[M2guru]

Originally Posted by ZM2

I like all that clean air hitting the top half of the radiator. The Evo3 goes all the way up to the M235i V-brace: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=44

I’ve at least removed the top flap on the Evo3 and am running the stock DCT cooler (different than that pic) but still…

Thanks for sharing the link/pic! Looks like a custom made bumper...? Not sure of the benefit of the holes besides weight - the bumper cover doesn't (normally) have any breathability there.

[ZM2]

Originally Posted by M2guru

Thanks for sharing the link/pic! Looks like a custom made bumper...? Not sure of the benefit of the holes besides weight - the bumper cover doesn't (normally) have any breathability there.

The bumper piece (and larger pipes) comes with the Evo3 kit. I’ve always wondered the point of their bumper piece too.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by F87source

Im just looking at the image you posted, and to me it looks like the intercooler is sitting behind the silver tabs where the M2's original V brace mounts. So I guess my question is - why won't the original brace fit when the intercooler looks like it is sitting behind the mounting tabs? Have you tried test fitting the original brace?

It's going to rub.

Originally Posted by cecaa850

It wasn't the height it was the thickness of the top portion of the intercooler. I could go up farther with it if necessary but it was too fat to fit without modification. I actually asked if it would fit prior to purchasing because I didn't want to cut or remove the brace.

Originally Posted by track.n.trail

6.5" Competition. It contacted the front brace when installed on my M2. Due to the contact it would actually sit at an angle. When I pulled it out to replace it with the CSF it had rub marks on the welds from rubbing against the brace.

Originally Posted by Mattaos

Sorry I've been meaning to reply to this. It's the competition. Here's a photo of it very very near, if not touching at times, the front brace.

(There is no picture)

[ZM2]

Originally Posted by F87source

I dont actually think the ER or ARM will offer the same cooling performance as the VRSF/MAD/BMS cooler since it is smaller overall.

Yes the VRSF/MAD/BMS at this time looks to require the m235i brace.


Personally id buy the BMS intercooler over the other 2, simply because BMS has better customer service, and at this current moment VRSF doesn't look to have the bery good customer service and ships defective parts pretty frequently according to customer reports I have read online. Alegedly it was so bad that vendors like XPH no longer sell VRSF parts.

Are all three the same height & depth?

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by 6speed_M2

From what I understand thus far,

The ER/ARM, MAD & VRSF Race are the best in the market?

And the MAD & VRSF require the M235i brace?

Also the Wagner III is an afterthought at this point? Due to price & being too large for its own good?

I would like to eventually update my first post in this fashion^ and have a simple guide for anyone without needing to read the entire thread.

The VRSF/BMS are the same thing, with the MAD being 9X% of the performance of the other two. It's thicker (7" vs 6.5") and has slightly less fin density (16fins/inch vs 18fins/inch)
In terms of quality, my VRSF was fine, so it was a few others here - Buy the better deal where you can find it.

BMS and MAD have the same style chargepipe. I personally used MAD's chargepipe vs the VRSF one because the larger diameter secondary pipe that connects to the Throttle Body, is longer. The VRSF one is just an elbow at 3" compared to the MAD where more than half of the piping is 3". My thought was you wanted the longest section you could of the the biggest diameter you could get.


(VRSF, notice the small section of larger diameter piping)


(FTP at the top, MAD chargepipe at the bottom)

I heard the PTF is actually larger than the ER (which looks similar to the MAD/BMS chargepipe)


(PTF left, ER right)

Originally Posted by TYC

When I install the ptf unit I won’t use heat tape since it has a silicone section.

One thing to note the PTF charge pipe is slightly larger in diameter than the ER charge pipe. Hopefully this will mean faster spool / lower duty cycle when coupled with a larger turbo inlet. Exciting times

[F87source]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

It's going to rub.






(There is no picture)

Im well aware it will be insanely tight, the question is where the rubbing is exactly and can that part be cut off without having to cut the horizontal bar.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by ZM2

Are all three the same height & depth?

BMS/MAD/VRSF comp - yes I believe so, 6.5" is the max depth for the F series and 11" is the max height.


The E series got a 7.5" deep intercooler but not the F series.

[Mr_M//]

Originally Posted by ZM2

The bumper piece (and larger pipes) comes with the Evo3 kit. I’ve always wondered the point of their bumper piece too.

I just installed the evo3, i believe it needed to support it so it doesn’t move.
I didn’t try to fit it, but it look like it will rub the intercooler.

[Mr_M//]

Originally Posted by F87source

Im well aware it will be insanely tight, the question is where the rubbing is exactly and can that part be cut off without having to cut the horizontal bar.

This picture will show how the new bar is curved to avoid the intercooler

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Mr_M//

This picture will show how the new bar is curved to avoid the intercooler

Thanks!

At this point I'm certain I have to cut, the question is how much and where?

If I have to cut too much then I'll just the m235i v brace, they're not too expensive so no biggie.

[Mr_M//]

Stock one shaped thicker and more in toward the intercooler

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Mr_M//

Stock one shaped thicker and more in toward the intercooler

Yeah I know

[Mr_M//]

Originally Posted by F87source

Thanks!

At this point I'm certain I have to cut, the question is how much and where?

If I have to cut too much then I'll just the m235i v brace, they're not too expensive so no biggie.

I don’t believe you need to cut much
but then you have to drill a hole that lines up with intercooler bolts ( m235 bar doesn’t line up at all lol).
If it works let me know, I would put the stock one back.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Mr_M//

I don’t believe you need to cut much
but then you have to drill a hole that lines up with intercooler bolts ( m235 bar doesn’t line up at all lol).
If it works let me know, I would put the stock one back.

I'll most likely have to cut the lower angles bars.

The m225i brace is plug and play afaik.

[Mr_M//]

Originally Posted by F87source

I'll most likely have to cut the lower angles bars.

The m225i brace is plug and play afaik.

Yes it’s its easy to install, but they don’t give you any bolts or screws that work.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Mr_M//

Yes it’s its easy to install, but they don’t give you any bolts or screws that work.

What do you mean?

[F87source]

Originally Posted by M2guru

I installed the m235i brace. It doesn't even come close to hitting.

Attachment 3429406

I won't be driving the car at the track for another couple weeks so i don't know if the reduced bracing will make a difference. I am guessing I won't notice it for two reasons: 1) it'll have been 5 months or so since I last drove the car at the track and 2) I don't think that I am sensitive to such a small change.

M2guru was the m235i brace fully pnp (were all the holes on the frame beam pre-threaded?), and what hardware did you have to buy?

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by F87source

BMS/MAD/VRSF comp - yes I believe so, 6.5" is the max depth for the F series and 11" is the max height.


The E series got a 7.5" deep intercooler but not the F series.

The MAD is 7" like the Evo 3 - The Evo 3 is 13.6" high, the rest are 11" or under.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

The MAD is 7" like the Evo 3 - The Evo 3 is 13.6" high, the rest are 11" or under.

Oh you mean thickness, I thought you meant it was 7" high.

[M2guru]

Originally Posted by F87source

M2guru was the m235i brace fully pnp (were all the holes on the frame beam pre-threaded?), and what hardware did you have to buy?

Mostly plug and play. As Mr_M// mentioned, I needed (and fortunately had in my garage) two short bolts and matching nuts to go into already-there holes near the frame horns/bumper mounts on each side/end, but the top center was threaded and reused the same bolts. i struggled a bit to find the right angles to put it in. I think I had to undo more items near the top center to get it in. Didn't have to bend anything though.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by M2guru

Mostly plug and play. As Mr_M// mentioned, I needed (and fortunately had in my garage) two short bolts and matching nuts to go into already-there holes near the frame horns/bumper mounts on each side/end, but the top center was threaded and reused the same bolts. i struggled a bit to find the right angles to put it in. I think I had to undo more items near the top center to get it in. Didn't have to bend anything though.

Thanks for the info.

Ok so that means the frame has holes but it is unthreaded. This is typical because BMW puts rivet nuts in these areas. So an option for me is to install one of those.

[M2guru]

Originally Posted by F87source

Thanks for the info.

Ok so that means the frame has holes but it is unthreaded. This is typical because BMW puts rivet nuts in these areas. So an option for me is to install one of those.

It is an unthreaded hole. You probably have the option unless the hole is too big (which I don't think it is). Not sure there is a benefit, but I am open to learning more.