[Discreet_335i]

Hi all - just placed an order for one of these fmic kits for my n55. Will post of pics here and my thoughts on it for you all to read when I install in. Hopefully this week.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by Discreet_335i

Hi all - just placed an order for one of these fmic kits for my n55. Will post of pics here and my thoughts on it for you all to read when I install in. Hopefully this week.

Why CXracing? Why not VRSF?

[Discreet_335i]

Performance reviews from members here and other forums have been all positive. I did read something about the alignment of brackets but hopefully by now they've ironed those things out. Liked the larger core, piping that's included, and the price compared to the other kits that most lack a charge pipe. Thou they can be bought separately in the end at a higher price than what I paid for this kit. $522 shipped.

No doubt Ill put my thoughts on it.

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

Cant wait to see installed pics!!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Discreet_335i

Hi all - just placed an order for one of these fmic kits for my n55. Will post of pics here and my thoughts on it for you all to read when I install in. Hopefully this week.

Pics are nice but logs showing IAT would be more useful

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by Discreet_335i

$522 shipped.

That seems to be a pretty good price. Not heard of that brand before. Please do a write up on ease of installation, fitment, post some before and after logs, etc.

[Johnny Boost]

5" or 7"?

[Discreet_335i]

Originally Posted by Johnny Boost

5" or 7"?

Neither bro. The core itself is 3.5" thick x 12" tall x 24" wide.

Expand your horizons. Although trimming isnt everyones cup of tea

[Discreet_335i]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Pics are nice but logs showing IAT would be more useful

Ill get some logs of before and after. Ill get some before ones tonight.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by Discreet_335i

Neither bro. The core itself is 3.5" thick x 12" tall x 24" wide.
Expand your horizons. Although trimming isnt everyones cup of tea

"Keeps factory bumper. only needs to cut/trim minor plastic bumper"
http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/merchant...egory_Code=E90

CXR FMIC dimensions: 3.5 x 12 x 24
VRSF 7" dimensions: 7.125 x 5.75 x 20
VRSF 5" dimensions: 5 x 5.75 x 20

So looks like CXR has made it wider and taller rather than thicker. Interesting.

[CombatNinja]

Over 1000 cubic inches. Enjoy that pressure drop. Do you live in Death Valley?

[Discreet_335i]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

Over 1000 cubic inches. Enjoy that pressure drop. Do you live in Death Valley?

Born and raised.

[weehe126]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

"Keeps factory bumper. only needs to cut/trim minor plastic bumper"
http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/merchant...egory_Code=E90

CXR FMIC dimensions: 3.5 x 12 x 24
VRSF 7" dimensions: 7.125 x 5.75 x 20
VRSF 5" dimensions: 5 x 5.75 x 20

So looks like CXR has made it wider and taller rather than thicker. Interesting.

There is no way that is going to fit easy. I just installed the vrsf 7" and had tight clearance on the sides with decent cutting. The CX is 4" wider, that is going to take major cutting and take up 6" of radiator space. Not to mention you will probably have to cut or remove the crash bar. All I will say is good luck and that I'm not knocking your decision, but I guarantee it will be difficult. And FWIW, it should cool great if it has good fin packing.

[Discreet_335i]

Stayed tuned bro... I'll take plenty pics.

[Discreet_335i]

Fmic due in tomorrow! Have logs done with the stocker.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Minor trimming is a bit misleading, this intercooler requires a LOT of cutting. You could almost call it hacking since you have to remove a lot of hard plastic and you have to modify the bumper cover which no other intercooler requires.

We considered creating a "race" intercooler that used this style of core but it requires too much hacking of the shroud which creates less airflow to both the intercooler and the radiator. A large portion of the core won't have ambient air flowing through it since the bumper reinforcement and bumper completely cover the area. You just end up blocking the middle/bottom of the radiator & the top/middle of the intercooler.

This results in warm air on the upper half of the FMIC mixing with the cooled air down at the bottom portion which warms the overall temps. You also lose the seal on the bottom portion of the radiator fan which presents it's own set of problems since you no longer have an intercooler covering the bottom portion of the fan. This negatively effects the fans vacuum effect since it's now pulling a majority of it's air through the open section on the bottom of the fan instead of through the radiator and the intercooler.

Will it be better than stock? Probably, but there are less expensive alternatives that don't negatively impact the cars cooling system which is already a bit weak to begin with. You should also keep in mind that the chargepipe they offer is the clamp/coupler option which is known for blowing off at higher than stock boost pressures. The preferred CP option is the OEM C-clip option which retains the factory style connection with the c-clip and o-ring.

[Discreet_335i]

Its not everyone's cup of tea.... right up my alley thou

Heres a pic cxracing posted here somtime ago.

[Discreet_335i]

Check out the advan's intercooler for E8X

posted sometime ago by Advan on the forums here.

[snaimpally]

Thought I would add the Active Autowerks FMIC dimensions:

CXR FMIC dimensions: 3.5 x 12 x 24
VRSF 7" dimensions: 7.125 x 5.75 x 20
VRSF 5" dimensions: 5 x 5.75 x 20
Active Autowerks: 6 x 6 x 20