CSL airbox with cams or supercharged

[GT Spec]

Hi guys,

Recently picked up a low mileage Z4MR with the aim of keeping the car long term.

I want to increase the engine output but equally want to keep the residual value of the car. I am not chasing any HP figures.

What are the opinions or the CSL airbox and upgraded Schrick camshafts or the ESS VT2 supercharger kit? I recognise the power output will be vastly different between the two.

Cheers!

 

[mmm-five]

Won't there be a huge difference in cost between the SC and airbox/cams options?

I guess the supercharger is the 'easier' option to revert to standard to sell the car, and you'd probably get a decent return on selling the SC on.

If it was me, I'd go for the supercharger, as I'd have the benefit of extra power/torque throughout the range - not just near the top-end. But the kit is the bare minimum you'll need to fit it - you may well find you need more cooling, or water injection and some dials to keep an eye on everything.

I bottled out of the SC route when my bill started looking to be £10-12k to do everything I'd want to ensure the engine was reliable pushing 500bhp+.

 

[GT Spec]

Won't there be a huge difference in cost between the SC and airbox/cams options?

I guess the supercharger is the 'easier' option to revert to standard to sell the car, and you'd probably get a decent return on selling the SC on.

If it was me, I'd go for the supercharger, as I'd have the benefit of extra power/torque throughout the range - not just near the top-end. But the kit is the bare minimum you'll need to fit it - you may well find you need more cooling, or water injection and some dials to keep an eye on everything.

I bottled out of the SC route when my bill started looking to be £10-12k to do everything I'd want to ensure the engine was reliable pushing 500bhp+.

Thanks for your input

 

[RedUn]

Airbox and cams everyday of the week

If you were chasing bhp supercharger...

 

[bradz]

I have been pondering about this myself...

The trouble is with SC cars... they seam hard to sell and are often for sale for a considerable time.

I certainly wouldn't buy a car that previously had a supercharger fitted due to the strain on the engine.

I had a Geoff Steel air box fitted to my e46 m3 - Fantastic noise and look but not sure the hp gain was worth it.

 

[buzyg]

If your not looking for HP then simply fit the Air Box.

 

[PDJ]

Having owned a Westfield and changed the engine to chase hp going from 170 to 255bhp was it worth it, probably only on track and in a straight line on the road but it does nothing much for corner speed or handling (well a little bit as the new engine was lighter) If I had another kit or track car money would go on handling and driver skill training

Just my thoughts

 

[Ed Doe]

If you want to protect residuals and aren't chasing horsepower figures I'd do the airbox.

Honestly though depending on how much you want to protect residuals you might not want to bother full stop - particularly if you aren't fussed by figures either. The loss you will make buying, fitting, removing and selling an airbox, or indeed a supercharger kit will far outweigh any loss in residual value!

Residuals not withstanding I'd go cams and airbox - I love that noise. For sure though it's a very expensive way of going about getting a few more ponies and a nice noise!

 

[beanie]

Given the cost and effort for the cams, I’m not sure I’d bother. The only time I’d change the cams was if I ended up with cam follower failure and the cams were damaged.

That said, if you’re feeling flush and are happy with a slightly more difficult resale then why not? More NA power is always a good thing imo!

Personally I’d go for the airbox with a remap and leave it at that. You’ll get a bit more eagerness up top but most importantly they really change the experience and are an easily reversible mod.

 

[Dominic22]

I have a Supercharged Z4m Roadster and although I am of course biased that is the way I would go. The ESS kit really suits the engine and is lovely at slow speeds and amazing when you put your foot down. I was fortunate that all the work was done 600 miles before I bought it so I did not have the issues or cost of getting it done other than the premium I possibly paid.

I would also think that the issue with whichever route you choose is the associated parts that will want upgrading to complete the install. I have AP racing big brake discs & calipers and Bilstein B16's that help the drive.

I think you are southern-based but if you ever are in the Midlands at any point you are welcome to take it for a drive before you commit to anything.

 

[GuidoK]

I don't think cams and airbox will give that much extra feel of bhp unless you specifically go to racetracks.
More aggressive cams give more bhp on the top end but will reduce torque at lower end so you could end up with a slower car unless it spends it's life between 7000 and 8300rpm.
Also I doubt you'll reach 400bhp (for the ~2500GBP ex labour you'll have to invest)

So on a street car its easy: SC or turbo all the way. (and then it'll go way way past 400BHP)
But is the ESS VT2 kit still available?
I wouldn't go for a VT1 though; SC without cooling with these kinds of HP? Not a good idea imho unless you start monitoring temps and pressures on different locations with aftermarket equipment.

 

[GT Spec]

Thanks for the input guys. Lots to consider.

 

[GT Spec]

I have a Supercharged Z4m Roadster and although I am of course biased that is the way I would go. The ESS kit really suits the engine and is lovely at slow speeds and amazing when you put your foot down. I was fortunate that all the work was done 600 miles before I bought it so I did not have the issues or cost of getting it done other than the premium I possibly paid.

I would also think that the issue with whichever route you choose is the associated parts that will want upgrading to complete the install. I have AP racing big brake discs & calipers and Bilstein B16's that help the drive.

I think you are southern-based but if you ever are in the Midlands at any point you are welcome to take it for a drive before you commit to anything.

That’s very kind of you mate. Prior to Covid I was regularly up in Birmingham for work. Will give you a shout when work returns to normal

 

[GT Spec]

I don't think cams and airbox will give that much extra feel of bhp unless you specifically go to racetracks.
More aggressive cams give more bhp on the top end but will reduce torque at lower end so you could end up with a slower car unless it spends it's life between 7000 and 8300rpm.
Also I doubt you'll reach 400bhp (for the ~2500GBP ex labour you'll have to invest)

So on a street car its easy: SC or turbo all the way. (and then it'll go way way past 400BHP)
But is the ESS VT2 kit still available?
I wouldn't go for a VT1 though; SC without cooling with these kinds of HP? Not a good idea imho unless you start monitoring temps and pressures on different locations with aftermarket equipment.

The VT2 kit is still available yeah!

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I don't think cams and airbox will give that much extra feel of bhp unless you specifically go to racetracks.
More aggressive cams give more bhp on the top end but will reduce torque at lower end so you could end up with a slower car unless it spends it's life between 7000 and 8300rpm.
Also I doubt you'll reach 400bhp (for the ~2500GBP ex labour you'll have to invest)

So on a street car its easy: SC or turbo all the way. (and then it'll go way way past 400BHP)
But is the ESS VT2 kit still available?
I wouldn't go for a VT1 though; SC without cooling with these kinds of HP? Not a good idea imho unless you start monitoring temps and pressures on different locations with aftermarket equipment.

The VT2 kit is still available yeah!

There are no ESS kits available for S54 applications at present - check the ESS website. However, I emailed them recently and they told me they anticipate being able to sell it again in a few months once their supply chains are back to normal.

 

[Beedub]

i have a full fat one with some additional extra's..... its AWESOME. Had to add alot of other stuff to keep it all in check, new rads, oil coolers, brakes, and so much more.... in total it did cost alot more than expected. probably around 12.5k ish.

 

[GT Spec]

I don't think cams and airbox will give that much extra feel of bhp unless you specifically go to racetracks.
More aggressive cams give more bhp on the top end but will reduce torque at lower end so you could end up with a slower car unless it spends it's life between 7000 and 8300rpm.
Also I doubt you'll reach 400bhp (for the ~2500GBP ex labour you'll have to invest)

So on a street car its easy: SC or turbo all the way. (and then it'll go way way past 400BHP)
But is the ESS VT2 kit still available?
I wouldn't go for a VT1 though; SC without cooling with these kinds of HP? Not a good idea imho unless you start monitoring temps and pressures on different locations with aftermarket equipment.

The VT2 kit is still available yeah!

There are no ESS kits available for S54 applications at present - check the ESS website. However, I emailed them recently and they told me they anticipate being able to sell it again in a few months once their supply chains are back to normal.

That’s funny. Checked a week or so ago and they were still listed. I hope they don’t discontinue it.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I didn’t get that impression from their email, but that was my worry too. I’ve been keeping one eye on their website and the other on the exchange rate and pondering if/when it would be best to pull the trigger...

 

[MrPT]

I’d go airbox plus cams (just because it’s iconic), but for that amount of money you could fit a carbon intake for little more of that evocative sound and then invest in some serious weight loss. Seats, wheels, brakes, battery.

 

[Ed Doe]

mount of money you could fit a carbon intake for little more of that evocative sound and then invest in some serious weight loss. Seats, wheels, brakes, battery.

This is what I'd do if I could!