[nelsonmg]

Link: http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/merchant...&Category_Code

This thread is to discuss the pros / cons of this specific intercooler. From what I have read, this intercooler has large frontal surface area, quality piping and fairly good reviews - not to mention it is very competively priced.

Other alternatives for me include the AMS 5" intercooler (which I believe is fairly well received by users).

So, this thread is intended to debate AMS v. CXRacing. I am running JB4, BMS DCI and BMS 3" catless downpipes. Definitely buying an intercooler and chargepipe/BOV as next two mods. Third will be wider rear tires.

Anyways, any advise that could be offered when choosing b/w these two intercoolers would be appreciated. If you have a good reason why neither of these two are worth a shit, please advise.

Thanks in advance.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Have you given our 7" any consideration?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=726163&page=1

Quite a bit more cost effective

The AMS is 6" btw.

[mave198]

I have the CXRacing 4 incher and I'm very happy. Install was a slight PITA but worth it.

Some Michelin PSS along with some upgraded suspension bits and you'll b good to go.

[Wedge1967]

First, the CXR is not well designed. You can buy the same core off ebay for a fraction of the price. It also covers more of the radiator and has a cover on the top part of the core which causes air flow restriction. The AMS is a better core, but is over priced and if you're going that route you should just go with VRSF. They have a killer price on a 7" core. I'm running a 7" from HPF and I wish VRSF had their 7" core when I bought might for more than double...

[ar design]

You really can't compare the quality of the AMS or ETS cores to the Chinese junk being pushed on eBay and here. It is night and day if you know what you are looking at.

[BigBoosting]

Originally Posted by ar design

You really can't compare the quality of the AMS or ETS cores to the Chinese junk being pushed on eBay and here. It is night and day if you know what you are looking at.

Exactly!! The original question is actually hard to answer without seeming offensive.

They shouldn't be compared. They are just too far apart in design and quality.

[nelsonmg]

thank you for replies. no go on CXRacing.

based on your responses, i have the following feedback.
(1) I have heard some negative commentary regarding "excessive" core depth (e.g. 7") and hot/low density air and inefficiency. Myth?
(2) Regarding 'pressure drop' and intercoolers can someone please explain that relationship.
(3) If I purchase 7" core, will that cause issues if i add meth?

sorry for all the questions, but i am just learning about this stuff and this seems to be a very complex upgrade decision.

thanks again for your help thus far.

[idrift4wd]

This is E90POST. If you dont spend the most you can on a part, your most likely getting shit! It may not fit! Its crap chinese quality! Garbage welds! No way in hell do you get quality products for 1/3 the price. LOL

The cx racing "big TOM" is a great intercooler, does require cutting. Anything is better then OEM.

[EDM92]

Originally Posted by idrift4wd

This is E90POST. If you dont spend the most you can on a part, your most likely getting shit! It may not fit! Its crap chinese quality! Garbage welds! No way in hell do you get quality products for 1/3 the price. LOL

The cx racing "big TOM" is a great intercooler, does require cutting. Anything is better then OEM.

+1 You don't always get what you pay for.

[ar design II]

+1 for getting what you pay for, AMS or ETS are the best options!

[BigBoosting]

Originally Posted by idrift4wd

This is E90POST. If you dont spend the most you can on a part, your most likely getting shit! It may not fit! Its crap chinese quality! Garbage welds! No way in hell do you get quality products for 1/3 the price. LOL

The cx racing "big TOM" is a great intercooler, does require cutting. Anything is better then OEM.

It comes down to more than cost. The endtanks are horribly designed, the input and output junction are at 90 degrees instead of being smooth. The couplers are garbage. The intercooler is so large it blocks the radiator and also doesn't utilize the factory shroud which will cause heating issues. Lastly, those ebay intercoolers are HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY.

All that together is worth paying for a quality intercooler, especially when there are much better options that don't cost that much more.

[91Octane]

Originally Posted by idrift4wd

This is E90POST. If you dont spend the most you can on a part, your most likely getting shit! It may not fit! Its crap chinese quality! Garbage welds! No way in hell do you get quality products for 1/3 the price. LOL

Originally Posted by EDM92

+1 You don't always get what you pay for.

Originally Posted by Kai @ AR Design

+1 for getting what you pay for.

what the hell are you talking about???

[EDM92]

Originally Posted by 91Octane

what the hell are you talking about???

idrift4wd was making being sarcastic and making fun of members on E90post for only buying "quality" parts that are extremely expensive. I agreed with him, since you don't have to pay boat loads of money to get a part that functions properly.

Kai @ AR was disagreeing with us, obviously, since AR sell downpipes that run close to a thousand bucks.

[tofu-]

been running cxracing for about a year

it's great

[nelsonmg]

understood. no go on CXRacing. thanks.

[RnmEvo9]

I don't have any experience with either of those two intercoolers, but if you search around, research and find datalogs to form your own opinion, you should be good to go instead of just taking everyones input.

[secretsquirrel]

FWIW, I've been running the CXR for a year in Texas (where the temp often gets 110). Its an amazing IC for the price. People can throw out adjectives like "Chinese" or "cheap", but they cannot say that its ineffective. Either the VRSF, AMS5 or CXR are going to give you awesome results. I honestly doubt you'll see a performance difference between them. You can choose on other variables.

[Dr. G]

Mike@n54tuning had a sale for the AMS for like $629 or something you can see if that's still on, that puts both intercoolers into a closer price range.

For Cooling
Priority # 1 = Frontal surface area
IF you are frontal limited, than you use depth as an alternative.

If cooling isn't your main concern then look into the flow characteristics.

As for the CX people will complain of shrouding/radiator being covered etc... - so far nobody has reported any negative impacts from any of this.
For the AMS people will complain of price and who knows what else.

Everyone on here is extremely biased or a vendors best groupie, so instead of getting opinions just spend some time researching what makes a good intercooler and then make your own advised decision.

[07bmw335iguy]

I hear people keep saying that the cx/big tom intercooler blocks the radiator but the aftermarket air scoops everyone has does block a portion of air to our radiators, at least the intercooler still has air going through it to the radiator.(yes obviously the air temp is higher)

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Dr. G

Mike@n54tuning had a sale for the AMS for like $629 or something you can see if that's still on, that puts both intercoolers into a closer price range.

For Cooling
Priority # 1 = Frontal surface area
IF you are frontal limited, than you use depth as an alternative.

If cooling isn't your main concern then look into the flow characteristics.

As for the CX people will complain of shrouding/radiator being covered etc... - so far nobody has reported any negative impacts from any of this.
For the AMS people will complain of price and who knows what else.

Everyone on here is extremely biased or a vendors best groupie, so instead of getting opinions just spend some time researching what makes a good intercooler and then make your own advised decision.

689$ to be exact, bought one recently and have not regretted one cents.

IATs are better, they dont rise when doing a one gear run they would actually be less than temps at start of the run. I would say around 15% colder than what stock would have ran at 90F ambient.
But whats good about the AMS, is the much better response and less lag. Pressure drops are as good as they can be. By far the best in flow characteristics and match the 5",6" intercoolers for temperature drop.

[AcExSpades]

I have been running the CXRacing IC for almost half a year now and had no issues whatsoever.

[theinfamousdrew]

I bought the VRSF one.

We had a chance to compare it next to a HPF, ETS, and a CX racing before the install.
I have to say that the VRSF has a quality core and awesome welds, I couldnt have asked for more.
After comparing them I would definitely buy the VRSF again.