[Wingnutts]

A couple weeks ago of so I started a thread here about fmic's because my VRSF that I ordered was back ordered. I went another route as I did not want to wait another month. After reviewing most every fmic out there and talking with quite a few people, I went with the CSF E Chassis N54/55 Intercooler Black from Mike at Extreme. https://x-ph.com/csf-e-chassis-n54-n55-intercooler/Cost was $499. It is a stepped unit that is roughly about 8" at the total height. It is advertised as a no cut install and should be a quick install. As I drive an is as opposed to an i, I know my car has a little more on the cooling side, but what an is looks like compared to an i from a garage floor looking up, I couldn't tell you. What I can tell you is that it is NOT a plug and play item in my car. I had to trim both of the outside areas because of the height and then the lower section where the bottom front of the ic is. The other issue is was the hardware provided. It doesn't work... Two bolts, two nuts and two rubber bushings don't cut it. The way it's designed, the bolts are not long enough to grab. I had to head to the local hardware store and pickup two additional nuts and two flat head washers. Now I could lock the two nuts together to make the bolts the correct length for installation.

Overall I"m pleased with the product. It appears to be built well and I do prefer the black finish on it to stay a little more stealthy. Cooling wise, it appears to be doing it's job.

Here is an average file with the stock ic.
https://datazap.me/u/grunt/log-15627...og=0&data=3-25
Here is an average file with the CSF ic.
https://datazap.me/u/grunt/log-15627...og=1&data=3-25
The tune was the same for both files.

[buster84]

Originally Posted by Wingnutts

A couple weeks ago of so I started a thread here about fmic's because my VRSF that I ordered was back ordered. I went another route as I did not want to wait another month. After reviewing most every fmic out there and talking with quite a few people, I went with the CSF E Chassis N54/55 Intercooler Black from Mike at Extreme. https://x-ph.com/csf-e-chassis-n54-n55-intercooler/Cost was $499. It is a stepped unit that is roughly about 8" at the total height. It is advertised as a no cut install and should be a quick install. As I drive an is as opposed to an i, I know my car has a little more on the cooling side, but what an is looks like compared to an i from a garage floor looking up, I couldn't tell you. What I can tell you is that it is NOT a plug and play item in my car. I had to trim both of the outside areas because of the height and then the lower section where the bottom front of the ic is. The other issue is was the hardware provided. It doesn't work... Two bolts, two nuts and two rubber bushings don't cut it. The way it's designed, the bolts are not long enough to grab. I had to head to the local hardware store and pickup two additional nuts and two flat head washers. Now I could lock the two nuts together to make the bolts the correct length for installation.

Overall I"m pleased with the product. It appears to be built well and I do prefer the black finish on it to stay a little more stealthy. Cooling wise, it appears to be doing it's job.

Here is an average file with the stock ic.
https://datazap.me/u/grunt/log-15627...og=0&data=3-25
Here is an average file with the CSF ic.
https://datazap.me/u/grunt/log-15627...og=1&data=3-25
The tune was the same for both files.

Edit: nevermind they both use the rubber gormet. Maybe they just sent you to short of bolts.

[Wingnutts]

I received the setup on the right, which is what you are supposed to get. The problem was that when you screw the nut on as far as it will go to stop turning, there is not enough coarse threads left to attach the ic. That's why I had to go to the hardware store for the additional pieces needed.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats OP!!

Results are very impressive!! IAT increase by 50 degrees with stock intercooler, it decrease by 3 degrees with the CSF intercooler

[Wingnutts]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Congrats OP!!

Results are very impressive!! IAT increase by 50 degrees with stock intercooler, it decrease by 3 degrees with the CSF intercooler

Thanks for your help with this Mike and getting it out right away!

[LessIsMore]

Did you take any pics?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Wingnutts

Thanks for your help with this Mike and getting it out right away!

[Wingnutts]

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[Vida777]

Hey, I also have a 335is and will be installing the CSF intercooler this week. Was wondering if you had any tips installing the CSF intercooler. I most curious what you exactly did with the extra nuts and washers. Did you use the extra nuts to screw in the self tapping screw further up and the extra washers were used above the intercooler mounts. Any issues getting the charge pipes on?

[Wingnutts]

Originally Posted by Vida777

Hey, I also have a 335is and will be installing the CSF intercooler this week. Was wondering if you had any tips installing the CSF intercooler. I most curious what you exactly did with the extra nuts and washers. Did you use the extra nuts to screw in the self tapping screw further up and the extra washers were used above the intercooler mounts. Any issues getting the charge pipes on?

You will have to do some trimming to get it to fit. A dremel or other similar rotary device will make you life much easier. As it was last year when I put it in, I don't remember everything exactly, but I did use everything that was supplied with the exception of the bolts. They were not grabbing as they were not long enough to get the threads started, so I replaced them with longer ones and everything was good to go. Personally, I like having more threads being used as it is more secure. Having a second person under there with you will make things much easier as it can get heavy after awhile and it's no fun trying to make the connections one handed. The charge pipe side was definitely the harder side to get connected as it didn't want to go on fully at first, but then it "popped" on and the clip when in appropriately.

[Vida777]

Originally Posted by Wingnutts

You will have to do some trimming to get it to fit. A dremel or other similar rotary device will make you life much easier. As it was last year when I put it in, I don't remember everything exactly, but I did use everything that was supplied with the exception of the bolts. They were not grabbing as they were not long enough to get the threads started, so I replaced them with longer ones and everything was good to go. Personally, I like having more threads being used as it is more secure. Having a second person under there with you will make things much easier as it can get heavy after awhile and it's no fun trying to make the connections one handed. The charge pipe side was definitely the harder side to get connected as it didn't want to go on fully at first, but then it "popped" on and the clip when in appropriately.

Thanks, appreciate the help

[CarAbuser]

Originally Posted by Vida777

Hey, I also have a 335is and will be installing the CSF intercooler this week. Was wondering if you had any tips installing the CSF intercooler. I most curious what you exactly did with the extra nuts and washers. Did you use the extra nuts to screw in the self tapping screw further up and the extra washers were used above the intercooler mounts. Any issues getting the charge pipes on?

I'd be interested to see logs after the install is done. The ones in the OP look good but I want to see more before spending.

I was considering a 7.5" VRSF intercooler but if this CSF intercooler gets the work done without the need for jenky silicon connectors I'll get one.

[Sgop335]

had to google jenky

[Jeef]

I would upgrade the stock piping for the CSF intercooler or any c clip style intercooler.

I believe stock piping for inlet and outlet of the intercooler necks down to 1.25" at the smallest point.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by Wingnutts

A couple weeks ago of so I started a thread here about fmic's because my VRSF that I ordered was back ordered. I went another route as I did not want to wait another month. After reviewing most every fmic out there and talking with quite a few people, I went with the CSF E Chassis N54/55 Intercooler Black from Mike at Extreme. https://x-ph.com/csf-e-chassis-n54-n55-intercooler/Cost was $499. It is a stepped unit that is roughly about 8" at the total height. It is advertised as a no cut install and should be a quick install. As I drive an is as opposed to an i, I know my car has a little more on the cooling side, but what an is looks like compared to an i from a garage floor looking up, I couldn't tell you. What I can tell you is that it is NOT a plug and play item in my car. I had to trim both of the outside areas because of the height and then the lower section where the bottom front of the ic is. The other issue is was the hardware provided. It doesn't work... Two bolts, two nuts and two rubber bushings don't cut it. The way it's designed, the bolts are not long enough to grab. I had to head to the local hardware store and pickup two additional nuts and two flat head washers. Now I could lock the two nuts together to make the bolts the correct length for installation.

Overall I"m pleased with the product. It appears to be built well and I do prefer the black finish on it to stay a little more stealthy. Cooling wise, it appears to be doing it's job.

Here is an average file with the stock ic.
https://datazap.me/u/grunt/log-15627...og=0&data=3-25
Here is an average file with the CSF ic.
https://datazap.me/u/grunt/log-15627...og=1&data=3-25
The tune was the same for both files.

Stock one has IAT's climbing like crazy, how the heck does it not have any timing corrections?