[bmwarg]

I am looking at the VSRF intercooler. Any other 7" intercoolers options that are good and don't need any trimming?

[silver07335i]

I haven't seen any 7" FMICs that do not require some trimming to fit. The 7" VRSF does require trimming to fit.

[Snaggletooth]

Honestly trimming is no big deal. If you have a rotary grinder you can knock it out in 20 mins.

[silver07335i]

I didn't read too much into the stepped core designed FMICs, but Helix has a great group buy right now. I went with ETS since it was highly recommended by a tuner I know, and I got a good deal on the ETS FMIC. According to Helix, their "stepped" core design requires no trimming to little trimming on a 335i. The trimming to fit a 7" FMIC is minimal from the videos and feedback I've received, so don't worry too much about it. Do you have a stock bumper or aftermarket?

[thenewrick]

5'' vsrf doesn't require trimming

[djjasper]

Originally Posted by silver07335i

I didn't read too much into the stepped core designed FMICs, but Helix has a great group buy right now. I went with ETS since it was highly recommended by a tuner I know, and I got a good deal on the ETS FMIC. According to Helix, their "stepped" core design requires no trimming to little trimming on a 335i. The trimming to fit a 7" FMIC is minimal from the videos and feedback I've received, so don't worry too much about it. Do you have a stock bumper or aftermarket?

The Helix GB is a pretty good deal. And FREE SHIPPING if you sign up by this Friday...

[135Pats]

5" VRSF is out of production.

Almost all 7" cores will require trimming useless plastic. 5" usually fit without trimming.

[bmwarg]

Sorry for my naive questions:

1. 7" is better than 5", right? Better flow and cooling?

2. Why did they put that plastic trim in the first place? Did it secure the stock FMIC?

[bmwarg]

Originally Posted by djjasper

The Helix GB is a pretty good deal. And FREE SHIPPING if you sign up by this Friday...

I see it on sale for $875. Is that the sale price? It's still a lot more than the VSRF 7" intercooler.

[thenewrick]

There's virtually no difference between 5" and 7". You'd need upgraded turbos/fuel systems and track the car on a hot day to get the most out of a 7"

[bmwarg]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

There's virtually no difference between 5" and 7". You'd need upgraded turbos/fuel systems and track the car on a hot day to get the most out of a 7"

Yes, I read that the 5" actually has better flow, but less good at preventing heat soak than the 7". I'm not taking my car to the track and just want to improve over OEM and maybe get some more horsepower and response out of it. I live in temperate climate, but may move in the next year or two to somewhere hotter. Should I go with 5"? VRSF 7" is quite affordable. Helix is getting a bit much. Even the ETS 5" is more expensive than the VRSF 7"

[ken1137]

Just do 5" if you dont track. Install is simple.

[thenewrick]

You wont really get much more horsepower with any FMIC, maybe 5. The point of the FMIC is to prevent power loss over time from heat soak. You wouldn't get any more responsiveness either.

[bmwarg]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

You wont really get much more horsepower with any FMIC, maybe 5. The point of the FMIC is to prevent power loss over time from heat soak. You wouldn't get any more responsiveness either.

Oh ok. But it's still good for the longevity of the engine?

[thenewrick]

It's better than stock but I doubt there's any noticeable difference in longevity of the engine. I haven't heard of anyone blowing a motor in these cars.

[bmwarg]

Well I am a little confused. I understand in principle how adding a better intercooler reduces heat soak. This is particularly important if you are going on long drives, hot weather, or racing the car because it keeps the air cool and prevents power drop. Everyone recommends this as the first thing to upgrade after a tune. But now I am wondering if this is at all needed if you are not racing the car... especially if it doesn't help the longevity of a tuned car.

[thenewrick]

Everyone also recommends you get 19's and slam the car, doesn't mean it's a smart thing to do. People will always want other people to modify their cars unnecessarily because it's more interesting and not their money. BMW owners are notorious for throwing money at mods for no good reason.

The only performance mods I could recommend to anyone without any downsides and for minimal cost is a JB4 and non-RFT Michelin Super-Sport tires.

That's about $1500 all said and done and will transform the car much more than anything else for the money.

If you have access to E85 you'll get an even greater benefit from the JB4 as well.

[bmwarg]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Everyone also recommends you get 19's and slam the car, doesn't mean it's a smart thing to do. People will always want other people to modify their cars unnecessarily because it's more interesting and not their money. BMW owners are notorious for throwing money at mods for no good reason.

The only performance mods I could recommend to anyone without any downsides and for minimal cost is a JB4 and non-RFT Michelin Super-Sport tires.

That's about $1500 all said and done and will transform the car much more than anything else for the money.

If you have access to E85 you'll get an even greater benefit from the JB4 as well.

That's exactly what I did. non-RFT tires and JB4 G5. I want to get my hands on E85 and mix in a few gallons, but then I read that it is not that good for the car's components?? And I had some issues with my high fuel pressure pump so someone didn't recommend it.

[thenewrick]

It may strain the fuel system a little but I think it's just a roll of the dice with the HPFPs in general and the power gains are awesome. The HPFP is covered under an extended warranty so don't worry about that. Just run map 5 all the time and if you pump e85 make sure to switch to map 5 again even if you're already on map 5 so it'll relearn on the new fuel. Then do 2 3rd gear pulls from 3k rpm to 6k rpm and try and keep that same blend each time you fill up.

[bmwarg]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

It may strain the fuel system a little but I think it's just a roll of the dice with the HPFPs in general and the power gains are awesome. The HPFP is covered under an extended warranty so don't worry about that. Just run map 5 all the time and if you pump e85 make sure to switch to map 5 again even if you're already on map 5 so it'll relearn on the new fuel. Then do 2 3rd gear pulls from 3k rpm to 6k rpm and try and keep that same blend each time you fill up.

Great! Thanks for the feedback!

[BoogeyMan'sBMW]

Originally Posted by bmwarg

Yes, I read that the 5" actually has better flow, but less good at preventing heat soak than the 7". I'm not taking my car to the track and just want to improve over OEM and maybe get some more horsepower and response out of it. I live in temperate climate, but may move in the next year or two to somewhere hotter. Should I go with 5"? VRSF 7" is quite affordable. Helix is getting a bit much. Even the ETS 5" is more expensive than the VRSF 7"

Intercoolers do not give you any power, but helps you keep the power that you have so to say.

When your engine gets hot, and when you have mods like open air intakes, etc. the heat soak keeps your car from performing at maximum capability. FMIC will help prevent this.

If you aren't tracking and beating on your car, and have no major upgrades in the works, just go with 5" and that requires no trimming.

[bmwarg]

Originally Posted by BoogeyMan'sBMW

Intercoolers do not give you any power, but helps you keep the power that you have so to say.

When your engine gets hot, and when you have mods like open air intakes, etc. the heat soak keeps your car from performing at maximum capability. FMIC will help prevent this.

If you aren't tracking and beating on your car, and have no major upgrades in the works, just go with 5" and that requires no trimming.

Yup. I was thinking along the same lines. With higher boost from the JB4, would the charge pipe and OCC be more important? I read somewhere that the extra boost can cause the charge pipe to fail.