[sirdaft1]

Just installed the 7" version on my pre-lci sedan. Everything lines up perfectly, but I'm noticing quite a large gap above the FMIC when looking thru the front bumper/grill. Is this normal?

[Jnat]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Just installed the 7" version on my pre-lci sedan. Everything lines up perfectly, but I'm noticing quite a large gap above the FMIC when looking thru the front bumper/grill. Is this normal?

Let us know about performance!

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by JNAT*

Let us know about performance!

Performance is PHENOMENAL.

Not much difference downlow. But up top and after multi gear WOT pulls on the highway.... Holy freaking ****! No flatlining from heatsoak... It pulls like a freight train! Dare I say that for the first time I legitimately felt an ounce of fear while driving it! Thank you VRSF :-)

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

Looks nice, love it really shows up in the front end.

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Just installed the 7" version on my pre-lci sedan. Everything lines up perfectly, but I'm noticing quite a large gap above the FMIC when looking thru the front bumper/grill. Is this normal?

Yeah, it is more prominent on e90 bumpers for some reason, but it is a tight fit. But as long as you managed to put in the two retaining screws, it should be fine.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by wiskerbisskit

Very nice! I want a 5'' intercooler, heard the 7'' actually loses boost.

Originally Posted by JNAT*

That's my question, does the 7 inch with stock turbo's rob performance?

While it's true the 7" has a higher pressure loss across the core than the 5" stepped, it's .2 PSI higher than the restrictive OEM intercooler's pressure loss. This is barely noticeable on paper and isn't noticeable while driving. The benefits of the dramatically cooler air out weight the extra .2 PSI pressure loss.

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Just installed the 7" version on my pre-lci sedan. Everything lines up perfectly, but I'm noticing quite a large gap above the FMIC when looking thru the front bumper/grill. Is this normal?

Generally if there's a gap it is due to the removal of the OEM weatherstripping that goes above the intercooler. Sometimes this gap is caused by connecting/installing the couplers/clamps before fully securing the intercooler to the mounting brackets as well. You also need to make sure the two fan supports fit completely into the intercooler's tabs. If they don't fit the whole way down you can use a small flathead to open the tabs.

[3000GT MR]

If your picky like me, I shaved down the plastic where the ic mounts about a 1/4" to allow the ic to sit higher. It exposes another bar or so.

[007_e350]

By far the best mod for E90 - Esp if you have Cobb, you can switch up the map .. my cars loving fall weather here, IATs this morning were in the 60s lol

[chepy24]

Originally Posted by 007_e350

By far the best mod for E90 - Esp if you have Cobb, you can switch up the map .. my cars loving fall weather here, IATs this morning were in the 60s lol

mine were in the 30's hahahaha

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by 3000GT MR

If your picky like me, I shaved down the plastic where the ic mounts about a 1/4" to allow the ic to sit higher. It exposes another bar or so.

Ahhhh not a bad idea. May help a little bit with the gap.

[3000GT MR]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Ahhhh not a bad idea. May help a little bit with the gap.

Forgot to mention, you also need to trim the rad fan tits that go into ic

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by 3000GT MR

Forgot to mention, you also need to trim the rad fan tits that go into ic

Huh?

[3000GT MR]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Huh?

The tabs at the bottom of the radiator fan shroud that go into the L - brackets on the bottom of the IC. You need to trim them a bit if you raise the IC. Of course if you are just installing the IC like normal there is no need for this

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by 3000GT MR

The tabs at the bottom of the radiator fan shroud that go into the L - brackets on the bottom of the IC. You need to trim them a bit if you raise the IC. Of course if you are just installing the IC like normal there is no need for this

Gotcha, I know exactly what you're talking about. Thanks!

[MORTON]

Looking forward to installing this weekend. Currently have stock FB but that M FB has me thinking hahaha

[924er]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

While it's true the 7" has a higher pressure loss across the core than the 5" stepped, it's .2 PSI higher than the restrictive OEM intercooler's pressure loss. This is barely noticeable on paper and isn't noticeable while driving. The benefits of the dramatically cooler air out weight the extra .2 PSI pressure loss.

Generally if there's a gap it is due to the removal of the OEM weatherstripping that goes above the intercooler. Sometimes this gap is caused by connecting/installing the couplers/clamps before fully securing the intercooler to the mounting brackets as well. You also need to make sure the two fan supports fit completely into the intercooler's tabs. If they don't fit the whole way down you can use a small flathead to open the tabs.

I have the old 5in intercooler and I'm full bolt on running 20%e85 mix. I don't do any tracking just occasional pulls on the street. Is the 5in stepped core worth the upgrade ?

[Sgop335]

5" is a good choice. Stepped probably looks better and has no gap. Cant imagine a perf imp.

[MORTON]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

5" is a good choice. Stepped probably looks better and has no gap. Cant imagine a perf imp.

I got the 7" because the temps here rise above 100 in the summer at times so I figured why not, plus they were the same price anyways..

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by MORTON

I got the 7" because the temps here rise above 100 in the summer at times so I figured why not, plus they were the same price anyways..

7 is cool ( no pun intended) and esp if you have big hp plans. 7 also will cool better than 5, more surface area. Issue is volume. Im guessing you are stock now and no tune? In which case, you will notice turbo lag, becuase of the additional volume. If you have a 3 inch cp, that will compund this issue.

Sorry not saying its a bad choice or anything, just things you may notice. I have a 7 inch for crying out loud came withe car. Considering i have no plans to tune, i would have preferred a 5.

[MORTON]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

7 is cool ( no pun intended) and esp if you have big hp plans. 7 also will cool better than 5, more surface area. Issue is volume. Im guessing you are stock now and no tune? In which case, you will notice turbo lag, becuase of the additional volume. If you have a 3 inch cp, that will compund this issue.

Sorry not saying its a bad choice or anything, just things you may notice. I have a 7 inch for crying out loud came withe car. Considering i have no plans to tune, i would have preferred a 5.

I have JB4 You can buy my stock FMIC once I take it off then lol

[Sgop335]

Hahaha they are all better than stock tho

An after market 5 or stepped 5, worth considering a trade

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by 924er

I have the old 5in intercooler and I'm full bolt on running 20%e85 mix. I don't do any tracking just occasional pulls on the street. Is the 5in stepped core worth the upgrade ?

Originally Posted by Sgop335

5" is a good choice. Stepped probably looks better and has no gap. Cant imagine a perf imp.

The stepped unit actually does offer a noticable cooling difference vs the regular 5" we offered in the past. Any increase in surface area will help reduce intake temps. Now whether or not that reduction is worth it to you if you're just doing a few occasional pulls is subjective

Originally Posted by Sgop335

7 is cool ( no pun intended) and esp if you have big hp plans. 7 also will cool better than 5, more surface area. Issue is volume. Im guessing you are stock now and no tune? In which case, you will notice turbo lag, becuase of the additional volume. If you have a 3 inch cp, that will compund this issue.

Sorry not saying its a bad choice or anything, just things you may notice. I have a 7 inch for crying out loud came withe car. Considering i have no plans to tune, i would have preferred a 5.

There is no noticeable lag when going from the stock 5" to the 7", the difference is within 50-60rpms on paper and not noticeable while driving

I always recommend going with the largest intercooler that fits your requirements. Anyone going FBO will benefit from a 7", stock turbos, upgraded twins or single.