DIY: Spearco FMIC (intercooler) install - Page 2 - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

doba_s · 10-25-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umcool911ok

Is the engine running any cooler than usual? Or is that just the oil cooler than helps that

temp went down from 250 to 235 ...

XS4 · 11-08-2007, 06:24 PM

thank you for the DIY and many pics - and revealing all the "fun" details

Evo8MRto335I · 11-08-2007, 06:32 PM

Dude, You are awesome.. great pictures and great reviw. Thank you soo much for the write up, it looks very nice.

down4it · 11-08-2007, 06:36 PM

Heres a pic of mine from the front with the Spearco...

stressdoc · 07-25-2008, 11:23 AM

Really nice DIY, great photos of the tricky parts. I would clamp a guide for the cutting part. This is a key mod.

doba_s · 08-11-2008, 01:54 PM

It is very easy to cut that part and if you try to fit the intercooler without cutting you will understand right away which part you need to cut. It is much easier compare to AA FMIC.

eyemdbmw · 05-10-2009, 10:44 PM

do the wheels have to come off for this. i only have rhino ramps
thanks

mkPOTO · 08-08-2009, 02:42 PM

very nice i hope to be picking up a fmic very soon

RevC · 02-06-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyemdbmw

do the wheels have to come off for this. i only have rhino ramps
thanks

no..just front bumper.

mjd5 · 01-31-2011, 10:44 AM

nice step up

SneakyDeeky · 03-14-2012, 10:38 PM

Couple of extra tips I learned from my install:

1) Don't waste your time messing with the passenger side boost tube (picture below), just dremel the metal band off. If you ever return your car to stock you can just use another T-clamp.

2) Take your time when you put the new tubing on. It's key that the "S" shaped tubing that goes to the charge pipe is angled just right or else it makes the install 10x harder. If the intercooler doesn't go in pretty easily (less than 10 minutes), pull it off and adjust the "S" pipe angle then try again.
3) Make sure you pre-install both the (a) driver side and (b) passenger side piping before you even lift the FMIC.
4) The straight tube on the passenger side has tight clearance, so I torqued the top clamp (closer to the engine) before I lifted the FMIC into place.
5) BEST TIP I"VE GOT: Use some WD-40 to lubricate the inside of both rubber tubes. This helps the FMIC slide into place way easier (I learned this the 2nd time I did it

It's actually not too bad of an install. It just takes some time to remove the wheels, wheel wells, fog lights, bumper, and undertray. I know I've seen guys do it without removing the wheels and wheel wells, but I'm a big guy and definitely appreciated having the extra space to manuever.

Anyway, best of luck to those doing it themselves and enjoy the new FMIC!

N111CUK · 01-13-2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakyDeeky

Couple of extra tips I learned from my install:

1) Don't waste your time messing with the passenger side boost tube (picture below), just dremel the metal band off. If you ever return your car to stock you can just use another T-clamp.

2) Take your time when you put the new tubing on. It's key that the "S" shaped tubing that goes to the charge pipe is angled just right or else it makes the install 10x harder. If the intercooler doesn't go in pretty easily (less than 10 minutes), pull it off and adjust the "S" pipe angle then try again.
3) Make sure you pre-install both the (a) driver side and (b) passenger side piping before you even lift the FMIC.
4) The straight tube on the passenger side has tight clearance, so I torqued the top clamp (closer to the engine) before I lifted the FMIC into place.
5) BEST TIP I"VE GOT: Use some WD-40 to lubricate the inside of both rubber tubes. This helps the FMIC slide into place way easier (I learned this the 2nd time I did it

It's actually not too bad of an install. It just takes some time to remove the wheels, wheel wells, fog lights, bumper, and undertray. I know I've seen guys do it without removing the wheels and wheel wells, but I'm a big guy and definitely appreciated having the extra space to manuever.

Anyway, best of luck to those doing it themselves and enjoy the new FMIC!

NIce write up. I have the spearco and its a well made product. makes the most difference when your running a tune as the extra boost mean you need to cool the air down quicker.

335iDCT · 02-24-2013, 12:03 PM

Op trimmed the support to fit in thicker core, but are those screw mounts for the undertray and the lower bumper?

11-08-2007, 06:32 PM	#25
Evo8MRto335I Captain Drives: 2009 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 968 iTrader: (1)	Dude, You are awesome.. great pictures and great reviw. Thank you soo much for the write up, it looks very nice. __________________ 2009' C63 AMG, 2011' C300

11-08-2007, 06:36 PM	#26
down4it Banned Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,746 iTrader: (3)	Heres a pic of mine from the front with the Spearco... Attached Images

07-25-2008, 11:23 AM	#27
stressdoc Moderator Drives: 335 E90 ZSP+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MO Posts: 9,341 iTrader: (0)	Really nice DIY, great photos of the tricky parts. I would clamp a guide for the cutting part. This is a key mod. __________________ My not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Quaife, BMW Perf & M3 suspension, V5, M-sport, ... Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279

05-10-2009, 10:44 PM	#29
eyemdbmw Second Lieutenant Drives: 2008 e93 335i space/coral/pop Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: bloomington, il Posts: 228 iTrader: (1)	do the wheels have to come off for this. i only have rhino ramps thanks __________________ cosmetic mods - BBS LM's, body colored reflectors, 30% tint permormance mods - procede rev II, vishnu dci, helix fmic, ar catless dp's

08-08-2009, 02:42 PM	#30
mkPOTO Mr. Nice Says Hello Drives: 1999 528I Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 13,508 iTrader: (19) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 M3 [2.66] 1999 BMW E39 528i [2.20] 2007 BMW E92 335I [3.00]	very nice i hope to be picking up a fmic very soon __________________ BMW E92 M3 EVOLVE Stage II \| EVOLVE X-Pipe \| EVOLVE E-Tronic Exhaust Macht Schnell Stage II intake \| KW V3 \| Volk TE37SL \| BMW Performance Spoiler

11-08-2007, 06:24 PM	#24
XS4 slave to the dark side Drives: 2008 335i Sedan Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: FL Posts: 173 iTrader: (3)	thank you for the DIY and many pics - and revealing all the "fun" details

08-11-2008, 01:54 PM	#28
doba_s Major General Drives: M3, 1M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 6,105 iTrader: (26)	It is very easy to cut that part and if you try to fit the intercooler without cutting you will understand right away which part you need to cut. It is much easier compare to AA FMIC.

01-31-2011, 10:44 AM	#32
mjd5 Private Drives: white e90 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: australia sydney Posts: 58 iTrader: (0)	nice step up

03-14-2012, 10:38 PM	#33
SneakyDeeky Major Drives: '07 E90 335i 6MT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 1,048 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i E90 [4.80]	Couple of extra tips I learned from my install: 1) Don't waste your time messing with the passenger side boost tube (picture below), just dremel the metal band off. If you ever return your car to stock you can just use another T-clamp. 2) Take your time when you put the new tubing on. It's key that the "S" shaped tubing that goes to the charge pipe is angled just right or else it makes the install 10x harder. If the intercooler doesn't go in pretty easily (less than 10 minutes), pull it off and adjust the "S" pipe angle then try again. 3) Make sure you pre-install both the (a) driver side and (b) passenger side piping before you even lift the FMIC. 4) The straight tube on the passenger side has tight clearance, so I torqued the top clamp (closer to the engine) before I lifted the FMIC into place. 5) BEST TIP I"VE GOT: Use some WD-40 to lubricate the inside of both rubber tubes. This helps the FMIC slide into place way easier (I learned this the 2nd time I did it It's actually not too bad of an install. It just takes some time to remove the wheels, wheel wells, fog lights, bumper, and undertray. I know I've seen guys do it without removing the wheels and wheel wells, but I'm a big guy and definitely appreciated having the extra space to manuever. Anyway, best of luck to those doing it themselves and enjoy the new FMIC! __________________ 6MT/Cobb St2+/KW V1/Spec2+ Clutch/ER Dual Oil Coolers/ETS FMIC/ER Chargepipe/Synapse BOV/RPI Scoops/BMS DCI/AR DPs/Magnaflow/BSH OCC/CDV Mod/ Drilled & Slotted Rotors/M3 Front-Rear-Sides & Air Ducts/Advan RS/Michelin Pilot SS/SonicTuning CSL Trunk/LS3 AEs/6000K Xenons/35% Tint/P3 Vent Boost Gauge/WHY NO METH?

02-24-2013, 12:03 PM	#35
335iDCT Private First Class Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: HK Posts: 157 iTrader: (0)	Op trimmed the support to fit in thicker core, but are those screw mounts for the undertray and the lower bumper?

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