Intercoolers in Oz

[jorge135]

Hey guys im looking at upgrading my intercooler. I've had a read of the comparisons on the forum. Just wondering what members in Aus are using.
I'm particularly interested in before and after results in melbourne weather.

I'm currently leaning towards the ER competition from Stu.

[Moocow]

Originally Posted by jorge135

Hey guys im looking at upgrading my intercooler. I've had a read of the comparisons on the forum. Just wondering what members in Aus are using.
I'm particularly interested in before and after results in melbourne weather.

I'm currently leaning towards the ER competition from Stu.

I got the VRSF 7". Some slight cutting of the inside of the bumper was required. The guys at activemotorwerke's installed it. Very happy with the install. Ignore some of the reviews, there was one guy complaining on about 4 forums etc. http://www.activemotorwerke.com.au/

I don't have any before or after dyno graphs. I installed the BMW performance exhaust at the same time. I also changed my Cobb tune, definitely notice the difference!

[Kabnine]

Originally Posted by Moocow

I got the VRSF 7". Some slight cutting of the inside of the bumper was required. The guys at activemotorwerke's installed it. Very happy with the install. Ignore some of the reviews, there was one guy complaining on about 4 forums etc. http://www.activemotorwerke.com.au/

I don't have any before or after dyno graphs. I installed the BMW performance exhaust at the same time. I also changed my Cobb tune, definitely notice the difference!

I purchased the same cooler and the downpipes as well. Unfortunately they are both sitting on the floor of my garage waiting for me to either have time to do the install or have time to arrange for someone to do the install. At this stage I think I will pay to have the downpipes put on, and do the cooler myself.

This does unfortunately mean I have no dyno figures etc, but I can say that the transaction was painless. The product itself seems to be a good quality, but my brothers ETS intercooler is much neater. Although there is quite a difference in the pricing of the two.

[1MOz]

You can't go wrong with the ER competition.

I installed Cobb FMIC and Cobb OTS stage 1+FMIC tune, like to keep same brand wherever possible. dyno before 254kW and after 280kW.

Here are the charts: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14355468#post14355468

[jorge135]

Thanks for your replies guys.

What was the your deciding factor when choosing the VRSF?
Can I ask how much you got it for?

[JB4-335]

I have the ETS 5". Did a little review on it with data. Scroll down to post #14.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=512656

[Nugget]

I have the ER intercooler and charge pipe. No complaints from me. Does require a fair amount of trimming to fit though.

[jorge135]

Originally Posted by Nugget

I have the ER intercooler and charge pipe. No complaints from me. Does require a fair amount of trimming to fit though.

Wow i was under the impression no trimming is required for this, this was one of the reasons on leaning towards the ER.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by jorge135

Wow i was under the impression no trimming is required for this, this was one of the reasons on leaning towards the ER.

The ETS has the least trimming of all.. At least on the 1M that is.

Just a small 5mm x 40cm plastic strip has to be trimmed of the lower cowl.. Can be done with small tin snips.

[PeteA]

Originally Posted by jorge135

Wow i was under the impression no trimming is required for this, this was one of the reasons on leaning towards the ER.

I was under this impression also. Cutting and modifying is a bit of a deal breaker.

I want a direct swap. Might have to go either a COBB or a Dinan route. Don't think either require modification and are straight swaps.

[Kabnine]

Originally Posted by jorge135

Thanks for your replies guys.

What was the your deciding factor when choosing the VRSF?
Can I ask how much you got it for?

Price. I could get downpipes and Intercooler landed in Australia for the same price as some of the intercoolers out there, and just a few hundred more than some of the other coolers. I don't remember the exact price, if you search through here somewhere I think I might have quoted it on the forums before.

In addition, the downpipes are one of the few that actually fit RHD, so I figured if their downpipes were good enough to go on my car, so was the cooler.

I also read a few reviews, mostly at E90post and other 335i forums. (linking other forums here is bad mmkay)

[1MOz]

Originally Posted by PeteA

I was under this impression also. Cutting and modifying is a bit of a deal breaker.

I want a direct swap. Might have to go either a COBB or a Dinan route. Don't think either require modification and are straight swaps.

Pete, COBB says it's a straight fit but I also had to trim off a small strip to install my COBB fmic as Zuzu did with his ETS. It's no biggie and you can't tell it had been trimmed.

[TimMc]

Helix stepped IC. Fitted it myself. No trimming.

[NoOg_sTaR]

My build thread illustrates how much trimming is involved.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=770145

I have a ER competition and no real complaints.

[Gemballa1980]

Originally Posted by TimMc

Helix stepped IC. Fitted it myself. No trimming.

Nice choice!

I went the same..

[TimMc]

Originally Posted by Gemballa1980

Nice choice!

I went the same..

Haha! Mine actually used to be fitted to a 335i Gemballa.

[Moocow]

Originally Posted by jorge135

Thanks for your replies guys.

What was the your deciding factor when choosing the VRSF?
Can I ask how much you got it for?

I read some good reviews, I ordered and installed their downpipes first, was happy with them and decided to get their 7" IC as well. Can't be beat for the price. Sure some of the others might look better close up etc, but who gives a shit, they're semi hidden anyway, as long as it does the job right.

I got the 7" one, along with the lower charge pipe upgrade.
http://www.vr-speed.com/vrsf-7-front...-e90-e92.html?

I'm sure Tiago would do you a good deal, if you purchased them both together.

He was really helpful, everything was pretty painless really. Very happy with the end result - an end result that cost me considerably less!!!!!!!!!

[BMJ]

Originally Posted by jorge135

Hey guys im looking at upgrading my intercooler. I've had a read of the comparisons on the forum. Just wondering what members in Aus are using.
I'm particularly interested in before and after results in melbourne weather.

I'm currently leaning towards the ER competition from Stu.

I'm running a 5inch direct fit from ETS very happy with it. Mine needed no trimming.