be pretty easy to design smaller tube.
Anyway, here is the update after breaking the SC in:

WOOOOHOOOOOO! Holy crap, the car is fast

I think the lack of the low end torque is just an illusion. I didn't drive my car for a month so I guess I forgot how gutless it was. Also I got spoiled by the torque of Ford 2 liter TDCi diesel while I was in Europe (it only pulled from 2K to 3K and there was some turbo lag but the power was impressive). Also my expectations were quite high. I picked the twinscrew to get good low end. It probably just seems slow compared to the madness that breaks out once it revs over 4K.
What I have to do is to drive stock 325, 325 with centrifugal SC and my car one after another to compare. Oh yeah and put the car on a dyno.

More good:
- the infamous M54 4000 RPM power dip is gone!
- it sounds really cool, there is distinctive whine but not annoying at all
- I forgot to mention how good ESS support is (I needed to troubleshoot missed step in the installation)

More questionable:
- the rev limiter seems to be still at 6500 (I'll verify this on the dyno)
- it throws code P0444 (EVAP purge valve C open), no CEL but I think it would fail emissions test (likely a mistake in installation)
- there is strange sound (kinda like valve tick) when coasting below 2500 and punching it hard. It smooths out within a second.

But don't get me wrong, I'm extremely happy with the kit. I just went for a drive and I had very hard time turning around and going back home. I see myself making all kinds of short unnecessary trips in next few weeks.

Ok, now I follow.

As for the rev limit, honestly, that might be a blessing considering the harmonic issues the M54 experiences at higher rpm. 6800 rpm is probably safe for very short periods as with street use but for extended periods on track, it's questionable.

I agree, the P0444 is likely installation related.

Could that "ticking" noise you describe be spark knock (detonation)? I would take it easy for 100-200 miles to allow for any adaptation then get it on a dyno to make sure everything is performing correctly (be sure to have them check AFRs).

Give us some pics

I'm past the break in period. The ticking noise could be detonation, I'm just not experienced enough to recognize it. It only does it when going WOT from lower RPMs.
I can snap some pics today, there is just not much to see, it looks pretty stock

Originally Posted by lab rat

I'm past the break in period. The ticking noise could be detonation, I'm just not experienced enough to recognize it. It only does it when going WOT from lower RPMs.
I can snap some pics today, there is just not much to see, it looks pretty stock

I would be watchful with those ticking sounds. They can lead to issues which cause weeping. I still want to see the pics. Are you running any gauges to check your afr's, and boost?

Originally Posted by TxZHP04

Ok, now I follow.

As for the rev limit, honestly, that might be a blessing considering the harmonic issues the M54 experiences at higher rpm. 6800 rpm is probably safe for very short periods as with street use but for extended periods on track, it's questionable.

I agree, the P0444 is likely installation related.

Could that "ticking" noise you describe be spark knock (detonation)? I would take it easy for 100-200 miles to allow for any adaptation then get it on a dyno to make sure everything is performing correctly (be sure to have them check AFRs).

I've only seen the 3.0liter with the said harmonic issues.

Originally Posted by lab rat

More good:
- the infamous M54 4000 RPM power dip is gone!

Wait, this is only an M54 issue? My M52TU has this problem too...

yup,
twinscrews KICK ANUS

Good choice.

Originally Posted by rayce185

wait, this is only an m54 issue? My m52tu has this problem too...

disa

Originally Posted by Rayce185

Wait, this is only an M54 issue? My M52TU has this problem too...

Oh I don't know, I never owned M52. They might have the same power dip.
All I know it's gone from my car.

The code P0444 is gone now - wrong connector plugged into the valve (ESS warned about this in their instructions but my label fell off the plug)

Ok here is a wrap. I put the car on a dyno today and it produced really nice flat torque line all the way to the redline. Compared to stock there are gains everywhere but mainly over 4K.
I'm happy, just need to buy a radar detector tomorrow.

Did the ticking noise go away?

Originally Posted by TxZHP04

Did the ticking noise go away?

Yes, by itself. Also I verified the redline is at 6800 now.

Really good power for a 2.5 and stage 1.

congrats!