FMIC which one - HPF or AA

[BahamaBart]

I've looked at both and lets just put aside
a) the whole to cut or not to cut for the install.
b) factory connector or non-factory.

From a cooling perspective - I would think the AA having more frontal area would be more efficient. Of course core quality is a factor.

Assuming same price and eliminating the above variables - which one would you choose?

[TurboBullett@Ambient Thermal Management]

Originally Posted by BahamaBart

I've looked at both and lets just put aside
a) the whole to cut or not to cut for the install.
b) factory connector or non-factory.

From a cooling perspective - I would think the AA having more frontal area would be more efficient. Of course core quality is a factor.

Assuming same price and eliminating the above variables - which one would you choose?

Why not choose a helix and have the best of both worlds? It has a thicker core like the Ams and a larger frontal face like the AA, it also has a totally custom core(not off the shelf) manufactured for this platform that features rounded face and hot side tubes!

[BahamaBart]

Your're right its the hybrid option between the two. I know helix well from the Mini community, good guys and stuff. I guess I'm at that conceptual point - AA style IC should be very thermal efficient assuming top notch core. At the same time whenever someone inquires about IC replacement, HPF is a top recommendation. A lot of emphasis is placed on the "no cutting" which I find ironic because if you have to trim a 1/2 inch (HPF) what's the difference of having to trim 5 inches.

I guess I really need to see the AA core.

[VALAS135i]

Originally Posted by BahamaBart

Your're right its the hybrid option between the two. I know helix well from the Mini community, good guys and stuff. I guess I'm at that conceptual point - AA style IC should be very thermal efficient assuming top notch core. At the same time whenever someone inquires about IC replacement, HPF is a top recommendation. A lot of emphasis is placed on the "no cutting" which I find ironic because if you have to trim a 1/2 inch (HPF) what's the difference of having to trim 5 inches.

I guess I really need to see the AA core.

The HPF FMIC requires a hell of alot of cutting. Maybe not as much as AA's but it is still a lot of work.

[1speedbike]

HPF claims they don't require too much cutting but if you watch their own install video they do a decent amount of it! Still a great FMIC, if you watch another one of their videos (i think) they explain a bit how the core's built using a different method than most IC's, making it slightly heavier than even stock, but more efficient at cooling. I'd choose it over AA, though they're both great companies, and many people would gladly disagree with me.

I have a friend with a Helix FMIC and he loves it. He got it installed at their shop and they did programming on his car for free (like M3 speedo coding, things like that). They're great guys over at Helix. However, he has a 335i, so I can't speak about the cutting or fit of it, but he loves it.

As you get into it, the difference between +80% core volume vs +87% core volume really doesn't matter quite so much (i made those numbers up, but you get the picture). It's still gonna be twice as good at cooling as stock, and everyone you ask for an opinion is going to just say whatever brand they have/want to buy is the best brand there is. So as long as you're getting a more efficient IC, I'd say to actually worry less about the small print numbers and more about convenience, price, and even the shape of the piping. The less the piping bends, the more smoothly the air flows and the better it performs.. but not many companies take this into account as much as they should. HPF does


Also, Wagner and Forge have FMIC's that require no cutting. That's something to consider as well.

[escobar929]

i personally would go w/ either HPF or ETS

i pass on anything AA

[VALAS135i]

Originally Posted by escobar929

i personally would go w/ either HPF or ETS

i pass on anything AA

Agreed. Thier fitment sucks balls.