ESS Twin Screw Stage 2 Supercharger now fitted

[gwatson]

My Z4 has been away for two weeks having the following work:
1 ESS Twin Screw Stage 2 8 psi Kit fitted
2 StopTech Stage 2 brake upgrade (Performance Pads, Grooved discs, braided hoses and race brake fluid)
3 Gearbox and Diff oil replaced with performance Royal Purple fluids

Before I go any further I would just like to thank Kevin at A W Autotech for doing such a great job and having that eye for detail. Cheers mate.

All of the above took almost 25 hours to install, which was longer than I had budgeted and hoped for, however I am glad my mechanic spend so much time on the small details, it's these things which will hopefully make the system reliable. Also having an offical manual didn't really help.

Car has now done 350 miles since yesterday morning with the mods installed and I am happy to say I've not had any problems, no leaks, error codes etc.

Performance is simply awesome, fastest car I've been in, let alone driven or owned. The power is there all the time, instantly. It picks up so quickly even at low RPM..... Power is advertised at 355BHP and 440NM torque, however a few rolling road sessions may suggest the kit is nearer 370BHP, will need to get it on the rollers. Full boost is generated at just 2000rpm.

You do hear a whine, but very only at idle and upto 2500 RPM, nothing intrusive at all, don't think I'll notice it after a few months. Then after that it sounds fantastic, very deep. Exhaust is slightly louder now which is nice.

When it's started from cold the engine rev fluctuate from 900rpm upt to 1500rpm for around 30 seconds then settle down. When warm it does fluctuate at idle, but only 50-100rpm or so. I'll ask ESS if this can be smoothed out.

New stage two Stoptech brake kit is really stops the car very well with a good solid pedal feel, great upgrade.

Royal Purple performance gearbox and diff oil seems to have smoothed out the transmission, well gearchange anyway, much smooter especially when cold. But the main reason is to help protect the drivetrain.

What still needs to be done:
Trip computer needs mpg and tank range reprogramed
Handbrake needs adjusting
Idle from cold need sorted, prob just a small vacumn leak somewhere

But for now, I couldn't be happier.....

Here's a few pics (sorry for poor quality of engine bay)

[StuB]

Wow, Nice looking piece of kit.

Where's the intercooler/chargecooler Graeme?

[gwatson]

Sits down in the bottom of the bumper, you can see it through the plastic mesh Will try and get a photo of it.

[eliot]

I like the little bracket to protect the hose in case the belt flys off (i assume) - although it does look like its touching the hose, which could end up chafing the hose itself.

[Andrew D]

gwatson said:

You do hear a whine, but very only at idle and upto 2500 RPM, nothing intrusive at all

Well I wouldn't worry about that shortcoming, I'm sure you'll be able to make it louder somehow!

I love the supercharger drill/whine, it's so much better than a boring turbo whistle. It gives it the "Lancaster Bomber" effect. The louder the better in my book, just listen to an SL55!

[Jam Rock]

@ gwatson,


very interesting post, i am also in the market for such a charger conversion, but untill now I have been frustrated at the lack of british cars running this conversion reliably. As i understand it the quality of the kit is awesome and there are lots of happy conversions stateside.

so you have been quoted a minimum of 355 bhp and 400lbft torque, I am assuming this is for a 3L Z4? (is yours a 3L?) I am wanting to get this very same conversion on my 3.2 evo, so hopefully should crack 400bhp, 400lbft! now that would be something else!

also if you dont mind me asking, how much did the conversion cost you fitted? (please pm me if you dont wish to state the price here), i have seen these kits go for about £3K but was wondering what fitting costs were.



many thanks and great post once again

[gwatson]

Hi Jam Rock,

The Twin Screw 2 system has just been released, I have one of two kits in the country, the other being on a 330i. Yes I have between 355bhp & 370BHP and 440NM. You will easily achieve that on an M3, in fact the tend to be around 450BHP. However, you won't be able to get a twin screw yet, the are still developing them for M3's. Installation would have been around 15 hours labour, that will give you an idea, although it would be quicker if he did a second install.

You will need to go for the older type of supercharger - www.esstuning.com/default.asp?c=shop&cat=93&subcat=101&subcat2=143&id=

You will get costs on their website, but £3k won't be enough, unless you get a used kit

G

[Jam Rock]

thanks for the feedback Mr watson, I have read up on the 330 conversion (simpson motorsport- incidently is this where you had yours done?) and seems the other owner is very happy too! I may wait for the euro m3 spec twinscrew charger to be developed, as i deff want a twinscrew system rather than a centrifugal or vortech type. As i said there are numerous m3/z3m's (pushing circa 450hp at the wheels!!!!!) in the states running ess twinscrew setup, but obviously they have a diff spec engine in their m3/z3m's so that kit may not be suitable.
please keep us unformed on how you are getting on with your kit,

thanks again

Jam