[TheMidnightNarwhal]

I have a 2011 335is looking to upgrade from Stage2 to Stage 2+ with 91 octane tune.

What VRSF inter cooler to get? I am lost. The 5 inch stepped and 7 inch are both same price?

I honnestly rather have best fitment on 335is than temp. I saw one guy who had to trim his rad fan? I just want to have to trim the bumper.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I have a 2011 335is looking to upgrade from Stage2 to Stage 2+ with 91 octane tune.

What VRSF inter cooler to get? I am lost. The 5 inch stepped and 7 inch are both same price?

I honestly rather have best fitment on 335is than temp. I saw one guy who had to trim his rad fan? I just want to have to trim the bumper.

7.5 race and be done with it...or the 7'' HD if you don't want to spend the coin. The cutting is quick and easy in all honesty. Probably and hour and a half to 2 hour job from stock to 7.5 race installed and everything back together.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Torgus

7.5 race and be done with it...or the 7'' HD if you don't want to spend the coin. The cutting is quick and easy in all honesty. Probably and hour and a half to 2 hour job from stock to 7.5 race installed and everything back together.

7.5 race seems way to overkill based on VRSF description on their website? Say supports up to 850whp.

I'm only stock turbo.

I think I will order the 7" HD one. The 5 inch stepped is not in stock right now and seems like it's pretty tall and will hit something?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

7.5 race seems way to overkill based on VRSF description on their website? Say supports up to 850whp.

I'm only stock turbo.

I think I will order the 7" HD one. The 5 inch stepped is not in stock right now and seems like it's pretty tall and will hit something?

On stock turbo, get 7" competition high density

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

7.5 race seems way to overkill based on VRSF description on their website? Say supports up to 850whp.

I'm only stock turbo.

I think I will order the 7" HD one. The 5 inch stepped is not in stock right now and seems like it's pretty tall and will hit something?

I only suggest the race as it is a one and done intercooler. You are not going to, say in a year, upgrade to a single turbo and be wishing you had the 7.5 race.

7'' HD will work fine for you stock or even with upgraded twins to a degree. The stepped might require a bit of cutting, I forget, it is not in stock so not a concern.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I only suggest the race as it is a one and done intercooler. You are not going to, say in a year, upgrade to a single turbo and be wishing you had the 7.5 race.

7'' HD will work fine for you stock or even with upgraded twins to a degree. The stepped might require a bit of cutting, I forget, it is not in stock so not a concern.

Yeah I def get your point. In all honesty I'm hoping my stock turbos last for as long as I have this car, I'd like it to be at least a good 4-5 years. It's perfect right now the HP and all for me. It's not really a daily driver but not really a weekend only car only if you see what I mean. It's really a all in one. I even drive it through winter so.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I only suggest the race as it is a one and done intercooler. You are not going to, say in a year, upgrade to a single turbo and be wishing you had the 7.5 race.

7'' HD will work fine for you stock or even with upgraded twins to a degree. The stepped might require a bit of cutting, I forget, it is not in stock so not a concern.

Well I received a 7.5" stepped cooler. Seems to be their replacement for the original 7". I think I'll take off the whole bumper now to make it easier to see what needs trimming.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Well I received a 7.5" stepped cooler. Seems to be their replacement for the original 7". I think I'll take off the whole bumper now to make it easier to see what needs trimming.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Do you know if you have to relocate the outside temp sensor or does that apply only to the race version?

[HB E90]

Installed my VRSF 5" stepped IC. Did some pulls and Wow it exceeded my expectations. Here's a couple logs before and after. IAT's actually drop a bit during the pull and usually end up where they started. Similar ambient and same road and tune. let me know if you see anything else in the logs. Thanks.
Before (stock IC)
https://datazap.me/u/curt/4-8-19-75f...data=3-6-15-22
https://datazap.me/u/curt/4-8-19-75f?log=0&data=3-15-22

After new IC
https://datazap.me/u/curt/new-fmic?log=1&data=3-6-15-22
https://datazap.me/u/curt/new-fmic?log=2&data=3-6-15-22

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by HB E90

Installed my VRSF 5" stepped IC. Did some pulls and Wow it exceeded my expectations. Here's a couple logs before and after. IAT's actually drop a bit during the pull and usually end up where they started. Similar ambient and same road and tune. let me know if you see anything else in the logs. Thanks.
Before (stock IC)
https://datazap.me/u/curt/4-8-19-75f...data=3-6-15-22
https://datazap.me/u/curt/4-8-19-75f?log=0&data=3-15-22

After new IC
https://datazap.me/u/curt/new-fmic?log=1&data=3-6-15-22
https://datazap.me/u/curt/new-fmic?log=2&data=3-6-15-22

Awesome

[studio54]

Hello,

First of all, I am not running a debate of which is better between OEM connectors or bigger silicone couplers here.

I have found that the stock FMIC pressure drop is ~0.5psi.

I am interested about the least pressure drop values while having a correct cooling for street usage with some pulls sometimes (not tracking) for OEM connectors FMICs.

I found them :

Forge : it's the one i am currently running, but feeling lag at low end, cooling ok (of course not as good as VRSF 7" and fmics like that)
Darkiem4 user measured a pressure drop of 2 psi, which make the turbos have to work a bit harder to be on target

ARM : possibility of using OEM connectors, or upgraded piping, not mentionning drop pressure on their website, but mentionning increased air flow if you use the upgraded piping

Mishimoto : claiming on website that pressure drop is similar to stock

Wagner Evo 1 Performance : claiming a better pressure drop than the stock FMIC with a graphic on the website

I was really interested in the wagner, but if you search for "n54 mosselman test" on Google, you will find a PDF report claiming that the Wagner has more that 5psi pressure drop. What to believe ?

So basicly what is the aftermarket FMIC having the least pressure drop while still using OEM c clips ?

Thanks

[9krpmrx8]

Originally Posted by studio54

Hello,

First of all, I am not running a debate of which is better between OEM connectors or bigger silicone couplers here.

I have found that the stock FMIC pressure drop is ~0.5psi.

I am interested about the least pressure drop values while having a correct cooling for street usage with some pulls sometimes (not tracking) for OEM connectors FMICs.

I found them :

Forge : it's the one i am currently running, but feeling lag at low end, cooling ok (of course not as good as VRSF 7" and fmics like that)
Darkiem4 user measured a pressure drop of 2 psi, which make the turbos have to work a bit harder to be on target

ARM : possibility of using OEM connectors, or upgraded piping, not mentionning drop pressure on their website, but mentionning increased air flow if you use the upgraded piping

Mishimoto : claiming on website that pressure drop is similar to stock

Wagner Evo 1 Performance : claiming a better pressure drop than the stock FMIC with a graphic on the website

I was really interested in the wagner, but if you search for "n54 mosselman test" on Google, you will find a PDF report claiming that the Wagner has more that 5psi pressure drop. What to believe ?

So basicly what is the aftermarket FMIC having the least pressure drop while still using OEM c clips ?

Thanks

I don't think anyone who is not biased, has done that testing.

[studio54]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I don't think anyone who is not biased, has done that testing.

Yes, unfortunately

I will be waiting for some regular user comments that may owns one of the FMIC quoted above.

[9krpmrx8]

FWIW, I am FBO, E50 tune at 22psi or so and it's already in the 90's here and I never see north of 120F IAT's even after beating on it thru traffic, on my no name brand (looks exactly like the Wagner) 5" stepped. My best friend also has a 2011 E92 and he has the VSRF 7" and his IAT's are about the same.

It would be fun to measure pressure drop. I just didn't want to cut or have clearance issues in the front, that is why I went with the 5" with OEM style connectors.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

FWIW, I am FBO, E50 tune at 22psi or so and it's already in the 90's here and I never see north of 120F IAT's even after beating on it thru traffic, on my no name brand (looks exactly like the Wagner) 5" stepped. My best friend also has a 2011 E92 and he has the VSRF 7" and his IAT's are about the same.

It would be fun to measure pressure drop. I just didn't want to cut or have clearance issues in the front, that is why I went with the 5" with OEM style connectors.

I have the same IC...I don't run any more than a MHD Stage 1+ tune, but i've been very pleased with it.

Mine was about $225 on ebay...

[studio54]

Hehe seems to be cooling very well, if i beat mine too many times, like many 3rd to 4th full pull in a row, i can easily go into the 140°F zone.

Both of you didn't felt any lag with the Wagner-like FMIC ? Better response at low end ? similar ? or a bit delayed ?

Can you send me an eBay link of it via private message ?

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

I have the same IC...I don't run any more than a MHD Stage 1+ tune, but i've been very pleased with it.

Mine was about $225 on ebay...

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

FWIW, I am FBO, E50 tune at 22psi or so and it's already in the 90's here and I never see north of 120F IAT's even after beating on it thru traffic, on my no name brand (looks exactly like the Wagner) 5" stepped. My best friend also has a 2011 E92 and he has the VSRF 7" and his IAT's are about the same.

It would be fun to measure pressure drop. I just didn't want to cut or have clearance issues in the front, that is why I went with the 5" with OEM style connectors.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

After ditching OEM connectors I don't understand why people prefer them. OEM connectors are such PITA to push back in place my god.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I don't think anyone who is not biased, has done that testing.

I'd agree, nobody has gone through that kind of testing with all of those FMIC's.

If I put in my 2 cents, I wouldn't have any of those 4 on my list of choices, either.

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

After ditching OEM connectors I don't understand why people prefer them. OEM connectors are such PITA to push back in place my god.

From what we hear, a lot of folks think they are easier and have the capability of going back to stock with ease. Granted 99% if any won't be going back to stock ever

I'd agree, aftermarket lower CP's are easier. Nothing fun of about OEM connections.

[turbohugh]

Fwiw I'm using an ARM 5 inch stepped and during my logging my IAT dropping very nicely compared to stock. First question I'm asked is usually what IC and everyone is surprised it's the ARM ( stock couplers ).
I may upgrade in the future however on the MHD stage 1+ 91 tune I'm not getting timing corrections or errors in 90f ambient

[studio54]

I also found that AA makes a stock connectors FMIC, they claims a 0.5 psi pressure drop on their website.

If nobody has gone through that kind of testing, how it is sure that it's really way better?

I said i wasn't here to start another debate here, but it started anyway

I just don't really understand why it is supposed to make a such big difference on stock turbos with stock oulet, even on remapped cars (let's say with OTS maps, with a maximum of 18 psi on stage 2+)?

I mean, but i may be (probably) wrong, but for stock turbos, with so much air arriving fastly in the endtank through the stock turbo outlet, replacing a section with bigger diameter tubing must also fullfil the endtank in a mater of milliseconds...
It's just like retarding the thing by adding some extra volume? isn't the endtank design and the way air flow trough the thin most important that this small part of the tubing ?
(just trying to understand how it works here, i am not an engineer)

Concerning my Forge FMIC, i consider that the endtank design isn't smooth for a good airflow.

[9krpmrx8]

Originally Posted by studio54

Hehe seems to be cooling very well, if i beat mine too many times, like many 3rd to 4th full pull in a row, i can easily go into the 140°F zone.

Both of you didn't felt any lag with the Wagner-like FMIC ? Better response at low end ? similar ? or a bit delayed ?

Can you send me an eBay link of it via private message ?

I can't find the Amazon link anymore, but this one is the same description.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rev9-BMW-E8...-/351953081029

I have had it a couple of years. I have installed a few and I have never had an issue with the OEM couplers. I have also installed a couple of VSRF 7" and of course with those there is cutting and universal couplers and such to work with. If you get a larger one that require the used of couplers, I highly recommend getting proper quality worm gear clamps to use instead of the cheap T bolts that most ship with their FMIC's.

I have had this one a couple of years, no issues. I will be going with something larger when I install the PS2.