[Bimmer Barney]

Mine arrived today from TGS without the support brackets. Every picture and writeup I've seen has them, but TGS advised they are not necessary.

Who has the right answer?

[Bimmer Barney]

From the VRSF website:
"...an additional set of mounting brackets for extra support. "

From the TGS website:
"...and an additional set of mounting brackets for extra support. "

For the size of the thing, it makes no sense to go without brackets.

[135Pats]

Lol ill check this weekend, but i dont thinkine has ever had those. Just the connection to the charge piping And the support screws.

[JC335xi]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney

From the VRSF website:
"...an additional set of mounting brackets for extra support. "

From the TGS website:
"...and an additional set of mounting brackets for extra support. "

For the size of the thing, it makes no sense to go without brackets.

I seem to recall a post from Tiago stating that they stopped including the supports in favor of longer screws.

[SfValley335i]

its not a big deal, just goto a metal shop or Home Depot... The bracket is 6 or 7 inches long. Shouldnt cost more than $10

only vrsf and HPF used this bracket, all other FMIC dont.

[Bimmer Barney]

Originally Posted by SfValley335i

its not a big deal, just goto a metal shop or Home Depot... The bracket is 6 or 7 inches long. Shouldnt cost more than $10

only vrsf and HPF used this bracket, all other FMIC dont.

Yeah that's what I'm going to do. My disappointment lays in that my expectation was that brackets were included. I tend to over-engineer things, so the bracketry for a much larger and much heavier intercooler are important to me. Also, recent purchasers have confirmed they received brackets.

The product description is a misleading and I've offered to just eat my time making the brackets and just have TGS or VRSF reimburse me the materials cost.

[FirstBMWLA]

Sure if you contacted tiago @ VRSF he'd hook you up.
He's a top notch dude.

[davidwarren]

I emailed him about this when I got mine a few weeks ago. They stopped using the brackets in favor of the larger screws. I installed mine and it is fine.

[robbiss7]

I installed the VRSF FMIC last week and the larger screws were fine to support it. The FMIC stayed in place once it slipped past the underside of the bumper.

[Bimmer Barney]

Originally Posted by FirstBMWLA

Sure if you contacted tiago @ VRSF he'd hook you up.
He's a top notch dude.

I did and just waiting to hear. Glad I'm not missing brackets but still disappointed I was mislead albeit unintentionally.

[psmitty95]

It's not necessary. mine is also installed without the brackets like a few others

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Just an update. The brackets were part of an older revision. The new revision does not have brackets. Happy modding!

[Bimmer Barney]

Got it installed without issue using the screws only and Tiago will be updated the product description to reflect the update. Thanks!

[Wedge1967]

I don't know how much the VRSF FMIC weighs, but I have the 7" HPF and I honestly wouldn't trust running that FMIC without the support struts. Thing is a beast and I can only imagine what would happen if I hit a really large bump without them. But I could be wrong and longer screws could be the answer. Good luck.

[napeHbNYC]

I was just thinking posting this same question. I have 7" VRSF fmic which came without brackets as well. While the screws are longer, they still go into plastic and the weight is very significant compared to OEM. Yes, it helps that clamps take some of the support on them but I can't help but think that some day I will hit a pothole or something and the fmic will give up or rather what its held by.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

With all due respect if you are in doubt of the integrity of installation of the VRSF FMIC there are other Intercoolers available. This is how VRSF produces their new units. I'll let them comment further if they want but they've sold 100's of these and it appears to be functioning very well as is.

If you are hitting pot holes large enough to hit your FMIC I think you will also run into bigger problems like denting your oil pan or even worse removing it.

[napeHbNYC]

Lol not in any way bashing the quality and was not talking about hitting the intercooler but hitting a bump in general that will stress/shake the car. I was only thinking outloud(English is my second language so I get the benefit of not precisely expressed opinion )

[nitehawk]

even the Helix fmic doesnt have those brackets....and it weighs 27 lbs...food for thought...

[napeHbNYC]

Plus intercooler comes pre drilled/threaded for the brackets, so if you read my first post I only asked if we need them or not pretty much. You know, like a character in the movie-everybody is always shown for a reason and will pop up sooner or later anyway

[tennis_pr0]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

even the Helix fmic doesnt have those brackets....and it weighs 27 lbs...food for thought...

When I was installing my vrsf fmic I was a little worried with this but it seems most do not come with brackets. I just looked at the cobb one out of curiosity and that does not come with brackets either. So I think we are safe with just the screws.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

even the Helix fmic doesnt have those brackets....and it weighs 27 lbs...food for thought...

Bingo

[Tiago@VRSF]

Our test car ran with this same bracket-less setup for over 1.5 years without an issue