FMIC tradeoff?

twinship · 03-27-2012, 10:56 AM

I've seen a couple of mentions of increased turbo lag after mounting aftermarket intercoolers.

Is this a necessary tradeoff?

I'm more interested in low-end torque than dyno HP. Worried that my plan to get FMIC and upgrade to COBB S1+ might actually degrade performance in day-to-day street driving...

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 03-27-2012, 10:59 AM

The lag is negligible on this car. In fact most people notice an increase in throttle response.

marv85 · 03-27-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinship

I've seen a couple of mentions of increased turbo lag after mounting aftermarket intercoolers.

Is this a necessary tradeoff?

I'm more interested in low-end torque than dyno HP. Worried that my plan to get FMIC and upgrade to COBB S1+ might actually degrade performance in day-to-day street driving...

FMIC is a mod I really enjoyed and still enjoy. just looking at those logs makes it worth every penny. Plus the fact that I can run s2+

Jeff can really help you with advice and competitive pricing

BenTrovato · 03-27-2012, 12:44 PM

Definitely an enjoyable mod for me. I did not notice an increase in lag for day-to-day driving.

project335i · 03-27-2012, 12:48 PM

Good to know, I'm glad that I went ahead and ordered one

Fundahl · 03-27-2012, 01:14 PM

Yeah, you aren't going to notice extra lag unless the intercooler has a leak or is a restrictive design.

venomnightrider · 03-27-2012, 01:18 PM

I just installed my Spearco fmic and switched to Cobb stage 1+. I noticed more power and throttle response haven't noticed a change in turbo lag

tscdennab · 03-27-2012, 03:14 PM

I did notice increased turbo lag when I installed my Wagner intercooler, compared to the stock intercooler. But a buddy of mine (has JB4 + Helix) said like "wow, you have no lag compared to my car"

So it's a bit subjective.

But YES, there will be increased turbo lag with a larger intercooler. However, it's very small, like going from 0.4 seconds of lag to 0.8 seconds of lag.

If you choose a smaller intercooler (ETS 5" or Wagner tube-and-fin) the lag will be smaller, almost negligible.

twinship · 03-27-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tscdennab

I did notice increased turbo lag when I installed my Wagner intercooler, compared to the stock intercooler. But a buddy of mine (has JB4 + Helix) said like "wow, you have no lag compared to my car"

So it's a bit subjective.

But YES, there will be increased turbo lag with a larger intercooler. However, it's very small, like going from 0.4 seconds of lag to 0.8 seconds of lag.

If you choose a smaller intercooler (ETS 5" or Wagner tube-and-fin) the lag will be smaller, almost negligible.

Good to know, thx. I was in fact thinking of the ETS 5" so maybe that's the best compromise.

AU335i · 03-27-2012, 05:22 PM

I heard the bigger ETS 7" performs better than the ETS 5" which is expected but how much better? oh and also heard you need the bigger one to make big power? will the ETS 5'' suffice if I'm only looking for around 400-420 whp out of my car?

also which FMIC's sit closer to the front grill? FMIC is an aesthetic mod as well imo and I want ones that will fill that front grill area and sit close to it.

marv85 · 03-27-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU335i

I heard the bigger ETS 7" performs better than the ETS 5" which is expected but how much better? oh and also heard you need the bigger one to make big power? will the ETS 5'' suffice if I'm only looking for around 400-420 whp out of my car?

also which FMIC's sit closer to the front grill? FMIC is an aesthetic mod as well imo and I want ones that will fill that front grill area and sit close to it.

From threads I've seen on this forum, the ETS 5" is enough for the power levels you're looking to get. But definitely the 7" will perform better.

GetWellSoon · 03-27-2012, 05:59 PM

I had a huge hpf one and no turbo lag, this car has no turbo lag with a larger fmic

RoundelM3 · 03-28-2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marv85

From threads I've seen on this forum, the ETS 5" is enough for the power levels you're looking to get. But definitely the 7" will perform better.

Really...how much better? Are you planning on running 20+ psi and tracking the car most of the time? Bigger isn't necessarily better - efficiency is the key. With a larger FMIC volume, you're going to get some pressure drop - there is a point of diminishing returns. The ETS 5" will handle over 500 HP and keep the IATs at a safe level.

E90SoFlo · 03-28-2012, 08:39 AM

No lag here, running a large FMIC

skatenc123 · 03-28-2012, 08:43 AM

AA FMIC no lags here. im cobb stg2+ aggressive

03-27-2012, 10:56 AM	#1
twinship Booosted 44 Rep 832 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	FMIC tradeoff? I've seen a couple of mentions of increased turbo lag after mounting aftermarket intercoolers. Is this a necessary tradeoff? I'm more interested in low-end torque than dyno HP. Worried that my plan to get FMIC and upgrade to COBB S1+ might actually degrade performance in day-to-day street driving... __________________ 2008 BMW 335i//Jet Black on Black Dakota Leather//Steptronic, Sport Package, Premium Package, Logic7 Sound, Aluminum Trim, iPOD & USB, Cobb S1+ Sport, ER FMIC, ER CP, K&N Filter, H&R Sport Springs, Koni Yellows, ECS Tuning spacers (F-10mm/R-15mm), Akebono pads, OEM Rear Aero Spoiler, OEM Sport Diffusor, Cyba 3.8" Tips, OEM Aluminum Pedals, M-tech Steering Wheel, Clear Reflectors
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03-27-2012, 10:59 AM	#2
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3441 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	The lag is negligible on this car. In fact most people notice an increase in throttle response.
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03-27-2012, 12:44 PM	#4
BenTrovato Driver 37 Rep 1,577 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	Definitely an enjoyable mod for me. I did not notice an increase in lag for day-to-day driving.
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03-27-2012, 12:48 PM	#5
project335i Banned 144 Rep 4,501 Posts Drives: Wide Load Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SAUGA iTrader: (6)	Good to know, I'm glad that I went ahead and ordered one
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03-27-2012, 01:14 PM	#6
Fundahl Captain 8 Rep 704 Posts Drives: VO 1M, 300zx TT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas iTrader: (0)	Yeah, you aren't going to notice extra lag unless the intercooler has a leak or is a restrictive design.
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03-27-2012, 01:18 PM	#7
venomnightrider Private 5 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 335i, e36m3, f25 x3 35, f80 x5 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: vancouver, wa iTrader: (1)	I just installed my Spearco fmic and switched to Cobb stage 1+. I noticed more power and throttle response haven't noticed a change in turbo lag
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03-27-2012, 03:14 PM	#8
tscdennab Banned 151 Rep 1,809 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Europe iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW [6.24]	I did notice increased turbo lag when I installed my Wagner intercooler, compared to the stock intercooler. But a buddy of mine (has JB4 + Helix) said like "wow, you have no lag compared to my car" So it's a bit subjective. But YES, there will be increased turbo lag with a larger intercooler. However, it's very small, like going from 0.4 seconds of lag to 0.8 seconds of lag. If you choose a smaller intercooler (ETS 5" or Wagner tube-and-fin) the lag will be smaller, almost negligible.
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03-27-2012, 05:22 PM	#10
AU335i Captain 78 Rep 887 Posts Drives: 2008 335i E92 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Auburn, AL iTrader: (3)	I heard the bigger ETS 7" performs better than the ETS 5" which is expected but how much better? oh and also heard you need the bigger one to make big power? will the ETS 5'' suffice if I'm only looking for around 400-420 whp out of my car? also which FMIC's sit closer to the front grill? FMIC is an aesthetic mod as well imo and I want ones that will fill that front grill area and sit close to it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2012, 05:59 PM	#12
GetWellSoon Banned 15 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2009 335i e92 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Brooklyn & NJ iTrader: (0)	I had a huge hpf one and no turbo lag, this car has no turbo lag with a larger fmic
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03-28-2012, 08:39 AM	#14
E90SoFlo Banned 196 Rep 2,669 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (9)	No lag here, running a large FMIC
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03-28-2012, 08:43 AM	#15
skatenc123 Captain 11 Rep 645 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NC iTrader: (1)	AA FMIC no lags here. im cobb stg2+ aggressive
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