[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by JunkyardDogg

Ok thanks!

I've narrowed it down to either the ETS 5" or VRSF 7"

VRSF 7" will outperform the ETS 5"

[oggeZ]

Have anyone any experience of the Airtec intercooler? Since I live in europe I prefer to buy a intercooler from within EU to avoid custom fees and the shipping fee from US. I've read some good about the Airtec for other car brands but cant find any info about their n54 intercooler. Not even the dimensions. I have emailed them some questions but it would be nice to hear from someone who have real user experience.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by oggeZ

Have anyone any experience of the Airtec intercooler? Since I live in europe I prefer to buy a intercooler from within EU to avoid custom fees and the shipping fee from US. I've read some good about the Airtec for other car brands but cant find any info about their n54 intercooler. Not even the dimensions. I have emailed them some questions but it would be nice to hear from someone who have real user experience.

Never heard of it ... Wagner Tuning is from Germany

Also it will be cheaper to get an intercooler from the US, even with customs and shipping

[iaknown]

Just a heads up for those that haven't heard, ATM, the original engineers behind the iconic helix stepped core FMIC is back. Add another option into the mix

[berns]

Forge FMIC with Forge Charge Pipe and BOV
Stock turbos, stock inlets with DCI
JB4 w/ MHD pump flash, 17psi
101 octane / 91 octane mix

85* ambient on track at Streets of Willow in the desert. Was definitely warm out there.

This was recorded at the start of a 9 lap session (as long as I could stay out there without oil temps getting too high. That's being addressed too, no worries there.

Wondering how you guys feel about IC performance here.
After sitting in the pits for an hour, in the sun, went back out with a static IAT of 109*. Quickly cooled down on the first slow lap as it got some airflow, down to 99*, then started to climb again, with a peak of 135*, fluctuating down 10-15* through the course but never climbing higher.



Full log here:
http://www.datazap.me/u/berno/street...0&data=6-30-31

[dayofthejackal]

Originally Posted by oggeZ

Have anyone any experience of the Airtec intercooler? Since I live in europe I prefer to buy a intercooler from within EU to avoid custom fees and the shipping fee from US. I've read some good about the Airtec for other car brands but cant find any info about their n54 intercooler. Not even the dimensions. I have emailed them some questions but it would be nice to hear from someone who have real user experience.

I've been wondering about Airtec too. These intercoolers work really well on Focus ST's / RS's with great temp drops.

Price is good too at £500 including pipework to the charge pipe and outlet.

[9krpmrx8]

I picked up this no name brand on Amazon just to hold me over until I'm done saving for the PS2 upgrade and I have to say, having a Garret core on my RX-8 and having installed a custom Spearco unit on a buddies car, I have to say I am impressed.

It's not a high density core but it's not what I would call low density either. A buddy has brand new SC kit that uses and unknown core and I would say this core I have sits between it and his Spearco core in terms of fin density. My Garrett inter cooler is not any more dense than this. We shall see how she performs on the E85 tune

[YoungBlood]

I just picked up an ebay intercooler, looks like a direct knockoff of spearco/ agency power design. $240 shipped, 6x6x22 core, so almost 800ci. Assuming fitment is good, I'm thnking it'll be a good investment. I'll post pics, and logs before and after

[JunkyardDogg]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I picked up this no name brand on Amazon just to hold me over until I'm done saving for the PS2 upgrade and I have to say, having a Garret core on my RX-8 and having installed a custom Spearco unit on a buddies car, I have to say I am impressed.

It's not a high density core but it's not what I would call low density either. A buddy has brand new SC kit that uses and unknown core and I would say this core I have sits between it and his Spearco core in terms of fin density. My Garrett inter cooler is not any more dense than this. We shall see how she performs on the E85 tune

Looks clean, how big is it? Price?

[Tiago@VRSF]

It's a knock off of Wagner's Evo 1. Same dimensions.

[DYOOS]

I'm looking into doing a performance build in the near future, and just doing some research as of now. No engine/drivetrain mods yet. I'm curious, what are the best performing FMIC, in terms of gains, that would go best with FBO + tune? I'm also looking for a FMIC that wouldn't require me to cut into anything. If there are FMIC that you need to cut to make fit, but worth it performance-wise, then I'd be open to those as well. Also, what else could you upgrade to help boost the performance of FMICs?

[Brule]

If you won't cut anything your stuck with basic intercoolers.
Inlet outlet piping will help flow.

I suggest to cut the un needed and seen plastic and buy a vrsf 7.5 inc stepped intercooler.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by RepBolt

I'm looking into doing a performance build in the near future, and just doing some research as of now. No engine/drivetrain mods yet. I'm curious, what are the best performing FMIC, in terms of gains, that would go best with FBO + tune? I'm also looking for a FMIC that wouldn't require me to cut into anything. If there are FMIC that you need to cut to make fit, but worth it performance-wise, then I'd be open to those as well. Also, what else could you upgrade to help boost the performance of FMICs?

Hi,
Best intercoolers for FBO cars (stock turbo) are Wagner EVO II, VRSF 7" High density

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by RepBolt

I'm looking into doing a performance build in the near future, and just doing some research as of now. No engine/drivetrain mods yet. I'm curious, what are the best performing FMIC, in terms of gains, that would go best with FBO + tune? I'm also looking for a FMIC that wouldn't require me to cut into anything. If there are FMIC that you need to cut to make fit, but worth it performance-wise, then I'd be open to those as well. Also, what else could you upgrade to help boost the performance of FMICs?

Smallest highest quality is 5" ETS. Or go with a Wagner EVO II for high performance no cutting.

If you're into cutting then VRSF 7" HD is best bang for the buck. Other good options are ETS 7" and ER 6".

Nothing else would help boost performance of an intercooler unless you are talking about methanol injection or nitrogen sprayers or spraying nitrous on the intercooler itself.

[Torgus]

Cutting is so easy. It should never someone distract someone from buying an IC. Taking the front bumper off takes 15m tops. A few minutes with a sawsall and you are done and ready to fit the ic.

[thirdlobe]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Hi,
Best intercoolers for FBO cars (stock turbo) are Wagner EVO II, VRSF 7" High density

Would either one of those be okay as well for a hybrid turbo car?

Those are both larger cores than the typical factory replacements. I wonder if they add any lag to FBO cars?

[DYOOS]

Thanks for the Wagner EVO II suggestion. How'd you rate that against the Mishimoto FMIC?

Also, if I were to cut to fit a VRSF 7" HD, am I just cutting the fins?

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by RepBolt

Thanks for the Wagner EVO II suggestion. How'd you rate that against the Mishimoto FMIC?

Also, if I were to cut to fit a VRSF 7" HD, am I just cutting the fins?

Behind the bumper is a plastic shroud. You cut the shroud about 2 inches. As someone else mentioned it's really not hard, difficult or that intrusive.

Mishimoto VS Wagner Evo II is night and day. Mishimoto is a 5" stock connection intercooler, low densitity. Evo II is a 5" Stepped intercooler, high density, high quality.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by thirdlobe

Would either one of those be okay as well for a hybrid turbo car?

Those are both larger cores than the typical factory replacements. I wonder if they add any lag to FBO cars?

Our 7" intercoolers do not increase lag.

Originally Posted by RepBolt

Thanks for the Wagner EVO II suggestion. How'd you rate that against the Mishimoto FMIC?

Also, if I were to cut to fit a VRSF 7" HD, am I just cutting the fins?

The Wagner EVO 2 models also require trimming.

With the VRSF you just cut the plastic shroud behind the bumper. The trimming takes less than 15 minutes and can be done with the bumper on the car. The actual bumper remains untouched.

[LMB335IS]

Originally Posted by RepBolt

Thanks for the Wagner EVO II suggestion. How'd you rate that against the Mishimoto FMIC?

Also, if I were to cut to fit a VRSF 7" HD, am I just cutting the fins?

Pic of the VRSF 7" HD installed on my 335is. This may give you a idea of what you need to do.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by RepBolt

Thanks for the Wagner EVO II suggestion. How'd you rate that against the Mishimoto FMIC?

Also, if I were to cut to fit a VRSF 7" HD, am I just cutting the fins?

EVO II is levels above Mishimoto.

You are only trimming the black plastic shroud, no actual bumper cutting

[DYOOS]

Appreciate all the info here guys! I'll be considering the EVO II or the VRSF 7" HD in the future as opposed to the Mishimoto.