05-29-2018, 05:22 PM | #1 |
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Should I bother with an intercooler upgrade?
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. |
05-29-2018, 10:48 PM | #2 | |
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05-29-2018, 10:57 PM | #3 |
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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 Last edited by alohasurftoad; 05-30-2018 at 12:06 PM.. |
05-30-2018, 05:16 AM | #5 |
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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.
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05-30-2018, 08:11 AM | #6 | |
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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/ |
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05-30-2018, 08:32 AM | #7 | ||
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05-30-2018, 09:27 AM | #8 |
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Like ^^^^^ said, CPs seem to eventually blow. While you're in there you may as well change CP. Texas heat doesn't help.
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05-30-2018, 12:54 PM | #9 | ||
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05-30-2018, 01:07 PM | #10 |
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Since your not tracking it... this works just fine...
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05-30-2018, 01:08 PM | #11 | |
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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. |
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05-30-2018, 01:31 PM | #12 | |
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05-30-2018, 02:06 PM | #13 | |
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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. |
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05-30-2018, 02:15 PM | #14 |
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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.
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05-30-2018, 02:18 PM | #15 |
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Alright... Ill say it...
GPlus FMIC Have it. It works! https://scoutofmind.com/f30-f32-n55-...cooler-review/ |
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05-30-2018, 03:16 PM | #16 | |
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06-05-2018, 10:15 AM | #18 | |
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06-05-2018, 04:26 PM | #19 |
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Get a 5" intercooler and you are set ... Active Autowerke, VRSF Sport or Wagner EVO I are our most popular options
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https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435 |
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06-07-2018, 05:23 AM | #20 |
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06-07-2018, 06:10 AM | #21 |
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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.
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06-07-2018, 09:55 AM | #22 | |
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