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      03-07-2012, 07:08 PM   #1
2012one35i
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1 series M intercooler is the same as 135i

Hello all, I have been unable to find anything specific about the 135i intercooler, whether it is undersized and needs upgrading, or adequate for below 400 crank horsepower. Well, I called two different BMW parts departments and got the same answer. All 135i's, 335is's, and 1 series M cars use the same part # intercooler. It seems there is little reason to upgrade the factory intercooler for most street driving circumstances, however, those who track there cars often may disagree. I have contacted Dinan, Burger, and BMW Service Department, and the only people who recommend upgrading the intercooler are the intercooler manufacturers.

Last edited by 2012one35i; 03-09-2012 at 02:18 AM..
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      03-07-2012, 07:31 PM   #2
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      03-07-2012, 07:50 PM   #3
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I am seeing about a 30° temp difference when cruising and short wot bursts with my AA sport FMIC over the OE unit.
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      03-07-2012, 08:01 PM   #4
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Not really worth it unless you have a tune.
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      03-07-2012, 08:04 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JHOOPS2 View Post
I am seeing about a 30° temp difference when cruising and short wot bursts with my AA sport FMIC over the OE unit.
You mean just cruising down the road? And you actually have a method of reading post intercooler air temps? I am not thrashing on you, just very interested in where you are getting your information.

Last edited by 2012one35i; 03-09-2012 at 02:17 AM.. Reason: clarity
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      03-07-2012, 08:06 PM   #6
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Our cars will heat soak with any kind of tune / mods though. You definitely need an aftermarket intercooler. I just ordered the ETS 5" which requires 0 cutting of any kind and just bolts right up.
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      03-07-2012, 08:06 PM   #7
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Stock intercooler is complete junk after several WOT pulls especially if you are seeing more than stock boost.
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      03-07-2012, 08:09 PM   #8
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Yea, I live 10 miles from ETS and was considering upgrading. However, with 1M's pulling 335hp, it seems an intercooler is more a treat for the car rather than a must do.
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      03-07-2012, 08:11 PM   #9
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If you're around 400 crank hp, I could see it. But below that......

Last edited by 2012one35i; 03-09-2012 at 02:19 AM..
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      03-07-2012, 08:20 PM   #10
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Yes, I can log intake temps. The stock ICS is the biggest pile of junk intercooler I have ever seen. I am running a Cobb stage 2+ aggressive tune.
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      03-07-2012, 08:24 PM   #11
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Very good information. Thanks. Actually, I had 1997 Eagle Talon Turbo, and I'm pretty sure that was the biggest pile of junk intercooler the world has seen. Is this 30 degree reduction in intake temps what you regularly see, or after running it hard?
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      03-07-2012, 08:24 PM   #12
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CP-E has a great white paper here:
http://cp-e.com/sites/default/files/files/n54FMIC.pdf

I really like their methodology and thoroughness.

Short version: The factory intercooler does fine at 8-10psi, still ok at 12psi, but 14-16+ and at higher RPM it really starts to perform poorly.
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      03-07-2012, 08:30 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2012one35i View Post
Very good information. Thanks. Actually, I had 1997 Eagle Talon Turbo, and I'm pretty sure that was the biggest pile of junk intercooler the world has seen. Is this 30 degree reduction in intake temps what you regularly see, or after running it hard?
The biggest problem with the stock unit is heat soak. On a 75° day temps of 120° cruising were pretty common on a 30-40 mile trip with some short bursts of high boost. Today coming home the ambient temps were 66° and even with two runs up to 100 MPH I peaked my air temps at 89°.
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      03-07-2012, 08:31 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Freon View Post
CP-E has a great white paper here:
http://cp-e.com/sites/default/files/files/n54FMIC.pdf

I really like their methodology and thoroughness.

Short version: The factory intercooler does fine at 8-10psi, still ok at 12psi, but 14-16+ and at higher RPM it really starts to perform poorly.
Thanks for the link. Things may be different than I originally surmised. More info is welcome.

Last edited by 2012one35i; 03-09-2012 at 02:24 AM..
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      03-07-2012, 08:33 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JHOOPS2 View Post
The biggest problem with the stock unit is heat soak. On a 75° day temps of 120° cruising were pretty common on a 30-40 mile trip with some short bursts of high boost. Today coming home the ambient temps were 66° and even with two runs up to 100 MPH I peaked my air temps at 89°.
This is the kind of information I'm looking for. If anyone has anything to add, I need as much reliable information as possible.

Last edited by 2012one35i; 03-09-2012 at 02:25 AM..
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      03-07-2012, 08:47 PM   #16
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With daily driving and occasional WOT driving, is the stock intercooler enough?
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      03-07-2012, 08:48 PM   #17
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This is the crux of my questioning, as well. How long before the ECU starts pulling the fun when driving a mildly modded car? Dinan flash is about all I'm going to be doing.
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      03-07-2012, 09:11 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2012one35i View Post
Yea, I live 10 miles from ETS and was considering upgrading. However, with 1M's pulling 335hp, it seems an intercooler is more a treat for the car rather than a must do.
If you plan to up the boost a FMIC upgrade is not a treat its a MUST imo. To me its the building block for good consistent power.
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      03-07-2012, 09:21 PM   #19
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My opinion is starting to change. However, (and I'm not trying to slam anyone) the internet is full of "IMHO" crap. I'm looking for some science. The inlet/outlet temps JHOOPS2 is quoting is good science. But, it looks like he's running a lot of boost. I don't know what Dinan pegs the boost at, but I suspect it's 12psi or lower. The cp-e .pdf file is great science also, I'm still trying to wrap my head around what they're saying. Any more reliable comparisons out there?
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      03-07-2012, 09:23 PM   #20
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Not that we need another intercooler debate but it depends on how you drive. Even at 400HP if you only hit the gas for 5 seconds at a time your fine. Most things stock are made to do an medium job at an medium price. But it's a heat sink that means like anything it takes X amount of time to heat up depending on the mass it has and depending on the flow characteristics of it and the car will maintain a certain tempurature on the airflow going through it. If you live in the south, modify your car or drive it like it's a rental then yes it's recommended.
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      03-07-2012, 09:33 PM   #21
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For example, my last turbo car was a 2003 WRX. I used to laugh at the guys who converted to front mount intercoolers running the stock turbo. I ended up with big injectors, big fuel pump, big j-spec ball bearing turbo @ 23+ psi, and Cobb Tuning maps to bring it all together. I ran a j-spec STI top mount intercooler and ran 13.20's with it. That's an OEM intercooler, folks, and the car ran hard. I'm hoping for high 12's out of my 1'er. That's hard charging enough for me. Again, will reliability improve with a FMIC?
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      03-07-2012, 09:35 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brusk View Post
Not that we need another intercooler debate but it depends on how you drive. Even at 400HP if you only hit the gas for 5 seconds at a time your fine. Most things stock are made to do an medium job at an medium price. But it's a heat sink that means like anything it takes X amount of time to heat up depending on the mass it has and depending on the flow characteristics of it and the car will maintain a certain tempurature on the airflow going through it. If you live in the south, modify your car or drive it like it's a rental then yes it's recommended.
Good point!
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