[Recon1]

I have been and am always doing research on my next mod and have been thinking about doing an FMIC in the near future. As of current date there are many options I could go with and could use some advice / opinions on a nice one that does not require any or minor if any cutting or trimming. I want something that obviously will give me the most power possible, while looking badass and not being a total PITA to install. Size recommendations are also appreciated considering I am trying to make good power while keeping this car a decent reliable daily driver.

If there are other mods for around the same price others would suggest going with first or instead of, please feel free to share.

Current mods are as follows on my '11 N55

VRSF 3.5" catless DP
BMS Intake
VRSF chargepipe
JB4 on autotune (regularly hitting ~17psi on 93 octane)
stock exhaust without mufflers

Thank you for your time.

[DiFFv1]

Originally Posted by Recon1

I have been and am always doing research on my next mod and have been thinking about doing an FMIC in the near future. As of current date there are many options I could go with and could use some advice / opinions on a nice one that does not require any or minor if any cutting or trimming. I want something that obviously will give me the most power possible, while looking badass and not being a total PITA to install. Size recommendations are also appreciated considering I am trying to make good power while keeping this car a decent reliable daily driver.

If there are other mods for around the same price others would suggest going with first or instead of, please feel free to share.

Current mods are as follows on my '11 N55

VRSF 3.5" catless DP
BMS Intake
VRSF chargepipe
JB4 on autotune (regularly hitting ~17psi on 93 octane)
stock exhaust without mufflers

Thank you for your time.

IMO so you don't have to keep buying parts i would just go ahead and purchase the 7.5" Intercooler

[Scantrell]

Originally Posted by Recon1

I have been and am always doing research on my next mod and have been thinking about doing an FMIC in the near future. As of current date there are many options I could go with and could use some advice / opinions on a nice one that does not require any or minor if any cutting or trimming. I want something that obviously will give me the most power possible, while looking badass and not being a total PITA to install. Size recommendations are also appreciated considering I am trying to make good power while keeping this car a decent reliable daily driver.

If there are other mods for around the same price others would suggest going with first or instead of, please feel free to share.

Current mods are as follows on my '11 N55

VRSF 3.5" catless DP
BMS Intake
VRSF chargepipe
JB4 on autotune (regularly hitting ~17psi on 93 octane)
stock exhaust without mufflers

Thank you for your time.

If you have no plans of upgrading turbos I would go with the vrsf 5in stepped fmic. If you do plan to upgrade definitely go with the 7in. 7in will require trimming to install.

[joshe92]

VRSF stepped IC. This should've been done with the chargepipe.

[weehe126]

Any 7" IC will have a lot of trimming required to fit. Staying stock turbo get the 5" stepped.

[DiFFv1]

Originally Posted by weehe126

Any 7" IC will have a lot of trimming required to fit. Staying stock turbo get the 5" stepped.

+1,00000000000000,00000000000000,0000000000000

[Recon1]

Originally Posted by weehe126

Any 7" IC will have a lot of trimming required to fit. Staying stock turbo get the 5" stepped.

Thank you to everyone replying.

I already went with the VRSF Chargepipe should I stick with VRSF for the FMIC as well? I did hear there are some good brands out there. Opinions?

[Turbod]

Originally Posted by weehe126

Any 7" IC will have a lot of trimming required to fit. Staying stock turbo get the 5" stepped.

A lot is an exaggeration but there will be cutting involved with every 7 inch. Below you can see the lip I had to cut to fit my 7 inch. There were two vertical pieces and if you look to the left you will see where it was stock and the inch or two I trimmed back.

[weehe126]

Maybe it's an E90 thing then. I have no issues with trimming, but was surprised just how much I had to trim. Had to trim even more going from standard 7" IC to the VRSF race 7.5".

[MartinWake]

Hey I have pretty much the same things done to my car bef soon.. I might do PS2 one day so I should go with 7" which brand do you guys recommend for that one?

[Recon1]

Originally Posted by MartinWake

Hey I have pretty much the same things done to my car bef soon.. I might do PS2 one day so I should go with 7" which brand do you guys recommend for that one?

MHD BEF JB4 piggy is on my list too...

Yeah I've been reading if you're looking to upgrade turbos whatsoever or go for big power, get the biggest one possible (VRSF 7.5" looks to be the biggest around)

I think I am down to either the BMS 5" or the VRSF 5" but there is a $100 difference there. What are the big differences there making VRSF's so much more?

[TheGoodTheBadTheUgly]

So FMICs. They are good but only to a certain extent which can be pretty restrictive lol. I own an amazing 7" FMIC from ETS. You have to trim for 7" but it's not an issue. When you go to install it you need to have in mind that you will have to remove some plastic and can't be really picky about the amount to remove. Just go for it.

Honestly, 5" with meth is probably the best you can do. No need to think about any 7".

If you don't plan on going meth, I would go 7".

[joshe92]

Originally Posted by Recon1

Thank you to everyone replying.

I already went with the VRSF Chargepipe should I stick with VRSF for the FMIC as well? I did hear there are some good brands out there. Opinions?

You won't go wrong with VRSF. Get their 5" stepped unless you plan on upgrading turbos and ethanol.

[N55lif3]

Upgraded Turbos: 7/7.5"
Stock Turbos: 5"

Getting too much of a big intercooler without the power to support will give you lag.

[Turbod]

Originally Posted by n55rei

Getting too much of a big intercooler without the power to support will give you lag.

You will not notice any difference in lag running a 7 inch vs the stock unit.

[starbuck]

Originally Posted by joshe92

You won't go wrong with VRSF. Get their 5" stepped unless you plan on upgrading turbos and ethanol.

This is correct. Also if you take into account that this years 5" stepped has a finpack revision that makes it as good as the old 7" or better. I have it and temps consistently drop during a pull for me and then sometimes right after as well

[N55lif3]

Originally Posted by Turbod

You will not notice any difference in lag running a 7 inch vs the stock unit.

So air travelling through an intercooler 2.5" bigger without enough PSI to efficiently spool through it quick enough will not cause a delay in power?

[Turbod]

Originally Posted by n55rei

So air travelling through an intercooler 2.5" bigger without enough PSI to efficiently spool through it quick enough will not cause a delay in power?

I am sure there is a difference, not one that you will notice though. Let's say it takes a tenth of a second more than the stock or 5 inch unit. Other variables like throttle response would mask what the driver feels. I went from the stock intercooler to my 7 inch three months ago and didn't notice any lag.

[biz77]

Originally Posted by n55rei

So air travelling through an intercooler 2.5" bigger without enough PSI to efficiently spool through it quick enough will not cause a delay in power?

Your engine is 183 cubic inches. Assuming 80% volumetric efficiency, at 14 psi of boost at 2,500 RPM you are moving approximately 360,000 cubic inches of air per minute. A 7" intercooler is touted as twice the volume of the stock 425 cubic inch intercooler, or approximately 850 cubic inches. To fill that extra 425 cubic inches of volume with a flow rate of 360,000 cubic inches per minute, you are looking at...

425/360,000 = .0012

60 seconds * .0012 = 0.072 seconds

This should give you an idea what you get when working with a lot of flow and comparatively small volumes.

[JUMAS]

Anyone tried that amazon intercooler for like $270? All the reviews are good lol I'm gonna pull the trigger on it, cant be worse than the OEM unit.

[DiFFv1]

Originally Posted by JUMAS

Anyone tried that amazon intercooler for like $270? All the reviews are good lol I'm gonna pull the trigger on it, cant be worse than the OEM unit.

IMO " G-Plus " Has the some of the best Intercoolers and Oil coolers. Its all your personal preference though

[JUMAS]

Originally Posted by DiFFv1

IMO " G-Plus " Has the some of the best Intercoolers and Oil coolers. Its all your personal preference though

That's the one I was referring to! I def enjoy seeing the good reviews and your feedback is valued as well. Trying to cool things down without breaking the bank xD haha