FMIC (Intercooler) Comparisons & Reviews?

E91 Hoarder · 02-14-2013, 01:32 AM

Is there any good posts that compare and review different FMIC's?

There are many intercoolers available out there, but how do they stack up against each other based on performance, fitment, durability, best value for the price, etc?

Trying to find a good guide and will appreciate any good info!

cbad335 · 02-14-2013, 01:44 AM

Search around, you'll find a ton of FMIC info here.

E91 Hoarder · 02-14-2013, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbad335

Search around, you'll find a ton of FMIC info here.

I know there is a TON info here. I am looking for side by side comparisons.

_ink · 02-14-2013, 08:29 AM

Comes down to cost, ease of installation, design and personal preference.

After reviewing all the FMIC's out there, I went with the helix for the larger stepped surface, and the no cutting required for installation.

N54 TuNeR · 02-14-2013, 08:40 AM

I would be interested in comparison between:
HPF INTERCOOLER
VSRF 7"
HELIX STEP INTERCOOLER

I would like to see where they differ if any between these three.

F80M · 02-14-2013, 08:57 AM

Here we go again...

nailer335 · 02-14-2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91Octane

Here we go again...

LOL

A few years back, I suggested (and someone probably suggested as much prior to my suggestion) that a sticky be created for each individual commonly beat into the ground bolt on.

Ya... It was as awful of an idea then as it apparently still is now.

BEAR-AvHistory · 02-14-2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSerge

I know there is a TON info here. I am looking for side by side comparisons.

Look up the data & make a chart.

Marcadelic · 02-14-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSerge

I know there is a TON info here. I am looking for side by side comparisons.

no one has put more than two intercoolers on the same car and dyno'd them, it's just a very time consuming and expensive task. One of the vendors on here offered to do it but some of the intercooler companies refused to give them an intercooler to use.

But it really depends what you want, price, quality and installation are the three factors. If you want low cost and good quality installations going to be a little harder (ex-big Tom) If you want good quality and easy installation your going to be paying more (ex- helix and AA sport)

It really all just comes down to personal preference, I have the big Tom and couldn't be happier

eric@helix · 02-14-2013, 10:00 AM

We would be willing to lend a Helix SCI for good, fair, impartial comparative testing.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 02-14-2013, 10:32 AM

Whats important to you?

Budget?
Performance?
Size?
Quality?

It helps to know
Power Goals?
Climate?
Street or Race?

Once you figure that out the rest is easy.

Nobody has put a bunch of intercoolers on a dyno on the same car on the same dyno.

That being said there really isn't that much power difference in intercoolers, they all make about 20WHP on your typical bolt on car.
Some will keep consistency better then others though.

Contact me if you have any questions deciding.

E91 Hoarder · 02-14-2013, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Whats important to you?

Budget?
Performance?
Size?
Quality?

It helps to know
Power Goals?
Climate?
Street or Race?

Once you figure that out the rest is easy.

Nobody has put a bunch of intercoolers on a dyno on the same car on the same dyno.

That being said there really isn't that much power difference in intercoolers, they all make about 20WHP on your typical bolt on car.
Some will keep consistency better then others though.

Contact me if you have any questions deciding.

Good questions. Thanks.

In terms of performance, I am not so much concerned about power gains, but rather it's main purpose - keep the temperature down. Reason for upgrade - extend the longevity of the engine and avoid overheating during tracking.

Budget? - under $1K
Performance? - max cooling
Size? - max size, but fit without any significant modifications
Quality? - What is the quality criteria? Could somebody elaborate on this?

Power Goals? - Nice to have but, second priority.
Climate? - Pacific Northwest. Moderate climate 60-80F, no extreme temps.
Street or Race? - Casual race tracking, car remains as a weekend/daily driver.

I understand the complexity of a such testing, but was hoping this has been done, considering how important this upgrade is.

P Casey · 02-14-2013, 03:08 PM

I did the AA Race intercooler. It's pretty amazing, I heard that install was a pain but actually it was very simple. I have the m sport package so the intercooler is seen easily and looks very aggressive. It's gigantic compared to the wimpy oe one.

n54gte · 02-14-2013, 03:29 PM

Just get the ets 5in and be done. No trimming or mods required

messi · 02-14-2013, 07:22 PM

ER fmic is pretty decent size but requires cutting

E90Company · 02-14-2013, 07:34 PM

Sounds like ETS 5" will meet your needs wel. Outstanding core.

02-14-2013, 01:32 AM	#1
E91 Hoarder Captain 123 Rep 852 Posts Drives: E91 AWD, E91 RWD, E90, X535i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: On the Road iTrader: (8)	FMIC (Intercooler) Comparisons & Reviews? Is there any good posts that compare and review different FMIC's? There are many intercoolers available out there, but how do they stack up against each other based on performance, fitment, durability, best value for the price, etc? Trying to find a good guide and will appreciate any good info! __________________ "Let me see what I can do... sir"
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02-14-2013, 01:44 AM	#2
cbad335 Lieutenant Colonel 62 Rep 1,736 Posts Drives: '09 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA iTrader: (17) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i Coupe [7.34]	Search around, you'll find a ton of FMIC info here. __________________ \| 6MT \| ZSP \| ZPP \|
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02-14-2013, 08:29 AM	#4
_ink Jedi samurai ninja turtle 619 Rep 3,021 Posts Drives: X3 M40i 2018 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 M40i [0.00]	Comes down to cost, ease of installation, design and personal preference. After reviewing all the FMIC's out there, I went with the helix for the larger stepped surface, and the no cutting required for installation.
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02-14-2013, 08:40 AM	#5
N54 TuNeR ///Member 50 Rep 327 Posts Drives: E90 '08 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Coast iTrader: (5)	I would be interested in comparison between: HPF INTERCOOLER VSRF 7" HELIX STEP INTERCOOLER I would like to see where they differ if any between these three. __________________ E90 335i Auto, Cold Weather, & Sports Prem. Package, Navigation Mods: JB4/MHD, ACF ST, Precision T/S 6062, AD-Eng Mounts, PrecisionRaceworks STG_3+LPFP,//HPF Exhaust Titanium Tips, Custom HighLow OCC, Precision RaceWorks Coils,RACE InterCooler, Custom Meth Kit, v8Bait(Justin)Tuning
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02-14-2013, 08:57 AM	#6
F80M Major 88 Rep 1,456 Posts Drives: M Fap Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: in your rear view mirror... iTrader: (2)	Here we go again...
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02-14-2013, 10:00 AM	#10
eric@helix 210 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: 01 M Coupe, 08 135i, '12 328i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	We would be willing to lend a Helix SCI for good, fair, impartial comparative testing.
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02-14-2013, 10:32 AM	#11
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3441 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	Whats important to you? Budget? Performance? Size? Quality? It helps to know Power Goals? Climate? Street or Race? Once you figure that out the rest is easy. Nobody has put a bunch of intercoolers on a dyno on the same car on the same dyno. That being said there really isn't that much power difference in intercoolers, they all make about 20WHP on your typical bolt on car. Some will keep consistency better then others though. Contact me if you have any questions deciding.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-14-2013, 03:08 PM	#13
P Casey Captain 41 Rep 807 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	I did the AA Race intercooler. It's pretty amazing, I heard that install was a pain but actually it was very simple. I have the m sport package so the intercooler is seen easily and looks very aggressive. It's gigantic compared to the wimpy oe one.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-14-2013, 03:29 PM	#14
n54gte Lieutenant 42 Rep 537 Posts Drives: prius Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: north korea iTrader: (0)	Just get the ets 5in and be done. No trimming or mods required
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02-14-2013, 07:22 PM	#15
messi First Lieutenant 15 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i MSport Coupe 6AT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Trinidad iTrader: (1)	ER fmic is pretty decent size but requires cutting __________________ Procede rev2.5se;Er Fmic; BMW PE
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02-14-2013, 07:34 PM	#16
E90Company Major General 196 Rep 6,136 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (2)	Sounds like ETS 5" will meet your needs wel. Outstanding core.
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