[switlikbob]

I just bought the AA intercooler, but I'm kind of wondering if the CTS unit is that same damn thing, just cheaper.

Thoughts?

https://store.activeautowerke.com/co...55-intercooler

http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/product...-4939-553.html

[SeanWRT]

Stepped core design for N55 and N20 application seems to have been industry standard these days. Every one looks identical. Differences are in core efficiency which is finding good balance among cooling, flow and maybe weight.

[switlikbob]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Stepped core design for N55 and N20 application seems to have been industry standard these days. Every one looks identical. Differences are in core efficiency which is finding good balance among cooling, flow and maybe weight.

Have you seen any other stepped core designs that look exactly like this? I am asking because the AA & CTS units look identical to me. The AA unit does have an AA badge riveted to the core, that's the only difference I could see. I'm thinking they're both made at the same China-factory, LOL

And regarding weight, the AA unit is heavy as fawk!

**EDIT**
Actually, after a quick google search, I see there are a ton of other options that look to be the same exact intercoolers.
Of course, I don't know what the build material differences are. What's different is the price. Here's one:

https://www.armmotorsports.com/N54-N...p/335-fmic.htm

Looking at the video, this one even came in what appears to be the same box and packaging.

[shemeld_135]

Originally Posted by switlikbob

Have you seen any other stepped core designs that look exactly like this? I am asking because the AA & CTS units look identical to me. The AA unit does have an AA badge riveted to the core, that's the only difference I could see. I'm thinking they're both made at the same China-factory, LOL

And regarding weight, the AA unit is heavy as fawk!

My China made ic works just fine was lighter then stock though much bigger and provides lower IAT. Less then 200$ to my door was also sweet lol

Looks like a few branded manufacturers, but who knows.. only thing I care is I'm happy with it.

[Ex-MINI]

Originally Posted by shemeld_135

My China made ic works just fine was lighter then stock though much bigger and provides lower IAT. Less then 200$ to my door was also sweet lol

Looks like a few branded manufacturers, but who knows.. only thing I care is I'm happy with it.

Where did you get it from? Have you done any other mods?

[switlikbob]

Originally Posted by shemeld_135

My China made ic works just fine was lighter then stock though much bigger and provides lower IAT. Less then 200$ to my door was also sweet lol

Looks like a few branded manufacturers, but who knows.. only thing I care is I'm happy with it.

Yeah, I don't doubt it. Did you get it from eBay when they were cheap?
Is it a bar & plate, or tube and fin? I know the bar & plate units are generally much heavier.

[shemeld_135]

Originally Posted by Ex-MINI

Where did you get it from? Have you done any other mods?

Originally Posted by switlikbob

Yeah, I don't doubt it. Did you get it from eBay when they were cheap?
Is it a bar & plate, or tube and fin? I know the bar & plate units are generally much heavier.

Yes I have catless DP and other cosmetic mods.


Got it from eBay from yellowspeed last year at the super cheap rate lol I guess he was testing the waters.

It's bar and plate I believe when I looked down the inlets. I could be exaggerating about the weight but it wasn't 100lbs or "heavy" by any means but I also havnt felt a light IC either. Either way I enjoy it!

[NO_USER_]

What do you guys think about stepped intercoolers vs the standard flat ones like the evolution racewerks FMIC?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Mbavar2

What do you guys think about stepped intercoolers vs the standard flat ones like the evolution racewerks FMIC?

Everything else equal stepped will have better cooling
ER is one of the largest intercoolers on the market with a very high fin density ... It will outperform most FMIC on the market

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by switlikbob

I just bought the AA intercooler, but I'm kind of wondering if the CTS unit is that same damn thing, just cheaper.

Thoughts?

I have never seen a CTS in person, but from the pictures it looks like the finish quality is higher on the Active Autowerke.
Fin density look to be the same.

Once you receive the AA intercooler post you logs so we can see the results

[NO_USER_]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Everything else equal stepped will have better cooling
ER is one of the largest intercoolers on the market with a very high fin density ... It will outperform most FMIC on the market

Gotcha! Since the ER is so tall, how does it get air thru the fins towards the top? Since there seems to be a bumper beam or something in front of it.

Thanks!

[DragonGate]

CTS Turbo weighs more than stock shemeld_135 how did your new IC weigh less lol

For the price difference and knowing that Black does not help, I would get CTS Turbo FMIC. I among a bunch grabbed it when it was on sale for $385 shipped with a discount came out total $360 (It was a no brainer for a quality part, and 2-3 days free shipping from Canada).

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1322795
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1355232

[SeanWRT]

All the aftermarket IC will weigh more than stock regardless of volume and core design.

Simply look at the steel end tank vs stock plastic - aftermarket will not invest plastic injection mold.

[jeff@autocouture]

AA N55 IC stepped is 19.45 Lbs

[omasou]

Originally Posted by m2s63tu

CTS Turbo weighs more than stock shemeld_135 how did your new IC weigh less lol

For the price difference and knowing that Black does not help, I would get CTS Turbo FMIC. I among a bunch grabbed it when it was on sale for $385 shipped with a discount came out total $360 (It was a no brainer for a quality part, and 2-3 days free shipping from Canada).

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1322795
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1355232

I had read one of those threads in the past. What was the consensus related to the fin density? Does the cheaper one have the same or lower fin density?

[FSociety]

Thx m2s63tu for the hookup

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

All the aftermarket IC will weigh more than stock regardless of volume and core design.

Simply look at the steel end tank vs stock plastic - aftermarket will not invest plastic injection mold.

Yep, but shemeld_135 did say his aftermarket IC weighs less

[shemeld_135]

Originally Posted by FSociety

Thx m2s63tu for the hookup

Yep, but shemeld_135 did say his aftermarket IC weighs less

Originally Posted by m2s63tu

CTS Turbo weighs more than stock shemeld_135 how did your new IC weigh less lol

For the price difference and knowing that Black does not help, I would get CTS Turbo FMIC. I among a bunch grabbed it when it was on sale for $385 shipped with a discount came out total $360 (It was a no brainer for a quality part, and 2-3 days free shipping from Canada).

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1322795
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1355232

I did also say I was exaggerating a bit on weight lol

As for black not helping I only picked black bc of the look I don't track so hardcore cooling really isn't something I care about.

[DKX4///M]

LOL They prove that black does help when stopped as radiation occurs faster with black, so standing still (maybe at a drag strip) maybe itd make a negligable difference...lol..

As for this brand vs that I got a cheap VRSF 7" STEPPED. fits and works great...my IATs lower substantially up top which apparently is a very important factor in BMWS LOGIC on timing advance and boost, as they both are night and day..

..but if I get hot or really need as much power as possible I can spray my i/c with C02 + WATER/ALCOHOL for 15-20 seconds my i/c goes as low as -40*F (this was in 80*f heat) and the water (alcohol stops it from freezing, although -20 -40*F it'll still freeze) stops it from heating right back up which I found was an issue.

Between Water/Meth and a -40*f 7" HD FMIC Im curious to see how much actual whp I get, and how much longer this little turbo can hold 20 COLD psi...Or will it send fuel requirements too high for the HPFP to handle? they say a you get 1% more whp for every 10 degress lower your IAT. Physics says that'll be exaggerated on a car where IATs are a problem...

Hitting the dyno this weekend or next (I have a bad 02 sensor)....Im very curious....So I will deff do before/After....

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

All the aftermarket IC will weigh more than stock regardless of volume and core design.

Simply look at the steel end tank vs stock plastic - aftermarket will not invest plastic injection mold.

Wagner EVO I Comp weight is 14.5lbs, how much does OEM weigh?