[WatchWolf34]

ETS makes an awesome 5" - I love it.

[Jeef]

yeah try out CSF, Wagner or other brands for 5". If on budget go with Vrsf.

The Wagner Evo 3 comp intercooler looks like it performs well and it's lighter weight than others due to material used.

If you want to spend a lot of money... there is a huge intercooler that requires more cutting than 7.5 inch and PS cooler relocation.

[Rc Pete]

I run a 5" when its 50 outside temps are 20-25 over ambient. Will get worse when its warmer im going for a 7.5'

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by WatchWolf34

ETS makes an awesome 5" - I love it.

I had ETS in my car, it's a great intercooler. That being said its an old design now, better options are available

[pietje]

Get the biggest one you can afford. Just stay away from VRSF. Horrible company.

Get the phoenix from BMS or the 7" or 7.5" from AliExpress.

[Silent9n54]

Originally Posted by pietje

Get the biggest one you can afford. Just stay away from VRSF. Horrible company.

Get the phoenix from BMS or the 7" or 7.5" from AliExpress.

great informative first post

how is aliexpress doing these days ?

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by pietje

Get the biggest one you can afford. Just stay away from VRSF. Horrible company.

Get the phoenix from BMS or the 7" or 7.5" from AliExpress.

Let me guess....you may or may not be associates with AliExpress?

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by pietje

Get the biggest one you can afford. Just stay away from VRSF. Horrible company.

Get the phoenix from BMS or the 7" or 7.5" from AliExpress.

Hmm 1st and only post on the forum and you are advocating a knock off brand on aliexpress and insulting two well known vendors.

My VRSF 7.5 race works fine, pretty hard to fuck up an IC.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I had ETS in my car, it's a great intercooler. That being said its an old design now, better options are available

Such as? I've had an ETS since they first came out for these cars.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Such as? I've had an ETS since they first came out for these cars.

I dont want to hijack this thread and turn it to a brand war but you now have more efficient designs (stepped core), higher density fins and tube and fin intercoolers.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I dont want to hijack this thread and turn it to a brand war but you now have more efficient designs (stepped core), higher density fins and tube and fin intercoolers.

A stepped core sits in front of the lower portion of the radiator, no?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

A stepped core sits in front of the lower portion of the radiator, no?

It covers more area yes, with everything being equal datalogs show stepped core designs will outperform a single core in terms of IAT control

[cvc 22349a]

^ Something to consider for cars with an auto trans as the lower portion of the radiator provides cooling for the trans heat exchanger. I wouldn't want to block that with a hotter air from a stepped fmic.

[pietje]

Originally Posted by pietje

Get the biggest one you can afford. Just stay away from VRSF. Horrible company.

Get the phoenix from BMS or the 7" or 7.5" from AliExpress.

To add; Don't use this forum for any kind of recommendations on what to buy.
This forum is "sponsored" by several vendors to sell thier crap.
The reactions to my post says enough...

This sponsored element has the effect that people get paid to put good reviews out there and any negativity about these brands is deleted instantly and users banned. This forum has just become a big scam really.

95% of the N54 scene has left this forum a long time ago. Try visiting the UK/European forums and read upon our experience with all kinds of parts non-US. We run reliable 600whp+ cars with smartly chosen parts costing us just a couple grand.
Chinese parts have become so perfect (ly copied) over the years, most parts surpass the propagandized brands in both quality and price.
No that most of these E90post vendor parts aren't Chinese.. Most of them are. They just resell and want to make a dime from you.

[Jeef]

links to UK forums?

what intercooler(s) do you run?

Instead of talking down on companies and products, why not suggest some quality ones so we can try to sway people in that direction?

Most people don't know any better. VRSF/overseas copies flood the bolt on market for a reason. Best bang for the buck kind of product.

[fortywater]

Seems like you answered your own question OP. You said you don't want to cut the bumper or have to modify anything, and plenty of people have confirmed that a 5" will be just fine for what you are needing. Go with the 5!

[type-dRew]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

^ Something to consider for cars with an auto trans as the lower portion of the radiator provides cooling for the trans heat exchanger. I wouldn't want to block that with a hotter air from a stepped fmic.

no ill affects on my auto car with a large psp stepped core covering the bottom portion

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

^ Something to consider for cars with an auto trans as the lower portion of the radiator provides cooling for the trans heat exchanger. I wouldn't want to block that with a hotter air from a stepped fmic.

Originally Posted by type-dRew

no ill affects on my auto car with a large psp stepped core covering the bottom portion

data is clear. Whether you have an auto or manual, the stepped core is superior.

If you have data that shows otherwise, please share it

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

data is clear. Whether you have an auto or manual, the stepped core is superior.

If you have data that shows otherwise, please share it

No data or dispute. My concern is heating the lower portion of my radiator dedicated to auto trans cooling with hotter air through the stepped fmic. No idea if there's data addressing this concern.