Active Autowerke vs. Helix Intercooler

ncsof18c · 10-23-2009, 11:39 AM

What are your thoughts?

I'm intrigued about AA's ram design to push the air into the intercooler.

I searched for more info, but I'm in Afghanistan and my internet sucks so it takes forever to load pages. Sorry in advance if this topic has already been addressed.

ToadHollow · 10-23-2009, 11:49 AM

I know that the AA requires lots of cutting/trimming to fit because of it's design.

I happen to have the Helix installed. It required trimming of less than 3 square inches & has a huge front face (stepped). The price difference for virtually the same performance made my choice very easy.

Helix FTW.

Craig@SupremePower · 10-23-2009, 02:35 PM

Very happy with my Helix unit, no experience with the AA but it looks like a nice piece as well...

Jonny550 · 10-23-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig@SupremePower

Very happy with my Helix unit, no experience with the AA but it looks like a nice piece as well...

+1

ar design · 10-23-2009, 02:56 PM

We carry and have installed the Helix, definitively a nice piece!

SV Concepts · 10-23-2009, 03:20 PM

AA does require more cutting, that is true. The ones we've sold we have heard great things about though. (Not sure about HELIX, we don't carry it currently)

Ferre86 · 10-23-2009, 03:43 PM

my friend installed AA intercooler for me i know that it required some cutting it took long time to install that piece. it looks huge but cant experince if its any diffrient then original equipment

Hunter399 · 10-23-2009, 04:05 PM

I have the AA intercooler and am very happy with it.

JoosyJoos · 10-23-2009, 04:41 PM

Very happy with my AA unit. The cutting is very simple. You just cut out a piece of plastic shroud. Its nothing too bad.

Fern8321 · 10-23-2009, 09:48 PM

from what ive read the AA seems to be a better unit, its bigger and seems to have a better deisgn then the helix..i'll be purchasing the AA intercooler within the next few days

ToadHollow · 10-23-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nando

from what ive read the AA seems to be a better unit, its bigger and seems to have a better deisgn then the helix..i'll be purchasing the AA intercooler within the next few days

Seriously?

They're both great performers, no doubt. From what I have seen the performance gains are nearly identical. Helix has shown a peak gain of 26 rwhp (according to graphs posted within the first Helix GB). The AA is close, but had it been better I probably would have gone with it.

It comes down to ease of install & price. Helix covered both of those bases.

I'd like to see what information you found that you would post the above comment.

Sniz · 10-23-2009, 09:58 PM

Im a big +1 for the Helix unit. I had the 1st unit they sold for the n54 and it worked great from day 1. I've installed many of the Helix units and friend/car club members cars and they all fit just fine. You may need to finesse and know which parts to manipulate but you can get them up there without fitting, but it is damned tight. I had to shave probably a 1/4" to a 1/2" of one lip but thats really not much and if done with the right tools will pretty much look OEM.

Craig@SupremePower · 10-23-2009, 10:03 PM

+1 ...i haven't seen any info to support that statement!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToadHollow

Seriously?

They're both great performers, no doubt. From what I have seen the performaance gains are nearly identical. Helix has shown a peak gain of 26 rwhp (according to graphs posted within the first Helix GB). The AA is close, but had it been better I probably would have gone with it.

It comes down to ease of install & price. Helix covered both of those bases.

I'd like to see what information you found that you would post the above comment.

cgeorge · 10-23-2009, 10:23 PM

I have the AA and Im happy with it.

Jerseystyle1 · 10-24-2009, 08:10 AM

No thoughts on the STETT?

marcel b · 10-24-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToadHollow

Helix has shown a peak gain of 26 rwhp (

is this with a remap as well? I am asking this as I do not want to remap and am wondering how much I gain if I buy the Helix. I currently have the Powerkit installed and a bit more HP I do not mind, but like I said, without remapping.
How many HP are reasonable to expect?

Thanks

ar design · 10-24-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToadHollow

Seriously?

They're both great performers, no doubt. From what I have seen the performance gains are nearly identical. Helix has shown a peak gain of 26 rwhp (according to graphs posted within the first Helix GB). The AA is close, but had it been better I probably would have gone with it.

It comes down to ease of install & price. Helix covered both of those bases.

I'd like to see what information you found that you would post the above comment.

x2

ToadHollow · 10-24-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcel b

is this with a remap as well? I am asking this as I do not want to remap and am wondering how much I gain if I buy the Helix. I currently have the Powerkit installed and a bit more HP I do not mind, but like I said, without remapping.
How many HP are reasonable to expect?

Thanks

I believe the car used with the Helix did have a remap although I don't remember which. The below is a remapped car they used. ........ others have had greater gains with different tunes.

Not sure if this helps to answer your question. Taken from the first page of the Helix GB thread:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=Helix

Helix intercooler at 13.5psi 63 degree ambient temps:
372whp +22whp
turbo outlet temperature 228 degrees F(estimated using a 63 degree ambient and 65% compressor efficiency at 13.5 psi)
AIT temp- 75 degrees F - 54 degree drop over stock
pre and post intercooler temp drop- 153 degrees F
Intercooler efficiency- 93% - 33% improvement in efficiency over stock
Core pressure drop spec is .5psi at 450hp(600cfm) airflow

JoosyJoos · 10-24-2009, 01:22 PM

I don't think you can go wrong with either. Do yourself a favor and take whichever one used you find first. That's the route I went...

Ghost170 · 10-24-2009, 02:42 PM

Heard great things abount AA, friend gots one and helps out the power band alot from mid to high. But I'm sure both are great FMIC, just comes down to pricing and preference.

inter1032 · 10-24-2009, 09:41 PM

have one have the spearco intercooler or the evo raceworks one?

10-23-2009, 11:39 AM	#1
ncsof18c Night Hawk 14 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Active Autowerke vs. Helix Intercooler What are your thoughts? I'm intrigued about AA's ram design to push the air into the intercooler. I searched for more info, but I'm in Afghanistan and my internet sucks so it takes forever to load pages. Sorry in advance if this topic has already been addressed.
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10-23-2009, 11:49 AM	#2
ToadHollow Once upon a time ...... 280 Rep 5,048 Posts Drives: 2008 JB E92 - SOLD 5/2010 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Asti, Italy & Austin, Texas iTrader: (16) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [8.00]	I know that the AA requires lots of cutting/trimming to fit because of it's design. I happen to have the Helix installed. It required trimming of less than 3 square inches & has a huge front face (stepped). The price difference for virtually the same performance made my choice very easy. Helix FTW. __________________
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10-23-2009, 02:35 PM	#3
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1018 Rep 74,992 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)	Very happy with my Helix unit, no experience with the AA but it looks like a nice piece as well...
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10-23-2009, 02:56 PM	#5
ar design 302 Rep 4,408 Posts Drives: 04 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (9)	We carry and have installed the Helix, definitively a nice piece! __________________ -Critter
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10-23-2009, 03:20 PM	#6
SV Concepts 392 Rep 5,835 Posts Drives: Vorsteiner E60 M5 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F. Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (10)	AA does require more cutting, that is true. The ones we've sold we have heard great things about though. (Not sure about HELIX, we don't carry it currently)
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10-23-2009, 03:43 PM	#7
Ferre86 Captain 38 Rep 944 Posts Drives: E93 M3/H2/SL350/Panamera 4/ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Turkey iTrader: (0)	my friend installed AA intercooler for me i know that it required some cutting it took long time to install that piece. it looks huge but cant experince if its any diffrient then original equipment __________________ http://www.youtube.com/user/Ferre86 \| e93 M-DCT ESS VT2-625 \| Akra Slip-on \| Challenge Race Catless x-pipe \| Challenge front lip \| Challenge Diffuser \| Carbon front grilles \| defi gauges control unit \| Macht Schnell gauge panel \| E93 M3 trunk Spoiler \| IND Carbon Fiber Side Markers \|
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10-23-2009, 04:05 PM	#8
Hunter399 Major General 336 Rep 8,088 Posts Drives: F90M5 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (33)	I have the AA intercooler and am very happy with it.
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10-23-2009, 04:41 PM	#9
JoosyJoos Major 117 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	Very happy with my AA unit. The cutting is very simple. You just cut out a piece of plastic shroud. Its nothing too bad. __________________ 1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22 2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
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10-23-2009, 09:48 PM	#10
Fern8321 Captain 32 Rep 803 Posts Drives: X5 M60i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (3)	from what ive read the AA seems to be a better unit, its bigger and seems to have a better deisgn then the helix..i'll be purchasing the AA intercooler within the next few days
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10-23-2009, 09:58 PM	#12
Sniz Lieutenant General 682 Rep 10,584 Posts Drives: e92 335 - gone // e36 M3 turbo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (1)	Im a big +1 for the Helix unit. I had the 1st unit they sold for the n54 and it worked great from day 1. I've installed many of the Helix units and friend/car club members cars and they all fit just fine. You may need to finesse and know which parts to manipulate but you can get them up there without fitting, but it is damned tight. I had to shave probably a 1/4" to a 1/2" of one lip but thats really not much and if done with the right tools will pretty much look OEM. __________________
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10-23-2009, 10:23 PM	#14
cgeorge Lieutenant 6 Rep 473 Posts Drives: 09 e92 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dallas, Texas iTrader: (5)	I have the AA and Im happy with it.
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10-24-2009, 08:10 AM	#15
Jerseystyle1 Boris the Blade 17 Rep 317 Posts Drives: Montego Blue 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FT Leonard Wood, MO iTrader: (3)	No thoughts on the STETT? __________________ Allan Montego Blue 335i Sedan w/Navi/Magnetic Black NISMO 350Z #831/76' Mini 1100 "SPECIAL" Export
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10-24-2009, 01:22 PM	#19
JoosyJoos Major 117 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	I don't think you can go wrong with either. Do yourself a favor and take whichever one used you find first. That's the route I went... __________________ 1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22 2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
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10-24-2009, 02:42 PM	#20
Ghost170 Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,355 Posts Drives: VIP Sport 335! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: N CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 BMW e92 335! [6.34]	Heard great things abount AA, friend gots one and helps out the power band alot from mid to high. But I'm sure both are great FMIC, just comes down to pricing and preference. __________________ *07 E92 335!* AA AE GP HR LC M3 KW BMS BMW LUX CYBA STRI WORK HELIX MTECH LSWEEE(Wavetrac)!
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10-24-2009, 09:41 PM	#21
inter1032 Major 31 Rep 1,458 Posts Drives: 2013 m3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: boston iTrader: (0)	have one have the spearco intercooler or the evo raceworks one?
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