N55 ETS Chargepipe Install + Review

[cooler2442]

After a friend of mine had tuned his car, his charge pipe blew off. I knew it would only be a matter of time before something similar happened to me. As most of you know already our stock charge pipe has a seal that can come undone under higher boost pressure. I didn’t want to deal with it breaking during acceleration so I decided to do just buy an aftermarket charge pipe to make sure my stock one wouldn’t blow off.

I spent quite a bit of time researching which charge pipe to go with. I decided to go with ETS due to the high quality products they provide such as having one of the only no cutting required intercoolers on the market and the outstanding customer service that Michael provides. Michael answered all of my questions extremely fast through both AIM & Email. He was able to customize the charge pipe to my liking instantly as well. I told him I wanted one meth bung since I plan on running meth in the future and I wanted it to be black so I could have a stealth look to my car in case I ever got pulled over and asked to pop my hood since my car has a straight pipe and it is pretty loud.

Everything arrived extremely well packaged(I already unwrapped most of it from the box):


IMG_0619 by baldadar, on Flickr

Starting with removal of the airbox:


IMG_0623 by baldadar, on Flickr

IMG_0626 by baldadar, on Flickr

Stock Charge Pipe Removed:


IMG_0630 by baldadar, on Flickr

ETS Charge Pipe with the Silicone Adapters Put On:


IMG_0632 by baldadar, on Flickr

IMG_0633 by baldadar, on Flickr

Final Installed Pics:


IMG_0634 by baldadar, on Flickr

IMG_0635 by baldadar, on Flickr

Review:

My main reason for purchasing the Charge Pipe was to have a meth bung in place for when I decide to do the JB4 BMS WW Integrated Meth kit and having peace of mind that my charge pipe won’t blow off under high acceleration like others have had happen to them.

The quality and workmanship of the ETS was great. The meth bung welds look extremely top notch and the silicone adapters are also very durable. The install itself was a breeze took about 20-30minutes without any kind of problems or complications. The fitment was 100%. Danny at Minicorsa in North Hollywood, CA did the install for me and didn’t charge me an arm and a leg for it. I will be going back to him for all of my performance installs since I do not have my own garage. He actually owns a 1M and is extremely knowledgeable about our E82 platform so he is able to install and recommend anything you may need from suspension to power.

After having it put on I definitely felt a difference. Not a horsepower difference but the car just felt much more responsive kind of how it felt after I went straight pipe from a regular muffler. I can also hear the turbo spool louder. All in all it was a great purchase and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I also was able to track test it this weekend. I knew that it would either fail on me miserably or it would go off without a hitch because this track is both extremely technical and a high speed track. I’m happy to announce that the charge pipe held up like a champ and none of the silicone hoses or T-Bolt clamps caused any issues. This was also more intensive than a regular track day as well because it was a higher priced one which meant fewer cars and much more track time so I really put the charge pipe and its connectors through the paces.

[ken1137]

Very nice

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by ken1137

Very nice

Thanks. Hoping to add an ETS intercooler as my next mod.

[cooler2442]

More pics of the car at the track in this thread:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...&highlight=ets

[JDUni1]

If it was me, I'd be so pissed going off track like that! Glad to see that you drive it hard!

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by JDUni1

If it was me, I'd be so pissed going off track like that! Glad to see that you drive it hard!

Lol I went off way worse in another session. Basically didn't brake enough and instead of attempting the corner I just said fk it and went straight off. But this is a nice track so going off isn't to bad, my carbon front lip isn't even damaged.

[BadM4]

nice review...i just got mine today...meth is should be here in 2 days... im excited

[JefryHorizon]

I'm SERIOUSLY tempted now....

[christopherkriens]

If your stock one blows just get out a lighter and remake those plastic welds. Good as new.

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by christopherkriens

If your stock one blows just get out a lighter and remake those plastic welds. Good as new.

I think most people would prefer to not have to deal with that especially if someone has a leased car.

[woosh]

Good work mate I've used an ETS Intercooler in the past and was really happy with its quality and performance. The chargepipe looks just as good!

A bit off topic: that bicycle mount you have on your roof racks... is that an OEM item? It's just what I'm looking for

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by woosh

Good work mate I've used an ETS Intercooler in the past and was really happy with its quality and performance. The chargepipe looks just as good!

A bit off topic: that bicycle mount you have on your roof racks... is that an OEM item? It's just what I'm looking for

Yup OEM rack and mount.


Btw which ETS intercooler did you go with the 5" that requires no cutting or the bigger one? I'm trying to think which one I want lol.

[cooler2442]

Just saw this on E90 post, another N55 stock charge pipe has blown:

[Gnip Gnop]

Are people replacing the charge pipe even with just the ppk installed? Is that enough to make the stock one break off?

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by Gnip Gnop

Are people replacing the charge pipe even with just the ppk installed? Is that enough to make the stock one break off?

Not to sure on that but I just know that any type of increased boost would cause more wear to the charge pipe which could mean it breaking off like this. Since boost is the biggest factor for the charge pipe breaking.

[Gnip Gnop]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Not to sure on that but I just know that any type of increased boost would cause more wear to the charge pipe which could mean it braking off like this. Since boost is the biggest factor for the charge pipe breaking.

I'm trying to decide what to buy for the car next, and this seems like a good choice. Slight power increase?

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by Gnip Gnop

I'm trying to decide what to buy for the car next, and this seems like a good choice. Slight power increase?

No power increase but peace of mind and other benefits come a long way. Here is the little section in my review where I noticed differences with it on: "Not a horsepower difference but the car just felt much more responsive kind of how it felt after I went straight pipe from a regular muffler. I can also hear the turbo spool louder. All in all it was a great purchase and I would do it again in a heartbeat. "

[Eddie135]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Not to sure on that but I just know that any type of increased boost would cause more wear to the charge pipe which could mean it breaking off like this. Since boost is the biggest factor for the charge pipe breaking.

I am planning to install the BMW PPK Stage 2, do I need to change the charge pipe as well.

BMW Dealership told me it is not necessary.

Thanks.

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by Eddie135

I am planning to install the BMW PPK Stage 2, do I need to change the charge pipe as well.

BMW Dealership told me it is not necessary.

Thanks.

No you don't have to but I believe the PPK does increase boost by a few psi so there is always a chance that it can break. I personally didn't have any charge pipe problems but I did it for peace of mind. Plus ETS is running a 199$ charge pipe special so it was worth it in my book to not have issues with it later.

[Eddie135]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

No you don't have to but I believe the PPK does increase boost by a few psi so there is always a chance that it can break. I personally didn't have any charge pipe problems but I did it for peace of mind. Plus ETS is running a 199$ charge pipe special so it was worth it in my book to not have issues with it later.

Thanks mate. I believe it will crack sooner or later. With hot weather and boost, will kill the plastic pipe.

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by Eddie135

Thanks mate. I believe it will crack sooner or later. With hot weather and boost, will kill the plastic pipe.

Np the 199$ CP special is here if your interested:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...;highlight=ets

[Eddie135]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Np the 199$ CP special is here if your interested:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...;highlight=ets

mate.