E90Post
 


Coby Wheel
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > Whats the consensus on Intercoolers?



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-08-2008, 05:52 PM   #1
JoosyJoos
Major
JoosyJoos's Avatar
United_States
113
Rep
1,347
Posts

Drives: 2011 335d
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 BMW 335i  [0.00]
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.
__________________

1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22
2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 05:54 PM   #2
aut0sh0cker
meh
aut0sh0cker's Avatar
United_States
123
Rep
1,756
Posts

Drives: E92 335i, 997.2 C4S
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: 91362

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JoosyJoos View Post
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.
Welcome to e90post!
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 06:16 PM   #3
MrWhite1015
Major General
MrWhite1015's Avatar
166
Rep
6,020
Posts

Drives: MINIVAN
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Westchester NY

iTrader: (21)

Garage List
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.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 06:23 PM   #4
nespharym
Captain
nespharym's Avatar
68
Rep
606
Posts

Drives: SEMA 335i, Wide Body e46
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: El Paso, Texas

iTrader: (0)

RPI for me

very impressed with the unit
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 06:30 PM   #5
jpsimon
Team Zissou
jpsimon's Avatar
United_States
3058
Rep
10,197
Posts

Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: CT

iTrader: (7)

People have been seeing 20+whp gains
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 06:31 PM   #6
vegasspeed
Captain
vegasspeed's Avatar
United_States
80
Rep
761
Posts

Drives: 335i 6MT coupe Montego Blue
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (1)

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.
__________________
335i coupe Montego Blue Dinan stage 3 tune, Advan RS wheels 350whp/365wtq
1994 Brooklands Green Acura NSX Comptech Supercharged 390whp/300wtq
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 06:32 PM   #7
JoosyJoos
Major
JoosyJoos's Avatar
United_States
113
Rep
1,347
Posts

Drives: 2011 335d
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Do intercoolers void your warranty (in general... I know all dealers are different)?
__________________

1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22
2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 06:50 PM   #8
dadasracecar
Banned
18
Rep
268
Posts

Drives: '06 Mazdaspeed6
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

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.
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 06:53 PM   #9
JoosyJoos
Major
JoosyJoos's Avatar
United_States
113
Rep
1,347
Posts

Drives: 2011 335d
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2008 BMW 335i  [0.00]
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.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dadasracecar View Post
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.
__________________

1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22
2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 07:03 PM   #10
Terrance28
Brigadier General
Terrance28's Avatar
United_States
109
Rep
3,334
Posts

Drives: Crimson Red E92
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Killeen, TX

iTrader: (17)

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.
__________________
Mods list got too long, lets just say more than enough.
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 07:40 PM   #11
TurboBullett@Ambient Thermal Management
Major
TurboBullett@Ambient Thermal Management's Avatar
80
Rep
1,283
Posts

Drives: 2012 Abarth 500
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NJ

iTrader: (3)

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


Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 08:15 PM   #12
BaLLzZz
Colonel
BaLLzZz's Avatar
United_States
127
Rep
2,298
Posts

Drives: e92 335i
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC

iTrader: (5)

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.
__________________
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. - Albert Einstein

01 e46 m54 - Current : 14 f10 n26 - Boring & Gone : 15 f30 n26 - Current : 08 e92 n54 - Gone & Missed!!!
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 09:34 PM   #13
MarioKart
Lieutenant
MarioKart's Avatar
68
Rep
493
Posts

Drives: Black on Black
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ventura, CA

iTrader: (13)

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
__________________
15' YMB M4, TC Kline ℅ camber plates, AWE Exhaust 544whp Stage 1 Map. Past E90 335iA BLK/BLK 19" IForged Daytona, UR Intake, JB3 2.0, RR DP, AA intercooler, HKS BOV, KWV2, 424whp
Appreciate 0
      10-08-2008, 10:28 PM   #14
TheMadDutchman
Enlisted Member
0
Rep
48
Posts

Drives: 2004 330i ZHP
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

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
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2008, 12:02 AM   #15
e.n335
Moderator
e.n335's Avatar
Austria
268
Rep
4,481
Posts

Drives: e93 ///M3 DCT, 07/2009
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Switzerland, ZH

iTrader: (0)

My Code3 / Spearco gains power and it's worth the money. Orb wrote an excellent thread about the Spearco FMIC, search for it.
Appreciate 0
      10-13-2008, 08:28 PM   #16
bubbletea 4 me
Lieutenant Colonel
bubbletea 4 me's Avatar
63
Rep
1,914
Posts

Drives: Finally here
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Earth

iTrader: (5)

doens't code 3 also required some cutting?
Appreciate 0
      10-13-2008, 09:04 PM   #17
Mr. 5
Modder Raider
Mr. 5's Avatar
Scotland
753
Rep
8,633
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Surf City, HB

iTrader: (31)

Garage List
2007 e90 335i  [8.00]
is your friend.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ve+intercooler


.
__________________
e36 M3 Coupe, e36 325i Sedan
e90 335i--SOLD

Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:21 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST