Installing a ESS Gen 2 S/C in N51

[jonwilli]

Originally Posted by JayTriggy14

The N51 is a special variant in more emission regulated states such as California. It comes with a pair of secondary cats, the charcoal filter, lower compression, and the 3 stage manifold from the 330i. Basically its a de-tuned 330i.

The N52 does not have secondary cats, no charcoal filter, and a single stage manifold. Both make the same horsepower and torque figures.

The N51's are more problematic because it requires the MAF to run SC kit. The N52 you can run the Alpha N tune without using the MAF.

In Europe the N52b3.0 has no secondary cats, no charcoal filter and the 3 stage manifold, OEM it makes 265bhp which is 40hp or so more than the US equivalent I think with the single stage intake. Would the Euro N52 need a MAF or AlphaN tune? From the list of differences between the US N51 and N52 I can not see what hardware would mean it can't run an AlphaN or is it down to a different ECU?

[JayTriggy14]

Originally Posted by jonwilli

In Europe the N52b3.0 has no secondary cats, no charcoal filter and the 3 stage manifold, OEM it makes 265bhp which is 40hp or so more than the US equivalent I think with the single stage intake. Would the Euro N52 need a MAF or AlphaN tune? From the list of differences between the US N51 and N52 I can not see what hardware would mean it can't run an AlphaN or is it down to a different ECU?

I see. From reading the previous SC threads it seems like the ECU is different between the US N51 and N52, since one requires the use of the MAF while the other can be completely disabled. I would shoot ESS a email or a call to learn more about how the supercharger differs between models.

[JayTriggy14]

Hey SDRacing did you happen to sort out your problems with the idle? How is the car performing now? Thanks

[Sdracing]

Originally Posted by JayTriggy14

Hey SDRacing did you happen to sort out your problems with the idle? How is the car performing now? Thanks

The performance is very good at times. But it is not as consistent as it should be.

The CPU still hasn't figured out it needs to keep the idle up when depressing the clutch. So if I'm driving at 5k rpm and take it out of gear coming to a stop sign the idle drops and the car will stall. It's annoying. This could probably be fixed by raising the idle 200 rpm.

ESS has made a new intake which is designed to address this issue. They FedEx'd it to me, and I will install it sometime next week.

So far, I am happy with the supercharger especially with the cooler weather.

[JayTriggy14]

Originally Posted by Sdracing

The performance is very good at times. But it is not as consistent as it should be.

The CPU still hasn't figured out it needs to keep the idle up when depressing the clutch. So if I'm driving at 5k rpm and take it out of gear coming to a stop sign the idle drops and the car will stall. It's annoying. This could probably be fixed by raising the idle 200 rpm.

ESS has made a new intake which is designed to address this issue. They FedEx'd it to me, and I will install it sometime next week.

So far, I am happy with the supercharger especially with the cooler weather.

Glad to hear the ESS is taking care of you. Yes the new intake baffle should help solve some of the issue there. But I am glad that overall it seems like a great investment. Did you happen to install any of the other items (Brakes, suspension etc)?

[Sdracing]

So, I installed the new intake. Day and night difference. Granted it's getting cooler outside but - wholly crap. Still has a little bit of a stall but significantly better.

I installed f30 (grey 4 pot brembo calipers) I did a write up in the brakes section.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Sdracing

So, I installed the new intake. Day and night difference. Granted it's getting cooler outside but - wholly crap. Still has a little bit of a stall but significantly better.

I installed f30 (grey 4 pot brembo calipers) I did a write up in the brakes section.

What intake?

Edit, nevermind.

[Sdracing]

Well after dealing with the S/C and ESS, I have to say. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

I am on month 3-4 of dealing with trying to get this thing right. I will have more to say but right now trying to get my money back and return the S/C.

[jonwilli]

Looks like they've pulled selling the SC kit to N51 owners. Guess having to run the MAF has caused major issues. Pity for anyone who took the plunge on the kit.

[Sdracing]

Not surprised at all. They want to blame anyone and anything.

[jacob.fr7]

REVIVING (at least an attempt to)

I have an N51 and an N54 (for the people that say just buy a 335i)

I want to see the N51 push some more power and I just find it extremely hard to believe that there is no possible way to push closer to 300 to the wheel.

Its a solid engine and transmission - anyone have any luck or info on how to get there?

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by jacob.fr7

REVIVING (at least an attempt to)

I have an N51 and an N54 (for the people that say just buy a 335i)

I want to see the N51 push some more power and I just find it extremely hard to believe that there is no possible way to push closer to 300 to the wheel.

Its a solid engine and transmission - anyone have any luck or info on how to get there?

I hate to sound like the "get a 135i crowd," but get an N52. The limitation with the N51 is the pathetically low compression ratio, it simply can't make power like the N52.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

I hate to sound like the "get a 135i crowd," but get an N52. The limitation with the N51 is the pathetically low compression ratio, it simply can't make power like the N52.

Whilst you are certainly entitled to describe the N51s 10:1 CR as "pathetic" compared to the 10.7:1 ratio of the N52, that whopping 0.7:1 increase in CR will only result in an increase in power of approximately 1.8% or 5.4 HP on a 300 HP engine.

Hardly a deal breaker.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Whilst you are certainly entitled to describe the N51s 10:1 CR as "pathetic" compared to the 10.7:1 ratio of the N52, that whopping 0.7:1 increase in CR will only result in an increase in power of approximately 1.8% or 5.4 HP on a 300 HP engine.

Hardly a deal breaker.

Sorry, I actually thought it was lower than that

My bad

[N54Yankee]

Most F/I cars have a lower compression ratio than their NA counterparts so they can handle boost better and more safely. With a SC all one needs to do is use a smaller pulley for more boost.

There’s a reason or many reasons why you hardly see any FI 128’s. Do a search of those that tried any had monumental failures and finally threw their hands and their money in the air. Learn from their mistakes. I just hate to see guys throw money away on their rides. In the N51/52 world there are better ways to make power.

[jacob.fr7]

Originally Posted by N54Yankee

Most F/I cars have a lower compression ratio than their NA counterparts so they can handle boost better and more safely. With a SC all one needs to do is use a smaller pulley for more boost.

There's a reason or many reasons why you hardly see any FI 128's. Do a search of those that tried any had monumental failures and finally threw their hands and their money in the air. Learn from their mistakes. I just hate to see guys throw money away on their rides. In the N51/52 world there are better ways to make power.

I hear ya, but the thing is no one seems to know what those better ways to make power is. Im not one to throw away money but I got the car for cheap and want to make it a tad bit "funner" by throwing some more serious HP at it(happy with 60-100 gain).

There seems to be no clear way to do this, just bugs me because the car seems pretty capable.

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by jacob.fr7

I hear ya, but the thing is no one seems to know what those better ways to make power is. Im not one to throw away money but I got the car for cheap and want to make it a tad bit "funner" by throwing some more serious HP at it(happy with 60-100 gain).

There seems to be no clear way to do this, just bugs me because the car seems pretty capable.

BMW already solved the power issue. They made the 135i. This is why there isn't much FI support for the N52. It's kind of silly to do. If you're so concerned with power, you should've bought a 135. It's that simple. Why try to add 50% power to a 128i when a 135i comes stock with that and it'll be much more refined to use regularly?

[carscatscoffee15]

Originally Posted by N54Yankee

Most F/I cars have a lower compression ratio than their NA counterparts so they can handle boost better and more safely. With a SC all one needs to do is use a smaller pulley for more boost.

There's a reason or many reasons why you hardly see any FI 128's. Do a search of those that tried any had monumental failures and finally threw their hands and their money in the air. Learn from their mistakes. I just hate to see guys throw money away on their rides. In the N51/52 world there are better ways to make power.

this is exactly why I didn't go this route (supercharger)

more than happy going FBO on an N52.. now I can tinker with the aesthetics and ride and not just obsess over power mods (I think I'd go crazier with more choices as well as more of my budget going to my car than it already has :