[M248]

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.

[M248]

Bump.

Updated with image link.

Help is much appreciated! I removed the brace and everything fits. Would like to know if this is safe to drive without.

[doodlebro]

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.

[M248]

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.

[M248]

FYI:

Removing the brace had no noticible effect as of yet.

I still plan on fabricating a replacement. I’ll update soon.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

My friend who installed my intercooler did it through the bottom of the bumper. He didnt remove anything

[M248]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

My friend who installed my intercooler did it through the bottom of the bumper. He didnt remove anything

Check your front bumper. You probably don’t have the bar in front of the intercooler like I do.

[M248]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

As I posted in list above and below, the 2013 F30 335i 3A97 DOES have the same brace.

E90 LCI, can you confirm you have the brace that I referenced?

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.

Originally Posted by Steve_Jr

Here is the final stage : installing diagonal strut and stiffening plate. These parts were used for reinforcement of 4 series convertible body stiffness. When you can see 4 series convertible, there are 1 more V shape strut in front of intercooler intake. This V shape strut bridged to bottom torsion strut by stiffening plate. Total cost is $150.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=67

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.

[M248]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

1) Yes he has a 2103 F30 335i

2) The part @steve_junior is referencing is NOT the same part. It is pictured in his thread and repeated below.

There is a reason I don’t buy VRSF Parts.

The brace you pictured (which I still have installed) is not the problem. I should have highlighted it in the op. I’m referring to part # 51647302947

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.

[oma3710]

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?

[Tymula_81]

Mine fit with the bars there

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by Tymula_81

Mine fit with the bars there

You and about 520 other individual have successfully fit this intercooler on the F3x platform.

OP, please PM or e-mail us and we'll be happy to assist with your install issue

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by oma3710

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?

7 days after last response from Company. Did they assist you with Install as promised....and if so, how was issue solved for others?

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

OP, please PM or e-mail us and we'll be happy to assist with your install issue

[///M248]

Originally Posted by Tymula_81

Mine fit with the bars there

What version intercooler are you using? My VRSF 6" Race has no chance of fitting with the OEM V brace. See pics below

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

7 days after last response from Company. Did they assist you with Install as promised....and if so, how was issue solved for others?

The seller and I have not yet connected to resolve the issue. I'm just now looking further into solutions. The only option I can see working is visiting a fabrication shop to modify the brace.

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

You and about 520 other individual have successfully fit this intercooler on the F3x platform.

OP, please PM or e-mail us and we'll be happy to assist with your install issue

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.

[Tymula_81]

Originally Posted by ///M248

What version intercooler are you using? My VRSF 6" Race has no chance of fitting with the OEM V brace. See pics below

The seller and I have not yet connected to resolve the issue. I'm just now looking further into solutions. The only option I can see working is visiting a fabrication shop to modify the brace.

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.

Originally Posted by ///M248

What version intercooler are you using? My VRSF 6" Race has no chance of fitting with the OEM V brace. See pics below

The seller and I have not yet connected to resolve the issue. I'm just now looking further into solutions. The only option I can see working is visiting a fabrication shop to modify the brace.

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.

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.

[///M248]

To clarify the bottom of the V brace mounts here:

[///M248]

Originally Posted by Tymula_81

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.

Tymula, I just don't see how I'll be able to use a mallet to gain the 2" i need to mount this brace. Did you look at the pics I posted?

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.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by ///M248

Tymula, I just don't see how I'll be able to use a mallet to gain the 2" i need to mount this brace. Did you look at the pics I posted?

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.

If our intercooler didn't fit, the Evolution Raceworks won't fit either since they occupy the same space. If you're unwilling to use spacers or modify the brace you're going to have to downgrade to a smaller intercooler.

[M248]

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

[Tiago@VRSF]

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

[M248]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

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

Lol just take my money now!

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).

[Nisselauda]

Originally Posted by M248

Lol just take my money now!

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.

Any news on finding a solution with the OEM V brace or on a custom fabrication?