FTP Motorsports Products Review

ASquared

Corporal
Nov 6, 2016
119
34
0
Las Vegas
Before I begin, I want to stress that this is not a comparison thread. It is simply to give my unbiased review of these products. So please do not just state, "you should just go with this brand or that brand". Please just keep this relative to these products.

I noticed BavAuto started carrying this new brand of products, FTP motorsports. So I decided to reach out to FTP themselves and get their story of who they are and what else they do. I managed to speak to Kayo who is the CEO. I can't say enough good things about him. He is a fellow BMW owner and enthusiast and devoted his company's vision to serving the BMW community across all platforms. Just through the multiple emails we exchanged, it's clear that he stresses quality in his products at a competitive price. So without hesitation, I decided to give his company a shot. I ended up ordering a chargepipe with Tial flange, OCC, Air scoops, and Low oil temp thermostat.

Let's begin with the Chargepipe. FTP offers this charge pipe in stock DV setup or you can ask for a BOV flange in which case I went with Tial. You can have the flange towards the end of where it meets the intercooler uppipe, or towards the throttle body. I choose to have it near the throttle body to keep things somewhat hidden and stealthy under my intakes. The welds on this thing look great and the overall feel is of a high quality piece. FTP supplies all couplings, DV plugs, and even include a brand new throttle body clip. Fitment was spot on, fit like a glove without any issues whatsoever. Here are some photos




Next, I installed the air scoops. Pretty straight forward here. Great fitment and even uses the bumper screw to hold it in place at well as the plastic air intake push pins. Again, these had great fitment.



Up next was the Oil Catch Can. Great fitment as well, no issues. I did have to trim the U-Bend tube, but it really depends on where exactly you want to mount the actual can. Again, a real quality piece.



Last install was the Low Oil Temp Thermostat. Very simple install and works great. Prior to install, my car would see temps up to 250. After install I stay right around 220. Highly recommend this if you run your car hard or live in a hot climate like I do.


All in all, I can say I'm very satisfied with these products and I'm glad I gave FTP motorsports a chance because they definitely deserved it. They include photo instructions with all products so if you are a novice, you have a step by step guide to follow. Just wanted to share my experience since there hasn't been any review of any of their products. Let me know if you guys have any questions.
 

Aaron

Lieutenant
Nov 3, 2016
544
200
0
Colorado
Ride
Silver 2013 335is 6MT
Umm, I'd rather have my oil at 250 than 220. I don't know where people started getting this idea that 250* is too hot for engine oil. Your oil should be around 250, that's where it is designed to perform its best at.
 

08_335i

Sergeant
Nov 3, 2016
371
215
0
31
Ride
2008 ST 335i
Umm, I'd rather have my oil at 250 than 220. I don't know where people started getting this idea that 250* is too hot for engine oil. Your oil should be around 250, that's where it is designed to perform its best at.
Actually, 220 is prime point of oil temp.
 

brecken

Specialist
Nov 3, 2016
56
21
0
Orlando
No! BMW Engineer thought this through the oil needs to be at 250!!

Haha jk oil only needs to get above 212 degrees to boil water anything above 212 is a perfect temperature for oil and you will increase the ability of your oil to protect the engine. The higher temperature is for better gas mileage but is a very harsh enviroment for oil to survive.
 

Aaron

Lieutenant
Nov 3, 2016
544
200
0
Colorado
Ride
Silver 2013 335is 6MT
I wasn't aware oil had a prime temperature. I thought it was a range in which your additives are activating, the oil is reaching its advertised and desired viscosity levels, and isn't breaking down.

There is no "prime" oil temperature.

And modern, quality synthetics do not start breaking down until well north of 300, so oil "survival" due to temperature isn't an issue below that.
 

brecken

Specialist
Nov 3, 2016
56
21
0
Orlando
Maybe on a test bench that is true but not in the real world. Look up all of the UOA on bob is the oil guy. You will see the oil even specified by BMW does not have much protection left even after 5,000 miles.
 

Aaron

Lieutenant
Nov 3, 2016
544
200
0
Colorado
Ride
Silver 2013 335is 6MT
Maybe on a test bench that is true but not in the real world. Look up all of the UOA on bob is the oil guy. You will see the oil even specified by BMW does not have much protection left even after 5,000 miles.

Ohh, because the oil BMW specifies is best! As in, the company that pays them best to specify their oil, right?
 

brecken

Specialist
Nov 3, 2016
56
21
0
Orlando
Ohh, because the oil BMW specifies is best! As in, the company that pays them best to specify their oil, right?
Haha no I am not saying that. I don't want to derail this thread any more but it is a full synthetic oil considering that is the point you were making.
 

Aaron

Lieutenant
Nov 3, 2016
544
200
0
Colorado
Ride
Silver 2013 335is 6MT
Haha no I am not saying that. I don't want to derail this thread any more but it is a full synthetic oil considering that is the point you were making.
I said modern, quality full synthetic. I don't know what BMW recommends, because they only recommend what company pays them best, so I'm not even sure if it's a good engine oil. I personally run RL Bio-Syn.
 

AzNdevil

Lieutenant
Staff member
Nov 4, 2016
566
269
0
Hong Kong
Posted this on the facebook group but gonna copy and paste it here

ftp is a shop from taiwan that sells knock off products.....
their chargepipe's quality is comparable to the cheap ass one bms sells
the silicone piece leaks boost past 5k rpm on a mhd stage 2 ots map

thier thermostat bypass is a few mm off on both sides from the bms one
can't remember which side is longer and which side is shorter but the holes don't really close off completely
the spring is useless you may as well leave it out as its a bypass

the catchcan is a bms knock off with shitty o-rings...it will leak eventually
but then the real thing leaks as well so...
 
  • Informative
Reactions: doublespaces

AzNdevil

Lieutenant
Staff member
Nov 4, 2016
566
269
0
Hong Kong
True. Lots of parts are made in China but...it doesn't mean they all share the same quality.
The good stuff aren't cheap and the bad shit I wouldn't use it even if they give it to me for free.

I have installed a few FTP chargepipes and oil thermostat bypass for me friends. Honestly, it falls into the shit category. I know the FTP oil bypass is a POS because someone gave one to me for free and I measured it against the one by BMS. I think I threw the FTP one in the trash afterwards.

To be honest I can get these China knock offs/rep wheels cheaper than most of you guys..........because I live 30 minutes away from the border and I speak the language. The only chinese part I would consider putting on my car would be cosmetic stuff like hoods trunks LED lights and shit like that.

I understand lots of people want to go cheap but I myself is a believer of do it once, do it right.
 

ASquared

Corporal
Nov 6, 2016
119
34
0
Las Vegas
You sir are entitled to your opinion and I accept that. As for stating the chargepipe is comparable to the shitty Phoenix racing BMS one, I couldn't disagree more. Having seen both, not even on the same level. The Phoenix racing tends to have shavings on the inside still from manufacturing, poor fitment, shit welding, and scratches super easy. All which I did not exhibit with this FTP pipe. Also no leaks whatsoever. I'm holding boost perfectly fine.

This wasn't a matter of going cheap. Not my first rodeo with this platform. I had an ER pipe in the past and its anodized finish hues to purple within months so I didn't wanna go that route again because it annoyed me. Didn't know anything about FTP and decided to give them a chance which I honestly don't see the issues with their quality.

I also find it funny that most people act like half the stuff you buy from "US" vendors isn't manufactured in a China or Taiwan. For example, Could you really buy US made downpipes for less than $400? No because with US labor rates, the profit margin would be too poor. So most people have put Chinese parts in their car at one point or another, whether you wanna believe it or not. As for things being knockoffs, isn't everything in terms of design? How many stepped core intercooler are there now after Helix had done it long ago? Not much to be original about on a 10 year old platform.
 

ASquared

Corporal
Nov 6, 2016
119
34
0
Las Vegas
Not to mention the BMS oil cooler valve functions entirely different than the FTP valve. The BMS does not include or retain a spring, in which keeps oil flowing through the oil cooler at all times. Perhaps you installed the FTP incorrectly or weren't aware how it works?
 

J.Wick

Lurker
Nov 13, 2016
14
4
0
South Carolina
Not to mention the BMS oil cooler valve functions entirely different than the FTP valve. The BMS does not include or retain a spring, in which keeps oil flowing through the oil cooler at all times. Perhaps you installed the FTP incorrectly or weren't aware how it works?

Yeah im not sure why he measured it up against the bms one. Why was it supposed to match? The stock one flipped around almost does the job and it wasnt even supposed to be intended for that. Some of the stuff people complain about and spend so much thought on baffles me. Maybe im a little biased. I have a FTP oil thermostat bypass....whatever. lol. Works fine. Lol. As intended. How does a silicone coupler leak if its clamped properly? Hole? Should have been noticed before install....defective part. Its a silicone coupler not rocket science either....i know there is higher quality. But if it burst than yes complain. But saying it leaks past 5k means shitty install.
Idk...im rambling now.lol. You can have $900 welds on your downpipes....Vrsf work just as well and no extra horsepower from the couple hundred bucks you spent on the other either.....Spending more money on parts that dont really need it doesnt mean you are the ultimate BMW enthusiast....
Ps. This isnt really all directed towards anyone in general.
 
  • Like
  • Dumb
Reactions: Aaron and Shane303

Aaron

Lieutenant
Nov 3, 2016
544
200
0
Colorado
Ride
Silver 2013 335is 6MT
There is a time and place for expensive, first rate components. Specifically when accurate machining is key, for example piston clearances. Downpipes and charge pipes? Not so much.

Personally, I used the cheapest shit downpies and charge pipes I could find. VRSF all the way. They fit great, function great, and look great to me. Are your parts better? Maybe, but that's like arguing your pencil is better than my pencil because it's stronger. If neither pencil is breaking, then who cares?

Now intercooler? I bought one of the most expensive I could find.
 

J.Wick

Lurker
Nov 13, 2016
14
4
0
South Carolina
There is a time and place for expensive, first rate components. Specifically when accurate machining is key, for example piston clearances. Downpipes and charge pipes? Not so much.



Personally, I used the cheapest shit downpies and charge pipes I could find. VRSF all the way. They fit great, function great, and look great to me. Are your parts better? Maybe, but that's like arguing your pencil is better than my pencil because it's stronger. If neither pencil is breaking, then who cares?

Now intercooler? I bought one of the most expensive I could find.

The guy that said my post was dumb is selling a cxracing intercooler and ultimate racing intake.....coincidentally cxracing has an identical intake. Not saying his is from there..and thats none of my business anyhow. Its just funny how my post is dumb but has ebay parts as well. Lol...Probably isnt even his though....
 
Last edited:
  • Funny
Reactions: Shane303