Pros and Cons of various FMICs

JPA · 10-26-2009, 05:16 PM

Looking to hear some experiences from owners...particularly AA and Helix...and others.

Tx,
John

Donald-335i · 10-26-2009, 05:34 PM

Helix amazing performance wise.....

just a sh** load of cutting......... don't know to much about the AA

JoosyJoos · 10-26-2009, 05:47 PM

You have to take a chunk of plastic out on the AA install. Its not a big deal you just have to have a jig saw or dremel with some good blades that wont snap (its pretty thick plastic).

I had a problem with the clamps on my AA intercooler. I guess I didn't get them tight enough and had a pipe pop off but I think this was because of my own error. Everything seems okay now. The build quality of the AA product is great and the install instructions are very thorough. You can also search for the install review that Former Boosted IS has posted.

john boxter · 10-26-2009, 06:35 PM

i really like the stett design i think that will be the one i might get im just waiting for a used one

orientblue3 · 10-26-2009, 06:39 PM

AMS

TTexan · 10-26-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john boxter

i really like the stett design i think that will be the one i might get im just waiting for a used one

Thumbs up from me, it's pretty large.

Good dremel tool is a necessity. Quality work.

MFKN3 · 10-26-2009, 07:28 PM

I have the helix and it is a hog, I love it. Had to cut a lot though (no big deal really), but my IAT's barely move, even at WOT, full boost.

ianthegreat · 10-26-2009, 08:44 PM

I have the helix (2nd to last model) and trimmed very little. I hear their new FMIC requires no cutting/trimming whatsoever.

Darkcyd_Turbo · 10-26-2009, 08:56 PM

I went with the AMS but I'm waiting for the spring to install so I can't really give any personal experiences with it yet.

Amir87 · 10-26-2009, 09:13 PM

I got the VK FMIC (haven't received it yet) due to ease of install and no cutting. If not for that then I would have gone with AMS.

rbaldwin28 · 10-26-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amir87

I got the VK FMIC (haven't received it yet) due to ease of install and no cutting. If not for that then I would have gone with AMS.

I also VK, same reason.

TakeOne · 10-26-2009, 09:38 PM

Pro:
You get better performance

Con:
.... .... ? .... you have to spend money for it?
(in all seriousness, all fmic's are heavier than stock, so you do add a little weight)

rbaldwin28 · 10-26-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakeOne

Pro:
You get better performance

Con:
.... .... ? .... you have to spend money for it?
(in all seriousness, all fmic's are heavier than stock, so you do add a little weight)

Get rid of these stock wheels should more than make up for that weight.(My run-flats are almost gone.)

roozie2001 · 10-26-2009, 09:51 PM

there is no cons to a FMIC. If i had to do it all over again it would be the first mod i get.

mwl2015 · 10-26-2009, 10:41 PM

ams, i love mine and theres just a little trimming needed to make it fit

Craig@SupremePower · 10-26-2009, 11:55 PM

Helix here very happy with it...

solid77 · 10-27-2009, 12:30 AM

is the code3 more of a 135i thing? how is the code3 vs the helix?

Terrance28 · 10-27-2009, 02:00 AM

Stett baby!! This thing ain't huge for nothing, it requires alot of trimming but it is well worth it.

Bomis · 10-27-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donald-335i

Helix amazing performance wise.....

just a sh** load of cutting......... don't know to much about the AA

I installed the latest version of the helix.....no cutting required at all!

Spydeputy · 10-27-2009, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roozie2001

there is no cons to a FMIC. If i had to do it all over again it would be the first mod i get.

VK FMIC is my next mod. i don't track or race, so i'm not on it all the time. VK is almost half the price of the others. and claims 40% above stock. (40%, did i get that right) so i feel there is a Large market group of BMW owners like me out there. Kudos to VK ! competition is health. but on the other side, and most women say, this time "Size Does Matter"

Roozie got it right, any thing is better than stock. my hats off to all FMIC's.

Alpina_B3_Lux · 10-27-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solid77

is the code3 more of a 135i thing? how is the code3 vs the helix?

I have the Code3 Performance and am very satisfied with it. I cannot directly compare it to Helix, but at least judging from the numbers I've read they should be more or less comparable performance-wise.

Alpina_B3_Lux

Alan l. · 10-27-2009, 09:24 AM

Whats the dealer take on cars coming in with upgraded fmic? Anybody have issues?

10-26-2009, 05:16 PM	#1
JPA Private First Class 8 Rep 106 Posts Drives: German Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (3)	Pros and Cons of various FMICs Looking to hear some experiences from owners...particularly AA and Helix...and others. Tx, John
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10-26-2009, 05:34 PM	#2
Donald-335i Banned 191 Rep 3,588 Posts Drives: The Hoes Crazy! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (13)	Helix amazing performance wise..... just a sh** load of cutting......... don't know to much about the AA
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10-26-2009, 05:47 PM	#3
JoosyJoos Major 115 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	You have to take a chunk of plastic out on the AA install. Its not a big deal you just have to have a jig saw or dremel with some good blades that wont snap (its pretty thick plastic). I had a problem with the clamps on my AA intercooler. I guess I didn't get them tight enough and had a pipe pop off but I think this was because of my own error. Everything seems okay now. The build quality of the AA product is great and the install instructions are very thorough. You can also search for the install review that Former Boosted IS has posted. __________________ 1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22 2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
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10-26-2009, 06:35 PM	#4
john boxter Captain 35 Rep 763 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: long Island New York iTrader: (3)	i really like the stett design i think that will be the one i might get im just waiting for a used one
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10-26-2009, 06:39 PM	#5
orientblue3 Captain 28 Rep 864 Posts Drives: RIP 335, Now P30 C63 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: DFW iTrader: (2)	AMS
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10-26-2009, 07:28 PM	#7
MFKN3 Colonel 127 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: supercharged 4.4L stroker E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (2)	I have the helix and it is a hog, I love it. Had to cut a lot though (no big deal really), but my IAT's barely move, even at WOT, full boost.
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10-26-2009, 08:44 PM	#8
ianthegreat Colonel 60 Rep 2,314 Posts Drives: n54 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh/Houston iTrader: (1)	I have the helix (2nd to last model) and trimmed very little. I hear their new FMIC requires no cutting/trimming whatsoever.
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10-26-2009, 08:56 PM	#9
Darkcyd_Turbo "Booty Hole Bandit" 32 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: 2008 Montego E92 335xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madison, WI iTrader: (14)	I went with the AMS but I'm waiting for the spring to install so I can't really give any personal experiences with it yet.
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10-26-2009, 09:13 PM	#10
Amir87 Gruppe Titan 264 Rep 2,839 Posts Drives: 08 E92 SG/Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NC iTrader: (37) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00]	I got the VK FMIC (haven't received it yet) due to ease of install and no cutting. If not for that then I would have gone with AMS. __________________
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10-26-2009, 09:38 PM	#12
TakeOne Just1MoreMod 354 Rep 712 Posts Drives: F80 M3, F48 X1 Join Date: May 2008 Location: mid-atlantic iTrader: (7)	Pro: You get better performance Con: .... .... ? .... you have to spend money for it? (in all seriousness, all fmic's are heavier than stock, so you do add a little weight) __________________ Stage 3 - Pure Turbo F80 M3 Dinan Infested F48 X1
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10-26-2009, 09:51 PM	#14
roozie2001 Just some guy 49 Rep 1,531 Posts Drives: 2008 White 335i sedan Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (4)	there is no cons to a FMIC. If i had to do it all over again it would be the first mod i get. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i/Sedan/Alpine White/Terra/Steptronic/Premium Package/Sports package/Comfort Access/USB/Sirius
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10-26-2009, 10:41 PM	#15
mwl2015 Private First Class 4 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: GA iTrader: (1)	ams, i love mine and theres just a little trimming needed to make it fit
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10-26-2009, 11:55 PM	#16
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1002 Rep 74,998 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)	Helix here very happy with it...
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10-27-2009, 12:30 AM	#17
solid77 Private First Class 16 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2010 135i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: seattle, wa iTrader: (3)	is the code3 more of a 135i thing? how is the code3 vs the helix?
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10-27-2009, 02:00 AM	#18
Terrance28 Brigadier General 109 Rep 3,334 Posts Drives: Crimson Red E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Killeen, TX iTrader: (17)	Stett baby!! This thing ain't huge for nothing, it requires alot of trimming but it is well worth it. Attached Images __________________ Mods list got too long, lets just say more than enough.
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10-27-2009, 09:24 AM	#22
Alan l. Major General 5507 Rep 8,835 Posts Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United States iTrader: (9)	Whats the dealer take on cars coming in with upgraded fmic? Anybody have issues? __________________
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