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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > DIY Guides > ARM Intercooler on Msport LESSONS LEARNED



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      02-11-2019, 12:25 PM   #1
philgli
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ARM Intercooler on Msport LESSONS LEARNED

Just DIYed the ARM 5" stepped intercooler into my 2011 e92 N55 m sport.

Why am i sharing this with you? Well, because i learned a few things that could help the next person with the m sport bumper.

This may be a direct swap for a regular bumper but the m sport bumper presented some challenges.

First, because the m sport bumper goes further under the car, there is much less room to work.

I recommend removing the radiator fan (from the top). You almost have to in order to fit the new intercooler in.

Next, there is a black plastic trim piece that is on the bottom passenger side of the radiator. You will need to trim or remove this or else the intercooler will not fit / line up. You may have to do other minor trimming.

Finally and most annoyingly - the underbody tray / bellypan will not fit back in place once you are done. To make it fit, you will have to remove the plastic attachment that goes on the top front of the actual belly pan. Part number is 51718046512 on realoem. Its called the "adapter strip". Once removed, you will be able to push the bellypan between the bottom of the intercooler and the bumper. In this layout, you will lose a couple 8mm screw attachment points but the other 47,000 should suffice.

I realize this all doesn't help much without pictures but i was too busy cursing to take any at the time.

also, this should be applicable to the 5" stepped Wagner intercoolers and many of the ebay/amazon intercoolers as they all have very similar shapes.

finally, and this is not specific to ARM intercoolers, I recommend taking a dab of clean motor oil and "lubing" the 2 charge pipes and 2 intercooler ends so they slide in together easier.

Good luck, everyone!
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      03-08-2019, 03:31 PM   #2
2PO4M3
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Thank you.
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      03-11-2019, 08:25 AM   #3
philgli
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2PO4M3 View Post
Thank you.
sure, did you get one?
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      03-13-2019, 11:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2PO4M3 View Post
Thank you.
sure, did you get one?
I'm about too 👍🏼
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      02-13-2020, 07:37 AM   #5
bimmerfan1972
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I have the exact same car that you have and am doing a FMIC this weekend. I got the 5" VRSF stepped intercooler. Glad I came across this, there are many guides but none say anything about having a sport bumper and having to trim. I got the 5" because I didn't want to do any trimming, but I guess I'm going to have to anyway.
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      02-13-2020, 08:24 AM   #6
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Man... you make it sound complicated lol. I installed a 7.5 vrsf and i didnt have to remove the radiator fan lol.

Idk i skimmed your post but anyone doing in install, do yourself a favor and remove the bumper

and i also have a factory m sport bumper
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      02-13-2020, 08:32 AM   #7
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I was watching some videos, and I already decided to remove the bumper. This one guy was having trouble getting it in with the bumper still on. And it's not that hard to remove the bumper.
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      03-09-2020, 03:10 AM   #8
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I wish I read this before I did my DIY on 5' FMIC.
I went through the exact same processes with you, but decided to remove one side of the bumper rather than removing the radiator fan.

I removed the adapter strip as well, which was preventing me from getting back the cover as well.
What a painful lesson for me as well.
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      03-09-2020, 03:00 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluesy_cube View Post
I wish I read this before I did my DIY on 5' FMIC.
I went through the exact same processes with you, but decided to remove one side of the bumper rather than removing the radiator fan.

I removed the adapter strip as well, which was preventing me from getting back the cover as well.
What a painful lesson for me as well.
I see that you are running Stage 2+. Do you know if your DP are catted or catless? How is the Stage 2+ for you? Do you feel a big difference?
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      03-25-2020, 11:56 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerfan1972 View Post
I see that you are running Stage 2+. Do you know if your DP are catted or catless? How is the Stage 2+ for you? Do you feel a big difference?
It is a catless DP. You can tell by the smell your exhaust
I started with stage 2, then moved onto stage 2+ when I got the FMIC.
Stage 2 gave a surprise, but Stage 2+ was like "holy smokes!!" when I did WOT for the first time.

Now I am used to the power and want more XD
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      03-25-2020, 01:45 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluesy_cube View Post
It is a catless DP. You can tell by the smell your exhaust
I started with stage 2, then moved onto stage 2+ when I got the FMIC.
Stage 2 gave a surprise, but Stage 2+ was like "holy smokes!!" when I did WOT for the first time.

Now I am used to the power and want more XD
Nice. I have heard that Tennessee is getting rid of emissions this year, so I'm thinking about catless and try to ignore the smell. I want more power too.
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      04-03-2020, 10:30 AM   #12
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what to trim?

2011 e90 m sport. I am installing a 5" VRSF stepped FMIC. Can's get the IC in without blockage from the lower bumper cover. Just wondering how much you trimmed and any other words of advice.

Thanks in advance!
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      04-03-2020, 10:44 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cjet68 View Post
2011 e90 m sport. I am installing a 5" VRSF stepped FMIC. Can's get the IC in without blockage from the lower bumper cover. Just wondering how much you trimmed and any other words of advice.

Thanks in advance!
Like I said in the other thread, I think you will need to remove the bumper.
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