Do you need to remove the front bumper when installing FMIC?

Mr.Snail · 07-06-2013, 11:34 AM

I did my standard 07 front with vrsf 7 inch on a lift, and left the bumper on.

DannoE90 · 07-06-2013, 12:35 PM

I installed my 7" vrsf with the bumper on, I had no issues navigating it up in there. I have an m-sport bumper and I did it with the car on jack stands. With going back and forth between test fitting and trimming plastic, it took me about 3 hours to do mine.

I read that you should avoid taking off the bumper if you can (or at least be very careful) if your car has headlight washers, which is why I left my bumper on.

Fedorov · 07-06-2013, 05:01 PM

Ok, I just don't understand how you possibly could do it with the front bumper on (although I have the aero-front over the OEM front but I don't think that makes a difference). There was simply no way to slide it in there even though we first tried trimming those two vertical pieces of plastic..

In a video on youtube they install the "Big Tom Intercooler" and cut away a lot of plastic and that's exactly what we had to do to make it fit. And then I'm not just talking about trimming but rather cutting away the whole lower part of that plastic frame..

Could there possibly be some difference in the construction between Euro cars and American?

Oh well, nevermind. Now it's on there and will be there for a looong time

It was fun though doing that work and I finally got those brighter fog lights installed

davidwarren · 07-07-2013, 03:24 PM

I just installed my 7 inch VRSF and removing the bumper cover made it much easier.

As others said, I would recommend just cutting the entire bottom part of the radiator support off. As you can see, if you were to leave it on, you would only have a thin strip of the bottom section left.

Another thing to consider is that you have to cut out the plastic sections that curved around the front of the stock intercooler. I had not seen any other install that mentioned that, but the VRSF would not fit with them in place. The passenger side was not a problem, but on the driver side, you have to be mindful of the radiator drain and a weather stripping that is in close proximity. I wedged a small socket extension between the weather stripping attached to the radiator support piece and the intercooler mount. Also make sure you don't cut into the threaded section where the support screws go, because that is what holds the intercooler up.

I used a dremel tool for the cutting. I used a small cutoff wheel for the turbo side metal band and one of the drill bit shaped cutting tools to cut the plastic.
As a tip for the metal band- I was expecting it to pop or expand or do something when I cut through it, but it didn't. So check it frequently with a flat head screwdriver.

All of the clamps were accessible with a deep well socket and various extensions and u-joints except the clamp on the turbo pipe. I just used a 10 mm spanner. If you have a ratcheting spanner, you are golden, otherwise count on doing like a million 1/8 turns.

Get the intercooler installed and in place before you do a final tighten for the clamps to make sure everything is lined up properly. Except the clamp from the turbo pipe onto the silicon hose- get that one tightened up before you install because you won't really have room to get to it once the intercooler is in place. It is also a straight shot, so no alignment issues.

Without any sort of guidance, I tightened all clamps until there was about an inch of thread showing past the nut. So far so good.

Another tip is to make sure your clamps are out of the way of everything else so they don't hit anything. If you use the upgraded lower charge pipe, make sure it is aligned to stay out of the belt and the fan.

It took me just at three hours from start to finish to install. If I had a lift and a ratcheting spanner, it would have easily been doable in about two.

MORTON · 02-22-2015, 03:58 PM

Installing mine soon and debating by this thread whether or not to remove the FB or leave it. I'll likely be doing it in my garage so no lift... I'm thinking without a lift based on this thread removing the FB is somewhat necessary unless i buy the ramps..

Sgop335 · 02-22-2015, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MORTON

Installing mine soon and debating by this thread whether or not to remove the FB or leave it. I'll likely be doing it in my garage so no lift... I'm thinking without a lift based on this thread removing the FB is somewhat necessary unless i buy the ramps..

You dont have to remove fb. See no reason. I have the 7" vrsf. Just watch out for the ambient sensor. O wait may be for cutting, you may need to.

silver07335i · 02-22-2015, 04:05 PM

You don't need to remove the front bumper to install the FMIC.

chepy24 · 02-22-2015, 04:09 PM

nope waste of time did my 7 inch ic in my driveway on ramps

MORTON · 02-22-2015, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgop335

You dont have to remove fb. See no reason. I have the 7" vrsf. Just watch out for the ambient sensor. O wait may be for cutting, you may need to.

I know just wondering if it's easier without a lift apparently it's just as easy without lol thanks for the reply brother

MORTON · 02-22-2015, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silver07335i

You don't need to remove the front bumper to install the FMIC.

Roger that thanks for the reply man

MORTON · 02-22-2015, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chepy24

nope waste of time did my 7 inch ic in my driveway on ramps

Good to know I think I'll be doing the same then haha where did you purchase your ramps?

Sgop335 · 02-22-2015, 04:16 PM

Yw!

chepy24 · 02-22-2015, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MORTON

Good to know I think I'll be doing the same then haha where did you purchase your ramps?

i got mine at napa rhino ramps

MORTON · 02-22-2015, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chepy24

i got mine at napa rhino ramps

Will do the same there's a NAPA not to far from here thanks for the info

chepy24 · 02-22-2015, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MORTON

Will do the same there's a NAPA not to far from here thanks for the info

yea no problem if you have any questions on the install feel free to pm me its pretty easy

MORTON · 02-22-2015, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chepy24

yea no problem if you have any questions on the install feel free to pm me its pretty easy

WILL DO! Thanks again and PM sent haha

Sgop335 · 02-22-2015, 04:33 PM

Rhinos are $45 at advance, fyi

MORTON · 02-22-2015, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgop335

Rhinos are $45 at advance, fyi

I'll check there as well as that's a tad bit closer to me thanks for the heads up!

07-06-2013, 11:34 AM	#23
Mr.Snail Private First Class 13 Rep 142 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: North East iTrader: (2)	I did my standard 07 front with vrsf 7 inch on a lift, and left the bumper on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2013, 12:35 PM	#24
DannoE90 New Member 5 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BSM E90 335i x-drive Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Long Island iTrader: (1)	I installed my 7" vrsf with the bumper on, I had no issues navigating it up in there. I have an m-sport bumper and I did it with the car on jack stands. With going back and forth between test fitting and trimming plastic, it took me about 3 hours to do mine. I read that you should avoid taking off the bumper if you can (or at least be very careful) if your car has headlight washers, which is why I left my bumper on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-06-2013, 05:01 PM	#25
Fedorov Lieutenant 162 Rep 468 Posts Drives: BMW 330i G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW 330i G20 [0.00]	Ok, I just don't understand how you possibly could do it with the front bumper on (although I have the aero-front over the OEM front but I don't think that makes a difference). There was simply no way to slide it in there even though we first tried trimming those two vertical pieces of plastic.. In a video on youtube they install the "Big Tom Intercooler" and cut away a lot of plastic and that's exactly what we had to do to make it fit. And then I'm not just talking about trimming but rather cutting away the whole lower part of that plastic frame.. Could there possibly be some difference in the construction between Euro cars and American? Oh well, nevermind. Now it's on there and will be there for a looong time It was fun though doing that work and I finally got those brighter fog lights installed
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2013, 03:24 PM	#26
davidwarren Captain 189 Rep 670 Posts Drives: 328,325, 325, 335, X5, 640 GC Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Louisville, ky iTrader: (0)	I just installed my 7 inch VRSF and removing the bumper cover made it much easier. As others said, I would recommend just cutting the entire bottom part of the radiator support off. As you can see, if you were to leave it on, you would only have a thin strip of the bottom section left. Another thing to consider is that you have to cut out the plastic sections that curved around the front of the stock intercooler. I had not seen any other install that mentioned that, but the VRSF would not fit with them in place. The passenger side was not a problem, but on the driver side, you have to be mindful of the radiator drain and a weather stripping that is in close proximity. I wedged a small socket extension between the weather stripping attached to the radiator support piece and the intercooler mount. Also make sure you don't cut into the threaded section where the support screws go, because that is what holds the intercooler up. I used a dremel tool for the cutting. I used a small cutoff wheel for the turbo side metal band and one of the drill bit shaped cutting tools to cut the plastic. As a tip for the metal band- I was expecting it to pop or expand or do something when I cut through it, but it didn't. So check it frequently with a flat head screwdriver. All of the clamps were accessible with a deep well socket and various extensions and u-joints except the clamp on the turbo pipe. I just used a 10 mm spanner. If you have a ratcheting spanner, you are golden, otherwise count on doing like a million 1/8 turns. Get the intercooler installed and in place before you do a final tighten for the clamps to make sure everything is lined up properly. Except the clamp from the turbo pipe onto the silicon hose- get that one tightened up before you install because you won't really have room to get to it once the intercooler is in place. It is also a straight shot, so no alignment issues. Without any sort of guidance, I tightened all clamps until there was about an inch of thread showing past the nut. So far so good. Another tip is to make sure your clamps are out of the way of everything else so they don't hit anything. If you use the upgraded lower charge pipe, make sure it is aligned to stay out of the belt and the fan. It took me just at three hours from start to finish to install. If I had a lift and a ratcheting spanner, it would have easily been doable in about two.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2015, 03:58 PM	#27
MORTON Major 353 Rep 1,403 Posts Drives: 08' N54 6SPD E90 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Palm Coast, FL iTrader: (1)	Installing mine soon and debating by this thread whether or not to remove the FB or leave it. I'll likely be doing it in my garage so no lift... I'm thinking without a lift based on this thread removing the FB is somewhat necessary unless i buy the ramps..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2015, 04:05 PM	#29
silver07335i Captain 25 Rep 755 Posts Drives: 335i titanium silver metallic Join Date: May 2013 Location: CA iTrader: (5)	You don't need to remove the front bumper to install the FMIC. __________________ Car: 2007 e90 335i 6MT - sports, premium, cold weather, light, and smoker's package. Performance Mods: Cobb AP v3, ETS 7" FMIC, Injen DCI, Michelin PSS, CDV delete, rear spoiler, BMW PE w/ Magnaflow tips, PTF pro-tune, VRSF downpipes, ER chargepipe w/ Tial Q, APEX 18" EC-7 wheels, MP outlet/ inlet, MMP Stg. 3 turbos. Other mods: BMW cargo liner, 20% window tint, BMW alarm system, Weathertech floorliner, Lux E90 V6 bulbs, Philips X-treme Vision H7 bulbs, Blackvue DR650GW-2CH.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

02-22-2015, 04:09 PM	#30
chepy24 Captain 30 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2009 alpine white 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: denver iTrader: (0)	nope waste of time did my 7 inch ic in my driveway on ramps
	Appreciate 1 Quote

02-22-2015, 04:16 PM	#34
Sgop335 Colonel 657 Rep 2,061 Posts Drives: 07 335i e92, 08 535i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: MD iTrader: (1)	Yw! __________________ 335i e92 TPC 19Ts
	Appreciate 1 Quote

02-22-2015, 04:33 PM	#39
Sgop335 Colonel 657 Rep 2,061 Posts Drives: 07 335i e92, 08 535i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: MD iTrader: (1)	Rhinos are $45 at advance, fyi __________________ 335i e92 TPC 19Ts
	Appreciate 1 Quote