335 Intercooler/meth

[outlaw335]

So after a weekend of audi bashing,i finally realised that the time has come for an intercooler after suffering from some heatsoak. Been doing a lot of research on them.The usual names always pop up i.e Stett, Helix, AMS, HPF..

I was hoping to hear first hand from any one running any these (or other brands) about the pro's & cons,you know..The differences between them are not worlds apart but at that price bracket,i need to know that i'm buying the best value for money cooler

Also open to the idea of a custom made one but would prefer going the tried and trusted route.

Any input is welcome and appreciated in helping me decide :thumbs:

 

[Twinz]

The intercooler on my car is the Race Precision Intercooler. Here is my review:

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=1763&highlight=race+precision+intercooler

However, I would recommend STETT; but some cutting behind the bumper is required and some tweaking below the radiator to make it fit. But a great piece.

The CP-e Intercooler and AMS Intercooler are also great and has the exact same dimensions as the Race Precision Intercooler. I dont have experience or seen the HPF IC...

The CP-e and AMS intercooler does not require any cutting BUT you cannot use the stock couplings...you can...but it will blow off after awhile. Fortunately both ICs come with excellent connectors (couplings)

NB: If you go for CP-e you also get an oil cooler kit...in the price of the IC...great combo :thumbs:

The great thing about STETT and CP-e is the customer service...just amazing.

 

[nomercy]

I've got the ER intercooler with the chargepipe and its more than I asked for, performce is 100%
If you got MP go for something that's easy to install or something that works with the stock chargepipe as no-one ever checks the intercooler
Good options are 1. Helix 2. Cpe 3. Hpf
If out of MP go for anyone with a charge pipe as you get faster spool and the don't blow off! ER, cpe or helix, stett requires a lot of work, so not my cup of tea..

 

[outlaw335]

Ok so iv been doing a bit more research and i found some specs on the different coolers

Stock 420 cubic inches
small and dissapointing

HPF 815 Cubic inches.
5.75 inches tall.
Bar and Plate.
Definitely trimming required,its huge

AMS 620 cubic inches
6 inch tall
Bar and Plate.
Some trimming.


Helix step intercooler
Big and heavy,no more info
Claims no cutting


Cp-e
528 cubin inches
6inches tall?
Bar and plate
Comes with oil cooler
Claims minimal if not no trimming.


ETS
Cant find info.
Claims no cutting.

Stett
620 cubic inches
Trimming needed

Im definitely tempted to go for the cp-e as it comes with the oil cooler and a very good cooler (even tho its not the biggest) on paper,its not cast tho.

Helix makes an excellent product,if not the best out there at the moment.Its a big cooler and a bit heavy but proven and excellent value for money.The hpf is not far behind but as you said charles,im not keen on using the stock couplings.Last thing i need is to go into limp mode and letting the golfies fly past :rollsmile:

ER also makes a solid product and the name stett speaks for itself so its a tough one but im definitely leaning towards the helix

 

[nomercy]

Save yourself time and money and just buy a meth kit, you get so much more performance out of meth its not even funny, a JB4 kar with just meth and DCi will run in the 12s easy if you can drive and its less than half the price. I'm almost certain it will pull a FBO car on our shit fuel...

 

[outlaw335]

Save yourself time and money and just buy a meth kit, you get so much more performance out of meth its not even funny, a JB4 kar with just meth and DCi will run in the 12s easy if you can drive and its less than half the price. I'm almost certain it will pull a FBO car on our shit fuel...

I hear you and agree..Im still on the fence about meth.I know myself and im gona go through that stuff like crazy,might end up costing me more than the cooler haha.

Btw where do you get meth around krugersdorp? Have you done any testing with the cps yet?

 

[George Smooth]

I am very happy with the Helix although there is a slight chance it has developed a leak on the weld.
When I fitted it the waist gate DC went up ever so slightly so it has a very low pressure drop. Its a heavy mother too but works excellent. The one I would avoid is the Stett due to the square type end tanks.
As someone mentioned if I had to do it again I would go meth first.

 

[outlaw335]

I am very happy with the Helix although there is a slight chance it has developed a leak on the weld.
When I fitted it the waist gate DC went up ever so slightly so it has a very low pressure drop. Its a heavy mother too but works excellent. The one I would avoid is the Stett due to the square type end tanks.
As someone mentioned if I had to do it again I would go meth first.

George do you have the stepped cooler or the first design? Reason im asking is helix claim theres no cutting involved with the new design.I struggle to believe that considering the size..

Just about everyone i speak to says meth first.I always thought that a good size intercooler with good plumbing is always way better than meth.But these days i guess theres more performance to be had from meth.:dunno:

Guys any meth kits you could recommend?

 

[nomercy]

Jb4 and fsb meth intergration is by far and I mean far the safest and user friendly kit on the market..
If you got a flash I would go for something like the hsf 3 kits they use on the vw...

 

[135i_carboned]

I went to Xcede and asked what would the next step be ... asked them if i should do the cooler and they said Meth is better ... And u also get a bigger chargepipe with the kit ... and Xcede is jus around the corner from you in randburg

 

[Twinz]

Meth is the bang for buck power mod.

I would still take an IC in addition to meth, can do with all the cooling benefits you can offer.

 

[outlaw335]

Yeah have to agree,both would be ideal.I had a look at aem meth kits and the fsb.Fsb would intergrate nicely with my jb but i like the failsafe features on the aem.Decisions decisions..:flyfun: Also need to decide on a charge pipe with a bov???

Would a good bov do a better job than my forge dv's?

 

[nomercy]

If you have jb4 stick with their products as you get all the support for free and it get updated regulary, the ww kit takes me 30min to install and works great! That's what I got and no worries whatsoever...

 

[outlaw335]

Yeah there service is very good..I'l probably go for a boot mounted tank as im sceptical about using the ww tank.My diesel has a leak from the pipe and i have to top up fliud every now and then.Imagine if i have meth leaking into the engine bay..

 

[Sleeper135i]

Go for a meth kit rather.

The gains are huge compared to an intercooler.
I have JB4, BMS ww meth kit and Stett charge pipe.

Takes a little over an hour to go back to stock and running it is almost foolproof. FSB on the kit is a great safety feature.

 

[George Smooth]

I am very happy with the Helix although there is a slight chance it has developed a leak on the weld.
When I fitted it the waist gate DC went up ever so slightly so it has a very low pressure drop. Its a heavy mother too but works excellent. The one I would avoid is the Stett due to the square type end tanks.
As someone mentioned if I had to do it again I would go meth first.

George do you have the stepped cooler or the first design? Reason im asking is helix claim theres no cutting involved with the new design.I struggle to believe that considering the size..

I have the stepped cooler. There are two versions of this too. I needed to cut a few mills of the front plastic that was in the way. Also needed to adjust how it bolts in by making the coolers bracket a bit bigger using a dremmel tool. Apparently few people have needed to do this.

 

[Rolf]

Anyone considered the FORGE Intercooler Kit?

Left pic is FORGE IC vs Standard IC

 

[outlaw335]

After some epic runs on the midnight run,i've decided to listen to do meth first! Heatsoak was a big issue so i think with meth,its a win win situation,good power and cooling benefits.A cooler will come later on..

@promotec.. Had no idea forge had one.Will look into it :thumbs:

@George.. I think its differs on every car.Helix has a video showing it fits straight in to an e92,front bumper wasnt even removed.Even if there is slight trimming here and there,definitely worth it..

 

[George Smooth]

@George.. I think its differs on every car.Helix has a video showing it fits straight in to an e92,front bumper wasnt even removed.Even if there is slight trimming here and there,definitely worth it..

Yah I didn't have to remove bumper just a few mm of triming. I stood in front of your car forever to chat to you at the midnight run but didn't see you. Only spotted you when you drove out.

 

[outlaw335]

I saw you pull in with the C63 and told my buds we need to chat to George.Went past your car but didnt see you there either :biglol: Now i know where you were