cooler and charge pipes for track use

[drroc]

Yesterday, I had to cut my Laguna day short because the air to water intercooler reported low coolant. There was also a good drop in power. I ended up putting an entire regular sized water bottle into the tank to get it back to the appropriate level to make it home. Also, I am pretty sure that I have a crack in the charge pipe as all sorts of whooshing noises would appear each time the pedal was pressed half way. The engine is stock and has no tune. I am curious if people who do regular track events eventually upgrade the charge pipes and the intercooler, or just replace them with stock components. I am also in CA, and CARB/Smog compliance is an issue.

[SYT_Shadow]

We use the stock intercooler in the two track m4 gts. For charge pipes, we use ess silicone ones but those may trigger carb issues. We haven't had an issue with the stock charge pipes.

When the intercooler fails we'll either replace with stock from fcp or with the bimmerworld 4.5k one. No poorly welded shit put together by monkeys on our cars!

[jfritz27]

Originally Posted by drroc

Yesterday, I had to cut my Laguna day short because the air to water intercooler reported low coolant. There was also a good drop in power. I ended up putting an entire regular sized water bottle into the tank to get it back to the appropriate level to make it home. Also, I am pretty sure that I have a crack in the charge pipe as all sorts of whooshing noises would appear each time the pedal was pressed half way. The engine is stock and has no tune. I am curious if people who do regular track events eventually upgrade the charge pipes and the intercooler, or just replace them with stock components. I am also in CA, and CARB/Smog compliance is an issue.

I think fair to say the consensus is that upgrading the TMIC alone, without upgrading other aspects of the cooling system (eg, the front exchanger) doesn't do a heck of a lot. Thus far, at stock power, I can't say I've felt a need to upgrade anything cooling-related. Personally I'd probably just go with OEM from FCP. A lot of people like Mishimoto as well, which is not crazy expensive.

If the whoosh is pretty loud/obvious, then may not be a crack in the pipes -- also check the pipes connection to the TMIC and turbos, and also check the J pipe. On my stock setup I recently blew the J off the connection to the TMIC (probably loose clamps), and that sound is not subtle.

[heyyouduh]

had a day last year which was cut short due to increased IATs due to leaking stock top mount. the end pieces are plastic and can leak, as can the oem piping. the stock piece was removed and could see evidence of coolant inside. replaced with d088 cooler and piping, no issues since then. dunno about carb compliance but would recommend just getting an aftermarket one if possible, a replacement OEM one is going to have plastic pieces there and many people have had this issue.

[Theruleslawyer]

I changed out charge pipes just since I didn't want a crack ruining an event. They do zero other than not crack. If I had it to do over I'd get Silicone. The aluminum ones are a PITA to get on and off for service.

TMIC I'll probably just get OEM again. stock cooling is great on stock power. If its out of warranty, FCP euro so they will pay for it next time.

[TopJimmy]

If anyone needs a stock TMIC ping me. I have a leftover I can let go of for $250.