[jwebb335xi]

Hey guys,

I've posted on this topic a few times and have gotten a bunch of great advice and details regarding all sorts of FMICs for a 2008 335 XI. I've narrowed my search to CP-E and the ETS 5" based on the follwing facts: (1) both seem to replace substantial portions of the stock piping freeing up air flow, (2) both offer pressure drop similar to or better than stock, (3) both offer reasonable temperature drops, (4) I live near Chicago and (5) the car won't be tracked all that often (hence, i don't really need 7"),

I haven't see a single negative comment about either of these FMICs for our cars.

So, with regard to EST 5" and CP-E, does anyone have a bad experience I should be aware of or should I simply shop now based on delivered price.

Near as I can tell, ETS is about $700 and CP-E is about $800, but I think it has lifetime warranty and perhaps less pressure loss (maybe worth $100 extra..?)..

Thanks guys.

2008 335XI
Cobb AP Stage 1
ER Charge Pipe (long version)
Forge Diverters

[TheYuriPanda]

VRSF and call it a day. Theyre proven to be amazing and at a fraction of the price your looking at. Many if not 90% of the people here have the VRSF due to its performance and price. They do offer a 5in core, but why not just get the 7in core. Might as well,

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Hey guys,

I've posted on this topic a few times and have gotten a bunch of great advice and details regarding all sorts of FMICs for a 2008 335 XI. I've narrowed my search to CP-E and the ETS 5" based on the follwing facts: (1) both seem to replace substantial portions of the stock piping freeing up air flow, (2) both offer pressure drop similar to or better than stock, (3) both offer reasonable temperature drops, (4) I live near Chicago and (5) the car won't be tracked all that often (hence, i don't really need 7"),

I haven't see a single negative comment about either of these FMICs for our cars.

So, with regard to EST 5" and CP-E, does anyone have a bad experience I should be aware of or should I simply shop now based on delivered price.

Near as I can tell, ETS is about $700 and CP-E is about $800, but I think it has lifetime warranty and perhaps less pressure loss (maybe worth $100 extra..?)..

Thanks guys.

2008 335XI
Cobb AP Stage 1
ER Charge Pipe (long version)
Forge Diverters

ETS is a great choice. I have many happy customers with them! Also look at the AMS as its exactly in your price point, but if you are set on either ETS or CPE my vote goes to ETS.

Mike

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Between ETS and CP-E I'd also go with ETS but this is nothing against the CP-E, its a great intercooler too.

[chepy24]

Originally Posted by TheYuriPanda

VRSF and call it a day. Theyre proven to be amazing and at a fraction of the price your looking at. Many if not 90% of the people here have the VRSF due to its performance and price. They do offer a 5in core, but why not just get the 7in core. Might as well,

this

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

ETS is a great choice. I have many happy customers with them! Also look at the AMS as its exactly in your price point, but if you are set on either ETS or CPE my vote goes to ETS.

Mike

Mike,

I've heard lots of great things about AMS and they have been recommended. My only concerns there are (1) I hear I may need to trim on the 335, (2) I've read where people have had a hard time lining up the silicone fittings (user error maybe?).

Do you have any sense of how they compare in terms of pressure loss to the ETS and/or CP-E?? Ultimately, fit and pressure loss are my biggest issues given where I live and how I will use the car.

[mike@x-ph.com]

If i had to pick between the 2 FMIC you have, i would go with ETS .

[blacknbean]

i chose ETS...no regrets!

[proTUNING Freaks]

All are far better than stock. Our votes go to AMS for superior end tank design and Helix/Cobb/ETS for the best IAT control we've seen over the years tuning the N54.

Deep cores are not necessarily better, one thing to keep in mind. Its frontal area, end tank design and core quality that matter the most.

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

ETS 5 inch if staying stock turbos, VRSF 7 inch if going to rib's or larger down the road.

[Stucks]

Originally Posted by proTUNING Freaks

All are far better than stock. Our votes go to AMS for superior end tank design and Helix/Cobb/ETS for the best IAT control we've seen over the years tuning the N54.

Deep cores are not necessarily better, one thing to keep in mind. Its frontal area, end tank design and core quality that matter the most.

+1 for this post.

ams, vrsf, cpe, ect all have good flowing end tank designs. cpe even published papers on it. these are the best for flow and if you are running methanol, this is the choice id go with.

if not running methanol, you want your fmic to give you the best iat control it can , with the most frontal surface area. For this, youd want to look at helix/ambient thermal management, cobb, ets. ets doesnt have a lot more frontal surface area like the atm or cobb fmics, but they do have a great fin pack and they do offer their intercooler in 7 inch thickness. my buddy had the 7 inch thick ets intercooler and went 11.7 @123mph on stock turbos, so it deff performs well.

[happytaco]

Originally Posted by TheYuriPanda

VRSF and call it a day. Theyre proven to be amazing and at a fraction of the price your looking at. Many if not 90% of the people here have the VRSF due to its performance and price. They do offer a 5in core, but why not just get the 7in core. Might as well,

This. We just replaced the AA on my car with a VRSF 7" and IAT's are cooler by at least 10 degrees.

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Hey guys,

I've posted on this topic a few times and have gotten a bunch of great advice and details regarding all sorts of FMICs for a 2008 335 XI. I've narrowed my search to CP-E and the ETS 5" based on the follwing facts: (1) both seem to replace substantial portions of the stock piping freeing up air flow, (2) both offer pressure drop similar to or better than stock, (3) both offer reasonable temperature drops, (4) I live near Chicago and (5) the car won't be tracked all that often (hence, i don't really need 7"),

I haven't see a single negative comment about either of these FMICs for our cars.

So, with regard to EST 5" and CP-E, does anyone have a bad experience I should be aware of or should I simply shop now based on delivered price.

Near as I can tell, ETS is about $700 and CP-E is about $800, but I think it has lifetime warranty and perhaps less pressure loss (maybe worth $100 extra..?)..

Thanks guys.

2008 335XI
Cobb AP Stage 1
ER Charge Pipe (long version)
Forge Diverters

Thanks for all the comments and help guys. I went with ETS given where I'm located and ease of installation. If I lived in a really hot area or raced all the time, I'm probably would have gone with an ER for a few hundred more and dealt with the cutting!

Hope to have time for the install - and decent temps in my garage over the next couple weeks. I expect good flow and reduced/consistent AIT such that I can move to Cobb 1+ without timing and knock problems. Custom tune may come next.

[boris]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Mike,

I've heard lots of great things about AMS and they have been recommended. My only concerns there are (1) I hear I may need to trim on the 335, (2) I've read where people have had a hard time lining up the silicone fittings (user error maybe?).

Do you have any sense of how they compare in terms of pressure loss to the ETS and/or CP-E?? Ultimately, fit and pressure loss are my biggest issues given where I live and how I will use the car.

AMS had perfect fitment.

Sure I had to trim the plastic shroud on the front to fit it but it was well worth it.

The endtank design is beautiful, and its 6" core. Real nice.

Its made a real difference....

[Welterweight]

Vrsf 7 inch is a great FMIC. But you seem to be ignoring the comments about vrsf. Why is that? They are affordable but also high quality.

[TheYuriPanda]

Originally Posted by Welterweight

Vrsf 7 inch is a great FMIC. But you seem to be ignoring the comments about vrsf. Why is that? They are affordable but also high quality.

"Bigger brand"? Maybe? I know that's how some people are. They want K&N, AMS,... The biggies.

[Dmacc]

ETS 7 inch gets my vote!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Welterweight

Vrsf 7 inch is a great FMIC. But you seem to be ignoring the comments about vrsf. Why is that? They are affordable but also high quality.

Originally Posted by TheYuriPanda

"Bigger brand"? Maybe? I know that's how some people are. They want K&N, AMS,... The biggies.

The OP was looking for a high density core.

[shadow191]

I know you already got the ETS; but I just wanted mention that I have the CP-E (since no one seems to own one these days) and it's a really nice piece. Everything lines up and the couple of times I've had to remove/reinstall it's been very easy.

[MORTON]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

The OP was looking for a high density core.

Ohhhh I get it ......



"High density" or not VRSF and AA serve the same purpose and perform just the same for a fraction of the cost. Don't get me wrong ETS is great and I know plenty of people who have them and are pleased but out of VRSF and ETS to me, its a toss up for what it is, an FMIC. No one here is on a professional race team running Rolex 24's in the desert..

OP we want pics of the install brother!!

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by MORTON

Ohhhh I get it ......



"High density" or not VRSF and AA serve the same purpose and perform just the same for a fraction of the cost. Don't get me wrong ETS is great and I know plenty of people who have them and are pleased but out of VRSF and ETS to me, its a toss up for what it is, an FMIC. No one here is on a professional race team running Rolex 24's in the desert..

OP we want pics of the install brother!!

I think you to easilly dismiss a quality high density core. This makes a HUGE difference in performance. I agree we aren't pushing these cars to the max (at least most of us aren't) but a high quality high density core is probably more important then even core size.

ITs too bad we don't have any back to back to back comparison tests on the various brands, as unfortunately swapping out an FMIC is a little time consuming.

Mike

[MORTON]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

I think you to easilly dismiss a quality high density core. This makes a HUGE difference in performance. I agree we aren't pushing these cars to the max (at least most of us aren't) but a high quality high density core is probably more important then even core size.

ITs too bad we don't have any back to back to back comparison tests on the various brands, as unfortunately swapping out an FMIC is a little time consuming.

Mike

Not saying it isn't impotant but as you said the majority here are street driven and yes comparisons would be great!