[ipilcher]

I've had my 335i GT for 4 years now. It has the MPPK and MPE, but nothing more aggressive (and no such plans).

This is my first turbo-charged car, and it's honestly taken me a few years to really become attuned to the way it performs (or doesn't). That's my excuse for only recently noticing the correlation between temperature and performance ‒ particularly the way that the car seems to "come alive" when the temperature is cooler. Unfortunately I live in Texas, so those cooler days aren't exactly common.

Does an intercooler upgrade make sense in this situation? I'm not tracking the car or even driving all that aggressively; I'd just like it to have that peppy feeling as much as possible.

[JRam24]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

I've had my 335i GT for 4 years now. It has the MPPK and MPE, but nothing more aggressive (and no such plans).

This is my first turbo-charged car, and it's honestly taken me a few years to really become attuned to the way it performs (or doesn't). That's my excuse for only recently noticing the correlation between temperature and performance ‒ particularly the way that the car seems to "come alive" when the temperature is cooler. Unfortunately I live in Texas, so those cooler days aren't exactly common.

Does an intercooler upgrade make sense in this situation? I'm not tracking the car or even driving all that aggressively; I'd just like it to have that peppy feeling as much as possible.

Do it! Cooler air is always better!

[alohasurftoad]

while some will argue that the stock is fine, especially if you are not tracking, most agree that even the cheapest fmic upgrade will do better than the factory intercooler, pretty much because due to size. it's going to very difficult to notice the benefit from an aftermarket fmic, as it is not adding power but just maintaining the degradation from heatsoak longer than the oem intercooler.

while there are many choices, i assume you don't want to break the bank so, consider an fmic from cts turbo(have it myself) and their n55 charge pipe, which you may as well change while you're at it. high quality while very modestly priced. total price is less than what you'd pay for just an intecooler from a name brand.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...bo+fmic+review

$382.49(fmic)+$186.99(cp)=$569.48

[MTWO]

Many proved that intercooler should be the first mod

[enjoythemusic]

Agree do the CP while doing IC. Live in FL so am very familiar with heat. The largest IC out there i believe in the Dinan. Evolution Racewerks (ER) makes a great CP and FMIC so that combo would do nicely.

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Agree do the CP while doing IC. Live in FL so am very familiar with heat. The largest IC out there i believe in the Dinan. Evolution Racewerks (ER) makes a great CP and FMIC so that combo would do nicely.

Since I haven't increased the boost, what would be the benefit of upgrading the charge pipe?

I'm only considering "drop in" replacements for the stock intercooler, so the Dinan is out. For what I'm doing, it would be overkill. Currently, the Active Autowerke option is looking good.

https://www.x-ph.com/active-autowerk...r-n20-n26-n55/

[Busa1]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Since I haven't increased the boost, what would be the benefit of upgrading the charge pipe?

I'm only considering "drop in" replacements for the stock intercooler, so the Dinan is out. For what I'm doing, it would be overkill. Currently, the Active Autowerke option is looking good.

https://www.x-ph.com/active-autowerk...r-n20-n26-n55/

Charge pipes have gone bad on totally stock cars. Stock charge pipes are plastic where as an aftermarket one is metal. Its just a matter of time before the stock one breaks. That should be the first thing you do imho.

[enjoythemusic]

Like ^^^^^ said, CPs seem to eventually blow. While you're in there you may as well change CP. Texas heat doesn't help.

[W1ldC4t]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Since I haven't increased the boost, what would be the benefit of upgrading the charge pipe?

I'm only considering "drop in" replacements for the stock intercooler, so the Dinan is out. For what I'm doing, it would be overkill. Currently, the Active Autowerke option is looking good.

https://www.x-ph.com/active-autowerke-bmw-f-chassis-intercooler-n20-n26-n55/

+1 for the AA intercooler. Fitment is perfect with my vrsf chargepipe.

[FastF30]

Since your not tracking it... this works just fine...

[CTS Turbo]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Since I haven't increased the boost, what would be the benefit of upgrading the charge pipe?

I'm only considering "drop in" replacements for the stock intercooler, so the Dinan is out. For what I'm doing, it would be overkill. Currently, the Active Autowerke option is looking good.

https://www.x-ph.com/active-autowerk...r-n20-n26-n55/

Unfortunately even at stock boost levels the Charge Pipes have been known to fail. It's one of the first "mods" we recommend for these cars, peace of mind is worth the small amount of money and time it takes to swap it out. As for intercoolers, everyone above me has covered it: stock cars won't see a noticeable power gain, but the longevity of that power (say on a long drive, back road rip, or a track-day) is going to be very noticeable, most OE intercoolers are underwhelming. Plus, they look badass tucked behind a bumper.

[M2Rush]

Originally Posted by CTS Turbo

Unfortunately even at stock boost levels the Charge Pipes have been known to fail. It's one of the first "mods" we recommend for these cars, peace of mind is worth the small amount of money and time it takes to swap it out. As for intercoolers, everyone above me has covered it: stock cars won't see a noticeable power gain, but the longevity of that power (say on a long drive, back road rip, or a track-day) is going to be very noticeable, most OE intercoolers are underwhelming. Plus, they look badass tucked behind a bumper.

I can't seem to find your chargepipe for the F30 335 x-drive, I only see RWD. Do you offer one for xdrive?

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by M2Rush

I can't seem to find your chargepipe for the F30 335 x-drive, I only see RWD. Do you offer one for xdrive?

Indeed.

From my searching, a charge pipe for my xDrive GT is going to cost darn near as much as a mid-range FMIC, so I have a hard time seeing this as a "while you're in there" add-on.

[M2Rush]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Indeed.

From my searching, a charge pipe for my xDrive GT is going to cost darn near as much as a mid-range FMIC, so I have a hard time seeing this as a "while you're in there" add-on.

Yeah, unfortunately they know people will need it and it's not an easy part to just throw together. They range from $250-$600, if price is an issue, go for the VRSF or FTP. They just don't look as nice and the welds are not as pretty but you can't really see it once installed anyways.

[sspade]

Alright... Ill say it...

GPlus FMIC

Have it. It works!

https://scoutofmind.com/f30-f32-n55-...cooler-review/

[M2Rush]

Originally Posted by M2Rush

I can't seem to find your chargepipe for the F30 335 x-drive, I only see RWD. Do you offer one for xdrive?

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Indeed.

From my searching, a charge pipe for my xDrive GT is going to cost darn near as much as a mid-range FMIC, so I have a hard time seeing this as a "while you're in there" add-on.

Ok I just got an answer! They advised me that they're working on the xdrive version and expected release date is in July but they suggested I follow their IG as updates will happen there first.

[Big Mexican Women]

Absolutely. An intercooler upgrade is the best thing you can do to your car!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

I've had my 335i GT for 4 years now. It has the MPPK and MPE, but nothing more aggressive (and no such plans).

This is my first turbo-charged car, and it's honestly taken me a few years to really become attuned to the way it performs (or doesn't). That's my excuse for only recently noticing the correlation between temperature and performance ‒ particularly the way that the car seems to "come alive" when the temperature is cooler. Unfortunately I live in Texas, so those cooler days aren't exactly common.

Does an intercooler upgrade make sense in this situation? I'm not tracking the car or even driving all that aggressively; I'd just like it to have that peppy feeling as much as possible.

Yes, especially living in Texas you would really benefit from an upgraded FMIC.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Get a 5" intercooler and you are set ... Active Autowerke, VRSF Sport or Wagner EVO I are our most popular options

[Big Mexican Women]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Yes, especially living in Texas you would really benefit from an upgraded FMIC.

Anybody would benefit from an intercooler upgrade. The stock intercooler on these cars is shit.

Always a far more effective upgrade VS. an intake

[enemigo13]

every bigger intercooler has bigger pressure drop vs smaller intercooler. If you're at stock boost levels and weather is not super hot, stock IC is fine for sure, big IC is waste of money. Stock turbo with stock software has plenty of reserve left, so if even if you're on longer pull and IAT will go up a bit, ECU will compensate it with higher boost and you will get same power. Another thing is if you're tuned to the turbo limit, on some 10-15 seconds pull your IAT can grow up to 75 degrees Celcius (167F) with stock IC. Depending on aftermarket IC type and size on the same pull you will have 35-40 degrees C IAT (95-105F), this will allow to have more dense air and better ignition timing, you will sacrifice a bit of boost (because of bigger IC pressure drop) though.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by enemigo13

every bigger intercooler has bigger pressure drop vs smaller intercooler. If you're at stock boost levels and weather is not super hot, stock IC is fine for sure, big IC is waste of money. Stock turbo with stock software has plenty of reserve left, so if even if you're on longer pull and IAT will go up a bit, ECU will compensate it with higher boost and you will get same power. Another thing is if you're tuned to the turbo limit, on some 10-15 seconds pull your IAT can grow up to 75 degrees Celcius (167F) with stock IC. Depending on aftermarket IC type and size on the same pull you will have 35-40 degrees C IAT (95-105F), this will allow to have more dense air and better ignition timing, you will sacrifice a bit of boost (because of bigger IC pressure drop) though.

A good point on bringing up pressure drop. Truth be told, a lot of these big FMIC still have less pressure drop then the stock FMIC so that's a good thing!