[MMMCOOKIES55]

Finally got around to installing my JB4 (been sitting on my work bench for weeks now in the garage). I have BMS DCI and Ar Design 3" catless Dp's. I was looking into intercoolers today and honestly, I do not drive the car hard, some spirited drives here and there but nothing major. It is my DD but I only put 4-600 miles a month on it. Just looking for people's opinion on the matter. If it's worthwhile to put 7-1000 for the intercooler ill do it.

[Beemw335]

I honestly dont think so
Unless you track it or do repeated pulls, save your money.

[WesleyC]

Originally Posted by MMMCOOKIES335...

Finally got around to installing my JB4 (been sitting on my work bench for weeks now in the garage). I have BMS DCI and Ar Design 3" catless Dp's. I was looking into intercoolers today and honestly, I do not drive the car hard, some spirited drives here and there but nothing major. It is my DD but I only put 4-600 miles a month on it. Just looking for people's opinion on the matter. If it's worthwhile to put 7-1000 for the intercooler ill do it.

An ungraded intercooler is good for multiple reasons. On the performance side, it will allow your turbos to operate at a higher PSI, giving you more performance. An upgraded intercooler will also lower intake temps which is a good thing. The stock intercooler is pretty lame.

[AK 335i]

if you don't go to the drag strip, road course or roll race a lot of people the upgraded intercooler is not necessary for you.

if in time your spirited drivin has you approaching 16+ psi of boost I would consider upgrading the fmic. look around for used ones in your area, you can prob pick up a good used one for n500 ish

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

If your looking to improve performance and consistency pull to pull it's one of your only options unless you want to get methanol injection.

Intercoolers provide efficiency and keep intake air temps in check, I'd recommend an intercooler to someone with even with less modifications, the stock one is very inefficient, even for stock boost.

We have a handful of options for you, shoot me a message if you have any questions.

[RimasRS]

Your car equipped with oem intercooler for oem boost. If you are increasing boost you have bigger pressure you need bigger intercooler.

Pressed air is becoming hot YOU need intercooler.

[messi]

How hot is it where you live. My throttle response changed for the better with my ER fmic but that came with the licp I believe. Where I live it's super hot and this babe keeps things pulling hard all the way. Even better at nights. Definitely do this mod with a tune. You won't regret it.

[dlbrooks18]

I still run stock intercooler and am happy with performance over the years so haven't upgraded it yet either..

[MMMCOOKIES55]

thanks for all the input, I think I may look into it a little more. It does make sense to upgrade when everything else is, just a hard bill to swallow is all (like the Dp's weren't)

[benzy89]

Upgrade -- You'll have better IAT reduction & more consistent performance for when you rip on it. Since you live in NC, I can imagine it'll get VERY hot & humid in the summer and that's when you'd notice the biggest difference between the OEM IC and any proven, aftermarket option.

[Ænema]

I'd recommend an upgraded IC for even a stock car. The OEM unit is pretty garbage.

[J Boy]

Maybe not right now, but during the summer you'll probably want one

[stilov]

I've got the universal Godspeed one that I only paid like 140 shipped to me plus hoses. Had to hack up the plastic shield to fit it.

I am glad I did it...but I wouldn't spend the 1000 range for one.

That's just me

[JYohay]

Vrsf is like 475 shipped and 7".
Personally I got an AMS used, and the car is that much more powerful the clutch has started to slip (ok maybe I also tried e85 for the first time right when IC installed

[mikead_99]

jeff @ tgs said it best, it really does help provide consistant power delivery. I put mine in (just ets 5") right before 100* F heatwave this summer, the results were very appreciable in my daily driver. Once the stock IC gets heatsoaked it takes quite a bit to cool back down and it will soak again with just a good hard pull. That problem is greatly minimized with an upgrade.

FWIW, and really just a coincidence, I happened to pick mine up from top gear solutions. Had some issues with delayed delivery from ETS, but they were very good about keeping me aware of the lead time and were willing to work with me to make up for any problems the delay caused.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Its real nice to have in the NC summers if you are making more boost then stock.

[135Pats]

if you are running elevated boost its a very worthy upgrade, your car will be fed cooler and denser air, all while allowing for more aggressive boost. It reduces thermal stress across the board, and puts a tuned car in much better position to maximize power run after run. OE intercooler is junk imo.

[Bimmer07]

Do i need one too guys? Im in Los Angeles and ill be running on map 1 only

[benzy89]

Originally Posted by Bimmer07

Do i need one too guys? Im in Los Angeles and ill be running on map 1 only

If you want more consistent performance, as a result of better IAT reduction & being less susceptible to heatsoak - YES. It's a turbo car, it works more efficently & performs better with cold air

[Bagelfast]

100% worth it... Increase flow and performance, top end power and consistency!
Especially for summer months.

[ign335i]

It depends on how much boost you are running and at what RPM. I would say 15psi and below DPs are better, past 15psi it is worth it. I wouldn't bother if you're only running Map 1.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Cobb Stage 1 + FMIC actually performs better then Stage 2 Cobb with just downpipes. It's been proven time and time again.

You might squeeze more mid-range out of downpipes, but top end and consitency will show the intercooler performing better.