[34dean]

So I’m ready for a FMIC and looking for recommendations. I’m not looking for the best money can buy but rather a good value for the money.

Thanks!

[johnung]

Originally Posted by 34dean

So I’m ready for a FMIC and looking for recommendations. I’m not looking for the best money can buy but rather a good value for the money.

Thanks!

I've already posted on why the Wagner Competition series are the best for least turbo lag in a daily driver.

For best value in a FMIC call Mike at X-PH. He is a guru, carries many brands and has best prices. Biggest issue in looking for any less expensive aftermarket component is quality and especially fitment. You don't want to have an issue trying to install it or get a leak later that costs big bucks and much hassle to troubleshoot.

Make sure to replace the two identical o-rings on the FMIC input/output connections. They are directional so they will leak if installed backwards. Good luck!

[McLaren720s]

VRSF 5" FMIC is one of the best value/performance

[badbread]

Personally I would avoid VRSF due to the number of QC issues I've seen cropping up on the forums.

I personally have the CTSTurbo FMIC and couldn't be happier with it.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Hi OP,
here is a thread i created about FMIC, its a good read that helped a lot of forum members on which FMIC to get
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...light=ultimate

Wagner EVO I, VRSF 5" HD & Active are all good choices for a stage 1 application

Originally Posted by johnung

I've already posted on why the Wagner Competition series are the best for least turbo lag in a daily driver.

For best value in a FMIC call Mike at X-PH. He is a guru, carries many brands and has best prices. Biggest issue in looking for any less expensive aftermarket component is quality and especially fitment. You don't want to have an issue trying to install it or get a leak later that costs big bucks and much hassle to troubleshoot.

Make sure to replace the two identical o-rings on the FMIC input/output connections. They are directional so they will leak if installed backwards. Good luck!

Thank you

[DreamerJoe]

from what i've read wagner seems to be the best. I myself was looking into getting the new version of the vsrf intercooler but I ended up getting a killer deal on active autowerke intercooler and chargepipe combo so I went that route and it works great. careful with picking one that requires cutting of the bumper, I recall reading about a few of probly the larger ones that require it for fitment, unless you don't care of course. also get it in silver, some come in black as an option but will start to look like crap after a few thousand miles from rocks and debris.

[cjlane]

Originally Posted by 34dean

So I’m ready for a FMIC and looking for recommendations. I’m not looking for the best money can buy but rather a good value for the money.

Thanks!

VRSF does have good performance for the money. Since you already have a VRSF charge pipe, there shouldn't be any fitment issues.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by DreamerJoe

from what i've read wagner seems to be the best. I myself was looking into getting the new version of the vsrf intercooler but I ended up getting a killer deal on active autowerke intercooler and chargepipe combo so I went that route and it works great. careful with picking one that requires cutting of the bumper, I recall reading about a few of probly the larger ones that require it for fitment, unless you don't care of course. also get it in silver, some come in black as an option but will start to look like crap after a few thousand miles from rocks and debris.

Congrats

[johnung]

Originally Posted by DreamerJoe

from what i've read wagner seems to be the best. I myself was looking into getting the new version of the vsrf intercooler but I ended up getting a killer deal on active autowerke intercooler and chargepipe combo so I went that route and it works great. careful with picking one that requires cutting of the bumper, I recall reading about a few of probly the larger ones that require it for fitment, unless you don't care of course. also get it in silver, some come in black as an option but will start to look like crap after a few thousand miles from rocks and debris.

Originally Posted by DreamerJoe

from what i've read wagner seems to be the best. I myself was looking into getting the new version of the vsrf intercooler but I ended up getting a killer deal on active autowerke intercooler and chargepipe combo so I went that route and it works great. careful with picking one that requires cutting of the bumper, I recall reading about a few of probly the larger ones that require it for fitment, unless you don't care of course. also get it in silver, some come in black as an option but will start to look like crap after a few thousand miles from rocks and debris.

FYI- Wagner makes high quality products with great fitment. Wagner makes two series of intercoolers. Their Performance series has similar bar & plate construction to other aftermarket intercoolers and are best suited to high revving track situations.

But it's the Wagner Competition series that gets the most praise. It's tube & fin design is quicker flow so it keeps intake pressure up and reduces turbo lag in daily driving and stop/start situations. Wagner makes two models like this, the Competition EVO1 and the larger Competition EVO2.

I got the smaller Competition EVO1 on Mike's advice because it is larger than the stock FMIC to allow me to run BM3 Stage2 but the Competition EVO1 has quicker flow than the its larger brother the Competition EVO2 so that I have the least possible turbo lag in daily driving

Hope this helps!

[Fuel-It!]

The BMS $300 one is the best value out there for a quality name brand intercooler in my opinion.

[NWest]

Originally Posted by badbread

Personally I would avoid VRSF due to the number of QC issues I've seen cropping up on the forums.

I personally have the CTSTurbo FMIC and couldn't be happier with it.

Originally Posted by badbread

Personally I would avoid VRSF due to the number of QC issues I've seen cropping up on the forums.

I personally have the CTSTurbo FMIC and couldn't be happier with it.

+1
Really like my CTS Turbo FMIC, pairs well with an ER CP and running stage 1 BM3.

Whatever you get will be noticeably better than your stock FMIC.

[e46m3to335i]

Ambient Thermal Management makes an awesome IC.

[EDWYER]

Originally Posted by cjlane

VRSF does have good performance for the money.

Agreed.

[52172]

Loving my 218 dollar gplus fits perfect with vrsf cp. Def the best value for the money.

[PUREF30cjz]

I am going with a Wagner EVO2 as per Mikes recommendation not only that but if its the best then I want the best. I was gonna go with the EVO1 but I have plans for a pure stage 2 turbo in the next couple months so the EVO2 makes more sense for me. I personally don't think it's going to make much of a difference in the daily driving of my BMW. But even if it does it won't matter when the bigger turbo is in there.

[34dean]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Hi OP,
here is a thread i created about FMIC, its a good read that helped a lot of forum members on which FMIC to get
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...light=ultimate

Wagner EVO I, VRSF 5" HD & Active are all good choices for a stage 1 application



Thank you

Mike, what us the price difference between the two you recommend above?
I have the VRSF charge pipe. Not sure if that makes a difference.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by 34dean

Mike, what us the price difference between the two you recommend above?
I have the VRSF charge pipe. Not sure if that makes a difference.

Im not allowed to post pricing outside the commercial section, i will send you a message

[Phyrexia]

I'll chip in: I'm very happy with my CSF intercooler.

I see IATs as low as 12 degrees F above ambient while driving around. And this is in Birmingham, AL, SE USA, it's hot as hell right now. In traffic yesterday it was 100F ambient and my IATs were about 117-120F when stopped at lights.

My before and after logs demonstrate no appreciable change in lag.

My IATs end up at only ~20F over ambient after 0-165mph runs.

Fitment was excellent.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Phyrexia

I'll chip in: I'm very happy with my CSF intercooler.

I see IATs as low as 12 degrees F above ambient while driving around. And this is in Birmingham, AL, SE USA, it's hot as hell right now. In traffic yesterday it was 100F ambient and my IATs were about 117-120F when stopped at lights.

My before and after logs demonstrate no appreciable change in lag.

My IATs end up at only ~20F over ambient after 0-165mph runs.

Fitment was excellent.

Nice

[TheShadow]

ATM all day.
Heres a pic of mine.

[pw0n]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Hi OP,
here is a thread i created about FMIC, its a good read that helped a lot of forum members on which FMIC to get
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...light=ultimate

Wagner EVO I, VRSF 5" HD & Active are all good choices for a stage 1 application



Thank you

Great write-up, thanks Mike! Looking through your post, I noticed you recommended VRSF Sport for Stage 1 and VRSF HD for Stage 2. Looks like your offerings have changed since that post - I don't see Sport and actually see two different HDs (5" and 6.5").

I plan on going FBO (CP, FMIC, and catted DP) and running Stage 1 and eventually Stage 2. It's a daily commuter (stuck in stop-and-go traffic for the better part of my ~50 mi commute) and don't plan on tracking the car. I'm torn between the two VRSF HD models and the CSF. Which would you recommend for my needs?

[Alpine.N55]

Originally Posted by pw0n

Great write-up, thanks Mike! Looking through your post, I noticed you recommended VRSF Sport for Stage 1 and VRSF HD for Stage 2. Looks like your offerings have changed since that post - I don't see Sport and actually see two different HDs (5" and 6.5").

I plan on going FBO (CP, FMIC, and catted DP) and running Stage 1 and eventually Stage 2. It's a daily commuter (stuck in stop-and-go traffic for the better part of my ~50 mi commute) and don't plan on tracking the car. I'm torn between the two VRSF HD models and the CSF. Which would you recommend for my needs?

Check out this intercooler: https://www.ebay.com/itm/142922468014
Pair it with this chargepipe: https://www.ebay.com/itm/372607247543

I have both and they fit together perfectly. I'll post a log tomorrow. Just installed the intercooler today. It's supposed to be a 1:1 of the $700+ wagner intercooler. People have tested it and said that it performs just about the same, but for only $220!