10-04-2018, 07:55 PM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 23
Posts |
F33 Intercooler Install Issue
Hey guys,
I'm having an issue installing the VRSF 6" Race Intercooler for my F33. This support brace is in the way of the intercooler. After watching numerous F32 install videos we’ve concluded this is F33 specific. Anyone know if this brace is essential? I’ll have a new one fabricated if it is. Last edited by M248; 10-05-2018 at 09:45 AM.. |
10-05-2018, 12:16 PM | #3 |
Lieutenant
121
Rep 470
Posts |
Damn OP, looks tough. I would say that piece is definitely necessary. Here is a diagram from realoem: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...80#51647245789
It looks like it supports a lot of weight/structure for the car's handling, so I would work out a fabbed brace that fits with the FMIC. Total guess here, but if you take it out the front won't be nearly as rigid and you will feel it in the steering/weight response. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-05-2018, 05:04 PM | #4 |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 23
Posts |
I guess this is a retrofit for all the F30's and F32's out there. This brace and the under body brace provide additional torsional support.
See https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1234698&page=4 I've removed it from my car for now. I'll be fabricating a new bar to clear the new intercooler. I'll report back if it's removal has any noticeable effect, and provide specs and process for the new fabricated brace. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-06-2018, 10:01 PM | #7 |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 23
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-07-2018, 01:02 PM | #8 | ||
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 23
Posts |
Quote:
The VRSF 6” race intercooler says it will fit 2013 F30 335i. If you do indeed have that bar, and you’re able to fit the intercooler. I would be interested to figure out why it won’t fit my application with the bar in place. From what I’ve read these bars are available for all the models IK6SPEED posted, but they only came from the factory on F33 435i. This is based on the post Steve_Junior made that I linked in the OP. Quote:
Additionally I’ve been searching pictures online for any model other than 435i where you can see the bar, and I’m yet to find one... Sorry to drag this on further, and thanks for the help guys. |
||
Appreciate
0
|
10-07-2018, 06:47 PM | #9 | |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 23
Posts |
Quote:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=51647302947 Part 16 here http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_8380 VRSF did nothing wrong, and their intercooler is working well so far. It’s my fault I didn’t notice it’s not listed as compatible with F33. Coming from E Series there was no difference E92-93, I just assumed it’s kosher and ordered. Here’s the silver lining, anyone who has a F33 and wants the largest core intercooler available. You can simply remove part 16 from the link. There’s no noticible difference in handling for daily driving. I still plan on fabbing the brace to fit, it’s not far off. I’ll report back on this. Last edited by M248; 10-07-2018 at 08:05 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2018, 06:37 AM | #10 |
Major
195
Rep 1,282
Posts |
I'm having the exact same issue on my F33. Were you able to install the brace under the car after taking the v brace off in front of the intercooler?
__________________
__________________
SOLD! X5 35i sdrive- JB4 SOLD! 435i- Cary Jordan E30 Tune~ Dinan Turbo~ BM3 trans tune~ XDI-35~ 3.5 T-map sensor~ VRSF HD FMIC~ VRSF Chargepipe~ VRSF Catless Downpipe~ CTS Intake~ FTP boost pipe~ FTP intake inlet~ FTP oil catch can~ Turbosmart dual bov~ |
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2018, 01:27 AM | #13 | |
Banned
4492
Rep 10,473
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
ceedawg467.50 |
12-30-2018, 12:12 PM | #14 | |
Private First Class
42
Rep 107
Posts |
What version intercooler are you using? My VRSF 6" Race has no chance of fitting with the OEM V brace. See pics below
Quote:
Thanks for the offer to help Tiago. I believe this issue is specific to the F33 (convertible). See the pics below and let me know what you think. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-30-2018, 12:22 PM | #15 | ||||
Second Lieutenant
87
Rep 239
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
What I did was unbolt the brace that goes back to the doors. I got a mallet and hit the vbrace where the intercooler goes a few times and kept test fitting it till it fit proper. Only other option is something custom or remove the brace which is probably not safe being that it's there for a reason. |
||||
Appreciate
0
|
12-30-2018, 01:58 PM | #17 | |
Private First Class
42
Rep 107
Posts |
Quote:
I will say that I have noticed some slight reduction in body stiffness. Mostly when on very uneven/grooved payment, especially when braking hard. Right now I feel like I have the following options: 1) Replace the VRSF 6" race intercooler with a unit guaranteed to fit. Thus far searches on ECS tuning are comingback with few options. Wagner 2 Evo, Turner, AC, and most notably the Evolution Raceworks competition. See attached photo. Link: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-evolutio...fmic007bas~dk/ 2) Custom fabricate the brace to work with the VRSF 6" race intercooler. |
|
Appreciate
1
ceedawg467.50 |
12-30-2018, 02:31 PM | #18 | |
2095
Rep 43,350
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-30-2018, 04:50 PM | #19 |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 23
Posts |
Yeah I’m not really looking to downgrade... I’ll be upgrading to PS2 or larger once I install and iron out my EOS & AIC2 PI setup, so it would be nice to keep the extra capacity.
Would be nice if someone would fabricate the underbelly brace and V brace to fit these intercoolers. I’ve read that adding both braces adds a great deal of rigidity to the F30 & F32. Making it a viable upgrade for F30-33
__________________
2014 Cabrio M-Sport 435i, MHD Stage 2+, Wagner HFC Downpipe, VRSF Race FMIC, CP & TIC, GFB DV+, EOS PI, AIC2-V, Fuel-IT Stage 3 525.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-30-2018, 05:14 PM | #20 |
2095
Rep 43,350
Posts |
I've had the chance to ride in a F33 with the brace removed and wasn't personally able to feel a difference in rigidity but I'll see what we can do about getting an upgrade made
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-30-2018, 06:53 PM | #21 | |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 23
Posts |
Quote:
For real though my installer and I agree something could be fabricated relatively easily to fit. As far as the F33 goes, I think it could use as much rigidity as it could possibly get. Just gotta find me a local fab shop that won’t charge up the wazoo to get this done. In the end my goal is to add non hinged upper & lower strut braces, solid sub frame bushings, new sway bars and an LSD. Then I’ll go Billstein B14 to finish it off. Hoping this will help the car feel more grounded. Just wish there was a better way to address the poor handling and feel on these F30’s (coming from a E93 M3 I can really notice the difference).
__________________
2014 Cabrio M-Sport 435i, MHD Stage 2+, Wagner HFC Downpipe, VRSF Race FMIC, CP & TIC, GFB DV+, EOS PI, AIC2-V, Fuel-IT Stage 3 525.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-12-2019, 01:54 PM | #22 | |
Registered
2
Rep 4
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|