Wagner Evo 1 vs. VRSF 7" FMIC

[7smurfs]

I am currently in the process of hunting for an FMIC in prep for the hot summer to come.

I am currently running:
Stage 2 MHD, Catless DPs + Axle back, DCI, CP/BOV

So basically a FMIC will make me FBO

Wagner Evo 1 is $1020 and DIY-able but 5" stepped core
VRSF is ~$700 (need a price check) and would get someone to install as am not confident with trimming ($+300-400) but is 7"

What would you suggest?

[vtl]

No brainer for the Wagner IMO, I have the same FMIC.

Heres some more info
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...8&postcount=40

[Dat Aus]

You're running stage 2 MHD on the stock intercooler???

[7smurfs]

Originally Posted by Dat Aus

You're running stage 2 MHD on the stock intercooler???

Yep, stage 2 requires DPs.

Stage 2+ requires intercooler

[martymil]

I know of a wagner Evo 2 competition going up for sale in a few days if you can wait

[7smurfs]

Originally Posted by martymil

I know of a wagner Evo 2 competition going up for sale in a few days if you can wait

Ohh yes I am keen

[Newguy123]

I went with the 7.5" Race vrsf on my n55 couldn't be happier! My IAT's drop as rpms rise now, first fmic I've used that does this. I have also tested the ER competition fmic and the newest Wagner competition evo 2 both are good but both always had IAT's climb 15*+ over starting temps by the end of a single fourth gear pull using my pure stage 2 hybrid. So far the vrsf has more then exceeded my expectations, my only gripe is its heavy!

[Dat Aus]

Originally Posted by 7smurfs

Yep, stage 2 requires DPs.

Stage 2+ requires intercooler

I see. I always assumed the Stage 2 maps required the hardware for Stage 1+.

I always thought it was as follows.
Stage 1 - stock
Stage 1+ - Intercooler
Stage 2 - DPs and intercooler
Stage 2 + - Same requirements as Stage 2 just more aggressive map.

Good to know.

[Alpha Trion]

Is there that much of a weight difference between the coolers? im a fan of trying to shed weight on my convertible. If it's less than stock i'll do it!

[martymil]

There is nothing lighter than the stock cooler and also there is nothing worse than it too

If you want the lightest vs weight best cooler it's the Wagner Evo comp 2 tube and fin

Comparing to a bar and plate, the weight loss is substantial

If you want the best cooling it's the plazmaman cooler

Nothing comes even close

[Alpha Trion]

Any idea the price of a Plazmaman cooler? I was on the website and didn't show anything for our cars.

[martymil]

It's a full custom job 3.5k installed

[phunky_monkey]

I wanted the lightest, best flowing IC on the market. I believe that is the Wagner Evo 2, so I had one installed and am very happy with it.

Only thing that peeved me a little is that it bulges the front bar down a bit, but that's pretty easily fixed.

[martymil]

Yes the Wagner is the best without chopping to much plastic out for the stock location

It's the best for track use but has the problem as all aftermarket ic they rise very quickly when drag racing but the Wagner is not as bad as most others

I will be hopefully have a plazmaman one soon to test
Just can afford it right now

[Dat Aus]

Just a heads up that the VRSF coolers are on sale at the moment. I think there's a couple of days left on the sale.

I've been doing a fair bit of research into intercoolers the last few days and I have decided that (when I have the spare cash) I'm going to go with the Wagner. It's a direct fit and doesn't require any trimming. That, for me, is a big draw card. It also has a fantastic reputation for being the best available.

The VRSFs are apparently a pain in the ass to fit. For the extra price you pay for the Wagner, you save money in being able to fit it quickly and easily yourself. If you don't want to struggle with fitting the VRSF, you'll need to pay someone to do it and what you pay for labor will make up the difference in cost between it and the Wagner.

Another option would be the VRSF 5" which I believe doesn't require trimming. I contacted them about it and they tried to up-sell me on the 7" straight away claiming that it is strongly recommended due to our hotter climate. I'm not sure how much truth there is to that statement as we have a very similar climate to a lot of the US.

[martymil]

The wagner evo 2 does require some trimming but its well worth it in the end

don't know about evo 1

[vtl]

Originally Posted by Dat Aus

Another option would be the VRSF 5" which I believe doesn't require trimming. I contacted them about it and they tried to up-sell me on the 7" straight away claiming that it is strongly recommended due to our hotter climate. I'm not sure how much truth there is to that statement as we have a very similar climate to a lot of the US.

Wise choice, Wagner EVO1 performance is the least amount of stuffing around.

Haha the VRSF 5" is still a pain to fit, I've installed most of the aftermarket intercoolers available for these cars.

Silicone couplers mean you have to cut off the stock hoses, not much space in there. A few lucky times I have been able to pry off the factory one time clamps but most of the time the clamps require to be cut off. Lower charge pipe (the one attached to the fan) is a nightmare to remove on an AT with the fan in place. Fan removal is definitely recommended. Then fitting the silicone clamps is a major pain in the ass due to having hardly any space on the hot side of the intercooler. I found I had to use a 40cm of extensions threaded thru a gap the subframe to be able to do up the clamps with power tools. Otherwise it'll take you a million years to do them up with a ratcheting spanner with the amount of space available. You really need to know all the tricks to install these things without taking forever.

Even the most hamfisted DIYer would be able to install the Wagner, installing it is less difficult than an oil change.

[7smurfs]

My research came through as:

Wagner evo 2 = best IC but $$$

VRSF 7" = bang for buck but difficult fitment/requires trimming

VRSF 7" High Density = looking good but you would be a gen 1 tester... remember that the VRSF 7" model has been revised 3 times already since launch.

Wagner Evo 1 & VRSF 5" = easy fitment however cooling potential not as good as 7" due to the quick connector restriction (could be marketing). I even found articles that compared wagner evo 1 performance that surprisingly came out worse than stock which obviously makes no sense! Seems to be alot of competitor hate for wagner evo 1 for some reason ehh...

In the end I went with JD75 and bought VRSF 7" as I may be upgrading the turbos in future
Looking forward to getting it installed for the hot summer and finally going FBO

[titium]

Originally Posted by vtl

Even the most hamfisted DIYer would be able to install the Wagner, installing it is less difficult than an oil change.

+1

took me longer to jack the car up and take off the undertray then actually fit the intercooler.

very easy and does a great job of dropping intake temps. the best intercooler for stock turbos IMO.

[Simonnn]

Originally Posted by 7smurfs

My research came through as:

Wagner evo 2 = best IC but $$$

VRSF 7" = bang for buck but difficult fitment/requires trimming

VRSF 7" High Density = looking good but you would be a gen 1 tester... remember that the VRSF 7" model has been revised 3 times already since launch.

Wagner Evo 1 & VRSF 5" = easy fitment however cooling potential not as good as 7" due to the quick connector restriction (could be marketing). I even found articles that compared wagner evo 1 performance that surprisingly came out worse than stock which obviously makes no sense! Seems to be alot of competitor hate for wagner evo 1 for some reason ehh...

In the end I went with JD75 and bought VRSF 7" as I may be upgrading the turbos in future
Looking forward to getting it installed for the hot summer and finally going FBO

Great summary, I think i'll go the 7 inch VRSF too as I plan to just get a workshop to do the install

[vtl]

We saw a VRSF 7" intercooler heatsoak on the Nizpro dyno day on an N55 car running fairly low boost. My car made the most power on stock turbos that day using the Wagner EVO1 performance and held up great over the 3 runs. 7" doesn't seem to perform any better, the fat couplings offer no benefits in power over the stock quick connects.

[FLYN55]

Originally Posted by vtl

We saw a VRSF 7" intercooler heatsoak on the Nizpro dyno day on an N55 car running fairly low boost. My car made the most power on stock turbos that day using the Wagner EVO1 performance and held up great over the 3 runs. 7" doesn't seem to perform any better, the fat couplings offer no benefits in power over the stock quick connects.

Simon from NizPro is working on a large fmic :-) and with his experience and quality you know its be like one of the better coolers on the market. Was I interesting day that dyno day, especially with a lot of the cars fitted with Jb4s 🙈