[cecaa850]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

I can't apologize enough if you've had a less than desirable experience. I'll shoot over a PM so we don't have to stuff up this thread

I don't need a PM or apology. I'm just making a fellow forum member aware of potential pit falls under certain circumstances. Forums are for sharing information.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by cecaa850

I don't need a PM or apology. I'm just making a fellow forum member aware of potential pit falls under certain circumstances. Forums are for sharing information.

Completely understood, I appreciate the feedback!

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

We've been in business for 15 years without a dedicated phone line. Our support team works from 8 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Saturday and e-mail communication offers our customers flexibility that a phone line simply can not.

I completely understand if your preference is phone support rather than e-mail but we're able to provide our customers with better service via e-mail. If phone support is your go to, we have over 250+ resellers in the US who do offer phone support

To be fair I bought a charge pipe from vrsf and they sent the wrong one. Tried to contact them through the official channel but didn't hear anything and had to get in touch with vrsf via these forums to get a response. Customer service did take care of it but I had to keep emailing them to make sure stuff was happening. It took a long time and a bunch of reminders from me but I eventually got the product replaced with the correct one.

So yeah their products are priced lower than competitors. Their product might even perform better. However you have to consider build quality, fitment, customer service, and in the case of an intercooler if lag and weight matter to you more than money and total cooling ability.

[O8E92M3]

I have a FBO M2 with Dinan P2 package (Intake, IC, Exhaust & Turbo)+ ER Catless Downpipe + AA Charge Pipe.

Is a 35-40deg IAT increase normal on just a mid 3-5 gear pull?

Ambient is ~74F
IAT at the beginning of the pull is ~93 and ending at 128 which obviously is messing with my timing.

Fairly disappointed as the weather is going to be much worse in the summer and a 3rd-5th gear pull is nothing really abusive. Would another IC be better? Is this normal or can something else be wrong that is causing these high IATs?

[ZM2]

Originally Posted by O8E92M3

I have a FBO M2 with Dinan P2 package (Intake, IC, Exhaust & Turbo)+ ER Catless Downpipe + AA Charge Pipe.

Is a 35-40deg IAT increase normal on just a mid 3-5 gear pull?

Ambient is ~74F
IAT at the beginning of the pull is ~93 and ending at 128 which obviously is messing with my timing.

Fairly disappointed as the weather is going to be much worse in the summer and a 3rd-5th gear pull is nothing really abusive. Would another IC be better? Is this normal or can something else be wrong that is causing these high IATs?

That’s similar to what I experienced with the Dinan IC.

From my logging, the Evo 2 Comp stayed about 20F cooler in traffic (only 5-10F above ambient) and didn’t heat up nearly as quick on single or back to back pulls.

You’ll still see IATs 40-50F above ambient on hot summer days after 20min or so with the Evo 2, but it takes a lot longer to get there than the Dinan IC.

[O8E92M3]

Originally Posted by ZM2

That's similar to what I experienced with the Dinan IC.

From my logging, the Evo 2 Comp stayed about 20F cooler in traffic (only 5-10F above ambient) and didn't heat up nearly as quick on single or back to back pulls.

You'll still see IATs 40-50F above ambient on hot summer days after 20min or so with the Evo 2, but it takes a lot longer to get there than the Dinan IC.

Do you have any logs on a hot summer day?
I'd really like to see how it compares, I was expecting the Dinan IC to be one of the best given the dual core design, etc.

[ZM2]

Originally Posted by O8E92M3

Do you have any logs on a hot summer day?
I'd really like to see how it compares, I was expecting the Dinan IC to be one of the best given the dual core design, etc.

Yup, check out my N55 Extreme Engine Cooling thread.

[TemjinX2]

Originally Posted by BeastieBombRacing

Did the CSF fit without any modifications?

i installed my csf with two jack stands and floor jack...plug and play...i did spend $2 to buy slightly larger washers to secure the intercooler better..


no lag on the butt dyno with stage 2 mhd

[cecaa850]

Originally Posted by BeastieBombRacing

To be fair, I'd rather sandpaper the asshole of an alligator in a toll booth than have to talk to someone on the phone

What have you got against alligators?

[TemjinX2]

Originally Posted by cecaa850

What have you got against alligators?

tastes like chicken

[Wattens]

I've gone through this whole thread and I'm even more confused.

I'm wanting to BM3 stage 2, got VRSF catless DP, VRSF charge pipes and i'm only missing the intercooler. Car will do the odd amature track day or motorkhana for fun (not competition), but will be mostly weekend fun car with maybe 1 daily commute to work a week.

I was directed to this thread which at first explained a bit about the theory and differences in the technology and design, but doesn't seem to mention anything like "this interccoler cools better than X, but has reduced response" or "this internal airflow design is optimised better than X", "Model X fits in the OEM space without any modifications, Y model needs reo to be cut back" etc... Then there are conflicting information being posted.

Can there not be some sort of "good better best" system from someone who is actually in the know?


Literally all the brands say they are the best, all have the best flowing and cooling characteristics.

Or is my inital gut feeling of "they are all better than stock and all will be a better choice than stock but some are slightly better than others and it doesn't really make that much of a difference for amature weekend fun and street applications?

I thought this "The ultimate intercooler thread" would get me closer to a decision with pros and cons of each major brand/model leaving me with an easier decision of what I want to compromise and what I want to not compromise on. Instead this thread goes around in circles and contradicts itself at times.

[Wattens]

I'm half way to the decision of just putting all the models Mike offers on his website (as that's where I've bought all my other parts from) into a hat, close my eyes, pick out one of them and just go with that.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Wattens

I'm half way to the decision of just putting all the models Mike offers on his website (as that's where I've bought all my other parts from) into a hat, close my eyes, pick out one of them and just go with that.

Here is how I recommend approaching it.

1- select the correct size 5" for stage 1 or stock, 6"+ for stage 2+

2- select tube and fin vs. bar and plate.

3- select the brand you like most based on reviews, pricing and build quality

If you still need help, I'm here to answer any question

[Wattens]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Here is how I recommend approaching it.

1- select the correct size 5" for stage 1 or stock, 6"+ for stage 2+

2- select tube and fin vs. bar and plate.

3- select the brand you like most based on reviews, pricing and build quality

If you still need help, I'm here to answer any question

Thanks bud

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Wattens

Thanks bud

My pleasure!

[squixs]

Does anyone have experience with the Airtec intercooler?
https://www.airtecmotorsport.com/pro...er-for-bmw-m2/

[TemjinX2]

i would either get the csf, wagner or er...they all do well and would be easier to resell later down the line...

my personal opinion would be csf..best value in terms of price, performance and resale

[3t3p]

No love for DO88? I'm thinking of going with them. Claim to out perform Wagner. Cheaper too.

Popular with the Saab and Volvo crowd in Europe.

[Wattens]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Here is how I recommend approaching it.

1- select the correct size 5" for stage 1 or stock, 6"+ for stage 2+

2- select tube and fin vs. bar and plate.

3- select the brand you like most based on reviews, pricing and build quality

If you still need help, I'm here to answer any question

Hi Mike,

Do you know if the CSF tends to fit easily without needing to cut anything? Also it will be bolting up to the VRSF charge pipes I bought from you in December.

Cheers

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by squixs

Does anyone have experience with the Airtec intercooler?
https://www.airtecmotorsport.com/pro...er-for-bmw-m2/

Doesn’t look like anything remarkable and actually looks pretty small. I would avoid.

Originally Posted by 3t3p

No love for DO88? I'm thinking of going with them. Claim to out perform Wagner. Cheaper too.

Popular with the Saab and Volvo crowd in Europe.

I already addressed this, it does cool better than the Wagner (most 6” cores do, they are larger) but it’s not better than some of the other brands.

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

i would either get the csf, wagner or er...they all do well and would be easier to resell later down the line...

my personal opinion would be csf..best value in terms of price, performance and resale

The CSF is an almost 1:1 copy of the ATM, but it uses 2 cores while ATMs is a single unit. Supposedly this helps with better flow, and less of any lag.

The VRSF boast the most cooling of all these brands mentioned here and is cheaper - I would tell other to research the user reviews on them, and consider the purchase...it’s what I’m doing.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Wattens

Hi Mike,

Do you know if the CSF tends to fit easily without needing to cut anything? Also it will be bolting up to the VRSF charge pipes I bought from you in December.

Cheers

The CSF fits easily but needs minor trimming

It will bolt up with the VRSF charge pipe

[TemjinX2]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

The CSF is an almost 1:1 copy of the ATM, but it uses 2 cores while ATMs is a single unit. Supposedly this helps with better flow, and less of any lag.

The VRSF boast the most cooling of all these brands mentioned here and is cheaper - I would tell other to research the user reviews on them, and consider the purchase...it’s what I’m doing.

for me, i dont really care if they copied someone else...i care mainly about performance and value. I bought my csf during the black friday price so the delta between vrsf and csf was very small.

Also i read a lot of good reviews on csf, people tend to buy them pretty fast on the for sales forum threads, so i know i can resale it pretty fast if i changed my mind or move onto a different car and csf is the only aftermarket intercooler fceuro offers life time warranty on.

In terms of total cost of ownership to performance, i thought csf was a better choice. i have a vrsf charge pipe and wasnt very happy with their fitment but it does work.