When to upgrade intercooler?

xxMike61 · 03-08-2017, 01:23 AM

I just installed a stage 2 jb4 on my 2011 n55. I plan on getting dps, an intake and charge pipe too. Should I look into getting an upgraded intercooler?

Thanks

NRigs · 03-08-2017, 07:32 AM

Let me answer for everyone here.

Yes.

WJMSprtXDrive · 03-08-2017, 07:36 AM

I recently had my car tuned also.
You always want to be current with all maintenance before you start adding power/boost. That being done.
You will need to upgrade your Charge Pipe(CP) and go to at least a high flow Down Pipe(DP). Spark plugs would be next. Purchase a good Front Mounted Intercooler (FMIC) if needed later if you have cooling issues.

flexinator · 03-08-2017, 08:04 AM

It's a relatively simple mod that's needed in these cars. The stock intercooler is small and restrictive. It's a simple bolt on and you can get 7" intercooler for a reasonable price. New are 4-500 and a used intercooler is a bit less. Definitely upgrade. It's well worth it.

Mr. Tasty · 03-08-2017, 11:55 AM

Honestly, IC upgrade should be the first mod done. It is a very important support modification. Even more so in hotter environments.

flexbrah · 03-08-2017, 12:00 PM

On Ken's tune and just purchased a new FMIC. on WOT pulls with my oem intercooler, my temp will go from 60 deg F to 120 deg F. so definitely time to upgrade

ANMVQ · 03-08-2017, 03:59 PM

I just upgraded mine today vrsf 5 stepped . Ken's custom tune

xxMike61 · 03-08-2017, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANMVQ

I just upgraded mine today vrsf 5 stepped . Ken's custom tune

Any difference between 5 stepped and 7? I'm guessing cooler? Will the five be enough for my setup?

GripAndRip · 03-08-2017, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANMVQ

I just upgraded mine today vrsf 5 stepped . Ken's custom tune

I'm glad to hear you got that thing on finally. You find a better more competent shop or you do it yourself? I remember the shop you tried couldn't do it.

Did it help a lot?

mike@x-ph.com · 03-08-2017, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxMike61

I just installed a stage 2 jb4 on my 2011 n55. I plan on getting dps, an intake and charge pipe too. Should I look into getting an upgraded intercooler?

Thanks

Upgrading the intercooler is a very important step when tuning your car.
I suggest you look into 6" plus cores since you are going to eventually go FBO

Bours · 03-08-2017, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Upgrading the intercooler is a very important step when tuning your car.
I suggest you look into 6" plus cores since you are going to eventually go FBO

The 7" is heavy compared to the 5 stepped right ? The 5" is more than enough for a fbo 335i no ?

You dont want too much weight in front is my guess therefor the 5 is a better choicr for stock turbo and the 7" for upgraded turbo ( ps1. ps2 )

Right ?

mike@x-ph.com · 03-08-2017, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bours

The 7" is heavy compared to the 5 stepped right ? The 5" is more than enough for a fbo 335i no ?

You dont want too much weight in front is my guess therefor the 5 is a better choicr for stock turbo and the 7" for upgraded turbo ( ps1. ps2 )

Right ?

I would do a 7" for FBO, cooling benefits outweighs extra weight.

If you are worried about weight, look into the Wagner Competition series. These are tube and fin intercoolers that weigh a lot less than the standard Bar and plate

Bours · 03-09-2017, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I would do a 7" for FBO, cooling benefits outweighs extra weight.

If you are worried about weight, look into the Wagner Competition series. These are tube and fin intercoolers that weigh a lot less than the standard Bar and plate

Quote:
Originally Posted by shivaswrath View Post
if you track, larger is indeed better.

In my opinion, best intercooler size is based on mods and ambient temps .. Even if you track the car, if you are not heavily modded you are better off with a quality 5" intercooler

your quote

what do you mean a nice quality 5" ? you sell any ? and why is it better
__________________

ANMVQ · 03-09-2017, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GripAndRip

I'm glad to hear you got that thing on finally. You find a better more competent shop or you do it yourself? I remember the shop you tried couldn't do it.

Did it help a lot?

Yea man me too, yea I used a shop near me work also, great guys. I really don't have the room or time it do it in the driveway till like May. The price was perf ft too

Only difference is the 7 is obviously cooler bit I didn't want to cut too much

flexinator · 03-09-2017, 07:52 PM

I went with the 7" and don't regret it at all. Almost flat IAT, with minimal soak. The car weights 3300 lbs, 5 or 10 more really don't matter gentlemen. Agree it should be one of the first mods.

xxMike61 · 03-09-2017, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flexinator

I went with the 7" and don't regret it at all. Almost flat IAT, with minimal soak. The car weights 3300 lbs, 5 or 10 more really don't matter gentlemen. Agree it should be one of the first mods.

How was the installation? I have a e92 2011 335i and looking to get the 7"

flexinator · 03-10-2017, 09:16 AM

It's not difficult. There's a few DIY videos to watch before starting- they'll get you excited to do the install. You may need to remove some bumper pieces depending on the size of the intercooler. Mine is 7" and it is likely plenty for most of our cars.

Cory S · 03-12-2017, 11:03 PM

5" stepped is all you need, unless you are road track racing in Arizona in August.....

Bours · 03-12-2017, 11:25 PM

i want to buy a vrsf 5 stepped if anyone is selling one !

aaron_ · 03-13-2017, 05:40 PM

I have a 7" vrsf. Love it!

ShaneN55 · 03-14-2017, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxMike61

Any difference between 5 stepped and 7? I'm guessing cooler? Will the five be enough for my setup?

If you aren't tracking go 5". Right now I'm DP, JB4, CP and PPK and haven't had any issues. Will be going 5" IC soon. I knew two guys who raced their N54s and one had 5" IC with FBO and one had 7" with FBO and guy with 7" lost cause he wasn't getting boost as fast.

Tiago@VRSF · 03-14-2017, 01:47 PM

I'd go with the 7.5" Competition HD, performance wise it's the best option and there's only a bit of trimming required.

03-08-2017, 01:23 AM	#1
xxMike61 First Lieutenant 78 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (0)	When to upgrade intercooler? I just installed a stage 2 jb4 on my 2011 n55. I plan on getting dps, an intake and charge pipe too. Should I look into getting an upgraded intercooler? Thanks
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03-08-2017, 07:32 AM	#2
NRigs Lieutenant 94 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Ma iTrader: (0)	Let me answer for everyone here. Yes.
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03-08-2017, 07:36 AM	#3
WJMSprtXDrive Private 49 Rep 79 Posts Drives: F15 xDrive50i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: NYC now DC Metro iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E90 335i x ... [0.00] 2014 BMW X5 [0.00]	I recently had my car tuned also. You always want to be current with all maintenance before you start adding power/boost. That being done. You will need to upgrade your Charge Pipe(CP) and go to at least a high flow Down Pipe(DP). Spark plugs would be next. Purchase a good Front Mounted Intercooler (FMIC) if needed later if you have cooling issues. __________________ 2011 E90 335i xDrive 6AT Performance Edition Package, M-Sport, TTFS Tune, VRSF 3.5" Catted DP, Active Autowerke CP, Turner Motorsport Strut Tower Brace, Hawk HP+, Bilstein B6, Alpina B3 TCU Flash, K&N ---- 2014 F15 X5 xDrive50i M-Sport, RSE, 3rd Row
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03-08-2017, 08:04 AM	#4
flexinator Captain 86 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: US iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	It's a relatively simple mod that's needed in these cars. The stock intercooler is small and restrictive. It's a simple bolt on and you can get 7" intercooler for a reasonable price. New are 4-500 and a used intercooler is a bit less. Definitely upgrade. It's well worth it.
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03-08-2017, 11:55 AM	#5
Mr. Tasty Captain 428 Rep 707 Posts Drives: AW 335i Mperformance Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Gilbert iTrader: (0)	Honestly, IC upgrade should be the first mod done. It is a very important support modification. Even more so in hotter environments.
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03-08-2017, 12:00 PM	#6
flexbrah hehe ty men 32 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 23 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (1)	On Ken's tune and just purchased a new FMIC. on WOT pulls with my oem intercooler, my temp will go from 60 deg F to 120 deg F. so definitely time to upgrade
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03-08-2017, 03:59 PM	#7
ANMVQ Lieutenant 114 Rep 399 Posts Drives: 2011 335XI Sedan Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Work :) iTrader: (0)	I just upgraded mine today vrsf 5 stepped . Ken's custom tune
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03-09-2017, 07:52 PM	#15
flexinator Captain 86 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: US iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	I went with the 7" and don't regret it at all. Almost flat IAT, with minimal soak. The car weights 3300 lbs, 5 or 10 more really don't matter gentlemen. Agree it should be one of the first mods.
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03-10-2017, 09:16 AM	#17
flexinator Captain 86 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: US iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	It's not difficult. There's a few DIY videos to watch before starting- they'll get you excited to do the install. You may need to remove some bumper pieces depending on the size of the intercooler. Mine is 7" and it is likely plenty for most of our cars. Last edited by flexinator; 03-10-2017 at 12:11 PM..
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03-12-2017, 11:03 PM	#18
Cory S Major 305 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	5" stepped is all you need, unless you are road track racing in Arizona in August..... __________________ 2011 335i X-drive 6AT / Pure turbo / 500AWHP/526TQ
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03-12-2017, 11:25 PM	#19
Bours Lieutenant Colonel 166 Rep 1,700 Posts Drives: 2011 335i x-drive LCI sedan Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	i want to buy a vrsf 5 stepped if anyone is selling one !
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03-13-2017, 05:40 PM	#20
aaron_ Captain 90 Rep 671 Posts Drives: E93 335i LCI Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	I have a 7" vrsf. Love it!
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03-14-2017, 01:47 PM	#22
Tiago@VRSF 2093 Rep 43,350 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Doral, FL iTrader: (99) Garage List 2014 F30 328xi [0.00] 2015 F82 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 Ducati 1199 Pa ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	I'd go with the 7.5" Competition HD, performance wise it's the best option and there's only a bit of trimming required. Last edited by Tiago@VRSF; 01-29-2020 at 02:04 PM..
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