[MrHeavyFoot]

Hey guys,

I've read that upgraded FMICs are close in performance. I don't care about cutting so figured that I'll decide what to get based on weight.

Amongst Helix, Stett, CP-E and AMS, which is the lightest?

Cheers!

[themyst]

don't know about the others, but the ETS 5" FMIC is MAYBE 1 lb heavier than stock. Take that for what it's worth.

[Bimmer This]

The ETS would most likely be the lightest out of the bunch.

[MrHeavyFoot]

Thanks for directing my attention to the ETS!

Temps being 90F+ year round where I live, I would prefer one with more surface area than depth though.

Not ruling out the ETS yet. Any more thoughts?

[Bimmer This]

That's what we are here for.

[Alex@Helix]

Please be aware that our intercooler is heavier than stock because its THAT much bigger than the stock, ETS, and AMS.

[MrHeavyFoot]

Originally Posted by Alex@Helix

Please be aware that our intercooler is heavier than stock because its THAT much bigger than the stock, ETS, and AMS.

It's fine that it is heavier than stock. Heard only good things about the Helix. Would you have the weight?

[stevenc]

I have the ETS and could not be happier.

[Qmax03]

I just installed a ETS on a customers car, and it wasnt much heavier then stock if that, my HPF was ALOT heavier

[TheStig]

OEM is a paper weight i hered good things about the ETS/Stett one tho.

[Qmax03]

Why does weight even matter ? I think when it comes to the FMIC you want the best results as far as cooling , this isnt like shopping for wheels, having a 5lbs IC vs a 10lbs IC is irelevent to what its meant for.

If your looking to shave some weight off the car this isnt the way, lighter seats/lighter wheels/ gut the trunk etc etc... is the way to go.

[MKE_M3]

I would not worry about the weight eigher, given it is so low in the car and there won't be much of a differnce. If you drive hard, I'd get the CP-E since it comes with a secondary oil cooler.

[MrHeavyFoot]

Originally Posted by Qmax03

Why does weight even matter ? I think when it comes to the FMIC you want the best results as far as cooling , this isnt like shopping for wheels, having a 5lbs IC vs a 10lbs IC is irelevent to what its meant for.

If your looking to shave some weight off the car this isnt the way, lighter seats/lighter wheels/ gut the trunk etc etc... is the way to go.

I don't track the car and WOT pulls will at most be a couple of 40-100ish mph runs. I just want to be faster than the next punk when needed

I've already gotten Volk wheels, and my car doesn't have unnecessary options. I will look into lighter seats - thanks! If money permits, CF bonnet and trunk too.

I figured that I go through the effort to shave a few lbs here and there, might as well not needlessly add it all back with the heaviest FMIC.

As stated in my first post, I'm comparing between the Helix, Stett, CP-E, AMS and now the ETS also. For my use, any of these SHOULD already give me the benefits I'm looking for. So far, I've only managed to get the weights of the Stett and ETS.

If they all differ by a couple of lbs, then it's not really an issue. I'm looking for numbers so I can make an informed decision.

For example, I may go for the FMIC which has a larger surface if it is say 3 lbs more than the ETS, which is smaller and deeper, but 1 lb less than the next big one.

Thanks for reading!

[TurboBullett@Ambient Thermal Management]

Originally Posted by Qmax03

Why does weight even matter ? I think when it comes to the FMIC you want the best results as far as cooling , this isnt like shopping for wheels, having a 5lbs IC vs a 10lbs IC is irelevent to what its meant for.

If your looking to shave some weight off the car this isnt the way, lighter seats/lighter wheels/ gut the trunk etc etc... is the way to go.

An intercooler is a heat sink and the weight if the fmic is VERY important as it's this mass that absorbs the heat and then dissipates it to the ambient air. On a front mount you want a heavier intercooler with a larger exposed frontal face. the heavier the heat sink the longer it takes for it to heat soak, And conversely the longer it will take to dissipate the heat> thats why you want a larger face as it's exposed to more ambient airflow!

[Big Tom]

Originally Posted by TTurboBullett

An intercooler is a heat sink and the weight if the fmic is VERY important as it's this mass that absorbs the heat and then dissipates it to the ambient air. On a front mount you want a heavier intercooler with a larger exposed frontal face. the heavier the heat sink the longer it takes for it to heat soak, And conversely the longer it will take to dissipate the heat> thats why you want a larger face as it's exposed to more ambient airflow!

Good summary.

[MrHeavyFoot]

Originally Posted by TTurboBullett

An intercooler is a heat sink and the weight if the fmic is VERY important as it's this mass that absorbs the heat and then dissipates it to the ambient air. On a front mount you want a heavier intercooler with a larger exposed frontal face. the heavier the heat sink the longer it takes for it to heat soak, And conversely the longer it will take to dissipate the heat> thats why you want a larger face as it's exposed to more ambient airflow!

Thanks for this. I've come across such concepts also while browsing this forum. I fully agree with them.

I'm specifically trying to find actual numbers of the weights of the ICs I listed earlier though. Can people with this information chip in please?

[Black Gold]

The ETS intercooler is absolutely significantly heavier than the stock one, i know because I have the ETS on my car.

[STONEY_M5]

If you search each individual ic then you will have your answer. They each have the weight and dimensions.

[Qmax03]

Originally Posted by TTurboBullett

An intercooler is a heat sink and the weight if the fmic is VERY important as it's this mass that absorbs the heat and then dissipates it to the ambient air. On a front mount you want a heavier intercooler with a larger exposed frontal face. the heavier the heat sink the longer it takes for it to heat soak, And conversely the longer it will take to dissipate the heat> thats why you want a larger face as it's exposed to more ambient airflow!

Im very well aware of that, Maybe i came off wrong as to what i was trying to say, my point was that weight shouldnt be a factor in terms of buying a fmic for that reason.

[Qmax03]

Originally Posted by MrHeavyFoot

I don't track the car and WOT pulls will at most be a couple of 40-100ish mph runs. I just want to be faster than the next punk when needed

I've already gotten Volk wheels, and my car doesn't have unnecessary options. I will look into lighter seats - thanks! If money permits, CF bonnet and trunk too.

I figured that I go through the effort to shave a few lbs here and there, might as well not needlessly add it all back with the heaviest FMIC.

As stated in my first post, I'm comparing between the Helix, Stett, CP-E, AMS and now the ETS also. For my use, any of these SHOULD already give me the benefits I'm looking for. So far, I've only managed to get the weights of the Stett and ETS.

If they all differ by a couple of lbs, then it's not really an issue. I'm looking for numbers so I can make an informed decision.

For example, I may go for the FMIC which has a larger surface if it is say 3 lbs more than the ETS, which is smaller and deeper, but 1 lb less than the next big one.

Thanks for reading!