[Lrutkowski]

I'm looking at purchasing a Front Mount Intercooler for my 2011 BMW 335I Sedan N55. I just got my car and not really too familiar with BMW's so I might have a few questions. Currently on my car I have an Injen intake and CP-e Charge pipe. I am not going to go past bolt on's. The only thing after the FMIC is Catless downpipes and JB4/MHD(most likely 95% MHD) and e85 or I may just stay on 93 octane. So my question for just bolt-ons do I run a 5' or 7' intercooler? Im assuming I would have lag and loose power if I ran a 7' vs a 5' but I just want feedback from personal experiences. I am never going to swap the turbo or run meth or anything like that. Just bolt-ons so we are clear. Which do you guys recommend is the best? All options and inputs greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[YouAreMyWorld]

I don't think a 5 foot or 7 foot intercooler can fit on this car.
Also the general consensus seems to be that a 5" stepped will serve you best--especially if you're on stock turbo as 7" will be unnecessary.

[ANMVQ]

I was in your boat not that long ago, I chose the 5 inch stepped, you doing more bolt ins than me.
I done with , BMS intake, Pheinox racing CP and the stepped 5 inch intecooler. I'm tuned with MHD and wedge and the 5 inch is more than enough.
From all I read before I bought mine the 5 was the one to get unless upgrading the turbo and or if you tracking the car.

[Turbod]

If you are truly only ever going to run pump with a few bolt ons then 5. I love how my 7 performs and I am glad I went with this size.

[flexinator]

Either is fine if you're never going to the track. I went with a 7" and never looked back. For a couple hundred more, just get a 7". I'm very content with it- shop around for a used FMIC, they're a great used buy.

[Lrutkowski]

No, I will never track it or go past the basic bolt-ons. It's just my daily. I just want a bit more power. I don't care about spending an extra $100-$400, but coming from Subaru & Evo platform if you get a bigger Intercooler and don't have the power or supporting mods you actually lose power and have a big lag. That's why I'm asking how it goes for Bmw.

[houtan]

Here is a great option: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1069879

[AirbusPilot]

I have jb4, vrsf charge pipe and 7" intercooler. The car flys with zero lag.

[Bours]

i heard there is a little lag down low but a few hp more in high rpms with the 7".....

[cjdzombie]

This is the intercooler I've thought about purchasing down the road. It's a direct bolt on, using the factory connections. They claim that they just upgraded the cores of their intercoolers. I have their charge pipe and the quality is great.

Here is a 10% off code too: ARMED2017 (not sure if it's still valid though)

https://www.armmotorsports.com/N54-N...p/335-fmic.htm

[drmdvl]

Originally Posted by cjdzombie

This is the intercooler I've thought about purchasing down the road. It's a direct bolt on, using the factory connections. They claim that they just upgraded the cores of their intercoolers. I have their charge pipe and the quality is great.

Here is a 10% off code too: ARMED2017 (not sure if it's still valid though)

https://www.armmotorsports.com/N54-N...p/335-fmic.htm

5" ETS - bolts right on without trimming. One of my favorite boltons. Maybe you could find a used one for decent price.

[Tiago@VRSF]

There's no added lag with a 7" vs a 5" stepped. Anyone who claims there is has never experienced it first hand.

Whatever intercooler you go with make sure it replaces the restrictive OEM connectors. The OEM connectors neck down to less than 2" and are a huge bottle neck. The OEM connectors also force you to use the stock lower chargepipe which is made from plastic and is prone to failure.

We offer a street 7" FMIC that will outperform any 5" offering due to overall surface area and our 7" HD offers the most dense core currently available of any 7" intercooler on this platform. The denser the core, the greater overall surface area for heat dispersion which is absolutely key in keeping intake temps low.

[lurker14]

i can confirm that there is no noticeable change in lag from stock to vrsf 7"HD.

[flexinator]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

There's no added lag with a 7" vs a 5" stepped. Anyone who claims there is has never experienced it first hand.

Whatever intercooler you go with make sure it replaces the restrictive OEM connectors. The OEM connectors neck down to less than 2" and are a huge bottle neck. The OEM connectors also force you to use the stock lower chargepipe which is made from plastic and is prone to failure.

We offer a street 7" FMIC that will outperform any 5" offering due to overall surface area and our 7" HD offers the most dense core currently available of any 7" intercooler on this platform. The denser the core, the greater overall surface area for heat dispersion which is absolutely key in keeping intake temps low.

Does the 7" VRSF replace the OEM connectors?

[xxMike61]

Originally Posted by drmdvl

5" ETS - bolts right on without trimming. One of my favorite boltons. Maybe you could find a used one for decent price.

Hey man Im looking to get an intercooler in the near future. Would you recommend the one you have? How was the installation?

Thanks

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by flexinator

Does the 7" VRSF replace the OEM connectors?

Yes sir, it sure does! All of our intercoolers include larger upgraded connectors.

[D.I.P.]

Just go with the 5" Stepped Core... It is more than you will ever need with just bolt-ons and it will be much less of a headache to install (ie: Less cutting grinding etc.).

[Cory S]

5" Stepped all day.

[BKBMW335I]

As stated earlier and I agree with, unless you are going to a bigger turbo, going to be racing/tracking your car often then there is no need for the 7, the 5 inch stepped works just fine.

[mike@x-ph.com]

With both intercoolers offered at the same price, i would do 7"
It will outperform the 5" and difference will be even more noticeable once you add downpipe

[flexinator]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

With both intercoolers offered at the same price, i would do 7"
It will outperform the 5" and difference will be even more noticeable once you add downpipe

Agreed: go big or go home- you didn't buy a turbo BMW to snail along with hotter IATs and mediocre performance.