Top Mount Intercooler and Heat Exchanger

[AZCheng]

Hi, guys

During some of the the hotter track days these couple of months, I've noticed significant power drops at the of the 20 mins session. The car has BM3 OTS stage 2 tune, in the first 2-3 laps the power felt good and it slowly declines after that. In some cases the car felt like on stock boost at the end of the session.

I really liked to know if aftermarket offers a solution to make the car go through a 20 min session without any heat soak? If so what brands combination are good options that are relatively inexpensive?

[MJ6]

Your best bang for the buck will likely be the heat-exchanger (larger surface area for heat dissipation), but adding the top mount will assist as well.

From a quality stand-point with proven data to back it up, Mishimoto all day. For what it's worth, I'd personally stay away from CSF as the owner of the company has made it quite clear that they're only concerned with sales figures as opposed to solid data or performance.

Originally Posted by CSF Cooling

Sorry you think it's a bad look, but your quote is absolute spot on - Over the weekend we sold 12 charge coolers, about half of those sales where directly attributed to the post that I made with messages saying so.
....

The guys posting negatively about the product can continue to throw shade, and to be honest it doesn't effect us one bit - Close to 3000 of them now sold, record sales month in August for these coolers. We can't make them fast enough and are always waiting for more stock to arrive -Some of you guys are seem very salty and I feel bad for you - We're here making money, you're here posting negatively doing what? Enjoy your crusade. Sorry not sorry

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1760854

[hellokitty]

Front Heat exchanger first then evaluate the need for a top mount intercooler

[johnso21]

Originally Posted by MJ6

Your best bang for the buck will likely be the heat-exchanger (larger surface area for heat dissipation), but adding the top mount will assist as well.

From a quality stand-point with proven data to back it up, Mishimoto all day. For what it's worth, I'd personally stay away from CSF as the owner of the company has made it quite clear that they're only concerned with sales figures as opposed to solid data or performance.



https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1760854

Yikes. Wont be buying a CSF...looks like wegner or mishimoto. I have a mishimoto oil cooler and felt it was top notch so their products and customer service have made me a repeat customer.

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by johnso21

Yikes. Wont be buying a CSF...looks like wegner or mishimoto. I have a mishimoto oil cooler and felt it was top notch so their products and customer service have made me a repeat customer.

I'd probably go with the Wagner. Their tube and Fin core should make it very efficient for track duty.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by AZCheng

Hi, guys

During some of the the hotter track days these couple of months, I've noticed significant power drops at the of the 20 mins session. The car has BM3 OTS stage 2 tune, in the first 2-3 laps the power felt good and it slowly declines after that. In some cases the car felt like on stock boost at the end of the session.

I really liked to know if aftermarket offers a solution to make the car go through a 20 min session without any heat soak? If so what brands combination are good options that are relatively inexpensive?

If money is not an issue, I would get CSF or Wagner.

I recommend you also check out the MAD package deal, it offers the best value in my opinion

[AZCheng]

Originally Posted by MJ6

Your best bang for the buck will likely be the heat-exchanger (larger surface area for heat dissipation), but adding the top mount will assist as well.

From a quality stand-point with proven data to back it up, Mishimoto all day. For what it's worth, I'd personally stay away from CSF as the owner of the company has made it quite clear that they're only concerned with sales figures as opposed to solid data or performance.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1760854

Got you! I try narrow down a heat exchanger first. Any idea about the if the Dinan heat exchanger is any good? Or I should just stay with mishimoto?

[Tdog86]

If money was not an issue I would go with what looks to be the best charge cooler out there, but it comes with a steep price. Bimmerworld by C&R looks like the best design hands down!

[AZCheng]

Originally Posted by Tdog86

If money was not an issue I would go with what looks to be the best charge cooler out there, but it comes with a steep price. Bimmerworld by C&R looks like the best design hands down!

I've heard so much about it already, but 4K for just a intercooler is quite steep.

[Tdog86]

Hellokitty is right, get front heat exchanger and see if that works for you first. The stock charge cooler out performed many aftermarket company's but it can fail and leak, the down side of the oem charge cooler.

[MJ6]

Originally Posted by AZCheng

Got you! I try narrow down a heat exchanger first. Any idea about the if the Dinan heat exchanger is any good? Or I should just stay with mishimoto?

From an area of functionality, most of the available heat exchangers should provide approximately the same benefit (Dinan/Mishimoto/CSF). When I was researching which brand to upgrade with one of my primary criteria was fitment as I planned on taking care of the install myself.

Kies Motorsports has a decent amount of videos going over the installation of the major brands, and out of the three brands previously mentioned Mishimoto didn't require any drilling or modification during the install process. I was also really impressed by the quality and amount of R&D they put into their products, so for me it was a no brainer.

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by MJ6

From an area of functionality, most of the available heat exchangers should provide approximately the same benefit (Dinan/Mishimoto/CSF). When I was researching which brand to upgrade with one of my primary criteria was fitment as I planned on taking care of the install myself.

Kies Motorsports has a decent amount of videos going over the installation of the major brands, and out of the three brands previously mentioned Mishimoto didn't require any drilling or modification during the install process. I was also really impressed by the quality and amount of R&D they put into their products, so for me it was a no brainer.

Mishimoto and CSF are the best out of the 3. No modification or cutting/drilling needed. It just bolts right on.

[Wanted_M]

I bought Koyorad and its a very nice unit, don't count them out.
https://shop.redline360.com/products...-2020-vh423704

[TopJimmy]

+1 for Wagner Engineering.

To be totally honest they did have one batch of TMICs where a new employee added an extra weld to the front hose connection and blocking the hose from clipping (eff-ing DUH! Sorry Wagner…). We caught it here first, Mike@X-PH told Wagner, and also got our user a quick re-ship of a good new unit.

+2 for Mike@X-PH. No they don't stock everything, nobody does, but Mike takes your back if you're not happy. Best prices…just ask!
Zeeeeero BS and good advice.
He earned those words.

[todd20]

I went with Dinan Heat exchanger.

They've been in the BMW game for a long time and price was fair.

CSF would be my second choice.

I'm sure Mishi is a good one too but I prefer not to have Japanese parts on a German car. That's just me tho

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by todd20

I went with Dinan Heat exchanger.

They've been in the BMW game for a long time and price was fair.

CSF would be my second choice.

I'm sure Mishi is a good one too but I prefer not to have Japanese parts on a German car. That's just me tho

I'm fairly certain Dinan and Mishimoto sources their heat exchangers from China when I researched their supply chains.

CSF is made in Indonesia.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

I'm fairly certain Dinan and Mishimoto sources their heat exchangers from China when I researched their supply chains.

CSF is made in Indonesia.

without getting into name brands, 99% of brands make their parts overseas. Does not mean much to be honest, you still have high-quality overseas parts and low-quality ones.

you can easily tell the difference by putting them next to each other, dont even have to install it

[sly1types]

I just ordered a Wagner top mount then I think I will do the mishi heat exchanger as they have different fin density it front of the DCT cooler.

I was getting 140deg IATs on 90 deg track days.

I should find out if it helps here in a few weeks.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by sly1types

I just ordered a Wagner top mount then I think I will do the mishi heat exchanger as they have different fin density it front of the DCT cooler.

I was getting 140deg IATs on 90 deg track days.

I should find out if it helps here in a few weeks.

[IBFreeman]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

I'm fairly certain Dinan and Mishimoto sources their heat exchangers from China when I researched their supply chains.

CSF is made in Indonesia.

You are correct on all points. The only US-made HX was AWE's coldfront made by Griffin but its not available anymore which SUCKS i am looking for one. Was the best HX that was available and timing wasn't on my side.

I posted in class. but if anyone has any leads on one, please LMK!

OP, swap the front, keep the top stock until alternative measures are proven necessary.

Edit: CSF can lick a sweaty scrotum. Trash brand, trash ethics, mediocre products.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Tdog86

If money was not an issue I would go with what looks to be the best charge cooler out there, but it comes with a steep price. Bimmerworld by C&R looks like the best design hands down!

If I ever get one, it will be this

[sly1types]

Originally Posted by sly1types

I just ordered a Wagner top mount then I think I will do the mishi heat exchanger as they have different fin density it front of the DCT cooler.

I was getting 140deg IATs on 90 deg track days.

I should find out if it helps here in a few weeks.

Originally Posted by sly1types

I just ordered a Wagner top mount then I think I will do the mishi heat exchanger as they have different fin density it front of the DCT cooler.

I was getting 140deg IATs on 90 deg track days.

I should find out if it helps here in a few weeks.

I got it on, nice piece, it's a lot bigger. I have a track event in 2 weeks and will be data logging most of the time.