THE ULTIMATE Intercooler Thread - What to Look For Before Buying an FMIC

[mike@x-ph.com]

VRSF Intercooler picture provided by Brandon.

[mike@x-ph.com]

VRSF 7.5" Race Intercooler

[mike@x-ph.com]

Customer pictures: CSF vs Stock

[mike@x-ph.com]

VRSF BMW Race intecooler 135 335 - Thank you Ronald for the picture

[jw.e36]

hi, im relatively new to the boost game, so excuse me if i sound like a noob lol

so ive got an '11 n55 car, planning on purchasing an FMIC in the spring, and considering the VRSF 7.5" stepped

right now I've got a JB4, vrsf chargepipe and vrsf catless dp. looking to pick up an intake, fmic, and get some dyno tuning, and was hoping to make 400whp or close to.

in the next few years hoping to go maybe pure stage 2 or something, but for the time being, is the 7.5" overkill?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by jw.e36

hi, im relatively new to the boost game, so excuse me if i sound like a noob lol

so ive got an '11 n55 car, planning on purchasing an FMIC in the spring, and considering the VRSF 7.5" stepped

right now I've got a JB4, vrsf chargepipe and vrsf catless dp. looking to pick up an intake, fmic, and get some dyno tuning, and was hoping to make 400whp or close to.

in the next few years hoping to go maybe pure stage 2 or something, but for the time being, is the 7.5" overkill?

the 7.5" competition is a perfect option for Full bolt on cars like yours or cars with stage 2 turbo

[Gangplank]

Which intercooler do you recommend for a car that will have charge pipe, intercooler & tune (Dinan)?

How much difference does adding an exhaust actually make on the above?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Which intercooler do you recommend for a car that will have charge pipe, intercooler & tune (Dinan)?

How much difference does adding an exhaust actually make on the above?

I recommend a 5" intercooler for this setup. Wagner EVO I, VRFS 5" or Active Autowerke

The exhaust does not add much power, its purely for sound and weight savings

[JPuehl]

Originally Posted by jw.e36

hi, im relatively new to the boost game, so excuse me if i sound like a noob lol

so ive got an '11 n55 car, planning on purchasing an FMIC in the spring, and considering the VRSF 7.5" stepped

right now I've got a JB4, vrsf chargepipe and vrsf catless dp. looking to pick up an intake, fmic, and get some dyno tuning, and was hoping to make 400whp or close to.

in the next few years hoping to go maybe pure stage 2 or something, but for the time being, is the 7.5" overkill?

I would suggest skipping the intake until you upgrade the turbo and need more air. The OEM CAI works great with just a "drop in".

[JPuehl]

Originally Posted by jw.e36

hi, im relatively new to the boost game, so excuse me if i sound like a noob lol

so ive got an '11 n55 car, planning on purchasing an FMIC in the spring, and considering the VRSF 7.5" stepped

right now I've got a JB4, vrsf chargepipe and vrsf catless dp. looking to pick up an intake, fmic, and get some dyno tuning, and was hoping to make 400whp or close to.

in the next few years hoping to go maybe pure stage 2 or something, but for the time being, is the 7.5" overkill?

Dyno tuning and JB4 don't go together. Get the MHD app if you plan to Dyno tune and drop the JB4. That's my plan when I get one more upgrade done to my car that affects the tune.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I recommend a 5" intercooler for this setup. Wagner EVO I, VRFS 5" or Active Autowerke

The exhaust does not add much power, its purely for sound and weight savings

Thanks for the quick reply. Looking at your site the price on the VSRF is pretty good. Any recommendation for the CP? Sort of thinking VSRF for both to keep it simple.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Thanks for the quick reply. Looking at your site the price on the VSRF is pretty good. Any recommendation for the CP? Sort of thinking VSRF for both to keep it simple.

+1 for VRSF

[ophten]

mike@x-ph, when making a recommendation for intercoolers, what variables are you considering for which applications? With so many options between both vendors (VSRF, Wagner, et al.) and configurations within a particular vendor (EVO I, II, III, e al.), what are the most important factors to consider when making a decision?

It seems, and please correct me if i'm off base, that target power (measured in HP? should we be measuring with something else) and application (track vs street) seem to be the most important variables. What else should we be considering? Where are the borders between applications i.e. when making the decisions go from a EVO I to an EVO II or EVO III, what tips the scale to larger? What are the penalties for over sizing the intercooler?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by ophten

mike@x-ph, when making a recommendation for intercoolers, what variables are you considering for which applications? With so many options between both vendors (VSRF, Wagner, et al.) and configurations within a particular vendor (EVO I, II, III, e al.), what are the most important factors to consider when making a decision?

It seems, and please correct me if i'm off base, that target power (measured in HP? should we be measuring with something else) and application (track vs street) seem to be the most important variables. What else should we be considering? Where are the borders between applications i.e. when making the decisions go from a EVO I to an EVO II or EVO III, what tips the scale to larger? What are the penalties for over sizing the intercooler?

Hi,
Lots of factors need to be considered.

Here a few of them:

- How much power the car is making
- How often is it tracked?
- Driving habits of the driver
- budget
- and most importantly, what is the customer's goal from getting a new intercooler?

Typically, when going with a larger intercooler, you risk getting a turbo lag. That being said, if the intercooler is designed correctly, you can get a larger size core without any increase in pressure airdrop. Wagner released data on their different intercoolers vs. stock showing that they perform better than the stock unit while still maximizing core volume

[Mustoke]

I have a 2009 135i with JB4 running map 5, 40% E85/93 octane. I don't plan on doing DP or exhaust.
5" stepped or 7.5" HD?
I don't race it. i am taking it to a 1/4 mile day in May with a group.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Mustoke

I have a 2009 135i with JB4 running map 5, 40% E85/93 octane. I don't plan on doing DP or exhaust.
5" stepped or 7.5" HD?
I don't race it. i am taking it to a 1/4 mile day in May with a group.

5" for sure

[Markoss96]

Hi I have a 2009 135i n54 running mhd stage 2+
Can you recommend a Fmic for me?
I'm currently running a MTC fmic but it is junk! Seeing my IATS climbing way more than I would like. Any recommendations appreciated.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Markoss96

Hi I have a 2009 135i n54 running mhd stage 2+
Can you recommend a Fmic for me?
I'm currently running a MTC fmic but it is junk! Seeing my IATS climbing way more than I would like. Any recommendations appreciated.

MAD 7.5" Race , Evolution Racewerks, ARM 1K & Burger Tuning race are all good options for your setup

[Markoss96]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

MAD 7.5" Race , Evolution Racewerks, ARM 1K & Burger Tuning race are all good options for your setup

Thankyou

[Markoss96]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

MAD 7.5" Race , Evolution Racewerks, ARM 1K & Burger Tuning race are all good options for your setup

Mike i have checked these fmics out & they look really good but I am from the UK & it seems these fmics are not easily available here.... are there anymore you could recommend?

I have just been looking at the vrsf 7.5" stepped competion HD fmic would this work with my setup?

[jkoehle]

I got my car with the ATM unit fitted. MHD Stage 2+, plan on upgrading twins and staying in the low 500s whenever the stockers decide to head out. Are there any inter coolers that will perform any better than what I’ve got?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Markoss96

Mike i have checked these fmics out & they look really good but I am from the UK & it seems these fmics are not easily available here.... are there anymore you could recommend?

I have just been looking at the vrsf 7.5" stepped competion HD fmic would this work with my setup?

the VRSF competition will work as well

Im not familiar with brands locally available in the UK, I recommend you get the brand you like from a US dealer with reasonable shipping.

Originally Posted by jkoehle

I got my car with the ATM unit fitted. MHD Stage 2+, plan on upgrading twins and staying in the low 500s whenever the stockers decide to head out. Are there any inter coolers that will perform any better than what I’ve got?

If I'm not mistaken, the ATM is a 6" intercooler.
I recommend a 7"+ intercooler for upgraded turbos.