[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by NJ M3cs

Thank you all for the suggestions and info!
AmuroRay ,mike@x-ph.com, vrooooom

[luxo]

Great info in this thread. Looking to pull the trigger on either of the following combo:

VRSF CP & 5" IC or ER CP & BMS 5" IC

I currently have a Fabspeed DP and will likely go stage 1 at some point (have a Dinantronics piggyback installed right now). Uncertain on stage 2 though, so I don't want to get a race intercooler because of added turbo lag if not going stage 2.

Thoughts?

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by luxo

Great info in this thread. Looking to pull the trigger on either of the following combo:

VRSF CP & 5" IC or ER CP & BMS 5" IC

I currently have a Fabspeed DP and will likely go stage 1 at some point (have a Dinantronics piggyback installed right now). Uncertain on stage 2 though, so I don't want to get a race intercooler because of added turbo lag if not going stage 2.

Thoughts?

You're not going to get turbo lag with a race intercooler. It's a statement that's been thrown around and based on literally nothing.

They are a bit more difficult to install, but otherwise they are better than the other options out there. Think of what you will do and want to do, then make your selection from there.

FYI - the MAD, BMS and VRSF intercoolers are all basically the same. I use a MAD chargepipe that I thermal wrapped in DEI gold tape on my VRSF Race intercooler.

[mattr832]

Looking for some IC guidance...I have a stock OG M2 and track it every 2 months. I know that I need to upgrade the CP ASAP. I'd like to do the IC at the same time. I'll be doing a catted DP in the early spring along with a BM3 tune. Temps in the Seattle area are very mild, but it can be 80+ in the summer months. I also drive in eastern WA where it's known to be much warmer.

What IC would folks recommend?

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by mattr832

Looking for some IC guidance...I have a stock OG M2 and track it every 2 months. I know that I need to upgrade the CP ASAP. I'd like to do the IC at the same time. I'll be doing a catted DP in the early spring along with a BM3 tune. Temps in the Seattle area are very mild, but it can be 80+ in the summer months. I also drive in eastern WA where it's known to be much warmer.

What IC would folks recommend?

A race Intercooler. Keep in mind you need to buy the M235i v brace (like $50)

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by mattr832

Looking for some IC guidance...I have a stock OG M2 and track it every 2 months. I know that I need to upgrade the CP ASAP. I'd like to do the IC at the same time. I'll be doing a catted DP in the early spring along with a BM3 tune. Temps in the Seattle area are very mild, but it can be 80+ in the summer months. I also drive in eastern WA where it's known to be much warmer.

What IC would folks recommend?

MAD or BMS race are the top performers.

With temps this mild, you might get away with a smaller intercooler, but given the price of MAD and BMS, no point in doing so.

[mattr832]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

MAD or BMS race are the top performers.

With temps this mild, you might get away with a smaller intercooler, but given the price of MAD and BMS, no point in doing so.

Thanks! I was looking through this thread and several others, and it seemed that CSF and Wagner were the contenders. I guess that's changed in recent history and also might be different in my circumstances.

Are there any particular CPs you'd recommend with the MAD or BMS (preferably ones that are known to fit well)?

[mattr832]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

MAD or BMS race are the top performers.

With temps this mild, you might get away with a smaller intercooler, but given the price of MAD and BMS, no point in doing so.

Follow-up question…someone on here is selling an AA IC for a decent price. I understand a race IC would be the best, but I don’t know that I’d ever go Stage 2 nor do I race; just sport lapping on the track. Would the AA be too small? If so, what would be a good compromise?

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by mattr832

Follow-up question…someone on here is selling an AA IC for a decent price. I understand a race IC would be the best, but I don’t know that I’d ever go Stage 2 nor do I race; just sport lapping on the track. Would the AA be too small? If so, what would be a good compromise?

AA is too small. Just do a race core - I used a MAD Chargepipe, and it fit well.

[mattr832]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

AA is too small. Just do a race core - I used a MAD Chargepipe, and it fit well.

Thanks. I’ll look into the MAD IC and CP combo.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

AA is too small. Just do a race core - I used a MAD Chargepipe, and it fit well.

+1 AA might be too small and its got a low core density, not a great option for the track

[mattr832]

What are folks take on the ProTuning Freaks IC listed on Kies?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by mattr832

What are folks take on the ProTuning Freaks IC listed on Kies?

Unfortunately not that great compared to other options on the market, that's why its been discontinued and you will only find it at Kies for the time being.

[mattr832]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Unfortunately not that great compared to other options on the market, that's why its been discontinued and you will only find it at Kies for the time being.

Thank you sir! Any chance forum members get some kind of discount if we order from x-ph?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by mattr832

Thank you sir! Any chance forum members get some kind of discount if we order from x-ph?

We don't offer this intercooler since its been discontinued by PTF, but i can give you a discount on other intercoolers we offer.

[vrooooom]

ER's post their size as 20"x11"x3" (26"x11"x3" with end tanks). Comparing the height of 11", the stock is probably just around 6 or so. How high can these possibly get to when the foam for the bumper is already blocking it (air flow).

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by vrooooom

ER's post their size as 20"x11"x3" (26"x11"x3" with end tanks). Comparing the height of 11", the stock is probably just around 6 or so. How high can these possibly get to when the foam for the bumper is already blocking it (air flow).

The Evo 3 is 13-14" tall. The bumper isn't really "blocking" as much as it's acting like ducting to direct airflow to the top part of the intercooler.

[c0riolis]

There is an air duct (part 02 here: [1]) that expands the air back to reach the area behind the bumper.

[1]: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_8574

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by c0riolis

There is an air duct (part 02 here: [1]) that expands the air back to reach the area behind the bumper.

[1]: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_8574

You'll remove that on your intercooler installation.

[c0riolis]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

You'll remove that on your intercooler installation.

I'm pretty sure it's supposed to stay on (at least with the ER FMIC). Without it, there is nothing to guide the air to the upper part of the radiator assembly.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by c0riolis

I'm pretty sure it's supposed to stay on (at least with the ER FMIC). Without it, there is nothing to guide the air to the upper part of the radiator assembly.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...er+intercooler

[c0riolis]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...er+intercooler

Yeah, I saw that but I think the OP made a mistake, I have the install instructions and it does not say to set it aside, just to remove it to install the IC but my understanding of it is that you are supposed to put it back once the IC is fitted.

See this other post also where you can see that it is still in place after the install:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=231