[WhatDoIPutHere]

Hey all,

I tried googling this before, but could not find a thread that is relatable to the situation I am in right now. I have a 2008 335i, all the bolt ons, upgraded turbos, ethanol tune, etc. Car is making well over 500hp, but I am in a dilemma. I currently have a 5' VRSF FMIC, but have been told to upgrade to 7'. Would a 7' FMIC be better than my 5" VRSF FMIC? I understand obviously 7" cools more than 5, but I'm not familiar with the product/brand and have a hard time justifying it since it is on the cheaper side. Anyone know anything about ARM's product?

Thanks for your input!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by WhatDoIPutHere

Hey all,

I tried googling this before, but could not find a thread that is relatable to the situation I am in right now. I have a 2008 335i, all the bolt ons, upgraded turbos, ethanol tune, etc. Car is making well over 500hp, but I am in a dilemma. I currently have a 5' VRSF FMIC, but have been told to upgrade to 7'. Would a 7' FMIC be better than my 5" VRSF FMIC? I understand obviously 7" cools more than 5, but I'm not familiar with the product/brand and have a hard time justifying it since it is on the cheaper side. Anyone know anything about ARM's product?

Thanks for your input!

It really depends. You know a lot of this forum has got away from the basics.

Have you any datalogs? How are your intake air temperatures?

You should run a 3rd gear pull WOT from about 2500 RPM to 6000RPM. After that you can get an idea on how your FMIC is performing. If you want an upgrade it won't be ARM. You'll want at least VRSF new 7"HD.

[Fuel-It!]

+1 datalogs are really required to see if you're heat soaking or not with the smaller intercooler.

[WhatDoIPutHere]

https://datazap.me/u/louisdh/log?log=0&data=3-23

Pump 91

Whether I'm suffering from heat soak or not, I wanted to know if the 7' ARM FMIC performs better than the 5' VRSF FMIC. I'll upload an ethanol log shortly


I misread the first response I got. So if the 5' isn't good enough I should just go with VRSF instead of ARM is what I'm hearing

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by WhatDoIPutHere

https://datazap.me/u/louisdh/log?log=0&data=3-23

Pump 91

Whether I'm suffering from heat soak or not, I wanted to know if the 7' ARM FMIC performs better than the 5' VRSF FMIC. I'll upload an ethanol log shortly


I misread the first response I got. So if the 5' isn't good enough I should just go with VRSF instead of ARM is what I'm hearing

VRSF race 7.5 inch and call it a day.

[E92-Ghandi]

I made a mistake going from Forge 5" to ARM 7", go VRSF.
I will be changing to the VRSF HD soon.

[type-dRew]

Vote for PSP 750ic here. You won't ever heat soak this thing and its beautifully made. Plus the sale and free shipping make it stupid cheap for the quality and fitment.

Full third gear, into 4th after being driven for about 2 hours around town in 50 degree weather.

https://datazap.me/u/typedrew/log-15...data=3-4-14-21

[tisdrew]

Originally Posted by WhatDoIPutHere

https://datazap.me/u/louisdh/log?log=0&data=3-23

Pump 91

Whether I'm suffering from heat soak or not, I wanted to know if the 7' ARM FMIC performs better than the 5' VRSF FMIC. I'll upload an ethanol log shortly


I misread the first response I got. So if the 5' isn't good enough I should just go with VRSF instead of ARM is what I'm hearing

In your third gear pull, you went from 90 to 126, a rise of 36. If you go into fouth you'll easily be north of 130 or potentially 140 and your engine might pull timing if it's too much hot air.

[335e92tx]

Originally Posted by WhatDoIPutHere

https://datazap.me/u/louisdh/log?log=0&data=3-23

Pump 91

Whether I'm suffering from heat soak or not, I wanted to know if the 7' ARM FMIC performs better than the 5' VRSF FMIC. I'll upload an ethanol log shortly


I misread the first response I got. So if the 5' isn't good enough I should just go with VRSF instead of ARM is what I'm hearing

yes.

I have my doubts your making 500 on 91. Yes you have 19psi but only 2 degrees of advance. But start with lower air temps.

Prob closer to 450ish on pump. maybe a closer to that number on corn.

Originally Posted by tisdrew

In your third gear pull, you went from 90 to 126, a rise of 36. If you go into fouth you'll easily be north of 130 or potentially 140 and your engine might pull timing if it's too much hot air.

They showed up at 6200 in 3rd (in a period of 8 secs.) .. 2 degree retards -

[WhatDoIPutHere]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

I have my doubts your making 500 on 91. Yes you have 19psi but only 2 degrees of advance.

Prob closer to 450ish

Sorry I should've clarified. On E50 I made 530whp, I have yet to dyno the 91. I know for a fact I'm not over 500 on 91

[924er]

I regret getting my 5in VRSF. I tried to spare trimming plastic but ended up backfiring cuz my AITs get pretty hot. Beats a stock IC but still....

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by WhatDoIPutHere

https://datazap.me/u/louisdh/log?log=0&data=3-23

Pump 91

Whether I'm suffering from heat soak or not, I wanted to know if the 7' ARM FMIC performs better than the 5' VRSF FMIC. I'll upload an ethanol log shortly


I misread the first response I got. So if the 5' isn't good enough I should just go with VRSF instead of ARM is what I'm hearing

Not necessarily, the ARM has a pretty weak core.

Better off with VRSF 7" HD or new 7" Stepped, the high-density core will guarantee better results. Also a lot of complaints on ARM quality/fitment.

[WhatDoIPutHere]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

VRSF race 7.5 inch and call it a day.

Would ETS 7" compare to this/be better?

[WhatDoIPutHere]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Not necessarily, the ARM has a pretty weak core.

Better off with VRSF 7" HD or new 7" Stepped, the high-density core will guarantee better results. Also a lot of complaints on ARM quality/fitment.

Got it, thanks for the advice. I just had a chance to buy a 7" one at a discount and was not sure whether it'd be a good idea or not.

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by WhatDoIPutHere

Would ETS 7" compare to this/be better?

No, the 7.5 inch will outperform the 7" ETS. The 7.5 is denser and larger. If I recall, the 7.5inch weighs around 40lbs.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

VRSF race 7.5 inch and call it a day.

This. Do it once and do it right.

[JDang]

If you've got upgraded turbos and live in an area where it gets mildly warm or hot, don't waste money and go straight with a VRSF 7.5" Race HD intercooler.

[type-dRew]

PSP 750, E40 tune, fourth gear from 2500-6200. 60 degree day.

13 degree total rise

https://datazap.me/u/typedrew/rfp-e4...0&data=3-14-22

[mike@x-ph.com]

Go with VRSF 7.5" stepped competition if you have upgraded twin turbo and 7.5" Race if you upgraded to single turbo

[WhatDoIPutHere]

Someone just sold me their ETS 7" FMIC, I believe this will be enough from what I've been told. Not going for more than a E50 mix since I want to keep my 6AT as long as possible. Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback, I appreciate it. I have some logs from tonight on E50 below if anyone wants to chime in on them.

https://datazap.me/u/louisdh/207?log=0&data=3-23

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by WhatDoIPutHere

Would ETS 7" compare to this/be better?

ETS 7" would be closely compared to VRSF 7" HD

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by WhatDoIPutHere

Someone just sold me their ETS 7" FMIC, I believe this will be enough from what I've been told. Not going for more than a E50 mix since I want to keep my 6AT as long as possible. Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback, I appreciate it. I have some logs from tonight on E50 below if anyone wants to chime in on them.

https://datazap.me/u/louisdh/207?log=0&data=3-23

I had ETS 7" on my car back in the day, it was the best intercooler on the market. But ever since then most companies upgraded their intercoolers and Wagner released their stepped core.

ETS is still a great option, but VRSF and Wagner will outperform it