AMS Intercooler Installation and Thoughts

zamm3k · 08-28-2009, 02:59 PM

I posted yesterday with some pictures of my recently acquired piece of beauty. The AMS intercooler. I'll post the pics from yesterday and some of the installation pictures. This isn't exactly a DIY post but it will help you get an idea what you'll do when you install this IC.

To start, I'm gonna go ahead and say that this isn't the intercooler for those of you that don't wanna trim. I went into this knowing I was the first to install this IC on a 135i (as far as I'm concerned). I'm pretty sure after taking a look down there and inspecting it, that there really is now way of getting a nice size intercooler in our cars without trimming. I knew the stock IC was small, but holy crap is it tiny, I had no idea.

I will admit I had to do some cutting, not trimming. You have to actually cut part of the front panel. For those of you getting nervous about this, I did the research for you, and if you ever do want to make this "reversible", buying a new front panel (part no. 51647193193 ) will cost you $248.16 in ECS tuning.

As I reviewed in my last forum, the intercooler is top notch. The welds are awesome, end tanks are thin, light and durable, and the core is just as good.

The install is pretty straight forward, just like any intercooler. I removed my front bumper just to make everything easier, and it is necessary in order to cut the front panel. I will show the part I cut in pictures later. The really tricky annoying part is getting rid of the stock clamps that attach the first portion of the charge pipe to the inlet coupling on the intercooler, and the upstream clamp that connects the chargepipe to the coupling that connects to the intercooler. For this I took of the whole plastic charge pipe to make it easier. Pictures on that clamp later.

Comparison of the two intercoolers. Somehow I couldn't get the pictures to justify the difference.

picture of where I disconnected the chargepipe to make it easier to get rid of the stock clamp from the coupling.

Heres the picture of the front panel after being cut. I accidently erased the before picture.

final product before bumper:

final product after bumper:

and the very annoying clamp to get rid of. To pry it open you have to make sure u stick the flat head screw driver right where the groves are and press hard, it'll eventually pop.

some of the pictures of the intercooler alone

I haven't been able to run logs since I did this last nite, and my stock IC logs were done at nite in 29.5 C degree weather. Tonite I'll try to get some logs to show you how this baby works!

***UPDATE***

Did a stock run, now I have to graph the run with the AMS intercooler. That'll come later today hopefully.

Stock Run

Diego

randomquickness · 08-28-2009, 03:35 PM

looks awesome man...the front of my car will look like yours next week...only with an ER IC. I will post a teaser pic if you want but don't want to thread-jack. It really does look great and AMS has a great reputation! Congrats!

zamm3k · 08-29-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randomquickness

looks awesome man...the front of my car will look like yours next week...only with an ER IC. I will post a teaser pic if you want but don't want to thread-jack. It really does look great and AMS has a great reputation! Congrats!

thanks man! i was gonna go with the Evo Racing intercooler too but this one came out a bit cheaper so I decided to go with this. anyway I haven't been able to pull some logs after the install, its the weekend and I've been busy

and I wanna do it at night to keep all variables as constant as possible!

Mr Aryan · 08-29-2009, 03:41 PM

did they release them? AMS website doesn't have them yet, and says late summer 2009, and no price...

bimmerboy · 08-29-2009, 04:02 PM

how does it drive now? can you feel the consistency in power?

zamm3k · 08-29-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerboy

how does it drive now? can you feel the consistency in power?

Consistency in power is awesome, as a matter of fact I feel more power now mostly because I live in hot weather and I can tell the IC is doing its job. When I let off the clutch its also less jerky, but thats because I have a CP-E charge pipe with a BOV and the throttle body used to be jerky (I'm guessing the bit of the pressure drop in the IC makes up for this). Over all the car feels awesome and the IC is supposed to keep power delivery constant, I actually got some added power. I really am happy as hell with this purchase!

Dr3K0 · 09-03-2009, 02:55 PM

Nice intercooler!!!

How much???

Does the plastic trim you cut affect any integrity on the car??

Dr3K0

ALLMuRdErEdOut · 09-03-2009, 03:32 PM

Looks like a well-built unit. Expect NOTHING less from AMS...

zamm3k · 09-04-2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr3K0

Nice intercooler!!!

How much???

Does the plastic trim you cut affect any integrity on the car??

Dr3K0

No integrity lost really. Maybe some integrity lost from the plastic front end, but nothing that will affect handling or rigidness on the car. I have the logs for the new IC just haven't posted it since doesn't seem like the thread got much interest!

Terp1 · 09-04-2009, 05:57 AM

Where did you buy the AMS Intercooler from?

zamm3k · 09-04-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terp1

Where did you buy the AMS Intercooler from?

directly from them. I believe they prefer for you to call them as they've just recently finished the project and I'm not sure ordering thru their webpage is yet available.

NEW STORE HOURS
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. **NOW OPEN ALL DAY**
Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. for Lunch
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

PHONE NUMBERS
Phone: 847-709-0530
Fax: 847-290-1451

ADDRESS
1760 Metoyer Court, West Chicago, IL 60185

COMPANY E-MAIL
Sales Dept: sales@amsperformance.com
Webmaster: webmaster@amsperformance.com

Thats their info if you're interested. Eric is pretty active on the forums if you want to PM him too.

Terp1 · 09-04-2009, 11:04 AM

Thank you.

Eric@AMS · 09-05-2009, 11:11 AM

Thank you! Glad you are happy with it.

We do have a sale going on in the marketplace so be sure to check it out

Eric

aznbenz07 · 09-11-2009, 05:48 PM

Ams is TOP NOTCH! I'm buying their intercooler & downpipe after I get my cf boot lid.

zamm3k · 09-14-2009, 03:21 PM

updated just in case anyone is following this thread!

jeremyc74 · 09-14-2009, 03:30 PM

In.

Those cast end tanks look nice! Looks like a quality piece in the photos.

Eric@AMS · 09-14-2009, 06:05 PM

Thanks for the detailed pics!

Can't wait to see the IAT logs

Eric

Victory Road · 09-14-2009, 06:22 PM

Every car AMS touches receives products with the highest quality standards in the industry.

Looks great!

zamm3k · 09-14-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric@AMS

Thanks for the detailed pics!

Can't wait to see the IAT logs

Eric

Well I'm always busy thats why I haven't had the time, but I got to monitor them on a trip to the beach and they're 17 degrees celsius lower. An estimated 33 degrees fahrenheit lower. Thats a hell of a drop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank@wheelsto

Every car AMS touches receives products with the highest quality standards in the industry.

Looks great!

I can vouch for that.

marvinp · 09-14-2009, 09:17 PM

I couldn't help but notice how nice the angel eyes look in bright white. What did you use for that?

zamm3k · 09-14-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvinp

I couldn't help but notice how nice the angel eyes look in bright white. What did you use for that?

RDash from Pyspeed. They have a thread on the commercial section. They're bright at night but during sunlight theyre not as visible as stock bulbs. Installations is a piece of cake and theres no splicing or anything!

ojwerks · 10-04-2009, 09:37 PM

thats a very shitty shitty shitty looking piece of crap intercooler on an even crappier looking car...

j/k

08-28-2009, 02:59 PM	#1
zamm3k Bla! 82 Rep 909 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (4)	AMS Intercooler Installation and Thoughts I posted yesterday with some pictures of my recently acquired piece of beauty. The AMS intercooler. I'll post the pics from yesterday and some of the installation pictures. This isn't exactly a DIY post but it will help you get an idea what you'll do when you install this IC. To start, I'm gonna go ahead and say that this isn't the intercooler for those of you that don't wanna trim. I went into this knowing I was the first to install this IC on a 135i (as far as I'm concerned). I'm pretty sure after taking a look down there and inspecting it, that there really is now way of getting a nice size intercooler in our cars without trimming. I knew the stock IC was small, but holy crap is it tiny, I had no idea. I will admit I had to do some cutting, not trimming. You have to actually cut part of the front panel. For those of you getting nervous about this, I did the research for you, and if you ever do want to make this "reversible", buying a new front panel (part no. 51647193193 ) will cost you $248.16 in ECS tuning. As I reviewed in my last forum, the intercooler is top notch. The welds are awesome, end tanks are thin, light and durable, and the core is just as good. The install is pretty straight forward, just like any intercooler. I removed my front bumper just to make everything easier, and it is necessary in order to cut the front panel. I will show the part I cut in pictures later. The really tricky annoying part is getting rid of the stock clamps that attach the first portion of the charge pipe to the inlet coupling on the intercooler, and the upstream clamp that connects the chargepipe to the coupling that connects to the intercooler. For this I took of the whole plastic charge pipe to make it easier. Pictures on that clamp later. Comparison of the two intercoolers. Somehow I couldn't get the pictures to justify the difference. picture of where I disconnected the chargepipe to make it easier to get rid of the stock clamp from the coupling. Heres the picture of the front panel after being cut. I accidently erased the before picture. final product before bumper: final product after bumper: and the very annoying clamp to get rid of. To pry it open you have to make sure u stick the flat head screw driver right where the groves are and press hard, it'll eventually pop. some of the pictures of the intercooler alone I haven't been able to run logs since I did this last nite, and my stock IC logs were done at nite in 29.5 C degree weather. Tonite I'll try to get some logs to show you how this baby works! *UPDATE* Did a stock run, now I have to graph the run with the AMS intercooler. That'll come later today hopefully. Stock Run Diego Last edited by zamm3k; 09-14-2009 at 03:20 PM..
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08-28-2009, 03:35 PM	#2
randomquickness Brigadier General 219 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: 996tt Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (13)	looks awesome man...the front of my car will look like yours next week...only with an ER IC. I will post a teaser pic if you want but don't want to thread-jack. It really does look great and AMS has a great reputation! Congrats! __________________
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08-29-2009, 03:41 PM	#4
Mr Aryan Private 28 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 1M Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bahrain iTrader: (1)	did they release them? AMS website doesn't have them yet, and says late summer 2009, and no price...
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08-29-2009, 04:02 PM	#5
bimmerboy Captain 23 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	how does it drive now? can you feel the consistency in power? __________________ *--2009 BSM 135i--* -Manual, Sport Package, BMW Assist
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09-03-2009, 02:55 PM	#7
Dr3K0 First Lieutenant 39 Rep 387 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (0)	Nice intercooler!!! How much??? Does the plastic trim you cut affect any integrity on the car?? Dr3K0
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09-03-2009, 03:32 PM	#8
ALLMuRdErEdOut Wanna Get MURDERED??? 6 Rep 97 Posts Drives: BMW E82 M1 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Looks like a well-built unit. Expect NOTHING less from AMS... __________________
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09-04-2009, 05:57 AM	#10
Terp1 Private First Class 23 Rep 193 Posts Drives: '01 BMW 325Ci Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (0)	Where did you buy the AMS Intercooler from?
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09-04-2009, 11:04 AM	#12
Terp1 Private First Class 23 Rep 193 Posts Drives: '01 BMW 325Ci Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (0)	Thank you.
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09-05-2009, 11:11 AM	#13
Eric@AMS Captain 71 Rep 726 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: West Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Thank you! Glad you are happy with it. We do have a sale going on in the marketplace so be sure to check it out Eric
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09-11-2009, 05:48 PM	#14
aznbenz07 Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 08 Evolution x gsr, 2007 328xi Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Queens/Long Island iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 328 xi [0.00] 2008 Mitsubishi [0.00]	Ams is TOP NOTCH! I'm buying their intercooler & downpipe after I get my cf boot lid. __________________ [CENTER] 2008 Mitsubishi CZ4A Evolution 10 sold GTR or M3 coming soon.
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09-14-2009, 03:21 PM	#15
zamm3k Bla! 82 Rep 909 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (4)	updated just in case anyone is following this thread!
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09-14-2009, 03:30 PM	#16
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	In. Those cast end tanks look nice! Looks like a quality piece in the photos.
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09-14-2009, 06:05 PM	#17
Eric@AMS Captain 71 Rep 726 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: West Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Thanks for the detailed pics! Can't wait to see the IAT logs Eric
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09-14-2009, 06:22 PM	#18
Victory Road Major 114 Rep 1,323 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (6)	Every car AMS touches receives products with the highest quality standards in the industry. Looks great!
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09-14-2009, 09:17 PM	#20
marvinp Captain 274 Rep 612 Posts Drives: '18 M3, '09 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	I couldn't help but notice how nice the angel eyes look in bright white. What did you use for that? __________________ 2018 F80 M3 Comp, Silverstone Metallic II, w/ black 666M (Ordered: 7/9/2017 \| Pickup 9/9/2017) 1998 E36 M3, Cosmos Schwarz Metallic 2009 E82 135i, Montego Blue
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10-04-2009, 09:37 PM	#22
ojwerks Private 6 Rep 65 Posts Drives: SLK320, E39 540i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Miami / Venezuela iTrader: (0)	thats a very shitty shitty shitty looking piece of crap intercooler on an even crappier looking car... j/k __________________ 2001 BMW 540i E39 Eibach l Bilstein l iForged l Nitto l Magnaflow l Euro-Dyne & couple other euros ...
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