[ax2r]

Hey guys, I'm planning to get an intercooler and just wanted to know more about what are the things to look for. I'm pretty sure there are many threads with this discussion, so just wondering if you guys can share the links if you have any?

Only found these so far for the N55 intercoolers
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1#post27989461
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1886107

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by ax2r

Hey guys, I'm planning to get an intercooler and just wanted to know more about what are the things to look for. I'm pretty sure there are many threads with this discussion, so just wondering if you guys can share the links if you have any?

Only found these so far for the N55 intercoolers
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1#post27989461
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1886107

What will you be doing with the car?

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...rcooler&page=2

[mike@x-ph.com]

There are no best intercoolers, it all depends on your goals, mods, and the weather in your area

[KennyFSU]

I had the CSF bar and plate, loved it and even have before and after logs showing the IATs actually going down with each pull.

[jb-slow]

90% are the same Chinese intercooler, just distributed as different brands. If you go that route just get the lowest priced since they're all the same.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by jb-slow

90% are the same Chinese intercooler, just distributed as different brands. If you go that route just get the lowest priced since they're all the same.

How are they the same if they have different cores

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by jb-slow

90% are the same Chinese intercooler, just distributed as different brands. If you go that route just get the lowest priced since they're all the same.

Not true, the Chinese stuff will have a lower fin density than a good core (because that costs extra) and won’t be as effective cooling down.

BMS offers a good ‘Race’ for Stage 3 cars, their 5” model is pretty much interchangeable with most others, including VRSF, MAD and Marasta? (Did I spell that correctly)

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Not true, the Chinese stuff will have a lower fin density than a good core (because that costs extra) and won’t be as effective cooling down.

BMS offers a good ‘Race’ for Stage 3 cars, their 5” model is pretty much interchangeable with most others, including VRSF, MAD and Marasta? (Did I spell that correctly)

Pretty sure its Masata

Talking about Masata, we just finalized our vendor agreement with them and we will be offering their products starting next week

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Pretty sure its Masata

Talking about Masata, we just finalized our vendor agreement with them and we will be offering their products starting next week

It was close enough that you knew what I was talking about though
And that will be good for people overseas who want a solid core.

[Info@mad-us.com]

We offer both a 5 inch with high density step core intercooler and a 7 inch hd stepped core intercooler. Both include a lifetime warranty and free shipping to the lower 48 states.

[ax2r]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

What will you be doing with the car?

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...rcooler&page=2

Wow thanks man, covered most of my questions.

I'll be using it as a daily driver, just wanted some extra power. I'm currently running a bm3 tune, temps in my area is quite low on average, won't be warmer than 30 degrees Celsius. I believe the 5" ones should be good enough?

[ax2r]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Not true, the Chinese stuff will have a lower fin density than a good core (because that costs extra) and won’t be as effective cooling down.

BMS offers a good ‘Race’ for Stage 3 cars, their 5” model is pretty much interchangeable with most others, including VRSF, MAD and Marasta? (Did I spell that correctly)

I've been getting my parts from ML performance here in the UK and they've also recommended CSF, Mishimoto or Masata. Wagner is also another popular brand here but I think there are other cheaper options that offer better cooling too?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by ax2r

I've been getting my parts from ML performance here in the UK and they've also recommended CSF, Mishimoto or Masata. Wagner is also another popular brand here but I think there are other cheaper options that offer better cooling too?

Depends on your setup. Let us know what mods you have on the car for a better advice on the best options available

[XutvJet]

I think AmuroRay needs to change his name to "fin count".

I've been very pleased with my Wagner EVO Comp 1 intercooler on my daily driven M235 with Stage 2 mods. I think I've had the IC for 1.5 years now? AmuroRay thinks it's a paper weight. I disagree and have enough data to prove otherwise. It's pricey, but you get what you pay for in terms of quality, fitment, etc. Plus, it has one of the highest fin counts per inch of ANY IC on the market, so......

[AmuroRay]

The Evo 1 has a premium price point, but it actually doesn’t perform as well as a VRSF/BMS 5”. There are better ways to waste money.

[MattyKHZ]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Not true, the Chinese stuff will have a lower fin density than a good core (because that costs extra) and won’t be as effective cooling down.

BMS offers a good ‘Race’ for Stage 3 cars, their 5” model is pretty much interchangeable with most others, including VRSF, MAD and Marasta? (Did I spell that correctly)

Are masata in the same bracket as VRSF and MAD/BMS as cannot see much commented on them? I always thought they were one of the generic Chinese offerings but could be wrong.

Their black colour is more appealing than a silver Intercooler to me anyway.

Unless there is a benefit to getting a unpainted Intercooler and using something like Cerakote P202 for a coating?

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by MattyKHZ

Are masata in the same bracket as VRSF and MAD/BMS as cannot see much commented on them? I always thought they were one of the generic Chinese offerings but could be wrong.

Their black colour is more appealing than a silver Intercooler to me anyway.

Unless there is a benefit to getting a unpainted Intercooler and using something like Cerakote P202 for a coating?

No one on our side really buys them, but they are supposedly on par with the VRSF and BMS. What can you get for cheaper?

[mike@x-ph.com]

if you decide to get Masata, please share pictures of the core and datalogs so we can compare it to more proven brands

[Info@mad-us.com]

Originally Posted by MattyKHZ

Are masata in the same bracket as VRSF and MAD/BMS as cannot see much commented on them? I always thought they were one of the generic Chinese offerings but could be wrong.

Their black colour is more appealing than a silver Intercooler to me anyway.

Unless there is a benefit to getting a unpainted Intercooler and using something like Cerakote P202 for a coating?

Issue with the black is if you get rock debris you end up with silver specs that are visible.