[buster84]

After working with Tiago with the order of my 7.5in Race intercooler I went ahead and installed it today. I couldn’t find any photos or any install diy’s for the e90 or any 3 series. I only found an install thread related to a 135i.

Surprisingly, The install was pretty easy going and once I had the plastic cut it fit right in. As you can tell from the photos I used a jack to help remove and install the intercooler. I would jack it up, install the screws and then the intercooler pipes. The install took me about 3-4hours and I did it with no outside help. The longest part of the install was removing the bumper, wiring from the parking sensors/fog lights as well as the big metal bar in front, and reverse installing it. I used a Dremel and had the plastic cut in about 30mins time. I highly recommend anyone doing this install to use an Impact driver to speed up the install.

I forgot to take a photo of what the plastic looked like after it was cut, so instead I added a red rectangle to the precut photo to show you how much cutting is necessary to install this intercooler. Since my car has the cold weather package, and parking sensors I had a sensor that had to be relocated. I’m not sure if this sensor is on all cars, but you can in the final photo where I moved it to (red circle) and a bigger close up image after I installed it and used hot glue to keep it from moving around.

I don’t have any logs, but I’ll try to get a few after I take it for a drive this weekend. I’ll look through some logs I took recently and upload those for comparisons from the 7in (non hd) version of the intercooler. Although this isnt a DIY writeup, hopefully this helps someone who's on the fence about deciding which intercooler to choose 7in vs 7.5in race. The install requires more work and the amount of plastic needed to cut is more, but if you have upgraded turbos I'd definitly recommend the race intercooler over the 7in.

Edit: Forgot to update the post with logs, but here is my most recent one. IATS started at 98, and dropped to 96 at 28psi on my GC turbos.

https://datazap.me/u/buster84/e75-lo...0&data=1-4-5-6

[FEDE/E92]

Nice!!!! Any pics of the couplers and extra pipe supplied?

[buster84]

Originally Posted by FEDE/E92

Nice!!!! Any pics of the couplers and extra pipe supplied?

I didn't take any pictures of the couplers since I just reused the couplers from the 7in. Crap, am I missing something, a pipe? I guess that explains why I had 6 couplers i just thought I was given two extra on accident.

I guess I didn't notice or realize something was even missing since I have vargas silicone inlets and outlets.

Edit: Nevermind, i guess i didnt realize it came with up and i almost threw it out! Found is stuck in the top foam of the box.

Heres a few pics of the outlets and one picture of the lower charge pipe that I reused from the 7in.

[buster84]

2nd photo. For some reason it was uploading sideways so im trying to upload it this way.

Edit: still uploading sideways. This is strange, i guess e90post decids the direction and i cant change it.

[FastHP 335]

The lower jpipe looks like 2.5".thought all race intercooler come with 3" jpipe

[buster84]

Originally Posted by FastHP 335

The lower jpipe looks like 2.5".thought all race intercooler come with 3" jpipe

If it did I sold it with my 7in last night to a forum member who was waiting for me to remove my 7in and came as soon as i got it out. Oh well, to me it looked the same so I didn't bother installing it. This is one reason why manufactures need to include an instruction manual with a parts list since i didn't use my computer during the Install. It also doesn't help that they didn't list the charge pipe size on there website for the 7in so I just assumed it was the same. I guess I'm leaving it as is since it's already gone.

[FEDE/E92]

Originally Posted by FastHP 335

The lower jpipe looks like 2.5".thought all race intercooler come with 3" jpipe

You are right, honestly power wise don’t think you will see any difference

[buster84]

Originally Posted by FEDE/E92

You are right, honestly power wise don’t think you will see any difference

Yeah, looks like its too late now. Wished i had known this, i just assumed it was the same since the website said 3in on race, but nothing about the size on the 7in which i already had installed. I just assumed they were the same since they looked the same. Here is a photo of the pipe that came with the 7.5 race intercooler; It lookes like it decreases to 2.5 anyways so i doubt it'll be any different anyways since it'll still have that 2.5 bottle neck no matter what. Everything in this photo is all that the race intercooler came with.

[N52 Moistenor]

any reviews or comments you can make on the intercooler? this is a great upgrade for your turbo guys.

I wouldve replaced the radiator or at least degreased it while you're in there. lots of stone dents in the radiator fins and it looks pretty dirty. I am sure that is hurting temps as well.

[FEDE/E92]

Just got my race intercooler, my pipe is 3” all the way

[langsbr]

Yes, if you get the lower charge pipe, it is a full 3IN. I know Tiago recommends this intercooler for upgraded turbos, but i would recommend this as the ONLY intercooler to mess with. IATs stay in check with this, and keeping the IATs down is critical to making power.

buster - is your ambient sensor touching the intercooler? Hard to tell in that picture.

[buster84]

Originally Posted by langsbr

Yes, if you get the lower charge pipe, it is a full 3IN. I know Tiago recommends this intercooler for upgraded turbos, but i would recommend this as the ONLY intercooler to mess with. IATs stay in check with this, and keeping the IATs down is critical to making power.

buster - is your ambient sensor touching the intercooler? Hard to tell in that picture.

Strange my pipe wasnt a full 3" it was a 3" to 2.5 or 2 hard to tell since i gave it away with my 7in intercooler. I'm guessing that i got sent the wrong size which is why i didnt see a reason to change it out.

As for the sensor its about 1-2mm away from it. Not directly touching. I wasnt sure what that sensor was for lol, just relocated it because i had to.

[Quick335XI]

Nice! I have the same one on mine XI and kudos on getting AWD!