THE ULTIMATE Intercooler Thread - What to Look For Before Buying an FMIC

Oliv · 07-06-2018, 02:30 AM

With an otherwise Stock/Stage 1 N54, I've been very happy on the last 3 months with the small Wagner Evo 1.

Multi-gear pull were seeing a 70°F increase in hot weather on the stock cardboard-efficiency intercooler, now it's a 20°F maximum increase (On stage 1+)

Efficent enough for my use

Bideul · 07-06-2018, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliv

With an otherwise Stock/Stage 1 N54, I've been very happy on the last 3 months with the small Wagner Evo 1.

Multi-gear pull were seeing a 70°F increase in hot weather on the stock cardboard-efficiency intercooler, now it's a 20°F maximum increase (On stage 1+)

Efficent enough for my use

Hello,
I'm a french guy too.
Do you have any trouble with your intercooler and the "Contrôle technique" visit ?

mike@x-ph.com · 07-06-2018, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliv

With an otherwise Stock/Stage 1 N54, I've been very happy on the last 3 months with the small Wagner Evo 1.

Multi-gear pull were seeing a 70°F increase in hot weather on the stock cardboard-efficiency intercooler, now it's a 20°F maximum increase (On stage 1+)

Efficent enough for my use

EVO I is the perfect size for stage 1 cars

keninger · 07-13-2018, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

My top two picks are Wagner EVO II or VRSF 7" HD

Do you have experience with Wagner Evo III?

mike@x-ph.com · 07-13-2018, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keninger

Do you have experience with Wagner Evo III?

We still have not had it for long enough to give a detailed review but it does a better job cooling that EVO II and it weighs a lot less (i would say 50% less) than intercoolers of similar size

Torgus · 07-13-2018, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

We still have not had it for long enough to give a detailed review but it does a better job cooling that EVO II and it weighs a lot less (i would say 50% less) than intercoolers of similar size

As an IC is basically a heatsink at the end of the day, it having 1/2 as much mass makes me think it would not cool as good as the competition. You can only make a fin pack so efficient and then mass and frontal face area come into play.

Tiago@VRSF · 07-13-2018, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgus

As an IC is basically a heatsink at the end of the day, it having 1/2 as much mass makes me think it would not cool as good as the competition. You can only make a fin pack so efficient and then mass and frontal face area come into play.

The EVO III doesn't perform as well as the VRSF Race intercooler nor the other intercoolers in it's size range.

The less it weighs, the less overall surface area there is to both absorb heat internally and the less surface area to dissipate heat externally. Coincidentally the less material an intercooler has, the less it costs to produce as well.

mike@x-ph.com · 07-13-2018, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgus

As an IC is basically a heatsink at the end of the day, it having 1/2 as much mass makes me think it would not cool as good as the competition. You can only make a fin pack so efficient and then mass and frontal face area come into play.

I specifically compared it to the EVO II and not other brands because i did not want to derail this thread. From the datalogs i have seen, the EVO II does a really good job cooling. EVO III performs better

the pressure air drop and temp recovery which are very important but often overlooked are better with tube and fin vs bar and plate.

You cant have 1 intercooler that does everything better than everyone else

Torgus · 07-13-2018, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

You cant have 1 intercooler that does everything better than everyone else

I agree 100%

DYOOS · 07-16-2018, 10:41 PM

Anybody have a pic of the VRSF 7" HD intercooler installed on an E90? I'd like to see how much it sticks out past the plastic piece you cut. Also, anyone run into any damage issues with it installed and what you do to help prevent damages? My car isn't low at all (stock M Sport suspension), but just like to be safe.

9krpmrx8 · 07-17-2018, 10:24 AM

I don't have any pics but I installed it on a buddies car and it sits pretty damn low, too low for me personally. He is lowered on ST's but not that low.

DYOOS · 07-17-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I don't have any pics but I installed it on a buddies car and it sits pretty damn low, too low for me personally. He is lowered on ST's but not that low.

Thanks for sharing. Has your buddy run into any problems with it being close to the ground? I don't plan on slamming my car at all, but don't want any rocks or whatever to come damage the intercooler.

Torgus · 07-17-2018, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DYOOS

Thanks for sharing. Has your buddy run into any problems with it being close to the ground? I don't plan on slamming my car at all, but don't want any rocks or whatever to come damage the intercooler.

If you leave the stock plastic black screen on your should be fine for me most part. I ran my Helix stepped for 5+ years and it pressure tested just fine.

DYOOS · 07-17-2018, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgus

If you leave the stock plastic black screen on your should be fine for me most part. I ran my Helix stepped for 5+ years and it pressure tested just fine.

The plastic black piece I'd have to cut since I'm looking to run the VRSF 7" HD FMIC, so it'll be exposed.

Torgus · 07-17-2018, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DYOOS

The plastic black piece I'd have to cut since I'm looking to run the VRSF 7" HD FMIC, so it'll be exposed.

Mine fits on my VRSF race IC? I did not know the HD came out so far...then again I have an Mtech front bumper maybe that is part of it? I'm talking about the front black plastic mesh, all the other black plastic I had to cut the crap out of.

9krpmrx8 · 07-17-2018, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DYOOS

Thanks for sharing. Has your buddy run into any problems with it being close to the ground? I don't plan on slamming my car at all, but don't want any rocks or whatever to come damage the intercooler.

No he hasn't had any problems with it. But he hasn't hit anything either.

b3turbo · 07-26-2018, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

The Wagner core is actually the same density as the VRSF standard core after our latest core revision (April 2018). The VRSF street core is in line with ER and Wagner in terms of internal and external density.

What about psp 600ic vs vrsf 7" HD?

9krpmrx8 · 07-27-2018, 09:10 AM

I need to measure the fins per inch on mine.

rick881 · 01-04-2019, 09:50 PM

What's your opinion on using a 7.5hd intercooler on fbo + meth?I got stock turbos but planning to upgrade the next year...
Is it too much?
I'm in doubt, I don't know if buying a 7hd like vrsf, 7.5hd like the new phoenix/bms or a cheapest Chinese 7.5 but non HD fin

mike@x-ph.com · 01-05-2019, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick881

What's your opinion on using a 7.5hd intercooler on fbo + meth?I got stock turbos but planning to upgrade the next year...
Is it too much?
I'm in doubt, I don't know if buying a 7hd like vrsf, 7.5hd like the new phoenix/bms or a cheapest Chinese 7.5 but non HD fin

I would go with the 7" HD since you are using methanol which helps with cooling as well.

rick881 · 01-05-2019, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I would go with the 7" HD since you are using methanol which helps with cooling as well.

Thank you Mike, I figured the 7.5 would have been exaggerated...
Probably I would buy it from you in a few weeks...

mike@x-ph.com · 01-05-2019, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick881

Thank you Mike, I figured the 7.5 would have been exaggerated...
Probably I would buy it from you in a few weeks...

07-06-2018, 02:30 AM	#529
Oliv Private 98 Rep 83 Posts Drives: M2 Competition 6mt LBB Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Alps ! iTrader: (0)	With an otherwise Stock/Stage 1 N54, I've been very happy on the last 3 months with the small Wagner Evo 1. Multi-gear pull were seeing a 70°F increase in hot weather on the stock cardboard-efficiency intercooler, now it's a 20°F maximum increase (On stage 1+) Efficent enough for my use __________________ from E91 335i to F87 Competition
	Appreciate 1 9krpmrx8808.00 Quote

07-16-2018, 10:41 PM	#538
DYOOS First Lieutenant 88 Rep 325 Posts Drives: 335i E90 N55 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Anybody have a pic of the VRSF 7" HD intercooler installed on an E90? I'd like to see how much it sticks out past the plastic piece you cut. Also, anyone run into any damage issues with it installed and what you do to help prevent damages? My car isn't low at all (stock M Sport suspension), but just like to be safe. __________________ IG: @dyoos335i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2018, 10:24 AM	#539
9krpmrx8 Clean is the new cool, keep it that way. 808 Rep 1,684 Posts Drives: 11' Alpine White 335i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Antonio, Texas iTrader: (0)	I don't have any pics but I installed it on a buddies car and it sits pretty damn low, too low for me personally. He is lowered on ST's but not that low. __________________ 2011 335i, FBO, N55+ Turbo, full E85, S55 intercooler, etc. 2015 X5 35i Xdrive
	Appreciate 1 DYOOS88.00 Quote

07-27-2018, 09:10 AM	#546
9krpmrx8 Clean is the new cool, keep it that way. 808 Rep 1,684 Posts Drives: 11' Alpine White 335i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Antonio, Texas iTrader: (0)	I need to measure the fins per inch on mine. __________________ 2011 335i, FBO, N55+ Turbo, full E85, S55 intercooler, etc. 2015 X5 35i Xdrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2019, 09:50 PM	#547
rick881 New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 320i e90 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: italy iTrader: (0)	What's your opinion on using a 7.5hd intercooler on fbo + meth?I got stock turbos but planning to upgrade the next year... Is it too much? I'm in doubt, I don't know if buying a 7hd like vrsf, 7.5hd like the new phoenix/bms or a cheapest Chinese 7.5 but non HD fin
	Appreciate 0 Quote