E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > N54 E90 VRSF Intercooler install question



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-17-2016, 02:07 PM   #1
TheXeve
New Member
3
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: Audi A4 APR Stg 2+
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Gainesville, FL

iTrader: (0)

N54 E90 VRSF Intercooler install question

Need some input here... I've read every IC install post and youtube vid I could find. Best I've found were Cobb, Romak47 Helix, SFValley335i, etc

Still, it seems the outlet side straight coupler isn't long enough. Here are the details. I've disassembled the air box and removed the OEM charge pipe in anticipation of upgrade coming in the next day/two.

It seems the intercooler is sitting too low and I do not have enough length on the straight coupler on the passenger side. I removed some material around the tabs on the bottom back of the radiator fan shroud to allow the tabs on the Intercooler to come up a bit more. Still, they interfere with the bottom edge or the radiator fan shroud. There is also a gap of about an inch from the top of the IC to the bottom of the radiator when looking from the front.

My concern is that the passenger side silicon adapter is not on enough beyond the IC ridge to allow the clamp to adequately secure it. Even with it on with about 0.5" past the ridge, the connection to the car side is nowhere near enough. On the front part of the hard pipe, the silicon is barely on past the ridge.

Pics are here: https://goo.gl/photos/7XXMzkVgbyiqq86u6

I've tightened the bolt and rubber spacer all the way so there is nowhere else to shorten the distance.

Exactly why I should have dropped it off at the expert Bavarian specialist - I'm just too impatient!

Thanks!!!
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 06:25 PM   #2
blknighte92
Private First Class
10
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: 2008 e92 335i
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: everywhere

iTrader: (5)

When you screwed in the supplied screw and rubber did you make it flush? Also you called it a spacer, did you put the rubber in between the tabs?
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 06:27 PM   #3
blknighte92
Private First Class
10
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: 2008 e92 335i
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: everywhere

iTrader: (5)

And those plastic tabs at the bottom of the cooling fan are now useless since the stock guard cannot go back on anymore so I cut them off with a dremel because they were totally in the way of me making mine flush
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 06:51 PM   #4
LGCubana
Lieutenant
72
Rep
438
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i sedan
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SE Florida

iTrader: (2)

I had issue with the same piece of silicone. Mine was just long enough to cover the gap and connect the T bolt couplers behind the respective lips.

Here's a pic of exactly how close it was:
(Turbo outlet CP to FMIC)

I had to go behind the original installer, to shore up the gap, which I circled in the image

I wish that the included piece of silicone turbo hose would be maybe 1" longer, to get a better perch. Due to my PTF tune, this connection has blown off a few times.

This didn't stop me from recommending the same 5" stepped VRSF FMIC for one of my best friends. His comes in a few days. I'll be paying attention to his installation, as I did vouch for the product.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by *******
Who did this sell to? Did buyer receive the intake?
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 07:10 PM   #5
smokeywokey
Private First Class
11
Rep
178
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: las vegas

iTrader: (0)

I've installed 4 VRSF 7" intercoolers and no problems, they way it's sitting likes like you didn't cut enough.. should be sitting up a lot higher then that, if you need help just PM me
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 10:09 PM   #6
Bimmer 808
MT or bust!
United_States
170
Rep
289
Posts

Drives: 2010 E90 335i M Sport, 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Alexandria

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 X3 M40i  [0.00]
2015 M235i  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
2010 335i  [0.00]
I had the same issue. That tube is barely long enough. You have to put it on just right. I went back in and readjusted after getting boost leaks. I ended up lowering the silicon about 3/4 inch. You actually have more room to play with than you think on the upper pipe. But yes, Tiago, add another inch and it will be perfect.
__________________
2010 E90 335i M Sport, MT - BMW PE; VRSF 7in HD; RB PCV; VRSF CP; Turbosmart KPB BOV; M3 Cowl; VRSF Cerakote DPs; Carly coding; ECS Scoops; Ziza interior LEDs; Fuel-It! Bucketless; Diff lock down brace V2; MHD E60 Map from BQ; Mishimoto OCC; Fuel-It! Ethanol Sensor; Apex 18x9 ARC-8's; StopTech slotted rotors; HPS pads; ECS brake lines; MMP turbos, inlets, outlets; 034 mounts; Kumho PS31s; BimmerLife coils
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 10:29 PM   #7
blknighte92
Private First Class
10
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: 2008 e92 335i
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: everywhere

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmer 808 View Post
I had the same issue. That tube is barely long enough. You have to put it on just right. I went back in and readjusted after getting boost leaks. I ended up lowering the silicon about 3/4 inch. You actually have more room to play with than you think on the upper pipe. But yes, Tiago, add another inch and it will be perfect.
Wow two hawaii guys on the same thread, never happened before outside of the hawaii region section. Anyway OP lmk if you need pics I am working on my engine right now and have the cooling fan removed so you can see things a lot clearer. BTW are you running a 5" stepped or a 7"? I had to place the coupler on the oem pipes as far as could until it hit the lip then sized up the ic into the coupler. Then I removed the coupler and ic and tighten them together where I know there's enough room for both sides. Then installed the whole setup onto the oem pipes one time.

P.S. since you are having trouble on the passenger side, you did remember to remove the small clip of plastic from that side too right?
Appreciate 1
      04-18-2016, 03:01 PM   #8
mike@x-ph.com
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
mike@x-ph.com's Avatar
United_States
23789
Rep
190,143
Posts


Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (23)

Last I checked with VRSF, they contacted you and issue has been resolved.
Please let me know if this is still not resolved.

it is also worth mentioning that OP has an upgraded radiator
__________________
Check out our current sale by clicking on this link!
https://x-ph.com/sale/

Phone number 702-494-9435
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2016, 04:25 AM   #9
TheXeve
New Member
3
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: Audi A4 APR Stg 2+
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Gainesville, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by blknighte92 View Post
When you screwed in the supplied screw and rubber did you make it flush? Also you called it a spacer, did you put the rubber in between the tabs?
I put the rubber between the car and the intercooler as suggested by the Cobb instructions. Tiago suggested putting it between the screw head and intercooler which may place the IC higher.
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2016, 04:27 AM   #10
TheXeve
New Member
3
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: Audi A4 APR Stg 2+
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Gainesville, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by blknighte92 View Post
And those plastic tabs at the bottom of the cooling fan are now useless since the stock guard cannot go back on anymore so I cut them off with a dremel because they were totally in the way of me making mine flush
I think that's the main source of interference - I'll have to get rid of them! Tiago said they are not really doing much more than keeping radiator and IC close.
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2016, 04:30 AM   #11
TheXeve
New Member
3
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: Audi A4 APR Stg 2+
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Gainesville, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LGCubana View Post
I had issue with the same piece of silicone. Mine was just long enough to cover the gap and connect the T bolt couplers behind the respective lips.

Here's a pic of exactly how close it was:
(Turbo outlet CP to FMIC)

I had to go behind the original installer, to shore up the gap, which I circled in the image

I wish that the included piece of silicone turbo hose would be maybe 1" longer, to get a better perch. Due to my PTF tune, this connection has blown off a few times.

This didn't stop me from recommending the same 5" stepped VRSF FMIC for one of my best friends. His comes in a few days. I'll be paying attention to his installation, as I did vouch for the product.
Exactly my situation. You're spot on, 1" longer would make this a non-issue.
Def dont want nor have the time to revisit blown connections down the road... I'm with you - IC and hardware are great quality and I'd recommend. Esp with the support I've had from Mike and Tiago.
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2016, 04:36 AM   #12
TheXeve
New Member
3
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: Audi A4 APR Stg 2+
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Gainesville, FL

iTrader: (0)

Update: First, as soon as I sent an email to Mike @ X-Ph he responded and copied Taigo who also immediately responded. This was late on Sunday evening. Tiago continued to communicate until 10pm Sunday - that's AMAZING customer service.

Second, you all rock! Thanks for all the feedback and responses. My car has factory installed PPK1 and PPK2 which includes 850W upgraded radiator fan and other aux cooling hardware making the fit tighter. I will need to cut the tabs on the radiator shroud and see if it lets me bring the IC up and closer to make the silicon hoses fit. I'm not in huge rush as I have mode bolt ons coming...

Thanks again for all the input.
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2016, 12:23 PM   #13
mike@x-ph.com
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
mike@x-ph.com's Avatar
United_States
23789
Rep
190,143
Posts


Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (23)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheXeve View Post
Update: First, as soon as I sent an email to Mike @ X-Ph he responded and copied Taigo who also immediately responded. This was late on Sunday evening. Tiago continued to communicate until 10pm Sunday - that's AMAZING customer service.

Second, you all rock! Thanks for all the feedback and responses. My car has factory installed PPK1 and PPK2 which includes 850W upgraded radiator fan and other aux cooling hardware making the fit tighter. I will need to cut the tabs on the radiator shroud and see if it lets me bring the IC up and closer to make the silicon hoses fit. I'm not in huge rush as I have mode bolt ons coming...

Thanks again for all the input.
You are welcome
__________________
Check out our current sale by clicking on this link!
https://x-ph.com/sale/

Phone number 702-494-9435
Appreciate 0
      04-19-2016, 10:47 PM   #14
blknighte92
Private First Class
10
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: 2008 e92 335i
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: everywhere

iTrader: (5)

Make sure you remove the plastic cover. It's number 5 in the picture below
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=17_0378
Appreciate 1
      04-19-2016, 11:43 PM   #15
TheXeve
New Member
3
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: Audi A4 APR Stg 2+
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Gainesville, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by blknighte92 View Post
Make sure you remove the plastic cover. It's number 5 in the picture below
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=17_0378
I'll take a look. I remember looking at that piece but thought it didn't contact the IC. Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out. Maybe also cut the two tabs on radiator shroud that are preventing the IC from moving up any more...
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
fitment issue, install, intercooler, n54, vrsf

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 04:21 PM.




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