BPM Tuned ESS vt2-625 Supercharger

[squartus]

Before I supercharged my car at 30k I was running BPM's tune for about 10,000 miles and really loved how it changed the car. The smoothness, the increased power and response from the engine, and that yummy servotronic steering!

When I had the ESS vt2-625 installed it came with free ESS tuning software so I was like well lets just use that, who would know how to better tune it than the company that produces the kit.
After picking the car up and driving it away I was delighted with how the exhaust got deeper, more serious and of course all that extra power!
Quickly after that I was missing my servotroic steering sadly and becoming very annoyed with how touchy the ESS tune had my throttle "could no longer ride the gas" was either speeding up or engine braking, no inbetween.

Now I ran the ESS software for over 20,000 miles, while I never had any performance issue with it I was always missing how my car use to feel with the BPM tuning software.
Few weeks ago I took a very long road trip out here to california with the GF, got to talking with Mike Benvo and decided to see him while I was here and see how his BPM tune did with the supercharger.
About a week and half ago I did just that, met him in person "super nice guy" and he installed it himself. I noticed right away that the car was smoother, much smoother and my steering was back!!!!! Not to mention I could not ride the throttle again, was something that always drove me crazy with ESS.

Now for the real test I took it out yesterday in the middle of the desert on deserted roads and hammered the shit out of it, did 5 pulls from 0-130mph + and I can honestly say its the best the car has ever run, pulled like it never has and was butter smooth to redline in every gear.

Bottom line is I should of done this a very very long time ago, was never quite happy with how my car felt but now I am.
I thrash my car, and will be driving it back to MS "2,000 miles" in a few weeks. I expect no problems, and if she keeps running this good I may just send him a tip

[Haywood]

That sounds awesome. I didn't think it was possible to run BPM's tune with an ESS supercharger? Was this their stock tune or a special build?

[squartus]

Originally Posted by Haywood

That sounds awesome. I didn't think it was possible to run BPM's tune with an ESS supercharger? Was this their stock tune or a special build?

Its not stock tune but all you need to do is tell him what kit it is for and what options you want, he is also who does the tuning for the Harrop supercharger kits. Guy knows what he is about and is one of the nicest people I have ever delt with in the car world.

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by squartus

Its not stock tune but all you need to do is tell him what kit it is for and what options you want, he is also who does the tuning for the Harrop supercharger kits. Guy knows what he is about and is one of the nicest people I have ever delt with in the car world.

When I eventually acquire a used ESS kit, it was always my intention to have him provide the tune for it. People always talk about how the acquisition wouldn't have a warranty if something happens, but an used s/c'er doesn't have a warranty anyway And you're right, my experiences w/him have been nothing short of awesome. You can always tell when someone has a passion for their work.

[Lucrecio84]

Mike is a good dude, knows his stuff for sure!

[ashtaron14]

Great experience with Mike@BPM on tuning/coding/Harrop SC purchase

He goes out of his way (wakes up early, I think he never sleeps) to Remote Desktop/Skype you to make sure everything is in working order.

[Hujan]

+1 for BPM

[AlpineE92M3]

Originally Posted by Hujan

+1 for BPM

+2!

[R_lara]

I had to switch from BPM to ESS tune on my ESS Super Charger the BPM Stage 2 tune was Great but for the ESS Kit there is no better tune then the ESS tune for the SC. OP What do you mean by riding the throttle.

[squartus]

Originally Posted by R_lara

I had to switch from BPM to ESS tune on my ESS Super Charger the BPM Stage 2 tune was Great but for the ESS Kit there is no better tune then the ESS tune for the SC. OP What do you mean by riding the throttle.

Odd, my experence was the other way. Engine running smoother now. Riding the throttle, just keeping on it enouf to prevent engine braking but not enouf to speed up. Also makes a nice gurgle in exhaust but nice for coasting or pacing cars in traffic etc. Hugly annoying letting on and off throttle if you cant ride it, since with engine braking car lurches everytime.

Wish would of went with BPM from the start, ESS was good but BPM is just a lil better and comes with options ESS tune did not.

[R_lara]

Originally Posted by squartus

Odd, my experence was the other way. Engine running smoother now. Riding the throttle, just keeping on it enouf to prevent engine braking but not enouf to speed up. Also makes a nice gurgle in exhaust but nice for coasting or pacing cars in traffic etc. Hugly annoying letting on and off throttle if you cant ride it, since with engine braking car lurches everytime.

Wish would of went with BPM from the start, ESS was good but BPM is just a lil better and comes with options ESS tune did not.

No Talk About smoothness on my post I think they both cruise along just as smooth but being the case that I supercharged the car means I wanted more power, for very smooth cruising nothing beats a cady? so i want a mean fast car (Hole purpose of getting a Super Charger) maybe you have a bad case of lead foot. Still don't get the riding the throttle issue the M3 being a high revving car you can always find a way to find room for throttle modulation and if not up shift, hey my wife who is 5 feet tall has no trouble at all and has no complains about it.

Hey please don't turn this thread about bashing different tuning companies this is a public forum where we all share our point of views and experience with different products and hopefully our feed back will help companies give us more of what we want.

If you like BPM better good, if the other guy prefers active good I like ESS good.

? enjoy your M car that we all have in common.

[squartus]

Originally Posted by R_lara

No Talk About smoothness on my post I think they both cruise along just as smooth but being the case that I supercharged the car means I wanted more power, for very smooth cruising nothing beats a cady? so i want a mean fast car (Hole purpose of getting a Super Charger) maybe you have a bad case of lead foot. Still don't get the riding the throttle issue the M3 being a high revving car you can always find a way to find room for throttle modulation and if not up shift, hey my wife who is 5 feet tall has no trouble at all and has no complains about it.

Hey please don't turn this thread about bashing different tuning companies this is a public forum where we all share our point of views and experience with different products and hopefully our feed back will help companies give us more of what we want.

If you like BPM better good, if the other guy prefers active good I like ESS good.

? enjoy your M car that we all have in common.

Not bashing ESS, thought I made that clear. Ran that tune for over 20k with no issues, just find the BPM to be better overall and comes with extras.

Not talking about smoothness of the ride, was talking about how smooth the engine/power delivery is compaired to what it was. Think your missing what I was saying about riding the throttle, Hmm basically the ESS has the throttle response set WAY to high even in normal mode.
My car is not pampered and is not exactly a caddy with solid engine mounts/rear diff mounts/ 1 piece carbon fiber driveshaft.

I like ESS or I would not of given them 10,000 bucks. Though Seeing Mikes Harrop in person kinda got me thinking lol.

[BrewRifle]

I agree on the throttle response with the standard supercharger tune offered by ESS. I opted to go with their reduced throttle mapping/sensitivity (just send the software folks at ESS an email requesting it for your supercharger tune) and it's a lot better. I do miss BPM's servotronic steering that I had with their NA tune and I still really enjoy their DCT tune. Once I'm out of warranty with the ESS kit I'll probably get the BPM supercharger tune (thanks Mike!).

[81bear]

Squartus - Nice write up and thanks for sharing!

I've always had issue with riding the gas on my ESS tune, especially in traffic. My issue was so severe it would actually cause the car to "buck" during stop and go traffic. I had ESS send a few different files and it did improve but the "bucking" still happens on occasion. I might give this tune a shot and see if it eliminates the issue...

[R_lara]

Thats great am happy you are happy with your new tune. I'd rather have the more aggressive tune then if you want to call it that way. I like the ESS over the BPM and I'd rather replace stock bushings and motor mounts than having a harsh ride an vibrations.

Did u notice any extra power by reducing the weight of the drive shaft? And how did the install go.

[squartus]

Originally Posted by R_lara

Thats great am happy you are happy with your new tune. I'd rather have the more aggressive tune then if you want to call it that way. I like the ESS over the BPM and I'd rather replace stock bushings and motor mounts than having a harsh ride an vibrations.

Did u notice any extra power by reducing the weight of the drive shaft? And how did the install go.

The install was very simple, did it in my garage on jack stands. It made a huge difference in shifting, took all the slack and lashing out since its a 1 piece and no rubber guibo so its solid from trans to rear diff. But with solid engine and rear diff mounts the carbon fiber shaft did add even more NHV, the stock rubber guibo was taking alot of it out of the drive train.
Also no more clunking when putting into first.
Does launch better ill deff say that.
As nice as it is I would prob pass on doing it again, the NHV over 100mph goes up pretty good.

[R_lara]

So no rubber guibo and it hooks up directly to Diff. Excuse my ignorance but what is NHV? Can u post any pics is the installed shaft?

Thanks

Richard

[foofopps]

My ESS tune also bucks when engine is cold. I attribute it to the cold start delete. My next tune will not have cold start delete.

[R_lara]

I had the Cold start enabled again just in case.

[Properstyle]

I had frank smith tune the car and weither cold or hot the car feels the same. very smooth in the morning. I may have alex do a gts tune on my trans but thats the old thing i might change.

[R_lara]

Originally Posted by Properstyle

I had frank smith tune the car and weither cold or hot the car feels the same. very smooth in the morning. I may have alex do a gts tune on my trans but thats the old thing i might change.

Frank Smith From South Florida performance?

[Properstyle]

Originally Posted by R_lara

Frank Smith From South Florida performance?

He is now in Maryland but does remote tunning and flys down to south florida quite often.