Custom RHD rear turbo inlet pipe fitment kit for TFT inlet system

[JD75]

Hey guys,

here are a few pics of the custom rear turbo inlet pipe that I had fabricated to allow fitment of the Trueform Technologies intake/turbo inlet kit on RHD vehicles.

Unfortunately the rear inlet pipe supplied with the TFT kit was not even close to clearing that pesky steering shaft on our RHD vehicles.

However after 3+ days of fabrication/test fitment on my 135i and further trial fitment on a 335i in cooperation with a willing and patient owner, I'm very pleased to say fitment is spot on whilst maintaining as much volume as possible along the course of the 2.5" pipe from the front to the rear.

The second pic shows the fibreglass pipe following final preparation in readiness for the carbon fibre moulding stage.

The RHD fitment kit will also include a custom rear turbo upper coolant line, that allows for the ideal phasing of the compressor inlet silicone coupler where the pipe meets the coupler after snaking its way behind the steering shaft and along the firewall.

The custom coolant line features high quality - 6AN fittings and a braided hose that has a lining which is coolant/antifreeze compatible. It also retains the stock hose ends for OEM fitment to the coolant outlet on the block and coolant inlet on the turbo CHRA.

The coolant line would probably benefit from some form of heat wrap and there is plenty of room to do so with the re-orientated line.

More info and pics to come, I hope to have the first production version of the carbon fibre inlet pipe complete within 2 weeks.

Cheers,

Justin.

[135i2]

Can't wait for the final pipe so I can get TFT on my car for some high numbers. 400rwkw here we come.

Good work Justin.

[Forced_downunder]

Looks really good Justin.

[questionable]

Epic.

[dh58]

Is this n54 only?

[DR-JEKL]

Great work Justin, looks like this bloke enjoys a challenge!

[Nugget]

What is the advantage of this over the Vargas silicone pipes which fit RHD cars also?

[135i2]

Originally Posted by dh58

Is this n54 only?

Yes, N54 only.

[135i2]

Originally Posted by Nugget

What is the advantage of this over the Vargas silicone pipes which fit RHD cars also?

Justin will have to chime in here with his extensive knowlege of product and the bleeding edge out of the US.

TFT makes more power than VTT on cars in the states.

The next direct OZ comparison (to my knowledge), with full bolt ons and RBs, will be my car in relation to Forced_downunder (MT). Both cars will end up with similar mods, mine AT. Both will run on the Advan dyno.

At the moment Forced is 397rwkw with the VTT and more power to come once his mods are sorted with Justin's help. Currently I am at 370rwkw with no inlets and more to come with Justin's help before we switch over to the TFT.

400rwkw just around the corner.

[Forced_downunder]

Looking forward to what 135i2's car will deliver with the TFT's. Massive result without the inlets.

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by Nugget

What is the advantage of this over the Vargas silicone pipes which fit RHD cars also?

This will be interesting to see how they stack up in terms of power.

The main differences I can see (will be an advantage to some) is there is no coolant re-location required, looks a lot stealthier (engine bay would look mostly stock if you retained oem filter with a Mr5 mod) and you can use any DCI setup with the VTT. I believe the VTT will also be a whole lot cheaper than the TFT's, but one would have to think the TFT's would flow more and sound a lot louder (& better in some people's opinion)

VTT had a pair of his intakes tested on a flow bench and in comparison to the MMP intakes, one pipe actually outflowed the MMP by a fair margin yet on the other pipe the MMP slightly outflowed the VTT. The thread has since been deleted for some reason and I cannot remember all of the details.

Originally Posted by Tony@vargasturbotech

Incase anyone still wanted to say TFT/ MMP style inlets are superior in flow.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post17938484

It will certainly be interesting to see what gains can be made!

[mcmn]

hi Justin,

- Do you have an indicative prices for the kit?

- Will the coolant line support an evolution onto different turbos? I have my eyes set hopefully on something like the Super RB's when and if they come out, and of-course someone else has confirmed that they will fit around the steering on a RHD.

[mcmn]

Originally Posted by Cashless Bogun

Dude, a ruma haz it that a big single kit is round the corna with the sortta fab work u will need too do. supaRBs wont get clowse.

Honestly can't figure out if you're taking the piss or legit

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Nugget

What is the advantage of this over the Vargas silicone pipes which fit RHD cars also?

nothing, all options have been flow tested.

TFT's front inlet flows a bit more than Vargas... Vargas rear flows a lot more than TFT.. and likely a LOT LOT more than this rear inlet given it's bendier.

Vargas inlets have made what was it.. 681rwhp on stock head etc (current record, TFT hasn't made more power).

either option will allow you to max out the stock frame turbos however, at the moment it's just a pissing competition as each one leapfrogs in various setups... both will be able to flow enough to make mid-high 6xxwhp on stock heads/manifolds dp-back exhausts... and eventually probably a bit over 700, upper lower 7xx everything balls to the wall. PLENTY.

only other difference is vargas is cheaper and doesn't require you to relocate coolant tank. Oh and will fit straight on to RHD exactly as it's shipped from the states.. to stock style airboxes/DCI etc..

[135i2]

"...a bendier inlet creates more flow..." Seriously!!


The VTT 681rwhp you refer to were Stage 2+ turbos run at 27.5psi. Larger than RB 20T billet compressor wheel and clipped turbines.

The TFT 645rwhp was made with RB Stage 2 turbos run at 23psi. 15T cast wheel, unclipped TD04L. Standard RBs. And non VSR balanced.

Hardly comparable.

We have like for like local cars to compare results with out of the same workshop for a REAL COMPARISON without the nonsense. On the same dyno and perhaps even the same day hey Forced_downunder.

When the cars are done we will post for public consumption without distortion.

Bottom line VTT and TFT work. Personal preference for people with the need and want for different outcomes with different budgets and power goals.

[135i2]

Originally Posted by mcmn

Honestly can't figure out if you're taking the piss or legit

I'm with you mcmn. Seriously....Cashless Bogun??

I have been hassling Advan for a long time in regards to a RHD single turbo without any favour. Peter!!

Fess up mate if you have something worth sharing?

[Forced_downunder]

Happy to do a same day comparison as it will be the only real world like for like which seems hard to find now days.

Now, what's next to develop more boost is the question and what's all this secret squirrel about singles.

[BMWhoarder]

There's a lot of dislike towards VTT products, I try to ignore the personalities and look at the facts.
End of the day, VTT, MMP, TFT etc all have the potential to flow more than stock frame turbos can support so it's really a personal preference/cost analysis decision. Try to ignore the comments about mis-matched flow ratings depending on front/rear pipes. Take a look at your current rear pipe, it clearly flows far less than the front.

VTT - US$499 (although misleading given they charge paypal fees etc. i consider this to be poor practice). Complete 'kit', fits up to stock locations, no further costs involved.

MMP - US$450-$750. Essentially a few commonly available bends and couplers and some brackets for the minimum kit; requiring further purchases to complete the install, through to the complete kit with no need to buy things separately.

TFT - US$1500. Stainless steel, completely custom. requires new charge pipe (included in cost). Have the advantage of everyone going "oh wow TFT is awesome" mostly as they were first to produce results, impressive ones at that.

If it was me, the only option i'd be choosing is VTT. People complain that it is expensive for essentially some silicon pipes, however it is the cheapest complete kit available and as mentioned, your stock frame turbos are not going to exceed the flow rating of these pipes.
If you don't already have a charge pipe, TFT is an OK option (though not one i would take), given that getting a charge pipe separately is essentially a $500+ purchase on its own.

As it stands, i have all the pieces to make my own intakes, either replicating the MMP version, or a similar version to VTT. Whether i do this or purchase VTT is yet to be decided.

[135i2]

Personally, I don't give a damn where the product comes from. I want the best results for my car that has been continually modified for the last 7 years making the best power I can make with the products available at the time.

There are a multitude of brands of gear on my car, I don't care who makes it, but it better be the standout item among a group of choices that provides the maximum power / performance I can get. However, I do care about how my hard earned money is spent, and I do it with as much knowledge of the issues and cost involved with fitting that product. Too often a product promises easy fitment and a cheap entry price but in reality cost more than you are lead to believe. A lucrative honey trap for some.

Naturally the internet and forums are full of vendors and individuals pushing their egotistical, vitriolic hyperbole in order to sell or just prop up their own bullshit. It's too easy to regurgitate nonsense that has been read on other forums, taking incomplete fact and misleading people who are trying to sift through the plethora of information in order to make some informed choices about how they will spend their next dollar.

Given this is a TFT thread, as stated in a previous post, we will actually measure the results on like for like cars (not just talk about it from something read or misrepresented somewhere else) and share REAL RESULTS for those interested in weighing up the cost of product, real cost of installation versus the power attained.

And if you're wondering, should the RHD TFT make less power than VTT silicon on a directly comparable car locally...the VTT will be fitted to mine. The decision won't be made on just the apparent price but the actual measurable performance.

Horses for courses. Choose your own.

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by Cashless Bogun

Dude, a ruma haz it that a big single kit is round the corna with the sortta fab work u will need too do. supaRBs wont get clowse.

I really don't like reading your posts.

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I really don't like reading your posts.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by 135i2

And if you're wondering, should the RHD TFT make less power than VTT silicon on a directly comparable car locally...the VTT will be fitted to mine. The decision won't be made on just the apparent price but the actual measurable performance.

If one option actually can make more power than another on stock frames (even the RHD modified TFT inlets)... I don't know what i'd do, other than be incredibly surprised.