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      02-18-2021, 10:43 AM   #1
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aFe's BladeRunner GT Intercooler

I cannot find much in the form of reviews or data on aFe's BladeRunner GT Series intercooler that was apparently designed specifically for the M2. Anyone here running one or have any information that's not on their website?

I like that it's frontal footprint is close to stock so it won't block the rad, construction seems solid, bar/plate design should be nice and the flow improvement seems good for running 30 min sessions on track. I am also leaning towards it because I had a similar one from AWE that replaced my stock one on a 8J (MK2) TT RS and it worked well with stage 2 power on track.

https://afepower.com/afe-power-46-20...ooler#overview
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      02-18-2021, 11:41 AM   #2
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Pretty expensive and its smaller size I would be skeptical it could come close to the cooling of the larger intercoolers people have been installing.
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      02-18-2021, 03:39 PM   #3
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LOL, for the cost and how small it is - completely ridiculous. I don't recommend this joke of an intercooler.

I've said this in a prior thread thread:

I don't recommend a Stage 1 or a non stepped core.

Stage 1/Stage 2:
VRSF 6.5" Competition. This is by far the best bang for buck. Stated to be 20 fins per inch

CFS - 5.5" Thick, good price and reputation, but it's actually smaller, and more expensive than the VRSF. I believe their fin density is close (16-20 fins per inch)

I do not recommend the Wagner Competition 1 or 2 in any form or capacity.

For competitive use:
VRSF Race - 6" Depth, 11" tall 20 fins per inch, $600. Again, VRSF is a great value here, but I understand the weariness of the brand

Wagner Competition 3 - " 7" depth and 13" tall. Unknown fin density. However, it's one of the biggest intercoolers on the market, even larger than the VRSF race, MAD and CTS.
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      02-18-2021, 04:48 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AmuroRay View Post
LOL, for the cost and how small it is - completely ridiculous. I don't recommend this joke of an intercooler.

I've said this in a prior thread thread:

I don't recommend a Stage 1 or a non stepped core.

Stage 1/Stage 2:
VRSF 6.5" Competition. This is by far the best bang for buck. Stated to be 20 fins per inch

CFS - 5.5" Thick, good price and reputation, but it's actually smaller, and more expensive than the VRSF. I believe their fin density is close (16-20 fins per inch)

I do not recommend the Wagner Competition 1 or 2 in any form or capacity.

For competitive use:
VRSF Race - 6" Depth, 11" tall 20 fins per inch, $600. Again, VRSF is a great value here, but I understand the weariness of the brand

Wagner Competition 3 - " 5" depth and 8" tall. Unknown fin density. However, it's one of the biggest intercoolers on the market, second to the race (and Mad/Ebay cores with terrible fin density)
Once you decide to build out your FMIC thread (), you'll have to come up with a dimension convention that works for all the IC's, e.g., the front section of the Evo3 is definitely taller than the VRSF Race (and looks slightly thicker), and the bottom is definitely thicker than 5".

Wagner lists 13.6" and 7.09" for those dimensions respectively, but someone would need to tape measure and weigh it while they're installing to confirm: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=112

Last edited by ZM2; 02-18-2021 at 04:54 PM..
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      02-18-2021, 05:21 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM2 View Post
Once you decide to build out your FMIC thread (), you'll have to come up with a dimension convention that works for all the IC's, e.g., the front section of the Evo3 is definitely taller than the VRSF Race (and looks slightly thicker), and the bottom is definitely thicker than 5".

Wagner lists 13.6" and 7.09" for those dimensions respectively, but someone would need to tape measure and weigh it while they're installing to confirm: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=112
I got mine from a random website, so it wouldn't surprise me that my measurements were off.
Can you or anyone else get me a picture of the fin density?
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Last edited by AmuroRay; 02-18-2021 at 05:28 PM..
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      02-18-2021, 05:55 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AmuroRay View Post
I got mine from a random website, so it wouldn't surprise me that my measurements were off.
Can you or anyone else get me a picture of the fin density?
Relevant links here: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=113

IDK if the pics are good enough on Wagner’s website or in the Evo3 thread to estimate fin density.
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      02-18-2021, 08:31 PM   #7
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$1,150?!? LOL
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      02-18-2021, 08:41 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo View Post
$1,150?!? LOL
First bullet in aFe’s description: “Outflows factory intercooler by 15%”!

If that isn’t worth over a grand, what is??
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      02-18-2021, 11:28 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM2 View Post
First bullet in aFe’s description: “Outflows factory intercooler by 15%”!

If that isn’t worth over a grand, what is??
The price isn't the only thing I'm confused about. Why are they marketing this only for the M2 when as far as Realoem is concerned we all have the same garbage factory intercooler? If you're going to sell an overpriced aftermarket part shouldn't you cast as wide a net as possible?
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      02-19-2021, 09:28 AM   #10
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Good discussion. For the sake of this discussion, can we set aside the price as it's a huge (and legitimate) distractor.

So, I am thinking in terms of what is an appropriate (just enough) sized Intercooler for stock power and maybe 10-15hp over stock with simply a high flow downpipe. Does something like the aFe net enough flow and cooling to support this? Plus it's bar/plate vs stock that is tube/fin. And should BMW have supplied the M2 with this instead of using the generic FMIC that (I think) they use on other variations of the N55?

Second, FMIC location is a pretty poor place to increase weight. This is another motivator to get the "right sized" unit.

Third, not blocking the radiator any more than needed is a motivator as well. Sure, you can upgrade the radiator too but then you're adding more weight and, to an extent, trying to counter the reduced airflow from the larger IC.

Now an orthogonal question. Why do y'all not like the Wagner Comp? I was thinking the Comp 2 is decent unit ...
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      02-19-2021, 09:48 AM   #11
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its a good intercooler but overpriced in my opinion. You can find better intercoolers for half the price
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      02-19-2021, 10:01 AM   #12
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I'm not quite sure what market segment they're going after with this product.
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      02-19-2021, 10:05 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cecaa850 View Post
I'm not quite sure what market segment they're going after with this product.
AFE is a very well-known brand, the vast majority of their base is casual customers who don't spend any time on forums.

These customers are okay paying more for a brand name they are familiar with rather than taking a chance with an unknown brand (unknown to them)
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      02-19-2021, 05:47 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pal View Post
Good discussion. For the sake of this discussion, can we set aside the price as it's a huge (and legitimate) distractor.

So, I am thinking in terms of what is an appropriate (just enough) sized Intercooler for stock power and maybe 10-15hp over stock with simply a high flow downpipe. Does something like the aFe net enough flow and cooling to support this? Plus it's bar/plate vs stock that is tube/fin. And should BMW have supplied the M2 with this instead of using the generic FMIC that (I think) they use on other variations of the N55?

Second, FMIC location is a pretty poor place to increase weight. This is another motivator to get the "right sized" unit.

Third, not blocking the radiator any more than needed is a motivator as well. Sure, you can upgrade the radiator too but then you're adding more weight and, to an extent, trying to counter the reduced airflow from the larger IC.

Now an orthogonal question. Why do y'all not like the Wagner Comp? I was thinking the Comp 2 is decent unit ...
Apparently the Wagner Comp 2 doesn't outperform similar priced units and maybe not even the Wagner Performance 2. The marketing material says that the tube and fin should cool off faster than bar and plate when there is air flow and off throttle but the limited data on that doesn't seem to support that claim.

It DOES seem to introduce less lag than similar sized bar and plate designs and it is lighter weight. The fit and finish is good. My IAT are definitely lower than stock. I accidently deleted my old logs sadly but it's a pretty big upgrade over stock. On the street the way I drive on back roads or doing highway pulls it typically wouldn't ever get hot enough to pull timing based on IATs.

I have the Wagner Evo Comp 2, I got a decent discount from Mike. Had I known what I had known now I probably would get the ATM or CSF. VRSF HD apparently works well and is cheap but I am not the biggest fan of VRSF customer service, attention to detail, and fitment.
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      02-19-2021, 06:58 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com View Post
its a good intercooler but overpriced in my opinion. You can find better intercoolers for half the price
Mike, have you seen these in person or know anyone who runs these? Any objective info or feedback would be great.

Also, I don't see it on your site so guessing you don't sell these?
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      02-19-2021, 07:01 PM   #16
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akkando, thanks. I mostly like the Wagner Comp2 over the Peformance2 because of its lighter weight.

What's ATM?
[Edit] Never mind, found their website.
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      02-19-2021, 07:04 PM   #17
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Maybe I should roll the dice on this in the interest of science
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      02-19-2021, 08:45 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AmuroRay View Post
LOL, for the cost and how small it is - completely ridiculous. I don't recommend this joke of an intercooler.

I've said this in a prior thread thread:

I don't recommend a Stage 1 or a non stepped core.

Stage 1/Stage 2:
VRSF 6.5" Competition. This is by far the best bang for buck. Stated to be 20 fins per inch

CFS - 5.5" Thick, good price and reputation, but it's actually smaller, and more expensive than the VRSF. I believe their fin density is close (16-20 fins per inch)

I do not recommend the Wagner Competition 1 or 2 in any form or capacity.

For competitive use:
VRSF Race - 6" Depth, 11" tall 20 fins per inch, $600. Again, VRSF is a great value here, but I understand the weariness of the brand

Wagner Competition 3 - " 5" depth and 8" tall. Unknown fin density. However, it's one of the biggest intercoolers on the market, second to the race (and Mad/Ebay cores with terrible fin density)
I do not recommend the Wagner Evo 2, for it's price, it's not as effective as other intercoolers. I will stand by my previous recommendations on the VRSF and the CFS.

I'd like to point out yet again, Tube and Fin does not "cool down" quicker than Bar and Plate intercoolers - as seen here on Wagners comparison between the Performance 2, Evo 2 and Evo 3.



I strongly urge you to not waste your money, and reconsider your selections.
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      02-20-2021, 03:23 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AmuroRay View Post
I do not recommend the Wagner Evo 2, for it's price, it's not as effective as other intercoolers. I will stand by my previous recommendations on the VRSF and the CFS.

I'd like to point out yet again, Tube and Fin does not "cool down" quicker than Bar and Plate intercoolers - as seen here on Wagners comparison between the Performance 2, Evo 2 and Evo 3.



I strongly urge you to not waste your money, and reconsider your selections.
I has the csf cooler and it is a good cooler. I. On a evo 3 now and it's a different beast completely. Much better than the csf but also much bigger.
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      02-20-2021, 10:02 AM   #20
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Very happy with my DO88 great price better built than CSF too...

Ohh I'm gonna upset CSF brigade!
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      02-23-2021, 12:53 PM   #21
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Thanks folks. This is the closest review of a similar unit from Forge that I found

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1351995

I am starting to lean away from the non-stepped aFe or the Forge. The Wagner 1 Comp (5") seems like it will help keep the weight down, and the slightly thinner core will create a bit more room between it and the rad. And it should work well for a stock / mild tune setup for track duty.
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      02-23-2021, 01:42 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pal View Post
Thanks folks. This is the closest review of a similar unit from Forge that I found

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1351995

I am starting to lean away from the non-stepped aFe or the Forge. The Wagner 1 Comp (5") seems like it will help keep the weight down, and the slightly thinner core will create a bit more room between it and the rad. And it should work well for a stock / mild tune setup for track duty.
The fin density is almost nonexistent, it will heat soak in literally one pass.
In fact, I read the thread to be sure, and the OP literally confirmed it:

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=44
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