[ShortSides]

I ended up finding a place to do the IC CP and boost pipe all in for 500 and they did a killer job.

Any local Dallas natives that use or heard of autoscope....phuck those thieves

[vrooooom]

Originally Posted by HunterHofman

I can still get mad at how stupid the mounting brackets and supplied washers and screws are lol.

Fwiw, I have made a video about the install of this very intercooler, maybe it can help you out:

The video would be helpful for those who may want to see how to remove the bumper ...but you don't need to remove it to change the stocks FMIC > CSF. Someone just needs to pull the bottom part of the bumper outward while sliding the IC on an angle. Other ICs may require removal of the bumper and some mods.

The screws holding the IC looks like they were re-used? I would suggest increasing the length and possibly increasing the diameter one size bigger. At min, longer. The new IC is quite a bit heavier than the stock. IMHO.

[ZL9M2]

Good video above. I did end up using larger stainless washers and longer stainless fasteners.

Any concern regarding the added weight of the aftermarket IC??? I'll hand it to BMW, their stock aluminum unit weighs nothing. Hopefully the supposed lower intake temps will offset the extra 25 - 30 lbs swinging around at the front of the car.

[TheHunterHofman]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

Good video above. I did end up using larger stainless washers and longer stainless fasteners.

Any concern regarding the added weight of the aftermarket IC??? I'll hand it to BMW, their stock aluminum unit weighs nothing. Hopefully the supposed lower intake temps will offset the extra 25 - 30 lbs swinging around at the front of the car.

Good to hear. In respect of the added weight: hard to say. What you said: hopefully the supposed lower intake temps will offset the extra 25 - 30 lbs.

[ZL9M2]

Also did some protective screen at the same time.

[ZL9M2]

The screen effectively allows about 62% airflow. Hoping the tradeoff of less airflow bests having beat up and plugged coolers.

[vrooooom]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

The screen effectively allows about 62% airflow. Hoping the tradeoff of less airflow bests having beat up and plugged coolers.

With a number like that, I wouldn’t install one. Would be interesting to see its effect on AIT. The upgraded IC we’ve been using, the drop in temp is just around 30% myb…. That much coverage/ reduction of airflow may just have reversed that or worse.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

The screen effectively allows about 62% airflow. Hoping the tradeoff of less airflow bests having beat up and plugged coolers.

Yeah that was one of my fears since the OG m2 already has some weak cooling.

What happened to your hood and bumper?

[rhop101]

Thanks for video! About to install the CSF for my car . Got #12x1 1/4" Torx screws and large washers along with some cushion washers from McMasterCarr.

Screws: https://www.mcmaster.com/90925A265/
Washers: https://www.mcmaster.com/91525A323/
They have aluminum washers too, but they're a bit smaller like 0.688"

Anyone take the dimensions on the intercooler mounting brackets? I'm going to 3D printing a shim washer to bridge the Gap, but I'm doing it at my buddies house and I shipped the intercooler there ahead of me. So I don't have it on hand.

If not I'll take dimensions and report back.

[F87source]

CSF Cooling

You guys should probably look into including better hardware and maybe adding additional means to support this intercooler such as the crash beam supports ER and wagner has. Because this intercooler was not cheap and we should not have to source our own hardware, and the intercooler is extremely heavy so it should have additional supports.

[vrooooom]

Originally Posted by rhop101

Anyone take the dimensions on the intercooler mounting brackets? I'm going to 3D printing a shim washer to bridge the Gap, but I'm doing it at my buddies house and I shipped the intercooler there ahead of me. So I don't have it on hand.

If not I'll take dimensions and report back.

3D printed as in plastic brackets? I would not do that. IC is quite heavy and I can only imagine what downward force is applied when you hit a pothole. May not be strong enough. What visualecho did w/ aluminum flat bar would be enough IMHO...and simple to make too. Stock screws on mine was M6x20 (course thread). Pretty short for use on the much heavier IC.

The gap on the CSF's tabs are quite wide. Too much allowance for adjustment I would say. This is what's causing the supplied washers to fall as it moves to one side. At the time, I didn't have access to a flat bar to use nor a bigger washer. what I did was make that gap smaller by putting a M8 nut and it fit into that gap and still allow the mounting screws to go in. I drilled the threads of the nuts to do this. in effect this made the gap smaller, in fact centered it. sorry I didn't take a photo. it's like putting a thick sleeve so the IC wouldn't move front-back too much. Was able to use the supplied washers.

[ZL9M2]

Originally Posted by vrooooom

With a number like that, I wouldn’t install one. Would be interesting to see its effect on AIT. The upgraded IC we’ve been using, the drop in temp is just around 30% myb…. That much coverage/ reduction of airflow may just have reversed that or worse.

All the coolers were fairly beat up and plugged with debris after only about 9,000 miles. It's hard to estimate what that did to their efficiency, but it was certainly reduced.

[ZL9M2]

Originally Posted by F87source

Yeah that was one of my fears since the OG m2 already has some weak cooling.

What happened to your hood and bumper?

Hit a deer. Replacing both. Installing the CS carbon hood.

[ZL9M2]

Originally Posted by vrooooom

3D printed as in plastic brackets? I would not do that. IC is quite heavy and I can only imagine what downward force is applied when you hit a pothole. May not be strong enough. What visualecho did w/ aluminum flat bar would be enough IMHO...and simple to make too. Stock screws on mine was M6x20 (course thread). Pretty short for use on the much heavier IC.

The gap on the CSF's tabs are quite wide. Too much allowance for adjustment I would say. This is what's causing the supplied washers to fall as it moves to one side. At the time, I didn't have access to a flat bar to use nor a bigger washer. what I did was make that gap smaller by putting a M8 nut and it fit into that gap and still allow the mounting screws to go in. I drilled the threads of the nuts to do this. in effect this made the gap smaller, in fact centered it. sorry I didn't take a photo. it's like putting a thick sleeve so the IC wouldn't move front-back too much. Was able to use the supplied washers.

Rectangular "washers" made from aluminum flat bar is the best solution. I had some flat bar, but too thick. Once I receive the material I'm changing out the stainless washers I used for the flat bar pieces. Maybe I'll send CSF my template when I'm done.....?

[vrooooom]

Ha3. You should! And they should send you a new IC for it.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

Hit a deer. Replacing both. Installing the CS carbon hood.

Yikes that's unfortunate, glad you're ok.

[vrooooom]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

Also did some protective screen at the same time.

Just noticed that big embossed M2 right in the middle where the bumper should be.... is that factory? Just noticed the crumpled body panels. Must have been a good size deer.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by vrooooom

Just noticed that big embossed M2 right in the middle where the bumper should be.... is that factory? Just noticed the crumpled body panels. Must have been a good size deer.

Yes that's the factory air duct for the intercooler area

[Sundinisagod]

Originally Posted by MASHCT

Howdy, Sundinisagod.

Wondering what route you took on your FMIC? Did you install it yourself? If you're still on the fence about installing, let me know if you have any questions.

Keep in mind, 99% of my issues were related to the poor install of the Wagner & the FTP pipes. Honestly, if I didn't have those issues, this would have been easy as pie.

So I did end up buying the CSF intercooler after all. Planning to do the install next weekend.

My first question, once I’m done installing the cooler, is it ok to take the car for a test drive to make sure everything is ok, before re installing the stiffener plate? Because I plan to tackle the down pipe right after that, so as not to remove and re install the stiffener plate an extra time…but I want to test drive the car before installing the down pipe, in case I get a CEL, I know where to look first. Thanks in advance.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Sundinisagod

So I did end up buying the CSF intercooler after all. Planning to do the install next weekend.

My first question, once I’m done installing the cooler, is it ok to take the car for a test drive to make sure everything is ok, before re installing the stiffener plate? Because I plan to tackle the down pipe right after that, so as not to remove and re install the stiffener plate an extra time…but I want to test drive the car before installing the down pipe, in case I get a CEL, I know where to look first. Thanks in advance.

Nope do not drive the car without the stiffening plate, it is stipulated not to do so in ISTA. Now I do not know if this is because of the fear of the frame bending without extra support (shouldn't be the case if you don't drive it super hard around a track, but even then I doubt that would cause any damage because the front subframe is made out of stainless steel and is a super strong tubular design), or if the reason is the sump is exposed to damage which is likely the reason why they say not to drive it without the stiffening plate.

[Sundinisagod]

Originally Posted by F87source

Nope do not drive the car without the stiffening plate, it is stipulated not to do so in ISTA. Now I do not know if this is because of the fear of the frame bending without extra support (shouldn't be the case if you don't drive it super hard around a track, but even then I doubt that would cause any damage because the front subframe is made out of stainless steel and is a super strong tubular design), or if the reason is the sump is exposed to damage which is likely the reason why they say not to drive it without the stiffening plate.

Thank you. I so appreciate your vast knowledge and willingness to help. Respect!

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Sundinisagod

Thank you. I so appreciate your vast knowledge and willingness to help. Respect!

No problem glad I could help!

Don't forget, the stiffening plate bolts are single use, so replace them as reuse could cause them to snap.