Akrapovic VS ESS full exhaust thoughts??

Aus_M · 08-25-2013, 09:56 AM

Hey guys,

Need some help. I'm wanting to get a full exhaust on the car in the next few weeks. I was always leaning towards Akra but the new ESS is looking tempting.

I love the finish and weight of the Akra but im concerned the sounds may be a little tame. I believe the ESS is a little more aggressive but looking for some feedback because there are very few videos of it?

Also i noticed the akra runs 100 cell cats while the ESS runs 200 cell. Would there be a noticeable difference in power?

Does anyone have any idea of the weight of the ESS?

Any other thoughts? Also i know the ESS is more reasonably priced but I would probably be going for a second hand Akra so this is not such a concern.

sales@ESSTuning · 08-25-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aus_M

Hey guys,

Need some help. I'm wanting to get a full exhaust on the car in the next few weeks. I was always leaning towards Akra but the new ESS is looking tempting.

I love the finish and weight of the Akra but im concerned the sounds may be a little tame. I believe the ESS is a little more aggressive but looking for some feedback because there are very few videos of it?

Also i noticed the akra runs 100 cell cats while the ESS runs 200 cell. Would there be a noticeable difference in power?

Does anyone have any idea of the weight of the ESS?

Any other thoughts? Also i know the ESS is more reasonably priced but I would probably be going for a second hand Akra so this is not such a concern.

Our exhaust is about 18 lbs lighter than stock. We tested 100 and 200 cell cats and it made no difference in power with our cat design. The 200 cell did reduce the amount of exhaust odor VS the 100 cell we tested which was one of the things we wanted in the design.

Our exhaust tone is really an extension of the raw V8 sound under load. We did not try to change the way the motor sounds but rather allow it to be heard without unwanted drone or rasp.

There are videos in my original thread from inside the car and out of the HFC system and catless http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=851603 . The catless system is a tad louder than the HFC but not alot.

If you ever have questions on our exhaust you can always PM me as I helped design and tested the system

Aus_M · 08-26-2013, 07:12 PM

Thanks Roman, I will send you a pm with some questions.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

Does the Akra tend to be "tinny" due to its titanium construction?

pkimM3r · 08-26-2013, 08:00 PM

akra is pretty much the best system out there. unless you are going for sound, i would get an akra.

The Automotive Enthusiast · 08-26-2013, 08:06 PM

The ESS has a nice rumble. A very nice rumble. It's quiet though. You don't get any drone or any rasp and unless you really get on it, it's pretty subtle. For someone who wants to fly under the radar, it fits the bill perfectly! Had mine installed for months now and all I can say is, I'm very happy with it! Also, I like to call the ESS the 'mini Akra'. In terms of tone, it sounds just like but tends to scream a bit more towards redline. It's half the price of the Akra, it gives you about half the performance gain of the Akra, and you lose about half the weight of the akra, and you pay HALF of the Akra!! I have been enjoying mine!

Did I mention no CEL? That was icing on the cake for me!

Look at this thread:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=872102

Aus_M · 08-26-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoweredBy///M

The ESS has a nice rumble. A very nice rumble. It's quiet though. You don't get any drone or any rasp and unless you really get on it, it's pretty subtle. For someone who wants to fly under the radar, it fits the bill perfectly! Had mine installed for months now and all I can say is, I'm very happy with it! Also, I like to call the ESS the 'mini Akra'. In terms of tone, it sounds just like but tends to scream a bit more towards redline. It's half the price of the Akra, it gives you about half the performance gain of the Akra, and you lose about half the weight of the akra, and you pay HALF of the Akra!! I have been enjoying mine!

Did I mention no CEL? That was icing on the cake for me!

Look at this thread:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=872102

So would you say its louder or quieter than the akra?

Also you say it makes half the power? my understanding is that they were pretty equal in power gain? happy to be corrected if im confused.

The Automotive Enthusiast · 08-26-2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aus_M

So would you say its louder or quieter than the akra?

Also you say it makes half the power? my understanding is that they were pretty equal in power gain? happy to be corrected if im confused.

It's quieter in terms of loudness, but it screams more if that makes sense. I'll put up another video tonight for you.

I almost got a 20 HP Increase. I'm going to have to find that Dyno slip. If I can't I'll go get it re-dynoed.

IB M · 08-26-2013, 08:35 PM

Subscribed as I am going through the same decision process currently. Not to thread jack but what do guys do with their stock systems? Sell them? Hang them in the garage in case you decide to sell the aftermarket exhaust later?

The Automotive Enthusiast · 08-26-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IB M

Subscribed as I am going through the same decision process currently. Not to thread jack but what do guys do with their stock systems? Sell them? Hang them in the garage in case you decide to sell the aftermarket exhaust later?

I'm holding onto mine, in case I decide to go back. I LOVE the way the ESS sounds though! The Eisenmann Inconel is also VERY tempting.

The Automotive Enthusiast · 08-26-2013, 08:55 PM

The best way to explain it is that the Akra is more 'Boomy' while the ESS is all rumble. You'll see what I mean when I put the video up.

HeartMD · 08-26-2013, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoweredBy///M

I'm holding onto mine, in case I decide to go back. I LOVE the way the ESS sounds though! The Eisenmann Inconel is also VERY tempting.

I had my Akra installed in sections. First got the slip on installed at turnermotorsports which is about 2.5 hours away from me and I didnt have any room to fit it into the trunk so I just left it there for them to trash. However when I got the Akra Mid pipes installed about 2 months later I made sure to clean out my trunk and hauled back the catted mid pipes. Iam holding on to them for when the time comes in two years for me to have my CT emissions testing. Though I have heard that you need to replace the four O2 sensors when you do swap the stock pipes back in.

Aus_M · 08-26-2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoweredBy///M

It's quieter in terms of loudness, but it screams more if that makes sense. I'll put up another video tonight for you.

I almost got a 20 HP Increase. I'm going to have to find that Dyno slip. If I can't I'll go get it re-dynoed.

Was that before or after the tune?

More videos would be great...

pkimM3r · 08-26-2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoweredBy///M

The ESS has a nice rumble. A very nice rumble. It's quiet though. You don't get any drone or any rasp and unless you really get on it, it's pretty subtle. For someone who wants to fly under the radar, it fits the bill perfectly! Had mine installed for months now and all I can say is, I'm very happy with it! Also, I like to call the ESS the 'mini Akra'. In terms of tone, it sounds just like but tends to scream a bit more towards redline. It's half the price of the Akra, it gives you about half the performance gain of the Akra, and you lose about half the weight of the akra, and you pay HALF of the Akra!! I have been enjoying mine!

Did I mention no CEL? That was icing on the cake for me!

Look at this thread:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=872102

Cel can come on anytime though. And these arent cat deletes correct?

The Automotive Enthusiast · 08-27-2013, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Cel can come on anytime though. And these arent cat deletes correct?

The main cats are gone, I have the high flow cats.

The Automotive Enthusiast · 08-27-2013, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aus_M

Was that before or after the tune?

More videos would be great...

Before. I installed my exhaust first.

pkimM3r · 08-27-2013, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoweredBy///M

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Cel can come on anytime though. And these arent cat deletes correct?

The main cats are gone, I have the high flow cats.

Do high flow cats cause cel?

Aus_M · 08-28-2013, 12:52 AM

I believe that due to the position of the cats in the ESS exhaust, it will function without causing a cel light.

ANTE92 · 08-28-2013, 09:43 AM

really thinking of getting one

Aus_M · 08-29-2013, 10:21 AM

+1

I was always intending to get the Akra but this seems to have as good if not better sound as well as a more reasonable price plus Roman has been very helpful.

Top_Gear · 08-30-2013, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoweredBy///M

... and you pay HALF of the Akra!!

You lost me here ... Isn't the full Akra about $6K and the ESS about $4K? This isn't "half the price", it's more like "two thirds the price".

Close enough I guess ...

08-25-2013, 09:56 AM	#1
Aus_M Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 209 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Akrapovic VS ESS full exhaust thoughts?? Hey guys, Need some help. I'm wanting to get a full exhaust on the car in the next few weeks. I was always leaning towards Akra but the new ESS is looking tempting. I love the finish and weight of the Akra but im concerned the sounds may be a little tame. I believe the ESS is a little more aggressive but looking for some feedback because there are very few videos of it? Also i noticed the akra runs 100 cell cats while the ESS runs 200 cell. Would there be a noticeable difference in power? Does anyone have any idea of the weight of the ESS? Any other thoughts? Also i know the ESS is more reasonably priced but I would probably be going for a second hand Akra so this is not such a concern.
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08-26-2013, 07:12 PM	#3
Aus_M Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 209 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Thanks Roman, I will send you a pm with some questions. Anyone else have any thoughts? Does the Akra tend to be "tinny" due to its titanium construction?
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08-26-2013, 08:00 PM	#4
pkimM3r Banned 206 Rep 7,298 Posts Drives: m3 saloon in granny mode. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lost angeles iTrader: (0)	akra is pretty much the best system out there. unless you are going for sound, i would get an akra.
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08-26-2013, 08:35 PM	#8
IB M Brigadier General 2782 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 MG/SO ZCP DCT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [8.50] 2013 BMW M3 [10.00]	Subscribed as I am going through the same decision process currently. Not to thread jack but what do guys do with their stock systems? Sell them? Hang them in the garage in case you decide to sell the aftermarket exhaust later?
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08-28-2013, 12:52 AM	#17
Aus_M Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 209 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	I believe that due to the position of the cats in the ESS exhaust, it will function without causing a cel light.
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08-28-2013, 09:43 AM	#18
ANTE92 Captain 21 Rep 735 Posts Drives: bmw 335i coupe Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: new york iTrader: (14)	really thinking of getting one __________________ E90 XI(Daily) E90 M3 4dr Jerez Black E30 M3 Salmon Silver E93 M3 Vert E92 335i Coupe Sold
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08-29-2013, 10:21 AM	#19
Aus_M Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 209 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	+1 I was always intending to get the Akra but this seems to have as good if not better sound as well as a more reasonable price plus Roman has been very helpful.
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