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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > 5 or 7in intercooler with only bolt ons?



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      10-20-2018, 07:16 PM   #1
Occ224
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5 or 7in intercooler with only bolt ons?

Should I upgrade to a 5 or 7 inch intercooler when I'm only going to do exhaust and air intake mods? I will not be upgrading the turbos unless i need new ones. Any idea?
Plan is dps, intercooler, charge pipe, inlets and dci
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      10-20-2018, 07:59 PM   #2
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I have a g plus 5” stepped intercooler from eBay...$215 shipped and install wasn’t bad. Very pleased with IATs...

Just to clarify what I was thinking here...if you’re not going to do a tune (which you don’t have listed) then a 5” is probably adequate...

Last edited by Bimmer_Engineer; 10-21-2018 at 06:22 AM..
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      10-20-2018, 10:47 PM   #3
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I'd go with a 7" VSRF FMIC personally.
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      10-21-2018, 12:38 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by addictedtoboost View Post
I'd go with a 7" VSRF FMIC personally.
Second this. No reason not to use the most efficient IC you can afford. I’d get the HD core as well.
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      10-21-2018, 01:35 AM   #5
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It would depend on if you will run a stock charge pipe or not. If you want to do mostly a stock pipe connection, I would say a 5 inch.

I went with ARM 5 inch stepped FMIC.
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      10-21-2018, 07:35 AM   #6
Occ224
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How much better is the 5 compared to 7? Is it worth the money when all im doing are bolt ons? I Will be doing a tune
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      10-21-2018, 08:47 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Occ224 View Post
How much better is the 5 compared to 7? Is it worth the money when all im doing are bolt ons? I Will be doing a tune
I would think the majority of people are running 7". The difference will be apparent in logs especially during the summer and especially if you do multi gear pulls.
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      10-21-2018, 02:16 PM   #8
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Defo go at least a 7 inch especially since it sounds like ur going for a custom tune? Hence why ur adding inlets?
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      10-21-2018, 08:37 PM   #9
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Minimum 7" HD version IMO.
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      10-22-2018, 10:23 AM   #10
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OP lives in FL...7" for sure.
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      10-22-2018, 01:43 PM   #11
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5" vs 7" isn't even much of a question anymore because the difference in cost is minimal. It's more of 7" vs anything bigger.

FBO living in FL? I wouldn't consider anything smaller than 7".
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      10-22-2018, 01:48 PM   #12
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7" all day
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      10-22-2018, 02:17 PM   #13
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A 5" likely requires no cutting of the shroud whereas a 7" almost certain will so the install of the 5" if you're a DIYer is significantly easier.

That being said, from a performance standpoint, a 7" is a significant difference and what I would personally recommend. On my stock turbos with inlets and ethanol maps, the ETS 7" was JUST enough but I could've gone bigger imo; when custom tuning it was the next bottleneck after HPFP. I'm actually looking to sell it and get a 1000hp intercooler for my new power goals. PM me OP if you're interested in a used option
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      10-23-2018, 08:07 AM   #14
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it depends on your goals, if you are just trying to stay bolt on and thats it the 5 should be ok but if your getting larger turbos, upgrading all fuel options ect or building out your engine and trans and racing all the time, then i would say 7. but it will never hurt performance to go 7
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      10-23-2018, 11:01 AM   #15
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just wait till black friday and get just get the 7inch vrsf intercooler. Usually with their black friday discount is only a $80 difference between the 5inch and 7inch or you can wait till theirs the next ebay coupon. For only $80 more i think its worth it in terms of performance difference.
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      10-23-2018, 11:20 AM   #16
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I did a 7" with no exhaust mods (just no secondary cats) and I am happy as Larry. I would not bother to be honest to go 5".
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      10-23-2018, 11:46 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyH335i View Post
It would depend on if you will run a stock charge pipe or not. If you want to do mostly a stock pipe connection, I would say a 5 inch.

I went with ARM 5 inch stepped FMIC.
Did you do your install with floor jacks like this??!!
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      10-23-2018, 12:06 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teknic90 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyH335i View Post
It would depend on if you will run a stock charge pipe or not. If you want to do mostly a stock pipe connection, I would say a 5 inch.

I went with ARM 5 inch stepped FMIC.
Did you do your install with floor jacks like this??!!
Yup. lol

Unsafe as all Fük!
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      10-23-2018, 06:15 PM   #19
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I have a helix ic for sale if you want one of the best designed ICs.

Given a fmic can only cool to ambient temperatures you will need either a massive fmic or want to use meth or e85 given Florida temperatures.

An intercooler can only do so much. It is a heat sink at the end of the day the larger and more mass the better.
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      10-24-2018, 03:15 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Occ224 View Post
Should I upgrade to a 5 or 7 inch intercooler when I'm only going to do exhaust and air intake mods? I will not be upgrading the turbos unless i need new ones. Any idea?
Plan is dps, intercooler, charge pipe, inlets and dci
Do you plan on tracking the car or just open on increasing your HP & drive in a spirited manner?

Track = 7" for sure
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      10-24-2018, 04:36 PM   #21
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7" in most cases, 7" HD if you are running over 400 whp.

Only time i recommed 5" over 7" would be if you live in a cold area all year long and you are running stage 1 tune with no other modification
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      10-24-2018, 09:28 PM   #22
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Don't forget if you want to be disappointed by a FMIC upgrade... then 5" is 100% the way to go. lol
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