VRSF Race Intercooler when Not Single Turbo

Hokie_335i

Specialist
Jul 29, 2017
51
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North Carolina
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2009 E90 335i 6MT
Hi all,

Just picked up my second 335i which I was lucky enough to find low mile and 100% stock. My last car was a FBO e85 car that I had a Mishimoto intercooler on because they ran a contest for a free intercooler if I wrote a review and I won.

I'm starting the build and will be going single turbo in the next year or so. I'm shopping for intercoolers and would rather not buy twice. I've read conflicting reviews about the new VRSF Race Intercooler and it being used with FBO cars saying that it should only be used for high boost twin or single turbo setups. My car will be FBO until I go single.

Will the VRSF Race intercooler be ok to use on an FBO car or should I stick with a 7" HD and then upgrade when I go single?
 
Last edited:

markyb0

Corporal
Jun 17, 2017
106
20
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Hampton, VA
Ride
2009 335i ST
If you don't want to buy twice then just get the race core intercooler. Probably overkill for the stock turbos but all it will do it make the iat alot cooler. I think it'll be fine to run it. Might want to wait for some more replies I might be wrong though.
 

Hokie_335i

Specialist
Jul 29, 2017
51
24
0
North Carolina
Ride
2009 E90 335i 6MT
If you don't want to buy twice then just get the race core intercooler. Probably overkill for the stock turbos but all it will do it make the iat alot cooler. I think it'll be fine to run it. Might want to wait for some more replies I might be wrong though.

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of just going with the Race intercooler right off the bat but hopefully some others will chime in first.
 

DerFixer

New Member
Jun 12, 2017
4
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1M
If you're sensitive to pressure drop it you might notice it with the race. Its also pretty heavy but most people dont care as long as it works. If you're for sure going beyond fbo it makes sense.
 
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LessIsMore

Specialist
Aug 21, 2017
56
22
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09 535i
Agree - generally speaking, I don't think there's is such a thing as 'too much intercooler'. You want the intake charge as cool as possible, period.
 
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JValenzSD

Private
Apr 26, 2017
33
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San Diego, CA
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2010 BMW E90 LCI 335i M-Sport
Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of just going with the Race intercooler right off the bat but hopefully some others will chime in first.
For me personally, I say go for it. Although not the same core as the VRSF Race, I have the CX-RACING fmic. If I am not mistaken, would be equivalent to the AA Race fmic without the price. I'm still on factory twins, fbo, and with inlets/outlets.

Back then around 2014, I was told not to do it because my car would be laggy and to stick with a 5" fmic instead. I'm glad I didn't go with such a small core. I purchased the fmic kit with scalability in mind since I was planning to upgrade the turbos to stage 2's back then, but been enjoying them. I now will be going ST. I don't have to buy twice or do the job twice.

I know it isn't the same as the VRSF Race core, but I did not experience any issues or lag. I think the tune helped eliminate that. I even drove to San Francisco and back to San Diego while I downgraded to an MHD Stage-2 91oct tune for better mpg versus my straight e85 tune that is a whole lot more aggressive. No issues with lag at all. Car hits boost quick like factory twins normally do. Only difference is my iat's were a lot cooler. Pull after pull, the iat's would quickly cool back down; ready for more.
 
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Twisted Tuning

Lieutenant
Platinum Vendor
Oct 25, 2016
974
903
0
New York
www.twistedtuning.com
Ride
N54 and N55 Cars
IMO the whole concept of "too much" intercooler is mostly just marketing. Buy the biggest, baddest FMIC you can afford that is properly designed and let me know when you regret it. The race is a good choice.

Chris


to an extent you're right. But there are many situations depending on the build (general cross platform talk here) where too big an intercooler will and has effected transient boost and spool.

But, for his plans. 100% agree.... buy the intercooler once that will support your future needs. Get the big boy.
 

JAperformance

Specialist
Feb 13, 2017
90
44
0
Ride
09 335i
Definitely the VRSF Race Core if your plans are to go all out later. I have it and don't regret it. Works great!
 

LessIsMore

Specialist
Aug 21, 2017
56
22
0
Ride
09 535i
to an extent you're right. But there are many situations depending on the build (general cross platform talk here) where too big an intercooler will and has effected transient boost and spool.

But, for his plans. 100% agree.... buy the intercooler once that will support your future needs. Get the big boy.
I know this is possible, when I say 'too much intercooler' doesn't exist, I'm talking about the options for turbos and IC's on the N54/55 platform.
 

langsbr

Captain
Apr 5, 2017
1,266
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07 335i 6MT e90
I installed my VRSF Race before I did my MMPs. Ran fine from what I could tell, but I didn't do massive empirical data testing to see if WGDC had to increase to maintain boost. If so, it was minimal. I say go for it.