Which Intercooler?????

Romeo86 · 04-10-2012, 07:21 PM

Right, I know this is a very talked about topic but i have narrowed it down to 2 intercoolers, Active Autowerke or Dinan????

Now I would love to hear your opinions on them ideally from people that have experienced with them? Also I am still curious about the Helix and rdsport intercoolers, opinions welcome.........

Zebra99 · 04-10-2012, 07:24 PM

Active Autoworks or Helix. I could never ever condone spending that much on an intercooler especially at the price tag Dinan puts on any I their
products....

Intercooler is an intercooler. Don't get ripped off...save the extra for another mod.

Romeo86 · 04-10-2012, 07:30 PM

I do understand that but is AA/helix better then the dinan....?

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 04-10-2012, 07:30 PM

What made you chose those 2?

Or better yet, what are you looking for out of an intercooler? Interestingly enough they all do everything a little different and for a different cost.

Romeo86 · 04-10-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff@topgearsolutions

What made you chose those 2?

Or better yet, what are you looking for out of an intercooler? Interestingly enough they all do everything a little different and for a different cost.

well to be honest, both have great reviews but the only thing ppl seem to be saying to me is that the price on dinan is a bit....pricy.

What im wandering tho is if you were to take the price out of the equation, based on figures which one would be better? i.e internal flow.....also is HPF anygood?

Zebra99 · 04-10-2012, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romeo86

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff@topgearsolutions

What made you chose those 2?

Or better yet, what are you looking for out of an intercooler? Interestingly enough they all do everything a little different and for a different cost.

well to be honest, both have great reviews but the only thing ppl seem to be saying to me is that the price on dinan is a bit....pricy.

What im wandering tho is if you were to take the price out of the equation, based on figures which one would be better? i.e internal flow.....also is HPF anygood?

Dude for this you need to do research based on owner feedback. But essentially they will give you very similar cooling effects and power gains, so if that's your only concern buy one of the competitors cuz $1600 is not worth it sorry.

Some also fit better than others so that may be more important to you.

Romeo86 · 04-10-2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebra99

Dude for this you need to do research based on owner feedback. But essentially they will give you very similar cooling effects and power gains, so if that's your only concern buy one of the competitors cuz $1600 is not worth it sorry.

Some also fit better than others so that may be more important to you.

Thats not the only concern tho, i would just like the best possible intercooler for my car.

Romeo86 · 04-10-2012, 08:00 PM

Also the general idea of a good intercooler is maximizing thermal efficiency and minimizing pressure loss, right?

Coz my forge intercooler is not up to par with the others out there...Hence the change in intercooler.

marv85 · 04-10-2012, 08:05 PM

ETS 5" or 7"...

FirstBMWLA · 04-10-2012, 08:07 PM

Wait for VRSF one…

Evelyn · 04-10-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romeo86

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff@topgearsolutions

What made you chose those 2?

Or better yet, what are you looking for out of an intercooler? Interestingly enough they all do everything a little different and for a different cost.

well to be honest, both have great reviews but the only thing ppl seem to be saying to me is that the price on dinan is a bit....pricy.

What im wandering tho is if you were to take the price out of the equation, based on figures which one would be better? i.e internal flow.....also is HPF anygood?

Im running an HPF. It works wonders IAT is a lot cooler then with stock, up to 30% I believe.

Evolution Racewerks · 04-10-2012, 08:12 PM

Have you taken a look at our FMIC by any chance?

http://evolutionracewerks.com/node/50

Romeo86 · 04-10-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evelyn

Im running an HPF. It works wonders IAT is a lot cooler then with stock, up to 30% I believe.

Up to 30% better, fair enough sounds good but what about the AA or Dinan?

Romeo86 · 04-10-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evolution Racewerks

Have you taken a look at our FMIC by any chance?

http://evolutionracewerks.com/node/50

Actually i havent but it does look good especially with carbon attachment, have u got any power readings on the dyno with that....

Romeo86 · 04-10-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romeo86

Actually i havent but it does look good especially with carbon attachment, have u got any power readings on the dyno with that....

Ignore that comment just looking at the readings now....

Zebra99 · 04-10-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romeo86

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evelyn

Im running an HPF. It works wonders IAT is a lot cooler then with stock, up to 30% I believe.

Up to 30% better, fair enough sounds good but what about the AA or Dinan?

Dude in that case search is your friend. We're providing opinions and you keep refuting with concerns for efficiency compared to the Dinan. It seems like you know what you want.

Why not call some of the vendors, review what their products do and ask them your specific questions and concerns.

jdbretz · 04-10-2012, 10:02 PM

My vote goes to Helix, but most of them perform roughly the same. You should decide your price point/fitment (i.e. cutting or not to make it fit) and go from there. Dinan would be one of my last choices however. It is just a rebranded Spearco IC IIRC. If you really want that intercooler, just buy the Spearco and save yourself some money.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 04-10-2012, 10:03 PM

Honestly I'm not going to point fingers and say what is the best but for maximum performance I would look at evolution racewerks or ETS 7 inch but my decision wouldnt be limited to those.

Truth is most intercoolers available are great performers and the best ones are probably only marginally better.

I know the Dinan is a nice intercooler but I know there are cheaper alternatives that are better.

Things to look at when purchasing intercoolers are

Design of fin pack/core
Charge rows
Frontal Surface area
Install/trimming
Piping Sizes
End Tank Design

venom3469 · 04-10-2012, 10:09 PM

I like HPF but one thing I will never do is buy Dinan. Way over priced for what other competitors put out for much less...

BEAR-AvHistory · 04-10-2012, 10:13 PM

Dinan is a rebadged Spearco & middle of the pack but priced way up.

danielfastv6 · 04-10-2012, 10:14 PM

I guess it would depend on how much power you intend to push! I have the ETS 5 inch intercooler and I LOVE it great price( thanks mike@n54tuning) fits perfectly without cutting, and looks great! but I don't intend on running more then 450-500 hp, so it works for me perfectly. If you want to run alot of power then get a bigger one( i.e. ETS 7 inch )

roadkillrob · 04-10-2012, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Dinan is a rebadged Spearco & middle of the pack but priced way up.

+1 ok intercooler if it was $600, but not worth the premium for the name!

04-10-2012, 07:21 PM	#1
Romeo86 Enlisted Member 14 Rep 35 Posts Drives: bmw 335i M sport Alpine White Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: london iTrader: (0)	Which Intercooler????? Right, I know this is a very talked about topic but i have narrowed it down to 2 intercoolers, Active Autowerke or Dinan???? Now I would love to hear your opinions on them ideally from people that have experienced with them? Also I am still curious about the Helix and rdsport intercoolers, opinions welcome......... __________________ Tune Mod List: AR design downpipes, supersprint midpipes, and the BMW performance back box with custom quad pipes, Remap by evolve, Quaife LSD, Forge intercooler, Dinan Cold air intake system, Front and rear Performance BMW brake kit.
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04-10-2012, 07:24 PM	#2
Zebra99 Colonel 113 Rep 2,855 Posts Drives: 2011 335is E93 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E93 [10.00]	Active Autoworks or Helix. I could never ever condone spending that much on an intercooler especially at the price tag Dinan puts on any I their products.... Intercooler is an intercooler. Don't get ripped off...save the extra for another mod.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2012, 07:30 PM	#3
Romeo86 Enlisted Member 14 Rep 35 Posts Drives: bmw 335i M sport Alpine White Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: london iTrader: (0)	I do understand that but is AA/helix better then the dinan....? __________________ Tune Mod List: AR design downpipes, supersprint midpipes, and the BMW performance back box with custom quad pipes, Remap by evolve, Quaife LSD, Forge intercooler, Dinan Cold air intake system, Front and rear Performance BMW brake kit.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2012, 07:30 PM	#4
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3475 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	What made you chose those 2? Or better yet, what are you looking for out of an intercooler? Interestingly enough they all do everything a little different and for a different cost.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2012, 08:00 PM	#8
Romeo86 Enlisted Member 14 Rep 35 Posts Drives: bmw 335i M sport Alpine White Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: london iTrader: (0)	Also the general idea of a good intercooler is maximizing thermal efficiency and minimizing pressure loss, right? Coz my forge intercooler is not up to par with the others out there...Hence the change in intercooler. __________________ Tune Mod List: AR design downpipes, supersprint midpipes, and the BMW performance back box with custom quad pipes, Remap by evolve, Quaife LSD, Forge intercooler, Dinan Cold air intake system, Front and rear Performance BMW brake kit.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2012, 08:05 PM	#9
marv85 Colonel 71 Rep 2,626 Posts Drives: '07 E92 335i MT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (7)	ETS 5" or 7"... __________________ '18 F80 M3 Comp 6MT - Stock '07 E92 335i 6MT- HP650, inlets/outlets, ER FMIC, VRSF CP, LPFP stg2, CSF rad, 'is Aux rad, ER OC, Ohlins, M control arms, eibach front sway bar. '05 C55 AMG SOLD - '22 Tesla M3P \| '10 E92 335i M, 6MT \| '07 E90 335i, PTF COBB E50, FBO, HFS4
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04-10-2012, 08:07 PM	#10
FirstBMWLA Major 194 Rep 1,109 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dallas,TX iTrader: (11)	Wait for VRSF one…
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04-10-2012, 08:12 PM	#12
Evolution Racewerks Captain 142 Rep 863 Posts Drives: 20 M340i,15 M4,12 328i,08 135i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Azusa, CA iTrader: (3)	Have you taken a look at our FMIC by any chance? http://evolutionracewerks.com/node/50
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04-10-2012, 10:02 PM	#17
jdbretz Captain 54 Rep 923 Posts Drives: '18 X5d, '12 M3 ZCP, '12 F30 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FL Panhandle iTrader: (10)	My vote goes to Helix, but most of them perform roughly the same. You should decide your price point/fitment (i.e. cutting or not to make it fit) and go from there. Dinan would be one of my last choices however. It is just a rebranded Spearco IC IIRC. If you really want that intercooler, just buy the Spearco and save yourself some money.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2012, 10:03 PM	#18
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3475 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	Honestly I'm not going to point fingers and say what is the best but for maximum performance I would look at evolution racewerks or ETS 7 inch but my decision wouldnt be limited to those. Truth is most intercoolers available are great performers and the best ones are probably only marginally better. I know the Dinan is a nice intercooler but I know there are cheaper alternatives that are better. Things to look at when purchasing intercoolers are Design of fin pack/core Charge rows Frontal Surface area Install/trimming Piping Sizes End Tank Design
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2012, 10:09 PM	#19
venom3469 First Lieutenant 47 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 08 AW/R 6MT 335i, YZF-R6. Join Date: May 2011 Location: Florence, Alabama iTrader: (0)	I like HPF but one thing I will never do is buy Dinan. Way over priced for what other competitors put out for much less... __________________ 08 335i Alpine White/Coral Red Interior With A PROcede Tune!! 09 Yamaha R6!!
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04-10-2012, 10:13 PM	#20
BEAR-AvHistory 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convt 3165 Rep 5,264 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convrt Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC - OIB, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 COBRA (FFR rep ... [8.57] 2023 Jeep Wrangler ... [9.50] 2009 Yamaha V-Star [0.00] Cars 2-BMW, 2-FORD, ... [0.00] 2023 Ford Expeditio ... [0.00] 2020 Z4 M40i [10.00] 2022 BMW M4C [7.25] 1998 FORD Ranger 4X4 [0.00]	Dinan is a rebadged Spearco & middle of the pack but priced way up. __________________ Kevin Dravit Gray, Black Leather, Moonlight Roof, Red Calipers 2022 M4C - 2020 Z4 M40i - 2023 FORD Expedition XLT Max 4X4 400BHP - 2009 V-Star - 1998 Ranger 4X4 5MT - 1965 Cobra (R) 5MT - 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport S 6MT
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04-10-2012, 10:14 PM	#21
danielfastv6 Lieutenant 56 Rep 522 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Spanaway,Wa iTrader: (3)	I guess it would depend on how much power you intend to push! I have the ETS 5 inch intercooler and I LOVE it great price( thanks mike@n54tuning) fits perfectly without cutting, and looks great! but I don't intend on running more then 450-500 hp, so it works for me perfectly. If you want to run alot of power then get a bigger one( i.e. ETS 7 inch )
	Appreciate 0 Quote