[Torgus]

No but it makes it easier and will help you understand what is under there, if that makes sense. It's also not hard, the trimming is easy there are DIYs and I assume you tube videos etc. A dremel is a pain...I used a sawzall but I needed to remove alot for the race

I would go 7 HD over the stepped...as I dont think the stepped has the HD fin core. I could be wrong. Frontal area is important but at the end of the day it's just a big heat sink.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Phoenix RACE is a good value out there for a high performance intercooler, they also have a nice direct replacement intercooler if you're looking for better cooling on a budget. They also offer a 3" cold pipe so you can have 3" from the IC all the way to the throttle body with their or any 3" charge pipe.

VRSF also makes a great RACE FMIC.. WE've sold a bunch of those as well..

Mike

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Torgus

No but it makes it easier and will help you understand what is under there, if that makes sense. It's also not hard, the trimming is easy there are DIYs and I assume you tube videos etc. A dremel is a pain...I used a sawzall but I needed to remove alot for the race

I would go 7 HD over the stepped...as I dont think the stepped has the HD fin core. I could be wrong. Frontal area is important but at the end of the day it's just a big heat sink.

There seems to be 3 intercoolers. 5' stepped, 7" and 7" HD.

They say 7" HD is for single turbo applications so I'm looking at the regular 7". The HD is also like 175$ more.

[Torgus]

Iirc the 7" out performs the 5 inch stepped. So get that. It also depends on your end goals are you going to stay stock turbos which will fail eventually and when they do will you upgrade and run e85 or meth or just get stock turbos again? My vote is buy an intercooler once as if you pay twice you should have just bit the bullet in the 1st place even after resale value is considered.

Mike above will not steer you wrong imo. PM him.

If you want the best the race intercooler will do it but overkill for stock turbos.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Iirc the 7" out performs the 5 inch stepped. So get that. It also depends on your end goals are you going to stay stock turbos which will fail eventually and when they do will you upgrade and run e85 or meth or just get stock turbos again? My vote is buy an intercooler once as if you pay twice you should have just bit the bullet in the 1st place even after resale value is considered.

Mike above will not steer you wrong imo. PM him.

If you want the best the race intercooler will do it but overkill for stock turbos.

Honestly, I never planned my turbos going out. The car only has 100 000km (60k miles) I know some turbos have went earlier but hopefully they will last the years I own the car (4 to 6 years). I don't see going above 180 000 km in that time (110k miles) either but hey we'll see.

If they do end up going out, I would like to get a stock ish experience. Getting bigger more powerful turbos would probably require a LSD to put the power down properly and it just adds and adds up you know.

But I do get what you mean, buy one time not 2 times. Worst case I sell it if I go single but like I said, that will probably be in a looong time anyway.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Ok I will probably pull the trigger on the 7" VRSF after Christmas

The only thing that bothers me is cutting the existing hose clamp. What kind of power should I be looking for for the dremmel? I really have no knowledge at all in regards to cutting tools like dremmels, rotary grinders.

Currently looking at this one https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B015DVN4E4/ref=emc_b_5_t

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Ok I will probably pull the trigger on the 7" VRSF after Christmas

The only thing that bothers me is cutting the existing hose clamp. What kind of power should I be looking for for the dremmel? I really have no knowledge at all in regards to cutting tools like dremmels, rotary grinders.

Currently looking at this one https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B015DVN4E4/ref=emc_b_5_t

When I was considered the vrsf intercooler i watched a few videos on it and it seemed like some people were having success getting the clamp off with a flathead screwdriver...

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

When I was considered the vrsf intercooler i watched a few videos on it and it seemed like some people were having success getting the clamp off with a flathead screwdriver...

I just watched a few, they all used a dremmel type tool.

One mentioned using a screw driver it will put a bend into the pipe and damage it.

[gurusan]

from what I saw you could pop the clamp off with a screwdriver....the only cutting I plan to do is on the shroud. can anyone that has done the install confirm?

[Polar Bear]

-So the key is to throw the largest possible intercooler in front of your car for maximum power and value eh?
-Superior designed direct its with higher fin density and better flow not worth it?
-No discussion of responsiveness and boost pressure changes with the addition of a much larger FMIC?

Pretty interesting thread.

[tan_rich]

If you want something comparable if not better(?) look for an ER 6" competition Intercooler. I have one right now and did minimal trimming to get fitted. I'm looking to get a race/7.5" now so this one will be up for sale soon.

[tan_rich]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I just watched a few, they all used a dremmel type tool.

One mentioned using a screw driver it will put a bend into the pipe and damage it.

You don't need a dremel, it would make life easier but you can use a cheap small hand saw to get the job done. Just takes more work and time to cut and fit.

[b92]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

-So the key is to throw the largest possible intercooler in front of your car for maximum power and value eh?
-Superior designed direct its with higher fin density and better flow not worth it?
-No discussion of responsiveness and boost pressure changes with the addition of a much larger FMIC?

Pretty interesting thread.

LOL. Did you read the OP?

The difference in responsiveness and boost pressure between the 5" & 7" upgrades is negligible, I'm sure someone as smart as you knows this.

[b92]

Originally Posted by gurusan

from what I saw you could pop the clamp off with a screwdriver....the only cutting I plan to do is on the shroud. can anyone that has done the install confirm?

I tried prying the clamp off with a screwdriver but gave up quickly, dremmel took like 20 seconds to grind through. The clamp will pop off once you get through it, pretty hard to mess up.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by b92

I tried prying the clamp off with a screwdriver but gave up quickly, dremmel took like 20 seconds to grind through. The clamp will pop off once you get through it, pretty hard to mess up.

Just to give me an idea, what are the specs of your dremmel? The one I linked above I think does the job right, shows a picture of it cutting through a bolt.

[b92]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Just to give me an idea, what are the specs of your dremmel? The one I linked above I think does the job right, shows a picture of it cutting through a bolt.

I have the Dremmel 4000, wired one. I don't have any personal experience with their wireless drills but the reviews seem positive.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of their products as far as this project goes, very mild work.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

What are the best bang for buck intercoolers that are easy install no trimming necessary on a 335is?

I would like to run MHD Stage 2+ .

I've been eyeing Phoenix Racing intercooler and VRSF. Read that VRSF is the best to install the pipes back on?

Are you tracking the car? If not, get a 5" stepped FMIC. It will be more plug & play. 7" will absolutely require a dremmel.

Look into ARM Motorsports.

I have one. They work and it will give you 25hp

[e9221228]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Coils were just for looks. My rear sits nicely almost flush on stock but the front has a gap.

I thought you meant ignition coils.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by b92

LOL. Did you read the OP?

The difference in responsiveness and boost pressure between the 5" & 7" upgrades is negligible, I'm sure someone as smart as you knows this.

I’m sure.

I’m also quite sure if I was looking for advice on an intercooler upgrade I’d take yours with a healthy bit of skepticism.

[MNick]

Originally Posted by gurusan

from what I saw you could pop the clamp off with a screwdriver....the only cutting I plan to do is on the shroud. can anyone that has done the install confirm?

Yes, place flatheads under clamp then rotate. Use Dremel if needed, but should only need it for the plastic shroud. Belly pan has additional plastic which I removed. I installed AA FMIC then replaced it with the Wagner, without removing my bumper. I removed the bumper to cut additional plastic pieces out to improve airflow. Bumper removal is easy, I wish I would have done it for the installs..

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Ok I will probably pull the trigger on the 7" VRSF after Christmas

The only thing that bothers me is cutting the existing hose clamp. What kind of power should I be looking for for the dremmel? I really have no knowledge at all in regards to cutting tools like dremmels, rotary grinders.

It Really doesn't matter which Dremel you get, I have used the battery powered (small one). Regarding "$$$", the equity adds up fast, I recommend making an excel spreadsheet. This way you will at least have a financial reason to buy a used M4 with a warranty.

Price per quality wise the Phoenix seems hard to beat. From what I gathered you won't see any benefit from a "race or 7.5" revision.

Also my stock turbos were still working at 74k, after running around 60k with e60 at ~20psi.