What is required to make a BIG TOM FMIC fit on the n55 135i?

[WhiteTgr135i]

I am in the market to buy a BIG TOM FMIC for my 2012 135i. I have searched the forums and found a lot of DIY posts on the Big Tom, but not really showing what's required to make them fit? I know you will need some piping and a lot of cutting. Can anybody tell me what's required to make them fit and what piping i need, thanks.

(And can anyone confirm that this FMIC is the Big Tom?) :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CXRacing-Tur...21e255&vxp=mtr

[cooler2442]

Alot of work.

N54: http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10144

Similar but would need different piping.

[WhiteTgr135i]

^ I looked at that link about 15minutes ago. I am up for the work, just curious on what piping i need for the N55. Thank you for the post though!

[bogart]

Just go with the CX Racing one. It's almost as big as the Big Tom. The kit for the N55 comes with all the required plumbing.

[miro2296]

Originally Posted by bogart

Just go with the CX Racing one. It's almost as big as the Big Tom. The kit for the N55 comes with all the required plumbing.

[JefryHorizon]

This is the big tom.. Its a few inches bigger overall. Note that the piping for the one you linked and this one would be slightly different due to placement. I think the one from KL Racing in Sweden has different sized inlet/outlet 3" and 2.5" I think, the Godspeed in the link is 2.5" on both.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GODSPEED-FMI...35830368146789

you can always source your silicone couplers, aluminum pipes, t-bolt clamps locally. From what I've seen on vendor websites, once they turn into a "kit" the prices seem to jump up a few $100.

Oh and also...

[M3Newbie88]

^^ I ordered from this guy.. so I'll be getting my kit in a week or so...

[JefryHorizon]

Originally Posted by 1LazyBmw

^^ I ordered from this guy.. so I'll be getting my kit in a week or so...

The Kit from the vid above is probably the most reasonably priced out there. A good choice for anyone who just wants the components without the headache of hosing fitment and sizing issues.

[M3Newbie88]

Originally Posted by JefryHorizon

The Kit from the vid above is probably the most reasonably priced out there. A good choice for anyone who just wants the components without the headache of hosing fitment and sizing issues.

Ya that was one of the main reasons.. the guy selling it is pretty reliable.. good updates.. pictures of the complete kit.. he made the video also.. he also gets the front tabs welded.. now I am not 100% on those since it is for a 335i that he did it for however if anyone wants to buy it can wait till I get mine on maybe in week or 2.. without those welded tabs some people used zip ties to hold up the intercooler.

I think this FMIC is for the guys who want an open no grille aggressive intercooler look which I am going for.. but because of that there is a decent amount of trimming as per the vid and what others have said..

[SSSnakeman]

I did the cxracing IC (not the kit) for an N54. The trimming was pretty straightforward and simple with a Dremel. I just followed the DIY from Active Autowerke but didn't remove the bumper bar.

Mocking up the plumbing is more of a PITA. A 45 degree worked perfectly on the hot side but the 90 degree for the cold side wasn't quite so easy to get right. At first I kinked the rubber piece on the end of the chargepipe. I got it fixed but I'm still not that happy with that side. I really need a 60 degree with long legs to replace that rubber piece. The only place I can find them ships from England and it looks like a month or so wait.

Here is a picture of where I had the tabs mounted. There is already a hole on the front of the bumper bar. I just had to extend the hole on the back over a little more with the Dremel. I was able to bolt it up pretty easily. I wouldn't suggest zip strips but it's up to you. I couldn't really understand how they did it that way.

I did this for an N54 car but I think they are the same with regard to ICs. I could be mistaken.

[WhiteTgr135i]

Anybody have the links to the piping I'll need for the N55? Thanks for the posts everyone!

[JefryHorizon]

Originally Posted by Tycho

Anybody have the links to the piping I'll need for the N55? Thanks for the posts everyone!

The piping really all depends on the IC you choose to go with. The only sure way is to walk a path someone has already ventured. But at the end of the day its still gonna be a improvised DIY for everyone's end result.

Also.. you can get the silicone couplers, clamps, and piping from theses places I found.

http://www.frsport.com/index.php?tar...oupler&x=0&y=0
http://www.hps-siliconehoses.com/

They're not that far from OC so you shouldn't have a problem asking them to put together a kit for you.


@SSSnakeman

DUDE! That thing looks insane with the headlights the way they are. Nice job!!

Were the mounting points welded on? or does the CX come with them as is?

[SSSnakeman]

Originally Posted by JefryHorizon

@SSSnakeman

DUDE! That thing looks insane with the headlights the way they are. Nice job!!

Were the mounting points welded on? or does the CX come with them as is?

Thanks man! I had the wheels done in pearlescent white too. I made a thread in wheels/tires the other day.

I just bought the intercooler from cxracing, not the kit. I had the tabs welded on. I wanted to post a picture in case anyone wanted to have it welded and ready to go before tearing the car apart. The way I did it with the tabs in that position was really easy. I ended up spending maybe $375 for everything.

[135Hoser]

Wow.

Spend the extra money and get a hpf inter cooler. Way better fit than the junk I've seen linked in this thread. Installation required minor trimming of the plastic shroud and it makes maximum use of the available surface area.

No dropping the bumper, no zip ties holding your undertray on, nothing.

Hell they even have a version that works perfectly with the factory ic piping connectors.

[RimasRS]

Originally Posted by 135Hoser

Wow.

Spend the extra money and get a hpf inter cooler. Way better fit than the junk I've seen linked in this thread. Installation required minor trimming of the plastic shroud and it makes maximum use of the available surface area.

No dropping the bumper, no zip ties holding your undertray on, nothing.

Hell they even have a version that works perfectly with the factory ic piping connectors.

+1 But they are so damn overpriced

[SSSnakeman]

Originally Posted by 135Hoser

Wow.

Spend the extra money and get a hpf inter cooler. Way better fit than the junk I've seen linked in this thread. Installation required minor trimming of the plastic shroud and it makes maximum use of the available surface area.

No dropping the bumper, no zip ties holding your undertray on, nothing.

Hell they even have a version that works perfectly with the factory ic piping connectors.

There's always at least one.

[WhiteTgr135i]

I could spend the extra money for an hpf, but i want an aggressive looking fmic, not a stockish looking one. Plus, i don't mind trimming, etc. Just because a big tom isn't to your liking, it's not "junk". Keep these type of comments to yourself, after all this thread is called "What is required to fit a Big Tom FMIC on an N55 135i", not; "What intercooler do you guy's prefer".

Originally Posted by 135Hoser

Wow.

Spend the extra money and get a hpf inter cooler. Way better fit than the junk I've seen linked in this thread. Installation required minor trimming of the plastic shroud and it makes maximum use of the available surface area.

No dropping the bumper, no zip ties holding your undertray on, nothing.

Hell they even have a version that works perfectly with the factory ic piping connectors.