I'm comparing ess tune for 35i vs their tune for 35is. The point is the tunes are different even they have the same hardware. The 35is exhaust probably has a lot to do with that. The point is there is a difference between the I and is that is also reflected in their aftermarket tunes.
QUOTE=Asbjørn;13258791]I respectfully disagree. There is no way that the N54 with or without ESS produces anything other than a tonne of torque at relatively low RPMs. The differences from engine to engine will be no-where near the difference between American V8 and a Honda Civic. If we were comparing the N54 to the boxter or cayman engine I would agree with you much more.
Although the N54 was updated over the years, any differences will probably be within +/-5% on the same car, with the same fuel and on the same day. But there is no way to find out exactly of course.
Now, I will not be surprised if the 35is produces almost the same torque as ESS during overboost, but that is an entirely different discussion. If it does indeed produce ESS torque, but only at a certain lower rev range (to keep peak hp at 335 for whatever reason), then it would indeed produce a more peaky torque-curve like you said. But anyhow, the actual peak torque figure will not be higher than that of ESS at any RPM no-matter 35i or 35is. Remember the engines are essentially the same from a hardware point of view, and there is no way that ESS would lower the boost at any RPM.
AFAIK ESS stage 2 for 35i and ESS stage 1 for 35is are the same ECU flashes applied to the same hardware. Among other things, they increase the turbo pressure to the maximum that these totally identical fellows can run "safely".
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