[DanM2C]

Hey all. I know I couple of these threads exist for our engine but I was hoping to get the collective advice of the forum about this.

I am planning to upgrade my FMIC and am debating the best route to go. My current setup is:

2013 328i xdrive, n26 engine, s55 plugs
ER catless downpipe
Supersprint catback exhaust including resonator and secondary cat delete
Bootmod3 OTS Stage 2 tune, 93 Octane
ER charge pipe (not installed yet)

I plan to go FBO with this car and the only engine mod I plan to do after the intercooler/chargepipe is a new intake, primarily for the sound. I was debating getting a pure stage 2 turbo to hold the boost longer however I chose against doing this since I am starting to save some pennies for an M2.

I do not track the car, nor do I plan to. I live in Maryland so summers are hot, but not over the top, winters are cold, and we have 4 seasons. If I was tracking or lived in a warmer climate, I would pick up the ER intercooler however it weighs significantly more than stock and without tracking, I do not know if it is worth it.

I am looking at the VRSF intercooler based on both cost and positive reviews however prior to getting one, I want to make sure that it is worth upgrading over stock for a stage 2 tune FBO or whether I should go for something with more cooling capability. If I were to go VRSF, would it be worth it to go for the HD version?

I know there are no definite answers to my question but just thought I would get some feedback here. Thanks ahead of time!

[D041987]

Yes, you will want to go with the HD even VRSF recommends that route. Another alternative would be the ATM FMIC, ER, and Wagner 2. But those are on the pricey side. I think that if you are not competitively racing and just doing a few pulls here and there the VRSF HD would be the best bang for the buck for the price as our cars are not in the 400HP range and 99% of people do not race the car on track to use the full potential of recovery etc. Also if it's good enough for the N54 boys pushing 600+ I think it will be good enough for ours, haha! Also anything would be a good upgrade over the stock unit anyways!

[DanM2C]

Originally Posted by D041987

Yes, you will want to go with the HD even VRSF recommends that route. Another alternative would be the ATM FMIC, ER, and Wagner 2. But those are on the pricey side. I think that if you are not competitively racing and just doing a few pulls here and there the VRSF HD would be the best bang for the buck for the price as our cars are not in the 400HP range and 99% of people do not race the car on track to use the full potential of recovery etc. Also if it's good enough for the N54 boys pushing 600+ I think it will be good enough for ours, haha! Also anything would be a good upgrade over the stock unit anyways!

Alright, perfect thanks for the feedback. Yeah, the whole point is to get the most performance that I can out of the intercooler with the tune, DP and stock turbo but not overdo it with an intercooler that weighs more and that I will never use to its potential.

[D041987]

Yeah I agree, others will chip in including the vendors etc If I were to go all out with the intercooler I would probably go with ATM. Everyone else copied their design and there was a thread a while back with an individual did comparisons on the other name brands and the ATM came up on top. But that is just one guy. But the charts they have look very good. But I know Wagner and ER have gotten their fair share of good reviews as well. All depends on the application and how you want it to performer and in what environment.

[alohasurftoad]

i believe wagner evo 1 competition (tube fin) is one of the lighter ones at 6.6kg (14.52 lbs). all the rest are around 20lbs.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

i believe wagner evo 1 competition (tube fin) is one of the lighter ones at 6.6kg (14.52 lbs). all the rest are around 20lbs.

You are correct

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by D041987

Yeah I agree, others will chip in including the vendors etc If I were to go all out with the intercooler I would probably go with ATM. Everyone else copied their design and there was a thread a while back with an individual did comparisons on the other name brands and the ATM came up on top. But that is just one guy. But the charts they have look very good. But I know Wagner and ER have gotten their fair share of good reviews as well. All depends on the application and how you want it to performer and in what environment.

What?! LOL

ATM makes a good intercooler, but i can name a few intercoolers that will outperform the ATM one . There was a thread posted by a forum member comparing ATM to the 2 Wagner intercoolers and if i remember correctly ATM placed between the EVO I & EVO II in terms of iAT control

[D041987]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

What?! LOL

ATM makes a good intercooler, but i can name a few intercoolers that will outperform the ATM one . There was a thread posted by a forum member comparing ATM to the 2 Wagner intercoolers and if i remember correctly ATM placed between the EVO I & EVO II in terms of iAT control

ATM was the first to design the step core or so they claim. So in essence yes, everyone else did copy the visual design of the step core.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by D041987

ATM was the first to design the step core or so they claim. So in essence yes everyone else the did a intercooler copied the visual design of the step core.

Evolution Racewerks is not stepped core

[D041987]

Man you just have it out to be the smartest one don't you.... but you seem to lack the OP's question for advise or that fact that I am comparing just the Stepped Core Design! Get off your high horse! Vendor or not all you do is push sales for your company and can't seem to answer a question that is for the OP.

Next you're going to tell me that the Piggy backs are a better tune than an actual ECU tune huh?

This thread was about talk of the VRSF Stepped Core HD version. I was comparing just that style. Read my post and it states there are others great companies including ER and Wagner that have great designs and reviews and it's just what the overall person needs for the application. PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU REPLY!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by D041987

Man you just have it out to be the smartest one don't you.... but you seem to lack the OP's question for advise or that fact that I am comparing just the Stepped Core Design! Get off your high horse! Vendor or not all you do is push sales for your company and can't seem to answer a question that is for the OP.

Next you're going to tell me that the Piggy backs are a better tune than an actual ECU tune huh?

This thread was about talk of the VRSF Stepped Core HD version. I was comparing just that style. Read my post and it states there are others great companies including ER and Wagner that have great designs and reviews and it's just what the overall person needs for the application. PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU REPLY!

Please stop trolling

[mike@x-ph.com]

OP,
if you keep stock turbo, I would do VRSF HD or Wagner EVO I
If you get upgraded turbo VRSF race or Wagner EVO II or Evolution Racewerks

[DanM2C]

Thanks everyone for the input!

[M2_MEDUSA]

I would honestly recommend the Wagner Evo 1. That's what I have right now and man is it amazing. It's super light and I can pull my car all day to hell and back and the damn thing still just can't get heat soaked. Best money I ever spent. The install takes 20 minutes

[DanM2C]

Thanks again everyone for the input. Just wanted to let everyone know I settled on the VRSF HD and once it comes in, will be installing the intercooler, charge pipe, and TIC. I will let everyone know how it turns out!

[Diegov209]

I currently have VRSF hd 6 stepped intercooler and its pretty good honestly its just a little heavy in my opinion. I will switch soon when I get my turbo upgrade and engine build these coming months.

[DanM2C]

Originally Posted by Diegov209

I currently have VRSF hd 6 stepped intercooler and its pretty good honestly its just a little heavy in my opinion. I will switch soon when I get my turbo upgrade and engine build these coming months.

Great - thats helpful to know. I went for the 5" HD in order to save some weight and because I do not think I will be pushing it to the limit with stock turbo and my tune but I am hoping the weight gain of the intercooler is worth the temperature reduction.

[FSociety]

You will be fine with any Intercooler upgrade on the N20 since there's only so much u can push it to

[LiquidMercury]

Originally Posted by FSociety

You will be fine with any Intercooler upgrade on the N20 since there's only so much u can push it to

Don't I fuckin' know it.

[DanM2C]

Originally Posted by FSociety

You will be fine with any Intercooler upgrade on the N20 since there's only so much u can push it to

very true. Today, I was toying around with the idea of picking up an E90 335i project car...

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by IssaF32

I would honestly recommend the Wagner Evo 1. That's what I have right now and man is it amazing. It's super light and I can pull my car all day to hell and back and the damn thing still just can't get heat soaked. Best money I ever spent. The install takes 20 minutes

EVO I is a quality product

Originally Posted by Dan328f30

Thanks again everyone for the input. Just wanted to let everyone know I settled on the VRSF HD and once it comes in, will be installing the intercooler, charge pipe, and TIC. I will let everyone know how it turns out!

Originally Posted by Diegov209

I currently have VRSF hd 6 stepped intercooler and its pretty good honestly its just a little heavy in my opinion. I will switch soon when I get my turbo upgrade and engine build these coming months.

What intercooler are you going with?

[Diegov209]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

EVO I is a quality product







What intercooler are you going with?

I will most likely go for Wagner evo II competiton