Trying to choose on which intercooler to get??

achilles3000 · 08-07-2011, 06:30 PM

I have had lots of turbo cars and the best core to choose is a garret fin bar and plate core..It cools the best with little to no pressure drop with almost no heatsoak..I seen some nice ones on the market and trying to pick the best fittting and nicest core out.The funny thing is they don't tell you on what core (FIN STLYE) they use..These are the cores i'm trying to pick, please help me and give insight on whats the best of the bunch.

1.ets

2.hpf (love the way it looks)!

3.Ams

4.active auto werks

5.cp.e with built in oil cooler.

I heard this can be installed without dropping the bumper,which kit can be installed with it in tact???If minor trimming to the plastics are fine but don't want to hack the bumper it's self..Thanks.

SSIMPS · 08-07-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles3000

I have had lots of turbo cars and the best core to choose is a garret fin bar and plate core..It cools the best with little to no pressure drop with almost no heatsoak..I seen some nice ones on the market and trying to pick the best fittting and nicest core out.The funny thing is they don't tell you on what core (FIN STLYE) they use..These are the cores i'm trying to pick, please help me and give insight on whats the best of the bunch.

1.ets

2.hpf (love the way it looks)!

3.Ams

4.active auto werks

5.cp.e with built in oil cooler.

I heard this can be installed without dropping the bumper,which kit can be installed with it in tact???If minor trimming to the plastics are fine but don't want to hack the bumper it's self..Thanks.

I have the AMS and love it. It has cast end tanks which are the smoothest, so create the least amount of turbulence. All of them are good though and you really won't be able to tell a difference.

achilles3000 · 08-07-2011, 07:32 PM

Is the ams a Garret core??did you have to drop your bumper ,and how was the overall fitment??p.s I'll link you that vid I have to find it .

SSIMPS · 08-07-2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles3000

Is the ams a Garret core??did you have to drop your bumper ,and how was the overall fitment??p.s I'll link you that vid I have to find it .

It is bar and plate core. You don't have to remove the bumper, you have to trim some plastic behind the bumper but not the bumper itself. It fits great. Here is a link to it lots of info.
http://www.amsperformance.com/cart/A...tercooler.html

achilles3000 · 08-07-2011, 07:43 PM

Does the fins have a ribbon look going sideways being squeezed together tightly???

BMW86 · 08-07-2011, 09:42 PM

There are plenty of threads on this already, I recommend doing a search.

HPF seems to be the biggest and best FMIC on the market. I have one and it works really well. I did some logs against another member on here, IATs was a lot lower.

Eyeman · 08-07-2011, 10:22 PM

All are great choices (as well as Helix, ER, etc) and I'm sure all use similar performing cores.

1. ETS smallest but least trimming and cheapest, available anodized also

2. HPF, large, uses factory piping

3. AMS, beautiful cast end pieces have to help flow

4. AA, most exposed front area so should cool better

5. CPE comes with an oil cooler too

So really it all depends on what you want. I figured for my purposes they were all similar enough and I wanted mine anodized and less expensive so I went with ETS.

stpijb · 08-10-2011, 09:28 AM

I've been looking at intercoolers also. Im leaning more towards ETS. Want to replace the factory piping when I replace the intercooler. Im not a fan of the rubber/ plastic hoses. If HPF or AMS came with replacement hoses for the factory I would chose AMS.

roo97ss · 08-10-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ******

I've been looking at intercoolers also. Im leaning more towards ETS. Want to replace the factory piping when I replace the intercooler. Im not a fan of the rubber/ plastic hoses. If HPF or AMS came with replacement hoses for the factory I would chose AMS.

Have the ETS, nice unit, new piping as you note, and zero cutting and pasting, direct fit with no issues whatsoever. easy to go back to stock when i sell the car and no one would know.

swaite · 08-10-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW86

There are plenty of threads on this already, I recommend doing a search.

HPF seems to be the biggest and best FMIC on the market. I have one and it works really well. I did some logs against another member on here, IATs was a lot lower.

Care to indulge us on those numbers and what the other intercooler was?

OneThreeFive · 08-10-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swaite

Care to indulge us on those numbers and what the other intercooler was?

If you are looking for a HPF vs stock comparison have a scroll through my logs in this thread:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=523889

You will see a 50 degree delta on the stock intercooler in some cases and only a few degrees on the HPF pull after pull. The ambient temperatures were higher for all of the post FMIC install logs.

OP, HPF is my vote.

Red135 · 08-10-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ******

I've been looking at intercoolers also. Im leaning more towards ETS. Want to replace the factory piping when I replace the intercooler. Im not a fan of the rubber/ plastic hoses. If HPF or AMS came with replacement hoses for the factory I would chose AMS.

The AMS comes with silicone hoses.

BMW86 · 08-10-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swaite

Care to indulge us on those numbers and what the other intercooler was?

I'll try and upload them soon. I was doing some runs against a friend and we were both logging at the same time. Afterwards we compared logs and the HPF was significantly lower than the stock FMIC for IATs, which was expected. It was just nice to see it on 2 cars with exactly the same mods besides the FMIC.

achilles3000 · 08-11-2011, 12:19 AM

Can someone post a up close pic of the fins on the ams core??????????

BadM4 · 08-11-2011, 01:39 AM

helix is pretty good and easy to install as well

seslait · 08-11-2011, 06:13 AM

HELIX

escobar929 · 08-11-2011, 06:40 AM

HPF if you dont mind some trimming or ETS for simple install

both great products

Groundpilot · 08-11-2011, 09:38 AM

Helix

ScarecrowBoat · 08-11-2011, 10:24 AM

I heard that replacing the intercooler on a subara wrx can cause the piston rings to fry do to the uneven flow so be careful...might just want to leave it stock!

BadOneThreeFive · 08-11-2011, 10:55 AM

HELIX FTW!!!

MilehighM3 · 08-11-2011, 10:58 AM

Has anyone purchased the Wagner IC? It looks pretty nice, some one gas to have tried it...

Red135 · 08-11-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles3000

Is the ams a Garret core??did you have to drop your bumper ,and how was the overall fitment??p.s I'll link you that vid I have to find it .

You do not need to remove the bumper to fit the AMS.

08-07-2011, 06:30 PM	#1
achilles3000 Banned 12 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135 n54 twin turbo Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	Trying to choose on which intercooler to get?? I have had lots of turbo cars and the best core to choose is a garret fin bar and plate core..It cools the best with little to no pressure drop with almost no heatsoak..I seen some nice ones on the market and trying to pick the best fittting and nicest core out.The funny thing is they don't tell you on what core (FIN STLYE) they use..These are the cores i'm trying to pick, please help me and give insight on whats the best of the bunch. 1.ets 2.hpf (love the way it looks)! 3.Ams 4.active auto werks 5.cp.e with built in oil cooler. I heard this can be installed without dropping the bumper,which kit can be installed with it in tact???If minor trimming to the plastics are fine but don't want to hack the bumper it's self..Thanks.
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08-07-2011, 07:32 PM	#3
achilles3000 Banned 12 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135 n54 twin turbo Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	Is the ams a Garret core??did you have to drop your bumper ,and how was the overall fitment??p.s I'll link you that vid I have to find it .
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08-07-2011, 07:43 PM	#5
achilles3000 Banned 12 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135 n54 twin turbo Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	Does the fins have a ribbon look going sideways being squeezed together tightly???
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08-07-2011, 09:42 PM	#6
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	There are plenty of threads on this already, I recommend doing a search. HPF seems to be the biggest and best FMIC on the market. I have one and it works really well. I did some logs against another member on here, IATs was a lot lower.
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08-07-2011, 10:22 PM	#7
Eyeman Colonel 121 Rep 2,037 Posts Drives: 2008 135 blk, blk, step Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1994 Porsche 968 Cab [0.00] 2017 AMG GTS [0.00] 1994 Porsche 968 Coupe [0.00] 1977 Mercedes 450SE ... [0.00] 2008 135 [8.00]	All are great choices (as well as Helix, ER, etc) and I'm sure all use similar performing cores. 1. ETS smallest but least trimming and cheapest, available anodized also 2. HPF, large, uses factory piping 3. AMS, beautiful cast end pieces have to help flow 4. AA, most exposed front area so should cool better 5. CPE comes with an oil cooler too So really it all depends on what you want. I figured for my purposes they were all similar enough and I wanted mine anodized and less expensive so I went with ETS. __________________ Injen, RR OCC, MadDad Whisper, donut spare, 19x8.5et43fr 19x9.5et45r Volk LE37's, rear fenders rolled/pulled, PSS4S 225/35fr 255/30r, KW V1's, AR coated catless dps, Cross strutbar, CF grills and license plate holder, iCarbon diffuser, ETS black anodized FMIC, M3 control arms, Quaife, ER chargepipe, ForgeDV's, Topspeed Custom Tune, V3sims, Braille, Andrey_GTA rear hub mod, Ebay Mstyle front bumper and performance style side skirts.
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08-10-2011, 09:28 AM	#8
stpijb Banned 3 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: El Paso iTrader: (3)	I've been looking at intercoolers also. Im leaning more towards ETS. Want to replace the factory piping when I replace the intercooler. Im not a fan of the rubber/ plastic hoses. If HPF or AMS came with replacement hoses for the factory I would chose AMS.
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08-11-2011, 12:19 AM	#14
achilles3000 Banned 12 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135 n54 twin turbo Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	Can someone post a up close pic of the fins on the ams core??????????
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08-11-2011, 01:39 AM	#15
BadM4 Captain 248 Rep 961 Posts Drives: 2018 IND TANZANITE COMP M4 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: las vegas, nv iTrader: (0)	helix is pretty good and easy to install as well __________________ 2018 Individual Tanzanite Blue M4
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08-11-2011, 06:13 AM	#16
seslait Private First Class 15 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 135I Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MIAMI iTrader: (3)	HELIX
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08-11-2011, 06:40 AM	#17
escobar929 Brigadier General 154 Rep 4,528 Posts Drives: M2 CS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hollywood, FL iTrader: (14) Garage List 2020 M2 CS [10.00] 2020 M240i [0.00]	HPF if you dont mind some trimming or ETS for simple install both great products
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08-11-2011, 09:38 AM	#18
Groundpilot Banned 476 Rep 1,711 Posts Drives: 135I DCT , e92 M3 DCT, Audi A6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: long island,ny iTrader: (0)	Helix
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08-11-2011, 10:24 AM	#19
ScarecrowBoat Zooombie attaaack!! 136 Rep 1,179 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Monica iTrader: (2)	I heard that replacing the intercooler on a subara wrx can cause the piston rings to fry do to the uneven flow so be careful...might just want to leave it stock!
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08-11-2011, 10:55 AM	#20
BadOneThreeFive Lieutenant 60 Rep 508 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Guam iTrader: (1)	HELIX FTW!!! __________________ 08 135i N54 - Vargas Stage 1 Turbos with Billet wheels - BMS Intake, BMS Charge pipe, AR DPs, Stock mids, berk race muffler delete - JB4 G5 Map 3 75 Meth Additive with RACE DME flash - MS-109 and 100% meth injection (Single CM12 nozzle)
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08-11-2011, 10:58 AM	#21
MilehighM3 Brigadier General 915 Rep 3,456 Posts Drives: Harrop E90 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (14) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [6.50]	Has anyone purchased the Wagner IC? It looks pretty nice, some one gas to have tried it...
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