Aftermarket Charge Air Cooler Options

[qmp]

Originally Posted by bobbyh907

Underhood temps are going to be way hotter than the air coming out of the cold side of the intercooler. The only heat dissipating should be into the coolant in the IC core. Bare billet will actually heat up the cooled charge air, albeit negligibily. You want your charge air tract as isolated from outside influences as possible.

I agree underhood temps are going to be way hotter than the air coming out of the cold side of the intercooler.

What about the hot side ?

@25lbs of boost the air from our turbos is roughly 330f on a 80 degree day.

My statement was in regards to heat soak not to be confused with the functionality of the intercooler.

If bare billet will actually heat up the cooled charge air then I don't want any further layers or coating to prevent rapid heat dissipation from heat soak, albeit negligibly.

[tharptroy]

Originally Posted by DeividF80M3

I had no knowledge of that failure. Is there any thread I can see about that failure?

The only manufacturer that has that solution is Forge, right?

I have had my stock cooler spring a leak on me!

FYI, in my case, the cooler was leaking internally, so the plastic end tanks were not a factor. Essentially the internal welds in the cooler fatigue and crack, causing water to leak in. No vendor has a real solution for that.

[bobbyh907]

Originally Posted by qmp

I agree underhood temps are going to be way hotter than the air coming out of the cold side of the intercooler.

What about the hot side ?

@25lbs of boost the air from our turbos is roughly 330f on a 80 degree day.

My statement was in regards to heat soak not to be confused with the functionality of the intercooler.

If bare billet will actually heat up the cooled charge air then I don't want any further layers or coating to prevent rapid heat dissipation from heat soak, albeit negligibly.

This isn't an air to air cooler. The job of the housing is not to promote heat dissipation, it's not designed that way. Any heat that gets transferred is going to immediately be cooled by the core. That's one of the many benefits of air to water cooling. The IC won't heat soak at all until the coolant has. But if it helps you sleep at night you flex that shiny eyesore.

[avex8]

You don't want to have a leak intercooler like my (see pic) I think anything is better than OEM, if you running high boost then you will need aftermarket one. It's very common issue so check your reservoir periodically.

[TR930]

Originally Posted by avex8

You don't want to have a leak intercooler like my (see pic) I think anything is better than OEM, if you running high boost then you will need aftermarket one. It's very common issue so check your reservoir periodically.

Was there alot of carbon buildup on the intake valves?

[bobbyh907]

Originally Posted by tharptroy

I have had my stock cooler spring a leak on me!

FYI, in my case, the cooler was leaking internally, so the plastic end tanks were not a factor. Essentially the internal welds in the cooler fatigue and crack, causing water to leak in. No vendor has a real solution for that.

The OE IC is a tube and fin design core. All aftermarket options use a bar and plate style core which is much more durable. I believe that is the solution.

[Spun Pornhub]

I see some of the guys have gotten the Wagner IC units installed, though most have had slight fitment issues which is quite surprising giving their reputation. Apparently Forge isn't exempt to such issue either.

I guess I'll keep waiting for a more cost-effective and worry-free solution. I've yet to see anyone share any close up shots of Wagner, Forge and Agency Power. I wish someone would take high definition photos of the internal fin packs for the rest of us to see.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by stillmatic

I see some of the guys have gotten the Wagner IC units installed, though most have had slight fitment issues which is quite surprising giving their reputation. Apparently Forge isn't exempt to such issue either.

I guess I'll keep waiting for a more cost-effective and worry-free solution. I've yet to see anyone share any close up shots of Wagner, Forge and Agency Power. I wish someone would take high definition photos of the internal fin packs for the rest of us to see.

How about the CSF cooler?

[Shadow2]

Forge internal shots:

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Shadow2

Forge internal shots:

Thank you for sharing

[Spun Pornhub]

Originally Posted by Shadow2

Forge internal shots:

Thank you very much for sharing!

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

How about the CSF cooler?

Not a fan of their CEO's unprofessional decorum plus I have seen enough data showing no cooling improvements with their IC unit.

[CSF Cooling]

Originally Posted by stillmatic

Thank you very much for sharing!




Not a fan of their CEO's unprofessional decorum plus I have seen enough data showing no cooling improvements with their IC unit.

I'm sorry you feel that way

In regards to data
- please see this video of an M2 comp (same S55 engine) race the Nurburgring
- Temps were 37C ambient (100F), IAT's didn't get pass 67C (152.6)


This sponsored driver has all 3 CSF coolers (front mount heat exchanger, Charge cooler, and DCT cooler) - the coolers work for race cars - this is what we've been trying to explain since we released them.

[TheirThere]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

We upgraded to CSF cooler after the stock one on the M4 started leaking, its doing great in the Vegas summer heat.

how did you know it was leaking?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by TheirThere

how did you know it was leaking?

I got a CEL

[c4ss]

Bump.

Any new updates on this front? What's the best option these days? The leaking potential of the OEM intercooler scares the hell out of me, and now that I have my crank hub fixed, I need something new to worry about

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by c4ss

Bump.

Any new updates on this front? What's the best option these days? The leaking potential of the OEM intercooler scares the hell out of me, and now that I have my crank hub fixed, I need something new to worry about

For me, this or nothing.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Intake-F...AaAvjhEALw_wcB

[landonvan]

I have the VRSF on mine. The only reason I did it was the stock one is ugly. As for temps, my cars stays 10 degrees over ambient. VRSF copied CSF design. They are all really the same. Dual pass intercoolers. So your not going to convince me the extra $1000+ is worth it. The real cooling benefit is with the front heat exchanger.
Also the material is fine. After driving my car all day I can pop the hood and the VRSF is cool to the touch. Do it for looks or if your stock one leaks. Nothing else.

[Danlnyc88]

Originally Posted by landonvan

I have the VRSF on mine. The only reason I did it was the stock one is ugly. As for temps, my cars stays 10 degrees over ambient. VRSF copied CSF design. They are all really the same. Dual pass intercoolers. So your not going to convince me the extra $1000+ is worth it. The real cooling benefit is with the front heat exchanger.
Also the material is fine. After driving my car all day I can pop the hood and the VRSF is cool to the touch. Do it for looks or if your stock one leaks. Nothing else.

I hope you're joking man. VRSF charge air coolers are some of the biggest piece of shit, low budget garbage I have ever seen. I can't believe you even posted this crap.

You replaced your stock one with an uglier one

[gprzybylski]

What about Mishimoto they are another option

[Mike.]

that agency power one is a nice looking unit, but it looks like they are being discontinued. I would go mishimoto or wagner

[landonvan]

Originally Posted by Danlnyc88

I hope you're joking man. VRSF charge air coolers are some of the biggest piece of shit, low budget garbage I have ever seen. I can't believe you even posted this crap.

You replaced your stock one with an uglier one

So how exactly are they pieces of shit. Mine works great. I haven’t seen anyone report any failing. So what are your grounds for saying such bold claims. The only difference between the VRSF, Phoenix’s, and CSF. Is a logo on top. So please explain your stupidity to us all.

[espressoo]

Been hearing good things on the Mishimoto but I wish they used their "M" logo on this piece instead of "MISHIMOTO". It would have looked real nice in an F8x engine bay.