[Faredo]

Initially:
I was torn between another popular 7" and CTST's according to many unreliable sources these intercoolers are identical. While this is up for debate I can tell you that as far as 7 inchers go they are extraordinarily similar.

Contact:
I may be of a dying generation but I prefer to deal with vendors on the phone. Ive had a hard time speaking to anyone at CTS Turbo, but once I started dealing directly by email communication was good, timely and very friendly. this may be no issue at all for the 30's and younger snapface twitterspace crowd. :

Shipping:
Considering The box came from Canada I was surprised by the speed in which I received my order. I was also surprised by the box size. Its entirely too big. I imagine they would save enormously if they could package this into a smaller box. It will not fit in a e92 trunk and barely in the front seat with the seat all the way back (I had to bring it home from my workplace). Not a big deal but worth noting if you need to move it after FedEx drops it off.

Install:
This is a direct quote from the webpage.

"Note: If you're interested in maintaining the sleeper look, rest assured this kit is a snap to install and no bumper trimming is required at all."

I already knew this was not correct. So keep in mind, you will NOT fit an intercooler of these dimensions in your e9X without trimming. This should probably be edited on their website to avoid confusion.
As far as install it was nearly as straight forward as the other 7" except the 90* silicone elbow needed to be trimmed an inch on the big side. This may be revised or changed at some point so dont go cutting anything up without test fitting. There are also no tabs for your fan shroud to slide into.
I would also like to see longer screw provided for the two IC mounts. I havent seen anyone else provided these, nor any costumers complain about it so this may just be personal preference. I used inch longer screws to both make up for the difference in thickness of the mounts and the added weight of the CTS Turbo intercooler.

Overall, Yes I would buy another. with retail being around $380 WITH the upgraded lower CP, descent welds solid end tanks I feel like I made a solid purchase. this is power I can feel and I have a pretty numb butt dyno.

Logs? sure, maybe this weekend, but im pretty sure they will be comparable to other manufactures... or not?

[b1mmr]

In for results good work sir!

[dt20011]

Stupid question time guys...

So this would be a viable option over the 7.5" VRSF offering?

[Faredo]

Two different animals.

[terryd5150]

Originally Posted by Faredo

Initially:
I was torn between another popular 7" and CTST's according to many unreliable sources these intercoolers are identical. While this is up for debate I can tell you that as far as 7 inchers go they are extraordinarily similar.

Contact:
I may be of a dying generation but I prefer to deal with vendors on the phone. Ive had a hard time speaking to anyone at CTS Turbo, but once I started dealing directly by email communication was good, timely and very friendly. this may be no issue at all for the 30's and younger snapface twitterplace crowd. :

Shipping:
Considering The box came from Canada I was surprised by the speed in which I received my order. I was however surprised by the box size. Its entirely too big. I imagine they would save enormously if they could package this into a smaller box. It will not fit in a e92 trunk and barely in the front seat with the seat all the way back (I had to bring it home from my workplace). Not a big deal but worth noting if you need to move it after FedEx drops it off.

Install:
This is a direct quote from the webpage.

I already knew this was not correct. So keep in mind, you will NOT fit an intercooler of these dimensions in your e9X without trimming. This should probably be edited on their website to avoid confusion.
As far as install it was nearly as straight forward as the other 7" except the 90* silicone elbow needed to be trimmed an inch on the big side. This may be revised or changed at some point so dont go cutting anything up without test fitting. There are also no tabs for your fan shroud to slide into.
I would also like to see longer screw provided for the two IC mounts. I havent seen anyone else provided these, nor any costumers complain about it so this may just be personal preference. I used inch longer screws to both make up for the difference in thickness of the mounts and the added weight of the CTS Turbo intercooler.

Overall, Yes I would buy another. with retail being around $380 WITH the upgraded lower CP, descent welds solid end tanks I feel like I made a solid purchase. this is power I can feel and I have a pretty numb butt dyno.

Logs? sure, maybe this weekend, but im pretty sure they will be comparable to other manufactures... or not?

Front splitter looks pretty good.

Where'd you get it?

Was it pre-painted?

[Meatos]

Originally Posted by terryd5150

Front splitter looks pretty good.

Where'd you get it?

Was it pre-painted?

That is the stock m-sport lip. Mounted on the factory

[terryd5150]

Originally Posted by Meatos

That is the stock m-sport lip. Mounted on the factory

Well that explains the quality fitment & color. Lol.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Faredo]

wouldnt you know it.... I set out this morning to get logs and im getting a misfire in 6. In any case. Here is the best log I can get you guys at the moment. 3rd gear pull after 2 prior pulls. ambient temp 83*

http://www.datazap.me/u/massius/log-...0&data=3-15-23

[Meatos]

Originally Posted by Faredo

wouldnt you know it.... I set out this morning to get logs and im getting a misfire in 6. In any case. Here is the best log I can get you guys at the moment. 3rd gear pull after 2 prior pulls. ambient temp 83*

http://www.datazap.me/u/massius/log-...0&data=3-15-23

Your afr diffs alot, not sure why but bad lambda sensors could do it and leaking injectors

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by dt20011

Stupid question time guys...

So this would be a viable option over the 7.5" VRSF offering?

This is comparable to the VRSF standard 7" seeing as how it's a direct copy of our street intercooler. The 7" HD will out perform it due to the denser fin pack and the 7.5" is twice the size.

[asquared]

I've had good success with mine as well. Had the same few quirks with install, but nothing that wasn't easily taken care of. Welds and fin condition were far better than the standard VRSF I once received. Not surprised to see this ^ guy post on every non VRSF intercooler thread that his are better. Overall, I'm very pleased with it at the moment. Need to go out and get logs sometime soon. Sure there are better intercoolers out there, but it's all relevant on your goals and budget. For the money, definitely a good buy in my opinion. My temps are usually 15-20* above ambient in a mix of city and highway driving.

What are you guys doing to secure the bottom of the radiator fan?

[Faredo]

nothing, its pretty snug in there

[asquared]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

What are you guys doing to secure the bottom of the radiator fan?

I got two small L brackets from Home Depot and put them on with JB weld. Worked perfectly

[Cabdriver]

Thanks for the share, great pics. Question, how did the outlets attach? Are you running outlets?

Did it come with any special outlet connectors?

[Faredo]

Running stock outlet. You take off the oem connector and use theirs. If your running aftermarket it would be the same scenario

[Cabdriver]

So I will be adding the vrsf silicone outlets, the connector that that comes with the IC looks like silicone, so does it come with a pipe to bridge the two silicone pieces?

[Faredo]

I'm not positive. But the vrsf silicone outlet may just slip onto the ic. I would research this.

[Tiago@VRSF]

It won't.

[badblackcoupe]

It looks like an unbranded version of what on3 sells, which is a wannabe vrsf 7"

[Faredo]

4th gear pull, ambient temp 85*

http://www.datazap.me/u/massius/log-...16-17-23-29-30

[Bimmer 808]

Originally Posted by Faredo

4th gear pull, ambient temp 85*

http://www.datazap.me/u/massius/log-...16-17-23-29-30

log a 1/2 mile event then report back. nothing meaningful from single gear pulls.