ESS Supercharger for M156 C63

[StephenSJason]

Hi chaps.

You may know that ESS has now released a supercharger kit for the M156. If you’re previously a BMW guy, you’ll know their kit well for the E90 M3 which reliably takes them to over 600hp.

Anyway, the C63 kit looks promising with an alternative location for the cooler. Better than Weistec? I’m not sure but they seem to have paid attention to detail and it looks really good. The pricing is also much better than Weistec so it’s hard not to consider.

The drawback? If you want an ESS tune, your ECU needs to go to ESS however, they are working with Eurocharged to produce a tune which is a pain, albeit I bet Acid/MSL could provide a custom tune.

Does anyone know what is involved with fitting a supercharger? Is it possible to fit the hardware and drive the vehicle to such a place as MSL for the tune?

They offer two kits, one with larger injectors and one without. Also different pulleys to suit different fuel grades.

Mercedes - W204 C-Class - C63 AMG - ESS Tuning

ESS Supercharger Group Buy - MBWorld.org Forums

 

[Alex]

Hi chaps.

You may know that ESS has now released a supercharger kit for the M156. If you’re previously a BMW guy, you’ll know their kit well for the E90 M3 which reliably takes them to over 600hp.

Anyway, the C63 kit looks promising with an alternative location for the cooler. Better than Weistec? I’m not sure but they seem to have paid attention to detail and it looks really good. The pricing is also much better than Weistec so it’s hard not to consider.

The drawback? If you want an ESS tune, your ECU needs to go to ESS however, they are working with Eurocharged to produce a tune which is a pain, albeit I bet Acid/MSL could provide a custom tune.

Does anyone know what is involved with fitting a supercharger? Is it possible to fit the hardware and drive the vehicle to such a place as MSL for the tune?

They offer two kits, one with larger injectors and one without. Also different pulleys to suit different fuel grades.

Mercedes - W204 C-Class - C63 AMG - ESS Tuning

ESS Supercharger Group Buy - MBWorld.org Forums

You won't be able to fit the blower and drive it without the tune. What's holding you back from shipping the ECU to ESS? Stick it in the box and ship it express. It will be back by the time you've done bolting everything together.

Installing a supercharger won't be an issue for anyone technically and mechanically inclined. Probably a day's job or two.

What I would think about it is the support. I've just spent the best part of 6-7 grand (+VAT on import) and my supplier is across the pond and 7 hours behind (ESS HQ).

MSL/Weistec on the other hand is in Brum. Is it worth the saving over the Weistec kit? That's for you to decide.

 

[ACID]

Just Finished one today.....

Will keep you updated

Acid

 

[RickMM]

Had one of these twin-screw blowers on an old BMW of mine, and it was a very good reliable piece of kit.

 

[Felstmiester]

I was told there is two kits 1. The tuner kit. Ment for someone like acid who can put his own map to it
2. Standard kit. Exactly the same with bigger injectors etc but comes with a map that can be sent and flashed using a lap top.

 

[M5 London]

I wouldn't worry about ESS and customer service / support etc.

I have had one of their kits on my BMW E39 M5 since 2009 and over 60,000 miles. Very nice indeed.

 

[Felstmiester]

I wouldn't worry about ESS and customer service / support etc.

I have had one of their kits on my BMW E39 M5 since 2009 and over 60,000 miles. Very nice indeed.

My E39 M5 is the one car that will always stick in my mind as the best car I’ve ever owned! Must be fun with a charger.

 

[M5 London]

My E39 M5 is the one car that will always stick in my mind as the best car I’ve ever owned! Must be fun with a charger.

Agreed, its pretty difficult to argue against an E39 M5....

Certainly is very fun with the charger on it too !

 

[Steve84N]

If you head over to Facebook and join the C63 AMG UK group then Boon Kang is one of the administrators. He's just had an ESS supercharger fitted so if you're serious about it he should be able to help with questions.

 

[daveenty]

If you head over to Facebook and join the C63 AMG UK group then Boon Kang is one of the administrators. He's just had an ESS supercharger fitted so if you're serious about it he should be able to help with questions.

Boon's also on here under the name @sirius9 so will hopefully pop up on this thread now...

 

[jih2000]

i ended up with this kit too same time, running at 7psi.

 

[sirius9]

Talk about thread revival.
I don't think M5 London was enquiring. He just mentioned re: E39 M5.

Yes, the ESS tuning supercharger is a good bit of kit.
Running 8 psi. Going to test 9psi next year....

Did have a hairy moment yesterday. ECU went haywire, limp mode.
Seems related to me pushing the pedal too much, including pressing the kickdown button when in high gears. LOL.
STAR diagnostics came up with all non specific codes.
Just have to watch and wait!

 

[Steve84N]

Doh, totally missed the fact this is an old thread!

 

[jih2000]

Talk about thread revival.
I don't think M5 London was enquiring. He just mentioned re: E39 M5.

Yes, the ESS tuning supercharger is a good bit of kit.
Running 8 psi. Going to test 9psi next year....

Did have a hairy moment yesterday. ECU went haywire, limp mode.
Seems related to me pushing the pedal too much, including pressing the kickdown button when in high gears. LOL.
STAR diagnostics came up with all non specific codes.
Just have to watch and wait!

what codes got flagged? guess not the lean warnings i originally had?

 

[sirius9]

what codes got flagged? guess not the lean warnings i originally had?

Nope.
Random ones like both MAFs, torque reduction message unable to be complied by engine and also transmission.

 

[M5 London]

Talk about thread revival.
I don't think M5 London was enquiring. He just mentioned re: E39 M5.

Yes, the ESS tuning supercharger is a good bit of kit.
Running 8 psi. Going to test 9psi next year....

Did have a hairy moment yesterday. ECU went haywire, limp mode.
Seems related to me pushing the pedal too much, including pressing the kickdown button when in high gears. LOL.
STAR diagnostics came up with all non specific codes.
Just have to watch and wait!

I remember driving my E39 M5 after fitting the ESS SC kit.....albeit back in 2010.

You know the rest mate, big smiles

There may be some initial teething issues, but after all is sorted, its a great setup and I put about 50K miles on it within 4 years. Zero issues really.

Enjoy your new setup..

PS : Original adopters like myself, years ago noticed the throttle actuator was fouling a slightly raised fuel rail (after fitting uprated injectors), causing issues at WOT. Just needed a slight tweak of the fuel rail, and then all good. I wonder if you have experienced something similar. Basically the ECU didn't like the feedback, in relation to throttle pedal position, its correlation with the throttle actuator which essentially was rubbing up against the fuel rail.

EDIT : Oh and please look into methanol injection, if its a non intercooled setup. I had an Aquamist setup and it made the whole experience even better. I am happy to put you in touch with Richard (owner of Aquamist). After much research I felt he made the best kits in the world. I used it primarily for cooling (lowering IATs) but the methanol in the mix also added a nice octane boost, pretty much like running race fuel.

Feel free to contact Asbjorn Bohn or Hans Kirkerod of ESS (the founders / owners). Let me know if you want their email addresses. (I am of course assuming they haven't been bought out in the last 9 years or so)