Superchargers compared

CamasM3e93 wrote

Davisca455 wrote

I would think another important aspect to consider is:

What is the system like to live with overall, on a daily basis?

I just love this car every single day!

(Yesterday I took another 700 mile drive to visit my mom, and the feeling I got was that the car is nearly on par with a motorcycle when maneuvering thru traffic, except for the width of course.)

I agree with your assessment. I just did my first extended drive with the Harrop kit across the Oregon high desert for 4 hours at temps 90-100 degrees. I was impressed how the kit hung in there, engine oil temps were higher than NA stock set up but still in acceptable range. The car's ability to pass and maneuver were such that I gave a sport bike trying to draft me fits. Harrop is a very nice fit with the e93's extra weight, holding most of that power onto the payment instead of thrashing the tires.

I regret, though, that Gintani stopped making their kits for this model; I may very well have gone that direction.

Hahaha!
Yes I have gotten a few thumbs up from sportbike riders.
I always imagine they say to themselves "What the hell just happened, I should have blasted by that beemer way before now?"

I traveled from the Sacramento CA area to the Olympia WA area yesterday and it was hot and smokey out most of the way.
The car is a relentless monster thru the mountains.
It's like the car says "Incline? What incline? Is it uphill, didn't notice?"

Oh ya, another thing that someone might care to add to the list of things to consider is fuel consumption, although it is what it is.

I re-zeroed my average MPG last January on my way to Thunderhill for a track day.
So I have almost 8 months of MPG data that the car has compiled now, that includes 3 track days.
At the start of the trip up here, my 8 month average was at 18.9mpg.
When I pulled into mom's driveway it was up to 20.2mpg.
I was driving mostly at or slightly above 80mph, except going thru Portland,
I don't know why it thrills me to see a 20mpg on the dash, because if it were 11mpg, I'm sure I'd still love the car?

Davisca455 wrote

Hahaha!
Yes I have gotten a few thumbs up from sportbike riders.
I always imagine they say to themselves "What the hell just happened, I should have blasted by that beemer way before now?"

I traveled from the Sacramento CA area to the Olympia WA area yesterday and it was hot and smokey out most of the way.
The car is a relentless monster thru the mountains.
It's like the car says "Incline? What incline? Is it uphill, didn't notice?"

Oh ya, another thing that someone might care to add to the list of things to consider is fuel consumption, although it is what it is.

I re-zeroed my average MPG last January on my way to Thunderhill for a track day.
So I have almost 8 months of MPG data that the car has compiled now, that includes 3 track days.
At the start of the trip up here, my 8 month average was at 18.9mpg.
When I pulled into mom's driveway it was up to 20.2mpg.
I was driving mostly at or slightly above 80mph, except going thru Portland,
I don't know why it thrills me to see a 20mpg on the dash, because if it were 11mpg, I'm sure I'd still love the car?

That is an incredible MPG for a supercharged v8. Summer driving I was doing 18-20 mpg pre-Harrop. I'm more like 17 MPG on the highway drive and around 13 MPG in town. Of course these days every trip to the grocery store is a reason to get off a few pulls and explore the red line. I'm sure as the novelty wears off the MPG will come up. But as you say, does it matter to me? No, it does not. I already put on test pipes - you know, to reduce my carbon footprint.

Thanks for all the good conversation on this! I was thinking of going all out with one of the top end kits, but not getting to the point of having to change internals (minus rod bearings).

Does the new ESS G1 kit not require meth? Or is that the difference between the G1 and G1+ applications?

hofmandi wrote

Thanks for all the good conversation on this! I was thinking of going all out with one of the top end kits, but not getting to the point of having to change internals (minus rod bearings).

Does the new ESS G1 kit not require meth? Or is that the difference between the G1 and G1+ applications?

The ESS G1 has plenty of room before maxing out, G1+ is not needed in most street applications.

You can use methanol for additional cooling, or simply run higher octane fuel - it's not required by any means.

Looks like the GP-Infinitas (G-Power) kits have come WAAAY down in price since my kit was purchased.
Not sure, but it could be that the install is more demanding than other kits though, because of the intercooler installation?


https://www.mstyle.co.uk/bmw-3-series/e90-e92-and-e93-m3/tuning/superchargers/g-power.html

I have an ess625 kit with all ungraded coolers including a double capacity dual pass aluminum intercooler. Once the plenum heat soaks out the fun is over until it cools down. If I were to do it again I would 100% go with a g power as it's the only air to air cooled system on the market. It's got to be the lightest kit on the market as well as the most consistent. Mix it with the simplicity of the cooling system it's also the most motorsport oriented kit imo. All this of course is for my needs given the environment I drive mine in.

I’m doing an update to my cooling setup on my high boost VF kit. Going with a bigger front mount heat exchanger and higher flowing pump. Will also be going with a basic boost cooler for added cooling.

Davisca455 wrote

Looks like the GP-Infinitas (G-Power) kits have come WAAAY down in price since my kit was purchased.
Not sure, but it could be that the install is more demanding than other kits though, because of the intercooler installation?


https://www.mstyle.co.uk/bmw-3-series/e90-e92-and-e93-m3/tuning/superchargers/g-power.html

The G-Power kit requires cutting of the radiator support for the heat exchanger inlet/outlet, which most are not prepared to do. If ever going back to stock - that entire piece must be replaced. #1 in the diagram below.

SAMM3Y wrote

If I were to do it again I would 100% go with a g power as it's the only air to air cooled system on the market.

How is the Evolve system cooled? How is the AA system cooled?

tom @ eas wrote

Davisca455 wrote

Looks like the GP-Infinitas (G-Power) kits have come WAAAY down in price since my kit was purchased.
Not sure, but it could be that the install is more demanding than other kits though, because of the intercooler installation?


https://www.mstyle.co.uk/bmw-3-series/e90-e92-and-e93-m3/tuning/superchargers/g-power.html

The G-Power kit requires cutting of the radiator support for the heat exchanger inlet/outlet, which most are not prepared to do. If ever going back to stock - that entire piece must be replaced. #1 in the diagram below.

Yes, 100% the surgery is necessary to fit the intercooler.
However, the kit comes with templates for cutting the support and the other items behind the bumper, so at least if you are going to cut, they remove the guesswork from the operation.
I even took it a step further than they did to enhance serviceability.
It was a total bitch to work on the front of the engine when I couldn't remove the radiator fan assembly because the intercooler prevented me from doing so.
But again, my kit is a really early version and judging from the latest pictures, the intercooler mounting looks to have changed a little since 2009?

As far as going back to stock, if I were to sell off my kit, yes I would probably replace the support, or at least fabricate some patches first, to see what that would look like?

Also, I go back to stock every two years, just the way it is, and so far no structural or cooling issues, but it looks stupid because part of the stock airbox snorkel has to be left off.

pbonsalb wrote

SAMM3Y wrote

If I were to do it again I would 100% go with a g power as it's the only air to air cooled system on the market.

How is the Evolve system cooled? How is the AA system cooled?

Enlighten me, I'm guessing air cooled too? Who makes evolves kit for them? Is it in house?

Evolve no longer makes sc kits.

That is too bad, it was a very well done air cooled kit, like the AA and GPower. Maybe Evolve will make them again. GPower went out of business also but came back as Infinitas. At one point ASA, which makes the little planetary gear drive (like Rotrex and HKS) blower they use, was selling the remaining kits.

Regarding fuel mileage, I took a road trip over the weekend and averaged 17 mpg cruising @ 75-80 mph over 250 miles. Not too bad for “big” injectors (I’d 1050xds) and E85.

Is that calculated manually or using onboard computer? Unless onboard computer is reprogrammed for larger injectors, it may not be calculating correctly. Typically the result is that mpg appears better than it is.

pbonsalb wrote

Is that calculated manually or using onboard computer? Unless onboard computer is reprogrammed for larger injectors, it may not be calculating correctly. Typically the result is that mpg appears better than it is.

For me, I had to do the math before I could allow myself to publish my numbers.
The dash numbers are bang on with the miles traveled, divided by the gallons consumed.

pbonsalb wrote

Is that calculated manually or using onboard computer? Unless onboard computer is reprogrammed for larger injectors, it may not be calculating correctly. Typically the result is that mpg appears better than it is.

Both, I saw the numbers on the onboard trip computer and thought they were too far off. Did the calc manually and it was actually very close. 250 miles out of about 14-14.5 gal of e85 (I dont run my tank way down due to the fuel pumps).

Does anyone make and air to air system with stainless meth lines going into the intake using the Vortech blower? That would be the kit to get. Insane top end power and no heat soak. Also would be less weight in the front as you eliminate the heavy water system.

Fluid Union

https://www.***********.com/content.php?1400-Fluid-MotorUnion-E9X-M3-S65-V8-velocity-stack-intake-system-with-water-methanol-injection-completed-Work-of-art&page=5

pbonsalb wrote

Fluid Union

https://www.***********.com/content.php?1400-Fluid-MotorUnion-E9X-M3-S65-V8-velocity-stack-intake-system-with-water-methanol-injection-completed-Work-of-art&page=5

Wow, I'm lovin' that work of art..

.

So if my goal on an E93 M3 6 speed is to maintain reliable, OEM power curve/delivery and break traction at every throttle toe in just overcome the E93’s weight difference vs my E90 and preferably not have any whine, drone or otherwise massive increase in noise, which kit is for me?

Lucky1 wrote

So if my goal on an E93 M3 6 speed is to maintain reliable, OEM power curve/delivery and break traction at every throttle toe in just overcome the E93’s weight difference vs my E90 and preferably not have any whine, drone or otherwise massive increase in noise, which kit is for me?

Would go with a G1 kit from ESS. It hits your sound criteria and gets the closest to Harrop lower rpm torque. But if you have both an e90 and e93 in the garage, i would personally favor aural upgrades rather than performance on the e93. I have had both cars, together for about 6 months. My only regret with the e93 not focusing my mod dollars on sound.