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Whats the consensus on Intercoolers?
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10-08-2008, 05:52 PM | #1 |
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Whats the consensus on Intercoolers?
Hey guys I've got a few questions about intercoolers since I'm new to the turbo scene (not that I claim to know a lot about any engines lol)
1. What seems to be the intercooler most people are going for these days? I've seen AA (probably the one I'm most interested in), RPI, Spearco, etc... are these all going to yield approximately the same gains? 2. Does an intercooler actually help you gain power or does it only allow you to retain power under situations where the engine is losing power because its simply too hot to be efficient? 3. Is it worth it? (hah) Excuse my rather blunt questions... but I've searched and there doesnt seem to be a real clear consensus.... seems like everyone just argues and argues over trivial things that dont even relate to the threads. |
10-08-2008, 05:54 PM | #2 |
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10-08-2008, 06:16 PM | #3 |
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i dont know much about the intercoolers available for the 335 as i am just starting to look into them as well... from what a gather if you have a tune its a great way to keep temps down when its hot out... have you noticed that your car is faster in the winter or when its cold out? this is what it might be like all year when you upgrade the intercooler... i think... thats what it was like with my audi when i upgraded the fmic... so i dont think they are really any power gains but the car will just run like it did during colder winter/fall nights.... at least thats how it was with my audi... hope this helps and that someone that knows a bit more about the options for the 335 chimes in.
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10-08-2008, 06:31 PM | #6 |
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They don't add much hp but instead add life too your turbo system and allow more runs to 120mph without heatsoak. I had my car untuned with a Dinan intercooler, oil cooler and exhaust and felt very little difference while driving it. The tune and DP's add the most noticeable difference from what I can tell. Intakes, FMICs and others will add it on the dyno but you may not feel it.
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10-08-2008, 06:32 PM | #7 |
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Do intercoolers void your warranty (in general... I know all dealers are different)?
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10-08-2008, 06:50 PM | #8 |
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The real question about the stock IC hasn't been answered - that I can find, namely, what is the pressure drop over the core and how much hp can it support. AFAIK all the IC upgrades out there aren't any better than the stock system. It's already a front mount so heat soak isn't an issue. I have yet to see actual temperature measurements and pressure measurements across the core.
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10-08-2008, 06:53 PM | #9 | |
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Could you maybe go into more depth on this? I'm not exactly sure what the heck you're talkin about lol... and I feel I'm not alone.
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10-08-2008, 07:03 PM | #10 |
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Basically he is saying that nobody has proved that the stock intercooler isn't good enough to upgrade it. Its already a front mount and not sitting on the engine bay like the sti's, so it should be good enough. I don't know anything about intercoolers i'm just translating what he said.
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10-08-2008, 07:40 PM | #11 |
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The factory Intercooler heatsoaks very quickly on the 135/335! Heres a bunch of data on the Helix FMIC as compared to the factory unit
Helix Stepped Core Intercooler $969 IN STOCK at Helix 877-helix-13 [/QUOTE] reposting all the data for this FMIC Install: Fits in stock location- YES requires NO cutting,removal and/or permanent modification- Yes on 335i, No on 135i Can it be installed without removing front Bumper- YES Utilizes factory mounting points- Yes Design: More core volume than stock- Yes 56% More Ambient face than stock- Yes 56% More charge rows than stock(8)- Yes 13 Bar and Plate construction- Yes Removes restrictive stock O ring connectors- Yes Seals to factory radiator fan shroud so air is drawn through when car is not in motion- Yes Performance: Helix intercooler at 13.5psi 63 degree ambient temps: 372whp +22whp turbo outlet temperature 228 degrees F(estimated using a 63 degree ambient and 65% compressor efficiency at 13.5 psi) AIT temp- 75 degrees F - 54 degree drop over stock pre and post intercooler temp drop- 153 degrees F Intercooler efficiency- 93% - 33% improvement in efficiency over stock Core pressure drop spec is .5psi at 450hp(600cfm) airflow Price: $969 STOCK 2-4 gear Helix 2-4 gear |
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10-08-2008, 08:15 PM | #12 |
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i have an rpi for sale if anyone looking for one lOl sorry to thread jack
P.S. An upgraded FMIC will definatly benefit your engine, turbos system, and stronger pulls consistantly. Definatly a must have for an upgraded engine.
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10-08-2008, 09:34 PM | #13 |
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I had an RPI and noticed ZERO but the install was super simple. Now I have an AA which I can feel the difference but it was a pain in the ass to install and a lot of cutting involved.
The nice thing about the RPI is it looks and bolts up like factory, I had it in my car during oil changes and fuel pump replacement. Now having the AA, its huge and it very noticeable so I slip my BMW dealer mechanic $100. $100 bucks gets you far in this economy
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10-08-2008, 10:28 PM | #14 |
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Code 3 Intercooler from HP Autowerks
A good intercooler will have minimal pressure drop through the core and not hinder the outside air flow to the radiator/condenser. You could see about a 10hp gain, a little better throttle response, along with lower IATs and quicker recovery time between pulls. HP Autowerks has the Code 3 Performance kit. I got mine from www.hpashop.com
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10-13-2008, 09:04 PM | #17 |
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