VK Intercooler vs AMS Intercooler

FR33160 · 02-01-2010, 03:18 PM

Which one of these should I go with?
is this bargain vs performance case or are they pretty much equal? All I know is that the VK is 40% over stock and the AMS is 49% over stock. Dunno if I should spend the $$$ on the AMS.

cn555ic · 02-01-2010, 03:30 PM

VK unit is temporarily not being sold....I think their company has some internal issues with ownership quarrels, and they stop even producing this unit....

jpsimon · 02-01-2010, 03:34 PM

I originally got the VK, then switched over to the AMS. I decided to try the VK because it required no trimming. It performed fine and I was happy (anything is better than stock). Once the AMS unit came out I said to myself "eh who cares about trimming, those cast end tanks are too nice" Plus, the bigger fmic will support larger turbos for when I go that route.

I did a back-to-back (same tank of gas, different day) dyno comparison with the two. I never posted the results only because the testing temperatures were too different so the outcome was too misleading for most folks on the forum to understand. I did 6 back to back pulls on the dyno with pretty much no cool down. The day I tested the AMS fmic was 15+° hotter out, but by the end of the 6 pulls it made the same power as the VK did on the cooler day. So the moral of the story is, as expected the bigger core was more efficient.

here are some comparison pics:

cn555ic · 02-01-2010, 03:36 PM

Hey JP...did you sell the VK unit...If not do you want to sell it?

jpsimon · 02-01-2010, 03:37 PM

it was sold a while ago, sorry

ar design · 02-01-2010, 03:37 PM

I am a BIG fan of the AMS IC - a very well made piece.

cn555ic · 02-01-2010, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ar design

I am a BIG fan of the AMS IC - a very well made piece.

Yeah I am too, but if only they made one to fit the OEM couplers

Gen_E92 · 02-01-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Yeah I am too, but if only they made one to fit the OEM couplers

There's no way they'll do that, silicon couplers simply provided better flow (how much difference it makes is up for debate). It's also designed to work with their upcoming turbo upgrade AFAIK. The 3" connection is actually one of their selling point as well.

Just curious, what's the advantage of OEM couplers for you? Silicon couplers are slightly harder to install, but you only do it once. At the end of the day you still have to trim the shroud with HPF FMIC, so it's not direct bolt on. And I believe the stock couplers can be replaced when you want to go back to stock.

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 02-01-2010, 03:52 PM

+1 for AMS

JP: Awesome comparison pics

I love the pic with the car on jacks and the 3 intercoolers..

Mike

Dr3K0 · 02-01-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Yeah I am too, but if only they made one to fit the OEM couplers

Well, I bought the AMS cuz of the 3" connectors and of cource the endtanks. I will mate the IC to AA charge pipe which is 3" as well.

FR33160 · 02-01-2010, 04:02 PM

Thanks JPSIMON very helpful post. I think im going to go with the AMS it looks like a solid piece of work.

jpsimon · 02-01-2010, 04:08 PM

and here is what you need to trim. Someone posted the pic of how they cut their's, the red is how i cut my shroud:

jpsimon · 02-01-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

+1 for AMS

JP: Awesome comparison pics

I love the pic with the car on jacks and the 3 intercoolers..

Mike

haha yeah, everything on my car was installed with jack stands.. including the downpipes.

FR33160 · 02-01-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsimon

haha yeah, everything on my car was installed with jack stands.. including the downpipes.

Which jack stands are those? Im getting them!

cn555ic · 02-01-2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsimon

and here is what you need to trim. Someone posted the pic of how they cut their's, the red is how i cut my shroud:

I would bet it would be very similar as to the amount of trimming required as shown from your pic...JP did you also have to trim the top slats that are vertical that are in front of the center mesh? I know that part from HPF fmic needed to be trimmed also..

jpsimon · 02-01-2010, 04:14 PM

I'm not sure, they're my roomates. Just normal jack stands from an auto parts store/sears i assume

jpsimon · 02-01-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

I would bet it would be very similar as to the amount of trimming required as shown from your pic...JP did you also have to trim the top slats that are vertical that are in front of the center mesh? I know that part from HPF fmic needed to be trimmed also..

No that wasn't necessary for this

cn555ic · 02-01-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsimon

No that wasn't necessary for this

Hmmm so as for more trimming involved, we are speaking more up in the top front of the FMIC that needs to be cleared which is the vertical slats behind the center mesh..

Vince@ V K Motorwerks · 02-01-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

VK unit is temporarily not being sold....I think their company has some internal issues with ownership quarrels, and they stop even producing this unit....

That is correct. The unit is not being sold at the moment, as stated we are haveing some internal issues with ownership interest. Once that is resolved I will have plenty of units in stock and ready for delivery. AMS unit is nice, they do good work, great solution if you dont mind cutting.

Vince

turboawdfanatic · 02-01-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince@ V K Motorwerks

That is correct. The unit is not being sold at the moment, as stated we are haveing some internal issues with ownership interest. Once that is resolved I will have plenty of units in stock and ready for delivery. AMS unit is nice, they do good work, great solution if you dont mind cutting.

Vince

Any chance of implementing cast rounded end tanks? I remember reading in the group buy thread that when they are finally offered the price will be more. Not sure how much you said but I want to think 900ish+? Is that how much they will be? I don't mind paying that much....but not if they don't have rounded cast end tanks like the rest of the competition in that price range.

Zeph · 02-02-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsimon

and here is what you need to trim. Someone posted the pic of how they cut their's, the red is how i cut my shroud:

Exactly how I cut mine, I worked with rhyno ramps and used a Dremmel tool. Took me a while for the install but I am very careful and I take my time, double-checking everything. I think it took me about 4 hours including a trip to Lowe's to buy a Dremmel kit and stopping by Moe's for dinner

jpsimon · 02-02-2010, 10:33 AM

Moe's Burritos? love that place

02-01-2010, 03:18 PM	#1
FR33160 Banned 5 Rep 20 Posts Drives: S550-AW 335i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sunny Isles Beach, FL iTrader: (0)	VK Intercooler vs AMS Intercooler Which one of these should I go with? is this bargain vs performance case or are they pretty much equal? All I know is that the VK is 40% over stock and the AMS is 49% over stock. Dunno if I should spend the $$$ on the AMS.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-01-2010, 03:30 PM	#2
cn555ic 464 Rep 18,331 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: US iTrader: (6)	VK unit is temporarily not being sold....I think their company has some internal issues with ownership quarrels, and they stop even producing this unit....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2010, 03:34 PM	#3
jpsimon Team Zissou 3163 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	I originally got the VK, then switched over to the AMS. I decided to try the VK because it required no trimming. It performed fine and I was happy (anything is better than stock). Once the AMS unit came out I said to myself "eh who cares about trimming, those cast end tanks are too nice" Plus, the bigger fmic will support larger turbos for when I go that route. I did a back-to-back (same tank of gas, different day) dyno comparison with the two. I never posted the results only because the testing temperatures were too different so the outcome was too misleading for most folks on the forum to understand. I did 6 back to back pulls on the dyno with pretty much no cool down. The day I tested the AMS fmic was 15+° hotter out, but by the end of the 6 pulls it made the same power as the VK did on the cooler day. So the moral of the story is, as expected the bigger core was more efficient. here are some comparison pics:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2010, 03:36 PM	#4
cn555ic 464 Rep 18,331 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: US iTrader: (6)	Hey JP...did you sell the VK unit...If not do you want to sell it?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2010, 03:37 PM	#5
jpsimon Team Zissou 3163 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	it was sold a while ago, sorry
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2010, 03:37 PM	#6
ar design 302 Rep 4,408 Posts Drives: 04 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (9)	I am a BIG fan of the AMS IC - a very well made piece. __________________ -Critter
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2010, 03:52 PM	#9
Mike@N54Tuning.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 5044 Rep 116,174 Posts Drives: 2007 335i, 2015 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: N54tuning.com iTrader: (89)	+1 for AMS JP: Awesome comparison pics I love the pic with the car on jacks and the 3 intercoolers.. Mike
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2010, 04:02 PM	#11
FR33160 Banned 5 Rep 20 Posts Drives: S550-AW 335i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sunny Isles Beach, FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks JPSIMON very helpful post. I think im going to go with the AMS it looks like a solid piece of work.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2010, 04:08 PM	#12
jpsimon Team Zissou 3163 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	and here is what you need to trim. Someone posted the pic of how they cut their's, the red is how i cut my shroud:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2010, 04:14 PM	#16
jpsimon Team Zissou 3163 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	I'm not sure, they're my roomates. Just normal jack stands from an auto parts store/sears i assume
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2010, 10:33 AM	#22
jpsimon Team Zissou 3163 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	Moe's Burritos? love that place
	Appreciate 0 Quote